Guatemala holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Guatemala holiday in North America
Guatemala is the heart of the Maya world: The ruins of Tikal rise from the jungle, Lake Atitlán is surrounded by volcanoes and indigenous villages, and Antigua enchants with colonial splendor against a backdrop of smoking volcanoes. Additionally, there are vibrant indigenous markets, turquoise natural swimming pools in Semuc Champey, and one of the richest Maya cultures in Central America.
Capital
Guatemala City
Language
Spanish
Currency
Quetzal (GTQ)
Time zone
UTC-6
Flight time from DE
approx. 14–16 hours (with a layover)
Entry requirements
Passport (visa-free for 90 days)
Top 5 highlights in Guatemala
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Tikal
Mighty Maya pyramids above the rainforest canopy – Temple IV offers the most spectacular sunrise in Central America.
Lake Atitlán
Volcanic lake at 1,560m, surrounded by three volcanoes and twelve Maya villages – 'the most beautiful lake in the world' (Aldous Huxley).
Antigua
Colonial city (UNESCO) with baroque churches, cobblestones, and views of Volcán de Agua – Guatemala's jewel.
Semuc Champey
Natural turquoise limestone pools over an underground river in the jungle – a hidden paradise.
Chichicastenango
The most colorful indigenous market in Latin America – Maya textiles, masks, and incense rituals.
Hotels in Guatemala
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Guatemala
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Guatemala. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to visit Guatemala
Recommended travel time
November–April (dry season)
Summer
20–28°C
Winter
15–25°C
How much does a holiday in Guatemala cost?
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
20–35€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
35–70€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
70–180€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
5 travel tips for Guatemala
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Chicken Buses (colorful former US school buses) are cheap and an experience, but not for the impatient.
Learn Spanish in Antigua – one of the cheapest and most beautiful language school destinations in the world.
Hike Volcán Acatenango with an overnight stay: view the active Fuego at night.
At Lake Atitlán, visit San Marcos for yoga, San Pedro for backpackers, and Panajachel as a hub.
Tip 10% in restaurants – service is often not included.
Food & drink in Guatemala
These dishes you must try!
Discover Guatemala
6 regions, cities and highlights in Guatemala
Cities
Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage site of enchanting beauty. The former capital of Guatemala is located in a valley surrounded by three mighty volcanoes — Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango — and captivates with its cobblestone streets, baroque church ruins, and an atmosphere that is both historic and vibrant. The city was destroyed in 1773 by a devastating earthquake and was never fully rebuilt. The result is a unique cityscape: magnificent monastery ruins stand open to the sky, their arches framing the snow-capped volcanoes in the background. The ruins of the cathedral, the Santa Clara monastery, and the Convento de Capuchinas are architectural highlights that unfold an almost surreal beauty in the warm afternoon light. The Arco de Santa Catalina — a yellow arch spanning the street, with the Agua volcano in the background — is the most photographed motif in Guatemala and the city's landmark. The surrounding streets are lined with restaurants, language schools, cafés, and boutiques housed in former colonial buildings with blooming courtyards. Antigua is Central America's Mecca for Spanish language students. Dozens of schools offer private lessons for often less than €10 per hour, and the combination of morning classes and afternoon volcano hikes attracts thousands of learners from all over the world each year. The volcano climbs are the adventure highlight. The Acatenango (3,976 m) offers a spectacular view of the neighboring Fuego volcano, which regularly erupts lava and ash — a natural spectacle from a safe distance — when you spend the night at the crater's edge. The Pacaya volcano is easier to climb and rewards with cooled lava fields and occasionally glowing lava.
Antigua Guatemala (Old Town)
Antigua Guatemala is located in a valley surrounded by three volcanoes, combining colonial splendor with a vibrancy that many Latin American cities have lost. The former capital of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, was destroyed by earthquakes in the 18th century and was never fully rebuilt — and it is precisely this state between preservation and picturesque decay that gives it its irresistible charm. The cobblestone streets are lined with one- and two-story colonial buildings in pastel colors: ochre yellow, terracotta, sky blue, and mint green, interspersed with lushly blooming bougainvilleas climbing over the walls. Through open entrance doors, glimpses of shady courtyards with fountains and orange trees can be caught — many of these colonial casas now house boutique hotels, cafés, and language schools. The ruins are the soul of Antigua: The Cathedral of San José, once the most magnificent in Central America, still shows its massive façade, while the roof has been missing since the earthquake of 1773, revealing a view of the sky and the volcano Agua. The ruins of Santa Clara Convent, the convent of the Capuchins, and especially the photogenic ruin of La Recolección with its stone arch are atmospheric witnesses of a lost splendor. The Acatenango volcano, which can be climbed as a two-day hike from Antigua, offers an unforgettable spectacle at night: From the base camp at 3,600 meters, one can observe the active neighboring volcano Fuego, which spews lava and glowing rocks into the night sky every 15-20 minutes — a natural spectacle that cannot be compared to any fireworks in the world.
Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango, affectionately called "Chichi" by the locals, is located at an altitude of 2,070 meters in the Guatemalan highlands and hosts one of the most colorful and authentic indigenous markets in Latin America. Every Thursday and Sunday, the Maya K'iche' town transforms into an explosive kaleidoscope of colors, smells, and sounds. The market of Chichicastenango is not a tourist spectacle but a vibrant trading place where the indigenous K'iche' population has been exchanging goods for centuries. Hundreds of stalls, covered with blue tarps, offer handwoven textiles in bright colors, masks, ceramics, leather goods, medicinal herbs, and fresh produce. The atmosphere is overwhelming, engaging all the senses at once. The Church of Santo Tomás, a whitewashed colonial church built on the foundations of a Maya temple, serves as the spiritual center of the market activities. On the 18 steps — one for each month of the Maya calendar — shamans (Ajq'ijab') burn copal incense and perform Maya rituals, while Catholic masses are held nearby. This fusion of Maya spirituality and Catholicism is unique in its openness. Opposite the church lies the cemetery, one of the most colorful in the world. The graves are painted in bright blue, green, yellow, and pink — each color has its own meaning in Maya cosmology. It is a place to celebrate life, not mourn. The Pascual Abaj, a pre-colonial Maya shrine on a hill at the edge of town, is still actively used for ceremonies today. The ascent through pine forests leads to a stone idol site where shamans make offerings — a rare insight into the vibrant Maya spirituality. Chichicastenango is strategically located between Guatemala City and Lake Atitlán, making it ideal to combine with a visit to the spectacular crater lake. The surrounding area also offers hiking opportunities to the Maya villages of the highlands, where time seems to pass more slowly.
Flores (Guatemala)
Flores is a charming island town in Lake Petén, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway — the gateway to the legendary Maya ruins of Tikal. The colorful, pastel-colored houses of the tiny island reflect picturesque in the lake, while the dense jungle of Petén begins all around. The relaxed atmosphere, affordable prices, and proximity to several Maya sites make Flores a popular backpacker hub in Guatemala.
Guatemala City
Guatemala City, or Guate, is the largest city in Central America and the vibrant heart of a country rich in Maya heritage and volcanic landscapes. Located at an altitude of 1,500 meters in the Valle de la Ermita, this three-million metropolis offers a contrast between modern skyscrapers, colonial remnants, and lively markets. The city is not a classic tourist destination, but a fascinating starting point: The Mercado Central under the Plaza de la Constitución is a labyrinth of Maya textiles, jade jewelry, and street food. The Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología houses the world's best collection of Maya artifacts — jade masks, stelae, and ceramics excavated from Tikal and other sites. The Zona Viva (Zone 10) is the modern face of the city: restaurants, bars, galleries, and the Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena, which showcases the colorful costumes of the 22 Maya peoples of Guatemala. In Zone 1, the historic center, stands the imposing Palacio Nacional de la Cultura. From Guatemala City, you can reach Antigua Guatemala (UNESCO), Lake Atitlán, Volcano Pacaya, and Chichicastenango in just a few hours — the city is the gateway to Guatemala's spectacular natural wonders and Maya sites.
Complete guide for Guatemala
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
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Plan a holiday in Guatemala
Guatemala is one of the most popular travel destinations in North America, offering Maya, Adventure, Culture and much more. The best time to visit Guatemala is November–April (dry season), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 20–35€ (Budget) to 70–180€ (Luxury), Guatemala is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Guatemala City, Guatemala can be excellently explored. The official language is Spanish, and the currency is Quetzal (GTQ). From Germany, you can reach Guatemala in approx. 14–16 hours (with a layover). Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Pepián, Kak'ik, Tamales, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Guatemala has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Guatemala holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Guatemala is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
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