Finca El Espinero: A Cabin Retreat in the Highlands of Tecpán
Tucked into pine forest outside Tecpán, El Espinero feels like a different country entirely. Here’s my honest take on staying at this working farm cabin.
What to do
Reserva Patrocinio: A Beautiful Nature Lodge Beneath Santa María and Santiaguito Volcanos
Some places are beautiful, and some places make you stop in your tracks. During our two nights at Reserva Patrocinio, I walked through the forest at dawn with tears in my eyes, watched Santiaguito erupt beneath Santa María, searched for frogs and armadillos after dark, and ate breakfast surrounded by birds with volcanoes rising beyond the trees. It was one of the most magical nature stays I have experienced in Guatemala.
Guide to Chuitinamit in Santiago Atitlán: Ancient Tz’utujil Maya Site
Chuitinamit, also known as Chiya’, is a little-visited Tz’utujil Maya archaeological site across the bay from Santiago Atitlán. Reached only by boat and a 45-minute hike, it combines ancient stone carvings, archaeological remains and some of the most striking views on Lake Atitlán.
2 Week Guatemala Itinerary: A Local’s 14-Day Route Beyond the Usual Stops
This 2 week Guatemala itinerary is for travelers who want to see Guatemala with enough time to actually enjoy it, not just rush from Antigua to Lake Atitlán to Tikal and call it done. In this article I’m sharing the exact 14-day route I would recommend to a friend who wants volcano views, Maya culture, … Read more
Livingston, Guatemala: A Complete Travel Guide
Livingston, Guatemala is a boat-access Caribbean town in Izabal, where the Río Dulce meets the sea and Garífuna culture is part of everyday life. This Livingston travel guide covers how to get there from Río Dulce or Puerto Barrios, what the boat ride is like, what to do in town, where to eat tapado, whether … Read more
Manatees in Guatemala And Where to See Them
Yes, there are manatees in Guatemala, but the best way to plan a manatee trip here is not to think of it as a guaranteed wildlife sighting. Think of it as a quiet boat trip through some of Guatemala’s most fragile and beautiful Caribbean wetlands, with the chance of seeing an Antillean manatee if the … Read more
Cañon de Seacacar Natural Reserve in Guatemala: A Complete Guide
Reserva Natural Cañón Seacacar is a nature reserve near El Estor, Izabal, where you can hike through the Sierra de Santa Cruz, float down the Río Sauce on a tubing tour, and visit natural pools and miradores. You can also explore a ceremonial cave, take a cayuco route from Tío Polo, and stay overnight in simple cabins, dorms, or camping areas. This guide covers what to do at Cañón Seacacar, how to get there, what it costs, where to stay, and how this community tourism project supports education and conservation in Seacacar.
Visiting the Castillo de San Felipe in Guatemala: A Local’s 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. Castillo de San Felipe de Lara is a Spanish colonial fort on Río Dulce, … Read more
Finca El Paraíso: Guatemala’s Hot Spring Waterfall
Finca El Paraíso is a hot spring waterfall near Río Dulce, El Estor, and Lake Izabal in Guatemala, where warm thermal water pours into the cool Río San Antonio. This guide covers how to visit Finca El Paraíso, how to get there from Río Dulce or El Estor, what to expect at the waterfall, what … Read more
El Boquerón: The Hidden Canyon Near Río Dulce
El Boquerón Guatemala is one of the easiest adventure stops to add to a Río Dulce or Lake Izabal itinerary, especially if you want limestone canyon walls, a short cayuco ride, local guides, and a beautiful nature experience without committing to a full-day hike. This guide covers how to visit El Boquerón from Río Dulce, … Read more
