Guatemala

Top 5 Things to Do in Guatemala City
Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and its bustling capital reflects that. But today, most travelers avoid Guatemala City altogether, as it’s generally seen as a hectic and dangerous place with little to do. But that’s not entirely the case. In this guide to the top things to do in Guatemala City, we’ll

Kaminaljuyu: Urban Archaeology in Guatemala City
Before there was Guatemala City, there was Kaminaljuyu, one of the largest and most prosperous cities in the region – if not the Mayan world as a whole. Kaminaljuyu is quite old by Mayan standards, having been inhabited from as early as 1000 BC. Though now gone, early settlers were attracted to the area by

Visiting The Obscure Mayan Ruins of Zaculeu
Zaculeu is one of Guatemala’s lesser-known Mayan sites but also one of its most unique. The ruins are situated just outside the city of Huehuetenango, located between Xela and the Mexican border. That makes Zaculeu far from the easiest archaeological site to reach, but is it worth it? In the following guide, we’ll be covering

A Guide to Xela: Exploring Guatemala’s Second City
Xela may be Guatemala’s second-largest city, but it’s far off the tourist trail. But is it worth visiting? It depends, and this guide to the top things to do in Xela will hopefully help you make a decision. Before continuing, it’s important to note that the official name for the city is actually Quetzlatenango. This is

Lake Atitlán’s Top Things to Do: Village Hopping & More
Often touted as one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán is home to nearly a dozen villages, largely inhabited by indigenous Maya. And with so many towns and outdoor activities to choose from, planning your trip can be overwhelming. That’s where this guide to Lake Atitlán’s top things to do comes in. Below,

Street Art: Santa Catarina Palopó
The various towns surrounding Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán are often said to have their own distinct atmospheres and personalities. But none of them can claim to be as colorful as Santa Catarina Palopó. Located a short distance from the lake’s main transport hub of Panajachel, Santa Catarina Palopó is one of the smaller and more traditional

Hiking Acatenango Volcano: Everything You Need to Know
Simply put, hiking up the Acatenango Volcano is one of the most thrilling adventures one can have in Central America. But as beautiful as Acatenango itself is, the real star of the show is its sister volcano, El Fuego, which erupts every 10-15 minutes. As such, it’s best seen after dark. In the following guide,

Iximche: The Capital of The Kaqchikel Maya
By the time of the Spanish conquest, most of the great Mayan cities had already collapsed. But traditional Mayan culture was still alive and well in the 16th century, as evidenced by sites like Iximche. If you’ve just visited Tikal, Iximche, which is located in the Guatemalan highlands near the city of Tecpán, can in no way

Antigua, Guatemala: The Ultimate Guide
Antigua is easily the most iconic colonial town of Guatemala, and arguably of Central America as a whole. And that’s because from 1543 to 1773, it was the capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, which also included El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and even parts of Chiapas. As such a historically important city,

How to Plan Your Trip to Tikal National Park
Few scenes capture the imagination like Tikal’s towering pyramids looming over a vast and dense jungle. But Tikal’s pristine environment also means that it’s not the easiest place to reach. And with rather confusing transport and ticketing systems in place, planning your trip to Tikal National Park can be somewhat of a headache. That’s where

Tikal: The Ultimate Guide
The Mayan civilization was home to many mighty cities, but few were quite as influential as Tikal. Not only was Tikal a political and cultural powerhouse for centuries, but its iconic towering pyramids remain some of the most impressive structures of the ancient Americas. In this Tikal guide, we’ll be covering all the areas that

Experiencing a Yaxha Sunset Tour
Guatemala’s Petén region is home to several accessible archaeological sites. But aside from the world-famous Tikal, Yaxha is the only other site that can easily be reached by tour. And that’s probably because the site’s tallest pyramid is a prime spot for viewing sunsets. In the following guide, we’ll be covering exactly what you can