Guatemala is Central America at its most authentic. The country has more Mayan ruins than almost anywhere else, a colonial city that stopped in time after an earthquake 250 years ago, and a volcanic lake so beautiful that Aldous Huxley once said it surpassed Lake Como. It is also one of the most culturally alive places in the Americas. More than half the population is indigenous Maya, and traditional dress, markets, and ceremonies are part of daily life, not tourist performances. The landscape is dramatic: 37 volcanoes (three of them active), cloud forests, jungle-covered lowlands, and Pacific and Caribbean coastlines. Guatemala is not always easy travel, and that is part of what makes it so rewarding. The infrastructure is basic in places, but the people are welcoming and the experiences feel genuinely undiscovered.
MAYA · ANTIGUA · VOLCANOES
Guatemala
Mayan Ruins, Volcanoes & Highland Lakes
COLONIAL TIME CAPSULE
A city frozen in time
Antigua Guatemala is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the Americas. It was the capital of Spain's Central American territories from 1543 until the devastating earthquake of 1773 — rather than rebuild, the Spanish moved the capital to present-day Guatemala City and left Antigua as a time capsule. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of cobbled streets, ruined convents and Baroque facades framed by three volcanoes.
The Arco de Santa Catalina, a yellow arch with Volcán de Agua visible through it, is one of the most photographed sights in Central America. The roofless Cathedral is open to the sky, its moss-covered walls genuinely haunting, while Convento de las Capuchinas and Casa Santo Domingo have become museums and gardens.
The town is small enough to walk in a day, but its restaurants, rooftop cafés and craft markets reward a slower stay — and it makes the obvious, comfortable base for climbing a volcano or two.
ANCIENT MAYA
Temples above the canopy
Tikal is the largest excavated Maya city and one of the most powerful city-states of the ancient world, set deep in the Petén jungle of northern Guatemala amid forest alive with howler monkeys, toucans and coatis. At its 8th-century peak it held around 100,000 people across more than sixteen square kilometres.
The ruins are immense. Temple IV, over 70 metres tall, looks out across the canopy with the crowns of other temples breaking through the trees; the Great Plaza is flanked by facing pyramids and lined with carved stelae recording the city's history. More than 3,000 structures stand here, only a fraction fully excavated — and a sunrise tour lets you watch the forest wake around them.
Most visitors base themselves in Flores, a small island town on Lake Petén Itzá with a charming, laid-back old quarter a short flight from Guatemala City.
HIGHLAND LAKE
Three volcanoes, a dozen villages
Lake Atitlán fills a volcanic caldera in the western highlands, ringed by three volcanoes and a dozen small towns — deep blue water, misty mornings and light that shifts all day. Aldous Huxley thought it surpassed Lake Como, and each lakeside village has kept its own distinct character.
Panajachel is the main hub, its market street stacked with textiles; water taxis cross to San Pedro la Laguna, a relaxed travellers' favourite, and to Santiago Atitlán, a traditional Tz'utujil Maya town where many women still weave and wear embroidered huipiles, and where a shrine to the folk saint Maximón receives offerings of cigarettes and rum.
Hike Indian Nose at dawn for a panorama over the lake and all three volcanoes, then fill the days with kayaking, paddleboarding and village-hopping by boat. This is Maya highland culture as daily life, not performance.
Three Guatemalas, one trip
Colonial Antigua, the highland lake at Atitlán, and the jungle temples of Tikal feel like three different countries — and Guatemala is compact enough to weave all three into one journey. We'll build the route, pace and hotels around your dates — tailor-made, ATOL protected, with a specialist who has actually been there.
Practical Information
UK citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date. You may be asked to show proof of onward travel. No vaccinations are compulsory for entry, but Hepatitis A, typhoid, and rabies vaccines are recommended. Check FCDO advice before travelling.
WHAT TO SEE
Guatemala highlights
Real reviews
What our customers say
From travellers who visited Guatemala with us
We chose Guatemala over the more obvious destinations and it was the right call. It's raw, authentic, and the Mayan culture is still very much alive. We loved learning to weave with local women near Lake Atitlán. The only reason for four stars is that some of the road journeys were quite long, but the scenery made up for it.
Caroline & Neil B.
Tikal at sunrise is worth the trip to Guatemala alone. Climbing Temple IV in the dark and then watching the jungle canopy emerge as the sun came up, with howler monkeys roaring all around — extraordinary. The rest of the trip was great too: Antigua's colonial charm, the Semuc Champey natural pools. Good honest food everywhere. Travelfab handled the logistics perfectly.
Ian K.
Guatemala was the most culturally rich trip we've ever taken. Antigua is gorgeous — the cobblestone streets framed by volcanoes, the colourful markets, the chocolate-making workshops. Lake Atitlán took our breath away and the boat ride between the lakeside villages was wonderful. We visited Chichicastenango market on a Thursday and the colours and energy were incredible. Highly recommend.
Tom & Becky L.
Tailor-made · ATOL 10898
Plan your tailor-made Guatemala trip
Tell us when you want to travel, who with, and roughly what budget you have in mind. A Latin America specialist replies within one working day with a bespoke proposal.
Plan a tailor-made Guatemala tripPlan Your Guatemala Adventure
Our specialists can design a Guatemala trip that takes in Mayan ruins, colonial heritage, and highland lake villages, all with private guides and comfortable accommodation. Every holiday is ATOL protected.