Guatemala Travel Guide

There's almost no better place in Central America to discover ancient Mayan culture than Guatemala. Bordering Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador, Guatemala is nearly landlocked, with only a small strip of Caribbean coastline on the east matched by a similar strip of Pacific coastline in the southwest. The country is a rich tapestry of Central American lifestyle, from the steamy tropical jungles of the Western Highlands, to the Central Highlands around Guatemala City, and there is simply an overabundance of wealth and beauty to be discovered.

From the mountains, to the ma… read morerkets, to the Mayan ruins, to the culture, the cuisine, and the experience, there's something for everyone in Guatemala. While it's not necessarily a veteran traveler-only destination, first-timers should be aware that crime can be an issue in the more obscure parts of the country, and traveling with a group is generally considered a smart move. These days, it's almost a thing of the past, but caution should be taken just in case.

If it's your first time to Guatemala, start off in the capital city. Guatemala City has accommodations and transportation to suit every traveler’s needs, and between the little side-street cafés, markets, and the restaurants, you couldn't pick a better place to explore the rest of the country from. However, it is the Mayan ruins which really make Guatemala stand out amongst its Central American counterparts, and strapping on a pair of boots and getting into the jungle and the mountains is the best way to see this ancient empire. From the highland town of Chichhicastenango to the ruins of Tikal on Flores, to the amazing beauty of Lake Atitlan, there is way more than you can pack into just one trip. On top of that, there are also seaside resorts on both coastlines offering visitors the opportunity to explore that part of the country as well. With the literal dozens of Mayan ruins, an amazing culture, and an ease-of-use that’s perfect even for newbie travelers, Guatemala is a place that should be on any traveler's itinerary.