Guatemala is a dream vacation spot for nature lovers and adventurers, and whereas the nation has no scarcity of outside adventures, it presents a lot extra than simply volcanoes and jungles.
From finding out Spanish within the colonial mountain city of Quetzaltenango to experiencing a sacred Mayan cacao ceremony at Lago de Atitlán, Guatemala serves up plentiful alternatives to forge a deeper reference to the folks and the land.
Listed below are our high 12 issues to do in Guatemala.
Paraglide over Lago de Atitlán
The astounding fantastic thing about Lago de Atitlán is often appreciated from the shores of this serene volcanic lake, or from the height of the San Pedro volcano, however a extra uncommon method to soak up all of its magnificence is by paragliding over the placid waters.
Real World Paragliding will take you on a hovering flight that gives fowl’s-eye views of the deep crater lake and the towering trifecta of volcanoes that encompass it. The excursions take about 45 minutes and begin within the village of Santa Catarina Palopo, close to Panajachel, or from the village of Santa Clara La Laguna, nearer to San Pedro La Laguna.
Get trusted steerage to the world’s most breathtaking experiences delivered to your inbox weekly with our e-mail e-newsletter.
Surf on a black-sand seashore at El Paredon
The black-sand seashores of the Pacific coast of Guatemala are rising in reputation as a terrific place to surf. The laid-back fishing village of El Paredon is much less crowded than different surf seashores in Central America and it has waves appropriate for each newcomers and skilled surfers. The long-established, beach-front El Paredon Surf Camp presents primary lodging, surf classes and board leases.
Go to the ladies weavers of San Juan La Laguna
Made on conventional backstrap looms, Guatemalan textiles are a few of the most lovely on the earth, and if you happen to spend any period of time on this nation, you’re certain to turn out to be inquisitive about how these colourful patterns are made. The lakeside village of San Juan La Laguna is the right place to take a deep dive into the world of weaving whereas indulging in some socially accountable purchasing on the similar time.
The slim streets of San Juan La Laguna are lined with dozens of ladies’s cooperatives, the place Mayan weavers use backstrap looms to create attractive, intricate textiles. Prepare a tour by means of an organization comparable to Casa Flor Ixcaco to go to one in all these co-ops and find out how the weavers use native natural cotton and pure dyes created from fruits, greens, crops and herbs to create the materials. A go to is a wonderful option to study Guatemalan tradition, help native folks, and discover some moral souvenirs to deliver again dwelling.
Research Spanish in Quetzaltenango
The mountain city of Quetzaltenango is filled with Spanish colleges, and cafes the place you may swot up on grammar dot its rustic, charming cobblestone streets. With a cooler local weather than the remainder of the nation and extra economical costs than Antigua, it’s the right place to remain and research Spanish in a city much less frequented by vacationers.
Spanish colleges supply homestays and plenty of actions to enrich in-class studying, together with visits to close by sizzling springs, volcano hikes and cultural evenings to study in regards to the historical past of the area from visitor audio system. Proyecto Lingüistico Quetzalteco has been working its socially accountable language program for a few years, and it’s run by a collective of fantastic lecturers – programs listed below are extremely really useful for many who wish to study extra in regards to the social, political and financial realities of life in Guatemala.
Expertise a cacao ceremony in San Marcos La Laguna
For a distinct type of journey expertise, becoming a member of a sizzling chocolate ceremony may enchantment. This exercise is gaining reputation within the city of San Marcos La Laguna, the place ceremonial circles collect to drink Guatemalan-style sizzling chocolate underneath the counsel of an area information. Cacao has been cultivated in Guatemala since earlier than the conquistadors arrived, and plenty of imagine Guatemala to be the unique birthplace of chocolate. This historic foodstuff was used as foreign money earlier than cash was launched, and it has lengthy been revered as a well being elixir and aphrodisiac.
Throughout a cacao ceremony, a Mayan religious information will put together a drink ready with floor cacao, sweetenings and spices. The ceremony that follows is meant to introduce these within the circle to the sacred and medicinal properties of the cacao bean. Cacao is historically often known as a heart-opening beverage that helps those that drink it to attach with nature, each other and themselves.
Go to a espresso farm from historic Antigua
Because of their lofty elevation, reasonable temperatures and mineral-rich volcanic soil, the highlands of Guatemala produce a few of the finest espresso on the earth. And lots of the nation’s espresso farms are positioned within the hills round Antigua, making for an ideal day journey from this charming colonial metropolis.
Guests can take a luxurious tour of well-known Finca Filadelfia, a stunning sprawling plantation that’s greater than 140 years outdated, or go for a smaller co-op comparable to De la Gente, the place neighborhood excursions are led by the espresso growers themselves. Each experiences take guests by means of the whole coffee-making course of from seed to cup, with a possibility for espresso tasting on the finish.
Climb a volcano and roast marshmallows over lava
It may be arduous to decide on which volcano to climb in Guatemala, however Volcán Pacaya is an effective wager for nearly everybody. This reasonably paced hike begins near Antigua and the volcano might be climbed in a day, with the added pleasure of seeing contemporary lava on the high.
As a result of Pacaya is a chosen nationwide park, loads of facilities can be found, together with stands the place you may relaxation and purchase native treats alongside the best way. However the very best snack break occurs close to the highest, the place everybody pulls out marshmallows to roast over the cooling lava. Mountain climbing Volcán Pacaya is a straightforward day journey from Antigua, and the expertise is finest booked by means of an area company.
Drink on the oldest bar in Guatemala Metropolis
Rumored to have been the favourite watering gap of Che Guevara throughout his many visits to Guatemala Metropolis within the Fifties, El Portal was the primary correct bar to open within the capital again in 1932. It’s tucked within the coronary heart of the historic heart, and stopping in for a drink seems like stepping again in time. The menu hasn’t modified a lot over time both, and you may sidle as much as the outdated picket bar and drink a chilly pint of Gallo beer whereas listening to marimba music and having fun with the pleasant environment.
Haggle your method across the Chichicastenango market
Nestled within the inexperienced mountains of the western highlands, the city of Chichicastenango hosts a well-known artisans’ market each Sunday and Thursday, and it must be on each severe shopper’s listing of issues to do in Guatemala. The historic market was as soon as the principle buying and selling heart for the Quiché area earlier than the conquistadors arrived, and the custom of individuals coming from surrounding villages to promote items continues to today.
Anticipate finding a labyrinth of stalls piled excessive with attractive textiles – the most well-liked gadgets are huipils, the standard blouses woven and worn by Mayan girls. Different crafts that may be discovered on the market embrace wooden carvings, masks, leather-based items, pottery, jade and silver and gold jewellery. A go to to the market is a straightforward day journey from Quetzaltenango or Lago de Atitlán.
Birdwatch within the cloud forests of Alta Verapaz
Teeming with orchids, ferns and bromeliads, the cloud forests of Alta Verapaz are an untouched wilderness and a birdwatcher’s paradise. The very best place to identify birds is within the Biotopo del Quetzal, a nature reserve devoted to defending Guatemala’s nationwide fowl – the putting crimson and teal-colored quetzal. The pine, cypress and eucalyptus timber host many different species of tropical birds, together with the emerald toucanet and forest falcons. The very best time of 12 months to see quetzals is in March or June, simply earlier than or after the nesting season.
Go to the jungle ruins of Tikal
The ruins of Tikal are buried deep within the jungle in El Petén, surrounded by lush vegetation and stalked by screaming howler monkeys and colourful toucans. As soon as crucial metropolis within the Maya world, this spectacular historic website is dwelling to greater than 200 constructions, a few of that are nonetheless fully or partially swallowed by jungle.
Probably the most dramatic constructing is Templo IV, a pyramid rising 65m (213ft) above the grassy courtyard under – it’s the right place to observe the dawn. Exploring the ruins takes a full day, and it’s a standout expertise, not just for its archaeological wonders, but in addition for its distinctive biodiversity. The encompassing jungle shelters a whole bunch of species of tropical birds, crocodiles, snakes, coatis, monkeys and even the occasional jaguar.
Swim within the otherworldly swimming pools of Semuc Champey
The tiered turquoise swimming pools and pure limestone bridge at Semuc Champey make the right vacation spot for water lovers searching for epic photograph alternatives. This nationwide monument is a pure paradise, reached through a reasonable hike that snakes by means of lush vegetation and ends at a panoramic viewpoint looking over the putting swimming pools and the inexperienced gorge past. The close by Okay’anba Caves are a preferred add-on to the hike, and native tour businesses supply candle-lit swims by means of the underground river cave system.
You may also like:
The ten finest seashores in Guatemala for quiet escapes, black-sand seashores and folks watching
The 8 finest hikes in Guatemala, from volcano trails to jungle jaunts
The very best occasions to go to Guatemala for festivals, jungle encounters and temple journeys
