Guatemala is one of the smaller Central America countries but the local indigenous population is the largest of any Latin American nation, making for a particularly 'authentic' holiday experience as their traditional dress and culture are very much still evident. Guatemala holidays offer the best of Central America under one roof - volcanoes, protected tropical jungle, mountainous highlands, impressive Mayan ruins, vivid colonial towns (including the wonderful Antigua) and beaches on the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines. Altogether, Guatemala makes a great holiday destination for those fond of eco-tourism, adventure and culture.

Guatemala holiday ideas

A few suggestions to get the holiday planning process started

Why visit Guatemala with Original Travel

Boasting one of the largest Indigenous populations in the Americas, Guatemala is a fascinating destination for those keen on culture and history. From visiting a local textile workshop in Lake Atitlan to discovering Mayan ruins, we’ll design a trip to suit you. Hike through jungle reserves for a dose of nature, or marvel at colonial Antigua on a city walking tour. No two Guatemala holidays are the same, but our local guides will show you that there’s more to this destination than first meets the eye. When it comes to accommodation, be it a lakeside lodge or glamping in the jungle, we've got something for everyone.

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A few of the benefits of travelling with us to Guatemala

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Travel to Guatemala by Region

Antigua Guatemala

Surrounded by dramatic volcanoes, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Antigua Guatemala is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Central America. On Antigua Guatemala holidays you can stroll along the city's cobbled streets to discover dramatic ruins of churches destroyed by earthquakes and see new Baroque-style Spanish architecture set against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty. Antigua Guatemala is very much still a living city rather than just an open-air museum, and is a place where two different cultures survive hand in hand; the indigenous Guatemalan heritage and living traditions thriving within the Spanish-colonial architectural shell, never better appreciated than during the semana santa (the Holy Week before Easter) celebrations.

Lake Atitlan

A huge body of deep blue water that stretches into the distance and takes at least half an hour to cross by motorboat, Lake Atitlan has an amazing setting, ringed by imposing volcanoes. Lake Atitlan holidays are fabulous for hiking, mountain biking and kayaking, or just relaxing in one of the elegant hotels around the lake's shoreline, and the region also has a strong spiritual feel, too. To appreciate Guatemala's colourful indigenous population, take a boat trip to visit the villages that hug the lakeshore, such as Santiago, Santa Catarina and San Antonio. Mayan customs and beliefs are strongly adhered to in these tiny remote communities, whose residents proudly wear traditional dress that distinguishes each town from the next.

Tikal National Park

A 45-minute flight from Guatemala City takes you to Flores in the steamy Petén region of northern Guatemala, staging post to reach Tikal's 3,000 temples, shrines, ceremonial platforms, ball courts and plazas in the heart of the jungle. A substantial portion of the complex remains unexcavated, and the site's jungle location gives it a mystical atmosphere; whether shrouded in dawn mist, or covered in tropical foliage. This Mayan marvel still only receives around 200,000 visitors a year; a fraction of those at the other better-known Mayan and Incan sites. The most impressive of Tikal's structures are the six huge step pyramids or Temples I-VI, some towering over 200 feet above the humble tourist (who may recognise them from the original Star Wars movie). Yet the majesty of Tikal is apparent wherever you are; craning your neck upwards, peering giddily downwards, or gazing across the Grand Plaza at the temple tops rising above the jungle canopy on the skyline. The region's wildlife is plentiful and Tikal holidays are always accompanied by the sounds of chattering birds and howler monkeys, all adding to the unforgettable experience.

Our Guatemala holiday collections

Discover different ways to explore Guatemala

Guatemala Guide

Practical advice and inspiration to help you prepare for your holiday

Guatemala Testimonials

1 reviews
5 / 5
"Our trip to Guatemala with Original Travel was a huge success. Our advisor was able to tailor the trip to our needs and everything exceeded our expectations. To all those who are fond of well-organised travel in beautiful destinations, I thoroughly recommend Original Travel. The quality of the logistics, the accommodation, the transport, the destinations, the experiences and the advice that they gave us was faultless. It was an unforgettable experience."
Elizabeth - Manchester
Published on 26th April 2019

Our Guatemala
specialists

Our consultants have travelled all over this Central American gem and are passionate about sharing its secrets with you. We’ve tried and tested the activities we offer, be it chocolate-making or sleeping out among Mayan ruins, so are perfectly placed to make recommendations. Guatemala is a family-friendly destination if you know how to do it right (hint: we do); just leave planning the tailor-made treasure hunts and horseback volcano climbs to the experts. On the ground, our Concierges are always on hand to offer advice and provide invaluable support should you need it.

What you can find in Guatemala that you won't find anywhere else?

As the birthplace of the Mayan people, Guatemala is not short of ancient ruins to explore, most notably in Tikal National Park, which can be found deep in the jungle with hundreds of temples peeking out of the top of the tree canopy. But there is more to this country than ancient ruins: the city of Antigua Guatemala is well worth spending some time in, with its colourful, cobbled streets and surrounding volcanoes. Nearby is Lake Atitlan, which is surrounded by villages that provide the perfect opportunity to learn a little more about authentic Guatemalan culture. The combination of the history, culture and the country's natural beauty makes Guatemala an unforgettable place to visit.


Who is Guatemala best for?

Once upon a time we'd have said the country was best for the intrepid traveller, but Guatemala now has a number of excellent boutique hotels and posadas which make it a fantastic country to visit without sacrificing basic creature comforts. The hotels are mainly family run and are often converted haciendas maintaining their original charm and style.


What are the best ways to discover Guatemala?

One of the highlights of any Guatemala holiday is to immerse oneself in the charming colonial town of Antigua, with its labyrinth of cobbled streets, museums and stunning architecture followed by a visit to the crystalline waters of Lake Atitlan or head North East, slightly off the beaten track, into the depths of the jungle to discover Tikal one of the impressive Mayan archaeological sights and admire the spectacle of exotic wildlife and birds.

Best places to go in Guatemala



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