Sunset view from the pool at Hotel Atitlán in Panajachel overlooking Lake Atitlán and volcanoes

Panajachel, Guatemala: A Local’s Complete Guide

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend places and services I have personally used or vetted. I have been coming to Panajachel my entire life. I’m Guatemalan, and Pana — … Read more

Ceremonial cacao altar with cacao beans, flowers, and candles in Guatemala

Cacao Ceremony in Guatemala: What Really Happens

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend places and services I have personally used or vetted. A cacao ceremony at Lake Atitlán sounds, from the outside, like an extraordinary thing. … Read more

Ceremony in Chichicastenango Guatemala Indigenous Mayan elders praying beside a sacred fire altar in Chichicastenango Guatemala

Mayan Ceremonies in Guatemala: A Complete Guide for Travelers

Mayan ceremonies in Guatemala are not a travel trend. They are the living spiritual heartbeat of my country — traditions that have survived colonial suppression, forced conversion, and five centuries of outside pressure, and are still practiced today by communities across the highlands, the lake shores, the cloud forests, and the jungles of Petén. I … Read more

Where to stay in Tikal Guatemala, Villa Maya Hotel

Villa Maya: A Fantastic Family Hotel Near Tikal

If you are looking for the best family hotel near Tikal Guatemala that gives you a real jungle experience, incredible wildlife on the property, 15 kilometers of trails you can walk or bike, a beautiful pool, and comfortable spacious rooms, all within 45 minutes of Tikal National Park, Hotel Villa Maya is the answer. I have … Read more