This article contains affiliate links. I only recommend services I’ve personally used or vetted. Birding in Guatemala has changed the way I see my own country. I am Guatemalan, I grew up here, and I have spent years traveling around Guatemala for work and with my family. I thought I knew these landscapes pretty well. … Read more
Quirigua is an impressive Guatemalan Mayan site located in the department of Izabal. Despite its small size, the area is home to some of the most amazing stelae and hieroglyphs in the Mayan world. These Mayan ruins are definitely a must-see. So don’t hesitate to add Quirigua to your list of things to do in … Read more
The Iximché Maya ruins in Guatemala are one of the easiest archaeological sites to visit from Antigua, Guatemala City, or Lake Atitlán. The site is open daily from approximately 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and current entrance fees are generally Q50 for foreigners and Q5 for Guatemalan nationals. Always bring cash and check the official … Read more
Yaxhá is one of the best Maya ruins in Guatemala if you want history, jungle, wildlife, and lake views without the heavy crowds of Tikal. The Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National Park is generally open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and current entrance fees are usually Q40 for Guatemalan nationals and Q80 for foreign visitors. Some … Read more
If you live in the Miami area or are headed to Miami for Art Basel don’t miss the Circularity of Time art exhibit at Tanya Brillembourg Art in Key Biscayne showcasing pieces from contemporary Guatemalan artists of Mayan descent Antonio Pichillá, tepeu choc and Manuel Chavajay. As a Guatemalan the pieces in this exhibit really … Read more
Hotel Villa Santa Catarina is an excellent option if you’re looking for one of the best hotels in Santa Catarina Palopó on the shores of lake Atitlán in Guatemala. My favorite thing about this great Atitlán hotel is its location only 10 minutes from Panajachel and steps from the Santa Catarina Palopó pier. Even though … Read more
This guide to visiting Semuc Champey in Guatemala is filled with important information and everything you need to know before you visit this natural wonder. This is definitely a stop to add to your Guatemalan itinerary if you’re looking for hidden gems in Guatemala. In my opinion Semuc Champey is one of the best things … Read more
Day of the Dead in Guatemala turns remembrance into a colorful celebration. On November 1, families decorate graves, share fiambre, and gather for festivals, horse races, and spectacular giant kite displays. Rooted in Día de Todos los Santos, these traditions are distinctly Guatemalan and very different from Mexico’s Día de Muertos.
There is a moment on almost every summit hike at Lake Atitlán when the scale of this place finally lands. You stop. The caldera opens below you, the lake impossibly blue, three volcanoes across the water, and for a second you feel not like someone looking at a landscape but like a small part of … Read more
Guatemalan food is what my family cooks. Pepián for Sundays, tamales colorados for Christmas Eve at midnight, fiambre for November 1st. This is the complete starter guide — 30+ traditional recipes, regional specialties, the drinks and sweets that complete the meal, and what makes Guatemalan cuisine its own thing.
