Top 5 Must-Do Activities in Guatemala
Whether you’re looking for a new travel destination or you’ve already decided and in the midst of planning your next trip, I need you to know- Guatemala is IT! Tbh, this country stole my heart within the first few days of arriving. It has such a special way of making it feel like you’re living in a postcard with its unforgettable landscapes and rich culture.
There’s a TON of things to do that are perfect for all types of travelers so I want to take a quick second to give you the rundown of my top 5 personal faves (plus one bonus activity that’ll make you question if you should cancel your flight back home and live there instead).
1. Take an ATV Tour Around Lake Atitlán
Lake Atitlán was by far my favorite place in Guatemala, it’s a whole vibe—and getting to see it on an ATV was hands down the best way to do it. It’s actually wayyy bigger than I realized before getting there so I was really happy to do this tour because not only was I able to see the gorgeous views of the volcanoes and surprisingly super blue water, it also gave me the chance to see the towns that are filled with mostly locals and not the ones that are super popular for tourists. So trust me, you should really consider adding this to your itinerary because it gives you a taste of how real life is around the lake and that’s something you don’t want to miss out on!
I did my tour mid-week so I was the only one on it which made it so much more personal. Not sure if this is the case for every tour guide, but the one I had that day only spoke Spanish so that’s definitely something to note.
A couple of tips before you go: definitely bring a jacket—it can get really chilly around the lake, especially if you choose an afternoon tour because it’ll last through the sunset and once that sun goes down you’re surely going to feel the difference. Also, don’t forget to bring your camera/phone, because the views are to die for so they make for the perfect IG pics or even something fun to share in the family group chat.
2. Hike Acatenango Volcano
Okay, so next…. Acatenango. Y’all know I take pride in keeping it real with you so imma be honest.. This hike is NO JOKE. It was literally the hardest hike I’ve ever done, BUT- it was legit so rewarding in the end. This hike will challenge you physically, mentally, and because at one point I almost cried.. I’ll go ahead and say emotionally too. However, like I said it was one of the most rewarding experiences i’ve ever had in my life so i dont regret one bit of it.. I think everyone who visits Guatemala should do this hike at some point before they leave and not just because its the third largest volcano in central america but like WHO out of the people you know can say they went to Antigua and hiked a damn volcano?! Exactly, no one so book that tour and go!
It’s a 2-day hike that lasts about 4-6 hours the first day (depending on how fast you’re able to hike) and then another 1.5-2 hours the next morning which is where you’ll then reach the top to watch the active volcano erupt right before your eyes!
Once you reach basecamp at the end of the first day, your tour guides will make you a warm dinner, some hot cocoa and give you the rundown of how the next morning will go. We woke up around 4am to get started so that way we were able to watch the INCREDIBLE sunrise views and get there before all the other groups.
I don’t wanna say too much, because I want your experience to be as authentic as possible but just imagine yourself standing above the clouds feeling like you conquered the world. It’s UNREAL!
A few tips before you go…
The higher you hike, the colder it gets so pack accordingly. The tour guides do offer equipment you can rent, but obviously bring what you can so that way you don’t have to rent as much. I rented gloves, hiking sticks, and a little head flashlight, all of which I’d 1,000% recommend that you do the same. ESPECIALLY THOSE HIKING STICKS- YOU GOTTA TAKE MY WORD ON THAT ONE LOL. I also brought some pocket warmers for my hands which really helped with keeping me warm, i’d recommend doing that too 🙂
3. Go on a Coffee Tour
Fun fact! I bet you didn’t know Guatemala is one of the world’s top coffee producers! And once you try the coffee here, you’ll understand why. I went on a coffee tour near Antigua, and it was such a cool experience. You get to walk through the fields, learn how the beans are grown and processed, and, of course, taste the freshest cup of coffee you’ll ever have.
Even if you’re not a huge coffee person, the tours are fascinating—it’s more about the culture and the hard work that goes into each cup. Plus, it’s a great way to support local farmers. Don’t leave without buying a bag of beans to take home—your future self will thank you.
4. Sunrise SUPs at Lake Atitlán (Through Free Cerveza Hostel)
My #1 piece of Guatemala travel advice? DO THE SUNRISE SUPs ON LAKE ATITLAN. I was lucky enough to secure a last-minute room (well… tent) at the Free Cerveza Hostel in Santa Cruz and it was such a beautiful experience. It did require me to wake up at 5:15am however, watching the sun rise over the volcanoes while sitting on a paddleboard floating on the lake made it 1,000x worth it- it legit felt magical.
Don’t worry- even if it’s your first time paddle boarding or you’re not super coordinated (i’m probably less coordinated than you btw), the boards are super stable and you don’t have to stand, you can sit down the entire time if you want to. This may sound weird but something about doing an activity so adventurous like this before the majority of the world is even awake gives you such a rush, so don’t psych yourself out babe!! Focus less on the fact you’re paddleboarding on the deepest lake in South America and more on the tranquility and peaceful aura this activity will bring you… and the fact that it’s FREE!
5. Visit Casa del Mundo
If your TL is anything like mine and filled with bucket list travel destinations… you’ve seen Casa del Mundo a few times. It’s a famous eco-hotel built on a cliffside that overlooks Lake Atitlán! Honestly, it’s one of those places that make you question your life choices and why you haven’t visited sooner!
Be aware- it can be REALLY hard to get a reservation here (once you see it, you’ll know exactly why), but have no fear my dear! Luckily, you don’t have to have a room to be able to soak in all its beauty. They offer day passes that give you full access to the things they offer such as the restaurant, kayaks, SUPs or even just finding a cute spot to lay out on and catch a nice tan.
Pro tip: I highly recommend packing your fav beach bag, with a towel, your current read or journal, a little sunscreen, and planning a lake day here. The vibe is so dang peaceful that it’s the perfect spot to just exist and reflect on your time in this gorgeous county.
Bonus Activity: Cable Bikes in Panajachel
BOOM! So this one is for my folks who just can’t seem to get enough adrenaline! You’ve got hands down gotta go to the national park in Panajachel and take a ride on the cable bikes. I don’t know why I thought this was gonna give me zip line vibes but boyyy was I wrong. I’ll be honest this was WAY scarier than zipline could ever be, but.. Now that I’m off and safely completed the activity I will say it was just as fun as it was terrifying so that’s gotta count for something right?
Definitely an unforgettable experience for sure. I mean who can say they pedaled across a cable suspended high above the jungle just to get a glimpse of some of the best views of a lake? No one I know, BUT go check it out so you can be one of the ones who says they did! The park also has other activities like a butterfly dome, hiking trails, zip lining, etc. but tbh, this is the star of the show!
Pro tip: Don’t look down too much, that’s when it really starts to sink in that you’re doing something lowkey INSANE 😛
So likeeee…
To throw all of this in a nutshell, Guatemala is one of those countries that makes you feel alive in quite literally every aspect. Whether it be driving around on ATVs, hiking big ass volcanoes and watching them erupt, or waking up at the butt crack of dawn to see the sunrise, everything you do here will feel like it’s one of a kind.
If you’ve been nervous about traveling on your own and starting up your solo-travel journey, let this be your sign to make Guatemala the place to start. She’s welcoming, affordable, and full of life-time adventures that’ll give you some of the BEST stories to tell for years. And who knows? Maybe we’ll cross paths on the road someday….I’ve been thinking about start up some group trips for people just like you <3
Who knows which way the wind will blow but…until then,
happy travels <3