Guatemala City - Post Report Question and Answers
What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Semuc Champay. - Mar 2023
Small private parks make for an easy weekend outing. Kanajuyú Ecological Park is practically around the corner from the new US embassy and for a few dollars, you can have a gorgeous and safe little nature hike. Jacarandas is similar though not as pretty. - Oct 2022
Above - Oct 2022
Antigua has all of the hidden gems where you can find traditional craft work being done, or wineries, or chocolate factories and the night life there is the best. - Jul 2021
My favorite site is the Mayan ruins of Iximche, about 2 hours away. They're small, peaceful, at almost 8000 feet elevation, and just magical. - Jan 2020
Limited excursions (hiking, biking, etc), most folks go to Antigua to site see, to the coast for deep sea fishing (not swimming!). - Feb 2019
In the capital, you go out to eat, out to drink, to the movies, or you make your own fun. There are day trips to hot springs, Antigua, coffee plantations, Eco Lodge, Pacaya volcano. Salsa and cooking classes are also popular. - Jun 2015
Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Semuc Champey, Copan, Tikal ruins, Iximche ruins, Roatan, El Salvador. There are also fun places to go with kids--the Zoo is nice, the Childrens' Museum is GREAT, the Mall has lots of cheap rides including a carousel, mini-train, bumper boats, sometimes a huge ball pit, and rotating attractions in the parking lot. There are also a few amazing amusement parks around the country, run by IRTRA. Mundo Petapa is in Zone 12 in town and is a cheap, well-maintained amusement park. Xocomil is a huge water park in Retalhuleu (about 4 hours away) that has another amusement park with rollercoasters next door. - Apr 2014
Climbing the Acatenango volcano. Most people tend to go to the Pacaya (which is beautiful and should not be missed) but the Acatenango offers the best views. One can book a hike with a guide from Antigua for US$60-120. - Jan 2014
Day trips to Antigua, visits to Guatemala City museums, eating at some of the nicest restaurants in Central America, trips to the cushy VIP movie theater, visits to the historic city center. - Nov 2011
Lake Atitlan, Antigua, Chichicastenango market, Tikal (45 minute flight), IRTRA amusement park, Semuc Champey caves. - May 2010
In Guatemala City there are restaurants, bars, movie theatres and a bowling alley. There aren't a ton of cultural events but some every now and then. I feel there's enough to do, but you might end up going back to the same restaurants or bars fairly often as there isn't that big of a variety. But there is also a lot to do outside of Guatemala City - Antigua is an easy day trip or even easy to get to for dinner/drinks on a Saturday night. And Lake Atitlan is beautiful too, and there are beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic coast. - Mar 2008
