Choosing where to stay at Lake Atitlán is not as simple as picking the hotel with the best views. The villages are different enough that the wrong base can mean spending your days on lanchas getting to where you actually want to be. This guide covers the best hotels in Lake Atitlán honestly: from the … Read more
Most 5-day Guatemala itineraries try to cover three destinations and end up doing none of them well. This one doesn’t. It focuses on two places: Lake Atitlán and Antigua Guatemala. Where to base yourself, how to move between them, what is worth your time, and what to skip. Written by a Guatemalan who has been … Read more
Every Guatemala itinerary article you click sends you down the same route. Antigua first, then the lake, then back to the airport. I’ve been watching travelers do this for years, and I’ve watched them pay for it in exhausted mid-trip transit days and hours lost to backtracking. I grew up here. I spent seventeen years … Read more
Disclosure: This may contain 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. The temazcal has been part of life in Guatemala for as long as anyone … Read more
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
Lake Atitlán is one of Guatemala’s most striking destinations, and understanding how Lake Atitlán boat services work is essential to experiencing it fully, especially when traveling between villages. While roads exist, boats are the most practical, scenic, and time-efficient way to move between villages. Getting from one village to another is part of the experience, … Read more
La Quema del Diablo in Antigua Guatemala is one of the most unique Guatemalan traditions and one of the most unforgettable festivals you can experience in December. If you are traveling to Guatemala in December and want to see a cultural event that blends community, history, fire, humor, and deep symbolism, this is it. Even … Read more
If you’re looking for the best street food in Antigua Guatemala, this guide brings you the real deal—straight from local Antigüeños who know exactly where to go, what to try, and how much it costs. From late-night tostadas outside La Merced to chile relleno sandwiches served on the sidewalk next to Domino’s, this isn’t your … Read more
Every year on November 1st, the skies above Santiago Sacatepéquez fill with color, spirit, and tradition during the Giant Kite Festival in Guatemala. While many travelers know about Sumpango’s barriletes giganates, the Santiago Sacatepéquez Kite Festival offers a more intimate and deeply emotional experience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to … Read more
Every year on November 1st, the small town of Sumpango, Guatemala becomes the stage for one of the most breathtaking cultural events in Central America: the Giant Kite Festival in Guatemala, known locally as the Festival de Barriletes Gigantes. If you’ve seen photos of the vibrant, towering kites online or featured in news coverage, you … Read more
