Insider Travel Tips

Where to vacation in Guatemala?

Travellers usually start their Guatemala vacation in historic and colourful Guatemala City, which delights visitors with both Indigenous Mayan culture and 17th century Spanish architecture. Plan on at least two days in the capital to enjoy the fascinating art scene, from modern dance and concerts to art galleries and museums. The other city you can’t miss is Antigua, with its cobblestone streets, brightly painted historic center, and arresting vistas featuring one of the city’s four volcanoes in the background.

The natural beauty of Guatemala astounds even the most well-travelled birders and adventurers. Experienced bird guides know that the Resplendent Quetzal is at the top of most birders’ life lists, but Guatemala has more than 770 bird species, with over 40 endemic birds. Daredevils plan their Guatemala vacations around hiking at least one of the 37 volcanoes, especially the three most active peaks: Pacaya, Fuego, and Santiaguito. Nothing compares to the thrill of seeing bursts of lava and fire against the night sky, though tour operators always keep their guests at a safe distance.

Nature lovers have many exciting options for their Guatemala vacation. The first is Lake Atitlán, ringed by postcard-perfect villages and volcanoes. Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must for its Mayan ruins and impressive biodiversity. Two other fascinating sites are the beautiful Semuc Champey, a natural limestone bridge that stretches 300 m (990 ft) over the turbulent Cahabón River, and Yaxhá, a Mayan archaeological site only 30 km (19 mi) from Tikal. 

How much is a trip to Guatemala?

For your Guatemala vacation, you should budget USD $2,000-$2,500 per week. If you plan to stay in one place, your trip to Guatemala will be less expensive. However, with so many fabulous places to see, it’s highly recommended to travel around and visit at least three of Guatemala’s top destinations. Budget hostels with shared rooms can cost as little as $20 per night, but for more comfortable accommodations, plan $100-$120 per night for hotels. Many destinations in Guatemala do not have mid-range options.

Meals at markets or local restaurants cost around $10 but you will need to speak Spanish. Restaurant meals cost $30-50 and you should expect establishments who invest in multilingual staff to be on the spendier side. A 10% tip is customary in restaurants but not at markets. Group day tours cost $100-$150, depending on the activity and group size. Tours with a private guide cost around $200, especially if the guide is fluent in English. Tips for guides are expected, though the amount varies widely depending on the group size and activity. If you want to see the best destinations in Guatemala and are short on time, check out Goway’s 6-day Discover Guatemala itinerary.

What is Guatemala best known for?

Guatemala hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves until recently, but now global travellers are embracing it as one of the best destinations for culture, history, and natural beauty. Your Guatemala vacation will sweep you off your feet with its rich blend of Indigenous cultures and exquisite art. The Mayan civilization goes back 3,500 years and today you can still see their massive temples and learn how their culture still influences modern Guatemalans. 

Guatemala is best known for its rich Indigenous Mayan culture, especially Indigenous art, cuisine, and language. You’ll love seeing Guatemalan women in their colourful embroidered huipil blouses, which each show what community and family the wearer belongs to. Don’t pass up the opportunity to buy some of their exquisite weavings and textiles.

Tied with modern Mayan culture are the stunning archaeological sites that showcase Mayan engineering and ingenuity. Ancient Mayan temples like Tikal and Yaxhá are a must for anybody interested in history, archaeology, and architecture.

Mayan culture’s respect for nature makes Guatemala one of the best destinations in the world to see intact tropical ecosystems. Plan a few days in your Guatemala vacation to visit nature reserves and national parks, including at least a day birding to look for the national bird, the Resplendent Quetzal with its long green tail feathers.

What to pack for a trip to Guatemala?

Guatemala is a tropical country, so if you want a beach and will stay at low altitude, plan for hot weather. Guatemala City and Angitua are both at higher altitude, which helps temper the hot climate. Many of Guatemala’s scenic hikes, on volcanoes or for wildlife spotting in mountainous biodiversity hotspots, will take you to higher altitudes with slightly chillier weather. Always pack rain gear, even if you’re visiting during the dry season from November through April. It’s also essential to bring a water bottle with a filter to avoid buying disposable plastic bottles because most places in Guatemala do not have recycling facilities for plastic.

Is Guatemala safe for tourists?

Tourist destinations in Guatemala are safe for travellers and major travel companies like Goway only visit safe places. Plan your Guatemala vacation in cities like the capital and Antigua, archaeological sites like Tikal and Yaxhá, and nature destinations like Lake Atitlán and Semuc Champey. Places that are far from major destinations have less police presence and less help available in case of problems. Check your country’s travel advisories when planning your trip to avoid high risk locations.

Do you need a visa for Guatemala?

Citizens of about 80 countries receive a 90-day visa on arrival in Guatemala, including most European countries, Canada, the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Other nationalities must apply for a visa before booking flights, so check with your embassy when planning your Guatemala vacation. All nationalities must show tickets for exit flights or onward travel departing Guatemala. Your passport needs at least six months validity on the day you enter Guatemala and at least one empty page for stamps.

Why do tourists go to Guatemala?

For many years Guatemala was an uncommon tourist destination, popular mostly with backpackers and aid workers. Today this vibrant country is a popular destination for travellers interested in art, history, Indigenous cultures, adventure, and nature. Though thousands of tourists fall in love with Guatemala every day, the country still gets a fraction of the crowds that visit more established destinations in Central America. If you want to see the best of Guatemalan cities, history and nature, check out Goway’s Guatemala Signature itinerary.

How long can you vacation in Guatemala?

All nationalities who receive a visa on arrival are granted 90 days in Guatemala. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension at the immigration office in Guatemala City, or you can leave the country and re-enter. When you enter the first time, you still need to show a departure ticket within 90 days, so make sure that ticket is changeable or refundable if you plan to stay longer.

Is Guatemala LGBTQ+ friendly?

International travellers are welcomed warmly in Guatemala, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. However, there are no anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBTQ+ people and local culture in some parts of the country is socially conservative. Travellers can safely express their identity, though public displays of affection should be limited to hotels and resorts geared towards the international crowd. In Guatemala’s conservative culture, public displays of affection are uncommon for anybody, regardless of gender.

Same-sex relations have been legal since 1871 and in 2022 the Guatemalan congress cancelled a law that would have outlawed marriage equality. However, progress on rights for transgender people has lagged behind rights for the LGB community. Transgender Guatemalans can legally change their name to match their gender, but they cannot legally change their gender for identification documents. However, transgender travellers are welcomed equally in Guatemala.

Do I need to tip in Guatemala?

It’s customary to tip 10% at restaurants and bars that international travellers frequent. Smaller, family run establishments may not expect a tip, though it’s always much appreciated. Likewise, tipping hotel housekeeping and concierge services is not mandatory, but $1 per day is common and much appreciated. Tour guides should always be tipped, though the appropriate amount varies widely depending on the length of the tour, the number of people in the group and the activities in the tour. Drivers should be tipped $2-$3.

What currency does Guatemala use?

The Guatemalan currency is the Quetzal, named after their national bird, abbreviated as GTQ. It is a relatively stable currency and fluctuates between 7.70 and 7.80 quetzales per US dollar. The US dollar is widely accepted, especially in Guatemala City and by tour operators throughout the country. Bring small bills in good condition as it may be difficult to get change for large bills and bills that are torn or in poor shape may not be accepted. Keep in mind, you will invariably receive your change in GTQ. When travelling outside Guatemala City and Antigua, it’s best to have local currency for all purchases and tips.

Can I drink the tap water in Guatemala?

Tap water in Guatemala must be filtered or boiled. Bring a water bottle with a filter to avoid buying disposable plastic bottles because most places in Guatemala do not have facilities for recycling plastic. Unless you know that a restaurant uses clean water to wash fruits and vegetables, stick to fruits that you can peel, like bananas and mangoes. Good hotels and restaurants, like the ones Goway books, use safe water in their cooking and meal prep.

Drinks like Flor de Jamaica and refrescos are boiled before cooling and are safe to drink. However, it’s best to ask if the ice cubes have been made with filtered or boiled water.