Visit Guatemala: Ancient Maya Sites, Colonial Cities, and Natural Wonders

Located in the north-central part of Guatemala, Alta Verapaz is a largely agricultural area surrounding the city of Coban. The area is famous for its biodiversity and fertile valleys where coffee and cardamom have been the principal crops for hundreds of years. In the city of Coban, you can visit the 150-year-old church of El Calvario and the Cathedral, which dates back to 1543, but the areas’ greatest riches are concentrated on the great outdoors where there are numerous amazing caves, waterfalls, hiking trails, and bird-watching sites to uncover. At Semuc Champey and the Laguna Lachua National Park, you can combine hiking with swimming in pristine natural pools, and there are abundant opportunities for eco-tourism.

Surrounded by volcanoes in the southern part of Guatemala, the small city of Antigua was the original colonial capital for over 200 years. Art, history, and architecture enthusiasts should definitely add this UNESCO World Heritage Site to their Guatemala itinerary to see several examples of beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. Some of the highlights of your visit will include the Santa Catalina Arch, the Church and Convent of las Capuchinas, the San Francisco Church, and the Antigua Guatemala Cathedral. Besides seeing the historic sites, you can join a variety of tours (including coffee, chocolate, and cultural tours) or get outdoors and active on a zip line, hiking trail, or kayak adventure.

Located in the highlands northwest of Guatemala City, the town of Chichicastenango is the place for shoppers to buy genuine Guatemalan fabrics and crafts at the weekly markets. The open-air markets are held all day on Thursdays and Sundays and attract sellers and shoppers from near and far – a long line of busses carry potential shoppers up the steep winding roads from Guatemala City, Antigua, and Panajachel. Other interesting sights in the town include the Santo Tomas Church, which dates back to the 1600s, the Archaeological Museum, and the Museum of Ceremonial Masks. Also fascinating is the colorful Chichi Cemetery, where all the graves are built above the ground.

The historic colonial city of Coban was founded in 1543 in the Cahabón River Basin in the Alta Verapaz district of Guatemala. There are several interesting attractions and activities to keep visitors busy for a few days, including exploring the remarkable scenery. Within the city you can visit a few architectural gems such as the Church of el Calvario (reached by climbing over a thousand stairs), the Cathedral, and the spectacular Vero Verapaces or Orchid Nursery, which showcases over 60,000 specimens. At the Lachua National Park and Semuc Champey, you can go hiking and swimming surrounded by spectacular natural beauty, and the enormous cave system at Candelare simply demands to be explored.

One of the greatest adventures you can have in Guatemala is to take an expedition to see El Mirador Peten, a very large pre-Columbian Maya settlement found in the heart of the El Petén rainforest. It is thought that the fascinating site, which includes three enormous pyramids, could possibly date back to before 2000 BC, and the large scale of the complex indicates that it was an important center for trade and culture. However, the five-day trek required to reach this remote site is no simple matter, and you will need to be both physically fit and able to do some horse-back/mule riding.

Escuintla is a department located along the Pacific coast of Guatemala, offering visitors a perfect playground to enjoy all that nature has to offer. The many beaches along the coastline are dotted with resorts, offering a perfect base for a relaxing coastal holiday. You can soak up the sun, swim, snorkel, scuba dive, and enjoy some of the best game fishing in the world. Outdoor enthusiasts can spend some time exploring the wonderful Pacaya Volcano, where hiking trails take you right up to the edge of the crater rim. At San Pedro Martir, you can do some cave exploration before cooling down in the pools around the impressive waterfalls. In addition, there are several archaeological sites to explore, and the area is marvelous for bird watching.

Recommended Activities for Families

Unless you have been researching an excursion to the Maya ruins at Tikal, you will probably never even have heard of the charming small town of Flores, which is usually only visited due to its location close to Tikal. The town is located on an island on Lake Petén Itzá and can be reached via a causeway that links it to the mainland. Once inside the town, you can explore a maze of ancient cobbled walkways that wind through a treasure-trove of historic red-roofed buildings dotted with restaurants and bars. There is also an old church to visit and a lovely Spanish plaza. Allow yourself a few hours to explore before or after you catch the bus to Tikal.

Guatemala City is the place to go to polish up your knowledge of Guatemalan history and culture, see some fine art, and eat, shop, and drink like a local. Culture vultures and historians can visit National Archaeology Museum, the Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Dress, the 12th century Mayan ruins of Mixco Viejo, and the Pophul Vuh Museum, which showcases the history, culture, and mythology of the K’iche people. Art lovers can head to the Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias fine-arts complex while those who love architecture can visit the National Palace and several historic churches. After a busy day of exploring, you can enjoy wining and dining at a multitude of great city restaurants and nightspots.

The department of Huehuetenango (pronounced way-way…), lies in the northwestern Highlands of Guatemala, along the country’s border with Mexico. It comprises a very large area with large variations in altitude and climate and a mixed population of Mayan ancestry, who speak several different dialects. The main tourist attractions in Huehuetenango City are the central park, around which you will find the City Hall, a colonial church, and a variety of neo-classical buildings – guided city tours are available to show you the sights. There are many outdoor activities to try in the area, including a visit to the Ruinas de Zaculeu (Mayan ruins), hiking, and camping at Laguna Brava Yolnabaj or exploring other parts of the majestic landscape.

The department of Izabal is located in the east of the country and is Guatemala’s gateway to the Caribbean, attracting many annual visitors who come to enjoy the beaches, sailing, snorkeling, diving, and other water sports. In addition, Rio Dulce offers easy access to some fascinating Mayan archaeological sites such as Tikal and Quirigua. Outdoor enthusiasts can visit some of the region’s many natural reserves where you can enjoy hiking, orchid-hunting, boating, and tours of the mangrove forests. Some of the must-see attractions in Izabal include San Filipe de Lara Castle, Lake Izabal, and wonderful nature reserves like Bocas de Polochic, Chocon Machacas, and the Rio Dulce National Park. Beach lovers should not miss Punta de Palma and Amatique Bay.