Volcanoes, pyramids and lakes
Guatemala, an incredibly charming place with some of the most kind people, stunning nature and rich history. Here you will feel welcome as you learn about Mayan history in the jungle, hike up active volcanos or relax in small colonial towns.
This backpacking Guatemala travel guide gives you tips on activities to do, route suggestions, budget and safety tips to help you plan your trip to this special country!
Routes
Most people do Guatemala in combination with other countries, especially Mexico. If you enter Guatemala from the likes of San Cristobal de las Casas, I suggest making your way to Lake Atitlan first, before continuing to Antigua. From there you go north to Semuc Champay before arriving in Flores to do Tikal. Another option from Antigua would be to go directly to Flores or stop in Rio Dulce for those wanting to explore Livingston as well!
If you are coming from Belize then you will arrive in Flores first, head to Tikal and then make your way south. You’ll have the option of going to Semuc Champey or Livingston on the way down to Antigua. From there a visit to Lake Atitlan on your way to Mexico, or back again to Antigua for a trip onwards to Honduras or El Salvador. Plenty of options!
For those only visiting Guatemala, head straight to Antigua from the airport in Guatemala City. Spend your time in Antigua and Lake Atitlan before flying back. If you have time add some of the cities mentioned above before heading back to the capital for your departure.
How much time do I need?
Visiting Guatemala is not done in a weekend. For anyone wanting to explore more than just the north or the south, I recommend spending at least two weeks here. That way you can enjoy the tropical north as well as the landscapes of the south.
With two weeks you won’t need to rush anything, and can take your time to get the most out of your trip. Hiking volcanos also means it might be nice to have a rest day after returning back. If you don’t have two weeks, pick the places you absolutely need to visit and plan accordingly.
Top Activities in Guatemala
Guatemala has some of the most stunning activities and will give you memories for a lifetime. Hiking an active volcano, learning about the biggest Mayan city and learning Spanish with the locals leaves something for everyone.
Here are my top activities for Guatemala!
Acatenango
Acatenango is not just a recommended activity in Guatemala, it’s a must do for me. Even if you don’t enjoy hiking or you’re out of shape. DO IT! You might struggle with the altitude but the hike is not too long, so even those out of shape will arrive at base camp at a decent time and without a rush. The guides in my opinion take super good care of everyone in the group!
At the top you’ll have the most incredible views while having your dinner and a glass of wine around the fire. Hard to beat! Even though it is an active volcano (Fuego is the name of the active one you see from Acatenango), you should prepare yourself for the possibility of not seeing lava. Several factors like weather, previous activity and luck plays a part. Nonetheless the volcano and view with or without lava is very special!
Also, don’t forget the morning summit to the very top for a breathtaking sunrise! Just make sure you bring warm clothes as the wind can be chillingly cold!
Lake Atitlan
The famous Lake Atitlan is a beloved stop for backpackers in Guatemala. A super chill place with different towns for you to explore. This is also where many travellers spend a week or more learning Spanish and staying with a host family. A great option for those wanting to up their language skills! In Guatemala the spoken Spanish is super clear and easy to understand, which is why it is perfect for learning!
Panajachel is the main city by the lake. A charming little town full of street vendors and small restaurants. This place also sees a lot of parties from the backpacking community, but is overall pretty laid back.
Other popular town by the lake includes San Pedro and San Marcos. San Pedro draws a lot of backpackers with a big party scene and cheaper prices. San Marcos has beautiful scenery and more of a hipster vibe. Depending on how much time you have to stay, you can spend a night or two in each town to really dive into the area!
Tikal
Tikal, one of the largest and most powerful cities of the Mayans is a must visit when in Guatemala. This place is HUGE. In the middle of the jungle you can wander between pyramids for hours and hours, and for quite a few of them even climb on top. This makes for great photo opportunities with several pyramids popping off in between the trees like the one below. The view is incredible, and feels like a movie!
Since this place is in the jungle of Northern Guatemala, brings lots of water and sunscreen as you will spend a whole day outside and you will be sweating intensely exploring this massive ancient city!
Budget for Guatemala
Guatemala is one of the cheaper countries in Central America, but definitely not as cheap as it once was. In recent years Guatemala has become a very popular backpacking destination, as well as a place for young people to come to study Spanish and live with local families. As a result the prices in the most touristic places are bound to go up.
Nonetheless you should be fine living off of around $30-40 per day staying in shared dorms and eating local food. With transportation fairly cheap as well, this leaves some money to be spent on activities that might take up some space in your budget. Especially for those hiking volcanos.
Food
Eating local food in Guatemala is fairly cheap. In the North and close to the Mexican border, there is a lot more Mexican inspired food like tacos, burritos and the like. Most Guatemalan food consists of beans, corn, rice and meats. You can eat a decent meal for about $5 at popular lunch spots.
Accommodation
Guatemala has a bunch of hostels along the Gringo Trail, and will set you back about $10-15 per night. They are also super social, with a lot of activities. Also all hostels I’ve been to in Guatemala had bars and were borderline party hostels so if you’re into that you’ll have a great time. That being said, places like Antigua also draws many people for its hikes and therefore hostels make sure to keep noise down as a lot of people have early mornings. A win-win in my opinion!
Transportation
Local transportation in Guatemala is not the most developed but it will get you there. For the most frugal backpacker, the chicken buses will get you anywhere and cost next to nothing if you get the real local price (they will try to make you pay more). Make sure you research or get help from your hostel to find the correct route to your next destination. Travelling this way most likely means you will have a connection or two.
In Guatemala the shuttle buses between tourist towns are very common and super easy to use. Through your hostel or any travel agency you will find option to take you from one town to the next. Do ask around though to find the best price, as some try to take advantage of tourists and give you a higher price. In my experience the best prices are found booking through your hostel.
Domestic flights in Guatemala aren’t really something I would recommend as it’s very limited. You would also have to pass through Guatemala City which is not really recommended. If you have money to spend then fine, if not stick to the buses!
When to go to Guatemala
The best time to visit Guatemala is during the dry season which runs from November to about April. During this time you will have a pleasant temperature in the North, but possible lower temperature in higher altitude (like Antigua), especially during the night. Keep this in mind if you plan on hiking one or more volcanos.
It is still possible to travel during the wet season, or during shoulder season. During the shoulder season you will get lower prices, less people and possibly very decent weather!
Safety
Along the Gringo Trail in Guatemala you will be safe. These places are full of other backpackers and the locals depend on tourism to survive. Just make sure you follow some general guidelines like the ones below. If you plan on visiting Guatemala City, or if you fly in or out of there, more caution is advised. Stay in the touristic part of town, and avoid wandering around at night time. Guatemala City, as well as other capital cities in Central America are much rougher than the rest of the country, with much higher crime rates.
Always make sure you travel with travel insurance, and follow a few general tips.
Safety Tips:
- Always have some cash at hand in case someone wants to rob you. Better to hand over a few notes than to be caught with nothing or lose your credit card.
- Always keep your valuables safely on you on night buses and never put your backpack in the overhead compartment.
- In large crowds be careful with your belongings. Things in your pocket can easily be taken, but also smaller backpacks, bum bags etc. Make sure you secure them to avoid pickpockets in these situations.
- Do not wander around alone at night in places you are not familiar with. If you have to, stick to well lit streets as much as possible. Preferable where there are more people. If you need to use your phone for maps, do it discreetly and never wave your phone or wealth around.
- Don’t wear flashy things and leave your expensive jewellery at home.
- Bring a padlock and use the lockers in hostels for all your valuables.
- Be careful with how much you drink, accepting drinks from others or the use of drugs. There are many stories out there, so try not to overdo anything unless you have people with you to take care of you.
By taking some precautions you will be fine in Guatemala, and come back with wonderful memories of this beautiful little paradise.
Resources
So, are you ready for an adventure to Belize? Here are some of the resources I personally use when I travel. Great value and support, in addition to the best deals out there!
BOOKING – The best place to book accommodation. In my experience the site with the best prices, deals and selection. Perfect for a budget traveller.
HOSTELWORLD – The best place to find hostels, and also has group chats for all your bookings and places you’re going to make it easier to meet people. Perfect for solo travellers!
SKYSCANNER – When I need to find the cheapest days and ways to fly somewhere, Skyscanner is always the first place I go.
GET YOUR GUIDE – A massive marketplace for inspiration and booking of tours and activities for each place you visit.
AIRALO – What I use to stay connected on the road. A slightly more expensive option than buying local sim cards, but nothing beats having e-sim installed and ready to go as soon as you cross the border.
Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission from products or services I recommend. For more, see disclosure.
