We’ve been to Guatemala three times so far and keep coming back for the scenery, food, and overall travel ease. It offers a reliable mix of adventure, culinary exploration, and relaxation. It’s also more accessible than many travelers expect. These five experiences combine a bit of everything: nature, culture, great meals, ease of travel, and plenty of rest and relaxation.
1. Relax at Lake Atitlán
We spent three nights at Lake Atitlán and could have stayed longer. It’s the most stunning and relaxing stop on our Guatemala trips. We booked an Airbnb about 15 minutes by tuk-tuk from Panajachel. It was private, quiet, and still close enough to town if we needed supplies. The Airbnb had a hot tub, volcano views, and the option to book a cook or massage. We highly recommend booking both, because there’s not a lot to do. We mostly stayed in, read, and enjoyed the space.
One day we hired a boat for a private tour of the lake. We visited San Juan, San Pedro, and San Marcos. Each village had a different vibe, and it helped us get a feel for the lake. If you do the boat ride, go in the morning. The wind picks up later in the day and can make the ride rough.
Atitlán is Central America’s deepest lake, and it has become our go-to recommendation for jaw-dropping scenery and vacation vibes. If you want time to reset during your trip, this is where to do it.
2. Explore Antigua on Foot
Antigua is our favorite city in Guatemala for walking, eating, and people-watching. It is compact, colorful, and framed by volcano views. We like it because you do not need a long list of things to do. You can walk out the door and let the day unfold while you discover churches, plazas, cafes, bars, and more.
Our favorite place to stay is Porta Hotel Antigua, which has colonial architecture, a beautiful pool, and a lovely on-site restaurant. From there, we could walk to every cafe, bar, or market we wanted to try.
Some favorite food stops:
- Y Tu Piña Tambien: Good for breakfast and coffee.
- Cafe Sky: Lunch with rooftop volcano views.
- Cafe No Sé: Evening drinks with live music and a moody vibe.
- Por Que No: A quirky little restaurant that’s lots of fun.
We also visited Iglesia de San Francisco, which is worth a stop for gorgeous views.
Antigua is where we slowed our pace but still felt connected to the culture. It is also easy to meet other travelers here if you are looking to connect. And if you’re looking for a big adventure, you can go hike a volcano on a day trip.
3. Visit the Tikal Ruins for a Full Day of Exploration
We visited Tikal from San Ignacio, Belize, but it is also possible from Flores, Guatemala. Either way, it takes effort to get there, but it is worth it. Tikal is the largest and most impressive ruin site we have visited in Central America.
The scale of the ruins and the jungle setting made it feel more immersive than other sites like Chichen Itza. You can climb several temples for high-up views, and the layout is large enough that it does not feel crowded.
Our tips: Start early. Bring water, snacks, and wear closed-toe shoes. It will likely be hot and you’ll be walking a lot. Guides are available at the entrance, but we hired a private guide to pick us up at our hotel and take us through the park. It was well worth the splurge.
4. Recharge in Guatemala City’s Zona 10
Guatemala City often gets skipped, but we have stayed in Zona 10 more than once and it worked well for us. It’s close to the airport, which makes it a smart base for your first or last night.
We stay at the Hyatt Centric. The price is reasonable, the rooms are spacious, and the rooftop pool has a great view of the city, though the loungers need an update. The Hyatt Centric breakfast is fantastic (though not included) and neighborhood feels safe and has enough restaurants and shops to keep you comfortable and entertained. Next time we might try the Intercontinental down the street.
We also had our first taste of pepian here, a traditional Guatemalan stew made with meat, vegetables, and a thick, rich sauce. We tried it at a local spot and then had it again in Antigua during a cooking class.
Zona 10 is not a place for sightseeing, but it is a clean, modern area where you can rest before or after a long day of travel, particularly when international flights are late at night or early in the morning. If you are flying in or out of Guatemala City, it is a practical choice.
5. Book a Private Driver to Make Travel Smoother
Getting between destinations in Guatemala takes time, especially with luggage or a fixed schedule. We hired a private transportation company called ADRENALINA Tours, and it made a big difference.
We arranged all of our transfers ahead of time by email. Each ride was on time, the vehicles were in good condition, and the drivers were professional. This allowed us to avoid figuring things out last minute or juggling shared shuttle times.
While shared shuttles are cheaper and can be booked through hostels or hotels, we found the private option better for our itinerary. It saved us stress and gave us more control over when we left and how often we stopped.
If you have more time or are traveling solo, shared transport might be fine. But for couples or small groups looking for convenience, hiring a driver is a good investment.
📸 Click here to follow our latest adventures on Facebook!
TL;DR: The Bottom Line
Across our three trips to Guatemala, we found that the country offers a strong mix of nature, culture, adventure, and relaxation. Each of our experiences gave us a different perspective and made the trips feel balanced.
- Lake Atitlán is ideal for relaxing and slowing down.
- Antigua gives you walkable streets, good food, and easy access to local history.
- Tikal is the place for a full-day adventure and a look at Mayan history.
- Zona 10 in Guatemala City helps bookend the trip with a bit of comfort.
- And booking private drivers kept the trip smooth and efficient.
We would love to go back again and repeat everything.
Explore More of Our Central America Travel Guides
- Where to Go in Costa Rica: 8 Best Destinations
- Belize for First-Time Visitors: Where to Stay and What to Do
- Roatán Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Plan Your Vacation
- Panama City Luxury Travel for Less: Best Spots for Miami Vibes
- El Salvador’s Best Beach Town: What to Do in El Tunco
Discover more from LiAnn and Theo Travel
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
