12 Best Things to do and Places to Visit in Guatemala (Nature, CULTURE & History) | Guatemala Travel

here are the top places to visit in Guatemala do stay till the end because we'll reveal a couple hidden gems many tourists Miss number 12. on tiwa antiwa is a must-see destination in Guatemala despite being severely damaged in an earthquake on tiwa has managed to retain its charm with a collection of stunning Spanish Colonial architecture as a UNESCO world heritage site it's home to popular attractions like the Santa Catalina Arch the antiwa Guatemala Cathedral and the Church of the Merced chocolate lovers won't want to miss a stop at the choco Museo and coffee fans will be in heaven with the abundance of shops serving up Guatemala's aromatic and flavorful Brew it's a great place to stay for a while with quality hotels and reasonable rates trendy restaurants serving delicious grub and plenty of things to keep you busy stroll through the old city center and Marvel at the cobblestone streets lined with colonial buildings some showing evidence of past earthquakes and others creatively incorporating ruins into more recently constructed buildings visit museums and art galleries to learn about antiwa's history and culture or head to the hill of the cross for panoramic views of the city and don't forget to get lost in the city's massive Market full of tropical fruit stalls and flowers just outside antiwa you can go hiking up volcanoes or take a bus tour of coffee Farms cacao plantations and traditional Villages number 11. ixim Shay ruins looking for a quick Mayan history fix while visiting antiwa consider a trip to xim Shay a lesser-known site that's just an hour away with ruins dating back to 1470. this former capital of the Maya kingdom is home to well-preserved and restored pyramid temples ball courts and palaces there's even a small Museum on site showcasing historical artifacts found at the site but what really sets ixim Shay apart is the fact that it's still very much in use today local people come come to celebrate Mayan rituals at the site so you may even get to witness some traditional ceremonies while you're there and if you're feeling especially adventurous don't miss out on the opportunity to see evidence of the Maya civilization's practice of human sacrifice in the form of murals number 10. lake atitlan lake atitland located in the highlands of Guatemala is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world it is the largest and deepest lake in Central America at 32 000 acres and one thousand feet deep the lake is surrounded by dormant volcanoes and Mayan Villages including panahacho San Pedro and San Juan these Villages cater to different types of Travelers and offer unique attractions such as San Juan's long history of weaving or san Pedro's reputation as a Backpacker Party Town the main way to travel around the lake and reach these isolated Villages is by boat which also allows for views of the spectacular surrounding mountains lake atitlan is a popular place to visit for its natural beauty and variety of activities such as Sunrise hikes kayaking or simply relaxing on the docks number 9. Chichi castanango Market Chichi castanango or Chichi as the locals call it a town with almost 100 percent of its population being Mayan kiche is known for its huge and colorful markets on Thursdays and Sundays vendors from all over Guatemala come to sell their Wares making it a great opportunity for people watching and photography visitors can find everything from food and colorful textiles to traditional carved wooden masks and limestones for making tortillas in addition to the markets Chichi also offers cultural attractions such as the Church of Santo Tomas built on the site of a pre-columbian temple and the Chichi castanango Regional Museum which showcases traditional artifacts from Guatemala the town's cobblestone streets and Lively handicraft markets make it a photographer's dream and even if shopping isn't your thing it is worth visiting to immerse your yourself in the Mayan culture and see the church and Museum number eight Volcan tahu MoGo tahumoko volcano is a must-see for any Adventure Seekers visiting Guatemala standing at a towering 14 000 feet it is the highest mountain in all of Central America and offers breathtaking views of Mexico El Salvador and even the Pacific coast on clear days the Trek to the top is relatively easy with a four hour ascent and a three-hour descent and it can be done as a day trip from shella or an overnight hike with camping at the top for a sunrise experience don't forget to bring your bragging rights and your camera to capture the stunning views from the top of tahumoku volcano number 7. samuk Champaign is a breathtaking natural monument in Guatemala featuring stunning River and jungle Landscapes the kahabone river flows under a limestone Bridge creating several turquoise colored Natural Pools and a Rice Terrace style along the way there are two ways to experience samuk Champaign by hiking to the El Mirador Viewpoint or by hiking down to the river and swimming in the pools you can also enjoy activities such as River Tubing and Cave exploration getting to samuk Champaign involves a bumpy 30-minute ride through the jungle but the trip is worth it for a dip in the turquoise pools and a chance to see the beautiful surroundings by the way if you want to learn how to save money on airfares then click the link in the description below this guide will teach you how to always get the cheapest flights number 6. lankeen caves the long King caves are a must see for any Adventure Seeker these deep Limestone Caverns are filled with fascinating rock formations underground rivers and lagoons the complex is also home to thousands of bats which provide a nightly spectacle as they fly out of the cave to feed in the nearby Forest to fully appreciate this natural wonder plan to tour the cave in the late afternoon and stick around until sunset be warned however that the cave is not for the faint of heart the path can be rough and slippery with wooden bridges stairs and rope ladders throughout despite the challenges the lonkin caves are a true unique and sacred site for the local indigenous Mayans the caves are considered passages to the underworld and are still used for ceremonies but if you're up for an adventure don't miss the opportunity to explore these incredible underground wonders number 5. Livingston ready to escape to a slice of the Caribbean in Guatemala look no further than Livingston this unique town will make you feel like you've left the country entirely but don't be fooled although it was originally populated by runaway garifuna slaves Livingston has become a Melting Pot of diverse cultures and a laid-back atmosphere while you're in town be sure to check out Los siete aldares stunning cascading waterfalls that are just a hop skip and a job from the city center go for a swim in the freshwater pools or take a boat tour to fully experience everything these Falls have to offer and if you're in the mood for some souvenir shopping the local market kits are chock full of traditional handicrafts like shell jewelry coconut artwork and embroidered textiles of course no visit to Livingston would be complete without trying some of the local Libations Coco Loco a tropical cocktail made with rum and served in a fresh coconut can be found at various Street stalls throughout the city feeling adventurous give gifiti a shot another rum-based drink that's said to have healing properties if you're in town during may be sure to catch the garifuna pilgrimage or join in on the Lively Punta dance trust us you won't want to miss out on the fun number 4. pakaya volcano with over 30 volcanoes to choose from Guatemala is a paradise for hikers and Adventure Seekers but if you're short on time and want to maximize your volcano viewing experience look no further than pakaya located near antiwa this towering Beast stands at over 8 200 feet tall and has been continuously active since 1975 with constant lava explosion altering its appearance climbing pakaya is a fairly steep but manageable hike that takes a few hours to complete if you're feeling extra lazy you can even ride a horse to the top instead once you reach the summit you'll have the opportunity to witness glowing molten lava flowing down the volcano in streams and even roast marshmallows over the heat emanating from the hot spots number three Todos Santos cuchumatan this Hidden Gem of a mountain town is home to a predominantly Mayan residents who still speak their native language and frequently wear traditional clothing it's one of the few places in the country where you can still see this on a daily basis every year the town hosts a massive celebration for All Saints Day which just so happens to be the meaning of Todo Santos in Spanish expect lots of music dancing and horse racing as well as plenty of opportunities to indulge in some local alcohol so why not add Todo Santos cucho Matan to your travel itinerary it's a unique and authentic destination that offers a chance to immerse yourself in Mayan culture and traditions number two Monte Rico Monte Rico is a Hidden Gem located just two hours from Guatemala City while the country may not be known for its Sandy Shores Monte Rico boasts a pristine stretch of black sand with waves that are perfect for surfing but Monte Rico isn't just about the beach the area is also home to a protected Mangrove swamp that you can explore by walking on the wooden Boardwalk or taking a guided boat tour and if you're into photography you won't want to miss out on the opportunity to capture the beautiful contrast of the orange and pink sky against the dark black sand during sunset or sunrise and let's not forget about the main attraction the sea turtles monterico is the breeding ground for four different species so keep an eye out for these amazing creatures during your visit number one tikkao tikau is a stunning Mayan ruin site located in the heart of Guatemala's lush jungle this ancient city which was once known as Yaks Muto was a major political and economic Hub during the 4th Century BC today it's a UNESCO world heritage site and home to over 3 000 structures including pyramids temples plazas and an acropolis but the ruins are just the beginning at Tico the site is also home to an incredible array of wildlife including toucans parrots howler monkeys and maybe even a Jaguar if you're lucky and with its 200 foot tall pyramids Rising above the jungle canopy Tikal is a sight to behold you could easily spend a whole day exploring the travels and ruins immersing yourself in the rich history and culture of the Mayan civilization pack your bags and head to Tikal for an unforgettable Adventure in one of the largest and best preserved Mayan cities in the world just don't forget your Indiana Jones hat click here for more places to visit in Central America foreign

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Keywords: central america, Places to Visit in Guatemala, things to do in Guatemala, guatemala travel, guatemala attractions, what to see in guatemala, guatemala bucket list, Tikal, Monterrico, Todos Santos Cuchumatan, Pacaya Volcano, Livingston, Lanquin Caves, Semuc Champey, Volcan Tajumulco, Chichicastenango, Lake Atitlan, Iximche Ruins, Antigua

Id: iIgRsf3_41g

Length: 11min 0sec (660 seconds)

Published: Sun Jan 29 2023