B+

Tourist Popularity

Hotels

Family Friendly

Single Friendly

B-

Senior Friendly

C+

LGBTQ+ Friendly

B+

Weather

B-

Recreation

B-

Nightlife

Restaurants

Crime

InternationalTravel.ai > Guatemala

Guatemala

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit: Winter

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: September

Famous For: Maya ruins and archaeology, Volcanic highlands, Lake Atitlán, Colonial Antigua

Train Access: No

Bus Service: Yes (Transurbano, Rebuli, Transportes Unidos Quetzal, relatively safe)

Tourist Visa: Most Western passport holders (US, EU, Canada, Australia) receive 90 days visa-free entry as tourists. Entry requires a valid passport with 6+ months validity. Guatemala does not offer e-visas; entry is granted upon arrival at airports or land borders.

Guatemala spans volcanic highlands, tropical rainforests, and Caribbean coastlines. Travelers visit Tikal's Maya temples in the Petén region, hike Lake Atitlán's surrounding volcanoes, and explore Antigua's colonial architecture. The Western Highlands around Chichicastenango feature indigenous markets and traditional weaving. Visitors eat pupusas, tamales, and fresh tropical fruits at comedores. The Caribbean coast near Livingston provides Garifuna culture and water activities. Travelers trek through cloud forests, kayak cenotes, and visit archaeological sites spanning Preclassic to Classic Maya periods.

VRBO Vacation Rentals
Learn More

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The Vrbo community offers families an array of rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, and more. Discover properties in destinations that everyone dreams of visiting.

VRBO Vacation Rentals

Podcasts

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Planning Your Trip to Guatemala

Weather: Guatemala has a tropical and subtropical climate with two main seasons: the rainy season (May to October) and the dry season (November to April). Coastal and lowland areas are hot and humid year-round, while highland regions experience cooler temperatures due to elevation. Temperatures vary more by altitude than by season, with highland areas around Antigua and Lake Atitlán remaining pleasantly cool throughout the year. The country is located in a hurricane belt, though major storms are relatively infrequent.

Festivals: Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua, Fiesta de Santo Tomás in Chichicastenango, Rabin Ajau (Daughter of the King) pageant, Festival Gastronómico de Chocolate in Antigua

Best Destinations for Kids: Tikal National Park combines jungle exploration with pyramid climbing and wildlife spotting (jaguars, pumas, howler monkeys). Lake Atitlán offers kayaking, swimming, and visits to Mayan villages accessible by boat from Panajachel. Chocolate Museum in Antigua teaches cacao processing through interactive demonstrations.

Hidden Gem: Huehuetenango in the northwestern highlands remains less visited than Atitlán or Antigua, featuring Cuchumatán Mountains, indigenous Q'anjob'al communities, and access to Laguna Magdalena. The region offers authentic highland culture without tourist infrastructure saturation.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Budget accommodations range from $8-15 USD per night in hostels or basic hotels in Antigua, Chichicastenango, and Panajachel. Meals at local comedores cost $2-5 USD; street food like elotes and tamales run $0.50-2 USD. Chicken buses (microbuses) connect regions for $1-5 USD per journey; shuttles between tourist hubs cost $10-25 USD. Entrance fees to Tikal and Chichicastenango market are $20-30 USD. Daily budget for budget travelers: $25-40 USD.

Accessibility: Accessibility infrastructure is limited outside major tourist centers like Antigua and Panajachel. Cobblestone streets in colonial towns and steep terrain in highlands present mobility challenges. Few hotels have elevators or accessible rooms; public transport lacks wheelchair accommodation. Tikal and some archaeological sites have uneven terrain.

For the Solo Traveler: Solo travel in Guatemala is feasible; tourist areas like Antigua, Panajachel, and Chichicastenango have established backpacker networks and group tour options. Public transportation is reliable but crowded; hiring private shuttles adds cost. Women solo travelers report safety concerns in remote areas and after dark in larger cities; staying in well-traveled zones mitigates risk. The Western Highlands and Lake Atitlán regions attract solo travelers with established hostel communities.

Planning a 1 Week Stay: A 7-day itinerary covers Antigua (2 days) for colonial architecture and nearby Pacaya volcano, Lake Atitlán (2 days) for villages and hiking, Chichicastenango (1 day) for indigenous market, and Tikal (2 days) for Maya temples. This route spans the Western Highlands and Petén regions, hitting major archaeological and cultural sites.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: Extend a week itinerary by adding Livingston and the Caribbean coast (3 days) for Garifuna culture and water activities, Huehuetenango (3 days) for less-visited highlands, and Semuc Champey (2 days) for limestone pools and cave systems in Alta Verapaz. Pace allows time in smaller towns like San Cristóbal Verapaz and exploration of lesser-known archaeological sites beyond Tikal.

Delving into the Culture

Movies Set: The New Adventures of Tarzan, El Norte

Popular Foods: One of the most popular dishes in Guatemala is Pepian, a rich and hearty stew that combines meat, vegetables, and a blend of spices. Another favorite is Kak'ik, a traditional Mayan turkey soup seasoned with coriander, achiote, and chili peppers. For dessert, Guatemalans enjoy Rellenitos, which are plantains stuffed with sweetened black beans and fried, and Tres Leches Cake, a moist cake soaked in three kinds of milk.

Unusual Eats: One unusual food enjoyed in Guatemala is Iguana, which is often cooked in stews. Another is Caldo de Frutas de Mar, a seafood soup that includes a variety of sea creatures, some of which may be unfamiliar and strange to visitors.

Popular Sports: football (soccer), basketball, baseball

Popular Teams: CSD Municipal (football), Comunicaciones FC (football), CSD Xelajú MC (football)

Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid: When greeting someone in Guatemala, it is considered rude to not return a greeting or to ignore someone who is speaking to you. Additionally, pointing with your fingers is considered impolite; instead, Guatemalans often gesture with their lips or chin. It's also important to be punctual for business meetings, but social events may have a more relaxed approach to time.