Guatemala City - Post Report Question and Answers
What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
We have loved our trips to archeological sites, to the lake, and to Antigua. - Mar 2023
Guatemala is an outdoors country. If you don't mind long car rides and have the ability to do outdoorsy things, there is much to do on the weekends and long weekends. I enjoy these activities but I don't enjoy the car time, but I've still been able to do some. Antigua is just lovely any time. Tikal is a magical experience. Lake Atitlan and Semuc Champey are still on my to-do list. I hear mixed things about going to the Pacific coast, which sounds like it's best for people who like either resorts or hippy beach bum vibe. - Oct 2022
I don't enjoy Guatemala City all that much. Most tourists don't spend any time at all in Guatemala City, they just fly into the airport and immediately take a shuttle elsewhere. The zoo here, however, is one of my favorite zoos I've been to anywhere and is a delightful place to take kids. The children's museum re-opened recently, and it's also quite good. Outside the city are endless weekend destinations: some of the "must dos" are Antigua, hiking Pacaya volcano, Lake Atitlan, Monterrico, and Tikal (have to fly to Tikal). Be prepared though: any trip outside the city usually means anywhere from 1.5 to many hours in the car because of traffic and infrastructure issues. - Oct 2022
During my time here I have visited the lake Atitlan three times and every time there is a different adventure and town to visit there. I have also gone to Rio Dulce which is in Izabal and Puerto Barrios where the water is crystal blue with white sand beaches. It is beautiful there and you can visit a castle. I have also gone up two volcanos Pacaya and Fuego both active. These are best to do at night time due to the heat that is radiating off them and you can see the streams of lava better. - Jul 2021
I love how easy it is to travel out of the city. With a good car, you can see amazing sites within 4-6 hours around the capital. Roads are rough and even the "touristy" places are quite rustic, but there's a lot to see and do in Central America. - Jan 2020
There are too many to count! Climbing ancient Mayan temples in Tikal and Yaxha, speeding across Lake Atitlán in a tiny lancha, bartering for one-of-a-kind handicrafts in the market at Chichicastenango, wandering the colonial cobblestone streets of Antigua. - Mar 2019
Tikal, Semuc Champey, Chichi, volcano hikes. - Feb 2019
Climbing Tacana, the second highest peak in Central America. Holding a candle above my head as I climbed and swam through underground caves at Semuc Champey. - Jun 2015
Traveling with friends. - Apr 2014
Visiting Tikal, the world-famous archaelogical site in the Northeastern Department of Peten; relaxing at Hotel Atitlan, on the margins of the majestic lake Atitlan, with a breath-taking view of the three volcanos that surround it; and climbing the Acatenango Volcano and seeing the constant eruptions of its active neighbor, the Fuego Volcano. - Jan 2014
Touring coffee fincas, exploring both the must-see attractions and those that are off the beaten track, learning about the Mayans and the rich tapestry of Guatemalan history. - Nov 2011
Lake Atitlan is a fascinating place with a mixture of indigenous groups, Guatemalan ladinos, and tourists. Deep sea fishing (an hour or 2 from the capital) catches Sailfish up to 100 lbs., Antigua is a fun colonial town only 40 minutes from the capital, hiking volcanos, and learning about the people here. - May 2010
