Why I Visited These 6 Off Path Destinations In Guatemala

Last Updated 26 minutes in the past

Have you ever thought-about visiting Guatemala? I spent a number of months touring on this underrated Central American nation, and these had been my favourite locations.

Although Guatemala has been rising in reputation as a vacationer vacation spot, it nonetheless doesn’t obtain as many guests as neighboring Mexico, which noticed over 18 million tourists in 2022.

Meanwhile, Guatemala peaked at 2.5 million guests in 2019.

Atitlan Lake in Guatemala with two piers going out into the water and two mountains in the distance

One of the preferred locations to go to in Guatemala is Antigua, the nation’s colourful colonial capital. Antigua is quaint, lovely, and surrounded by volcanoes, two of which (Pacaya and Acatenango) are common for mountain climbing.

But these are some extra off path locations in Guatemala that shouldn’t be missed:

(*6*)

1. Guatemala City

Many guests skip proper over Guatemala City and head immediately from the airport to Antigua, about one hour away.

Although Guatemala’s capital metropolis will get a nasty repute for being harmful, there are protected areas which are value visiting. It’s gritty, vibrant, and concrete, and jogs my memory of Mexico City.

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2. Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan, situated about two hours away from Antigua, is likely one of the most magical locations in Guatemala.

It surprisingly jogged my memory of Lake Como in Italy, with its dramatic surroundings and clear blue water. The cities round Lake Atitlan every have their very own distinct persona, and you may get round to all of them through lancha — small native boats that solely value a few {dollars} for a experience.

San Marcos is a hippie paradise, San Pedro is an inexpensive haven for backpackers, Santiago is residence to conventional Mayan tradition, and Panajachel is a bustling hub on the lake.

empty wooden pier leading to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, Mountain View in the distance

3. El Paredon

Guatemala will not be identified for its seashores in the best way that neighboring nations are, however this nation has a number of nice seashores.

I visited El Paredon on the Pacific Coast, about two hours from Antigua. This sleepy fishing village has been remodeled right into a laidback surf city in the previous couple of years.

In addition to browsing, you may go to a sea turtle hatchery or take a ship tour of the close by mangroves, which empty out into the ocean.

Sunset on the beach in El Paredon, Guatemala

4. Semuc Champey

Although it’s not straightforward to achieve, Semuc Champey is likely one of the most breathtaking locations in Guatemala.

Located about 9 hours away from Antigua down bumpy, winding roads, Semuc Champey is a pure formation deep within the jungle identified for its pure tiered limestone swimming pools with clear turquoise water.

Swimming within the swimming pools and waterfalls, tubing on the river, and caving are simply among the adventurous actions that await you at Semuc Champey.

5. Xela

I spent two weeks in Quetzaltenango, higher often known as Xela, and completely fell in love with this metropolis.

It’s Guatemala’s second-largest metropolis after Guatemala City, however it has a very totally different vibe. It’s protected and exquisite, with distinctive structure and a local weather that is still cool and delicate year-round.

Xela is a superb place to take Spanish lessons for a particularly inexpensive worth. (So is Antigua, however since Xela is much less touristy, you may observe extra!) There are additionally volcanoes and scorching springs close by.

6. Tikal

Tikal National Park is a must-visit vacation spot in Guatemala. Located within the jungles of the northern a part of the nation, Tikal is residence to among the best Mayan ruins on this planet.

This historical metropolis is a sight to behold, and I discovered it to be a lot much less crowded than related ruins in Mexico. This is partially resulting from its measurement (Tikal is huge) and the truth that it doesn’t obtain almost as many guests.

If you’re actually up for an journey, go to El Mirador. These distant Mayan ruins are solely accessible through a two-day hike or an costly non-public helicopter. (I didn’t make it to those ruins, however I’d love to return to Guatemala at some point to see them!)