City: Guatemala
Top Things to do in Guatemala
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Guatemala, Guatemala
Coordinates: 15°30′N 90°15′W / 15.500°N 90.250°W / 15.500; -90.250
Restaurants in Guatemala
1. Semuc Champey
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,216 reviews
Reviewed By bucketlisttravellers - Sydney, Australia
Semuc Champey is absolutely stunning and well worth the trek to get there! The pools have a stunning greeny turquoise colour and are very clear. You can see fish clearly and they are the ones that harmlessly nibble away at your feet if you sit still enough. There are a large number of pools and it is worth popping into each as most people stay on the top ones. The lower pools even have natural rock waterslides too if you like a bit of adventure! We did a day tour from Lanquin and this tour also covered a candlelight adventure into nearby caves, a couple of hikes and also a few jumps and swing rope into the river. The pools are visited in the tour after lunch and the one hour round trip hike up to the lookout. There are a lot of steps for this hike and a moderate work out, I wouldn't recommend if you don't have good knees. It is a rough 45min trip to get there from Lanquin standing up in a ute, but this is all part of the adventure. We purchased through La Poza River Lodge for Q195, however we later realised that other hostels are cheaper for the same tour. You could also stay at a hostel near the pools as well, however these are typically not as rated in TA as highly as others in Lanquin.
2. Xetulul
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By E2269DSstepheng - Tucson, United States
Went while on business in Metzatenango, have been wanting to go past few trips and finally got to go. Loved it, went on Thursday in February, park fairly empty, was awesome!. Food was pretty good too. BTW, the best atol de lote.
3. Caoba Farms
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 303 reviews
All organic farm that also offers tours, volunteering, a farm-to-table restaurant, a store, Farmers Markets on Saturdays (live music, vendors, free activities..), Thursday- and Friday night activities and much more! Check out our homepage for more details and follow us on Facebook (caoba farms) and Instagram (caobafarms) to keep posted!
Reviewed By LeilaniRuth - Los Angeles, United States
After living in Antigua for over 3+ years, this is a staple for special occasions, when friends visit, or just needing some solo time. There's a bustling energy about the ground on Saturday's when Caoba throws their famous farmers market, although they're open Wednesday - Sunday and hosts various events throughout. Make sure to bring a camera and enjoy a walk around the property. From the beautifully presented snacks to the farm, it's a photographers dream full of color, life, and the beauty of nature all around. Your visit can be a short stop into the artisanal tienda, although you'd be selling yourself short. If you have time, settle into the restaurant for a full meal, straight from the farm, or just a liquado. There's plenty to do for the entire family if time allows - farm tour, workshops, mariposa garden, succulent plant garden, play area for the kids, live music, and much more. They conveniently offer shuttle service from Parque Central, but it's also a very enjoyable 15min walk from town. Uber is also available if a private ride is more your style.
4. Orquigonia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 243 reviews
Reviewed By GabidelCid - Guatemala City, Guatemala
15 min drive from Coban downtown. We were greeted by a warm-friendly hostess whom shared highlights on the tour before jumping into it. We were provided with organic-mosquito repellent, te and magnifying glasses (for the miniature orquids). Eric, our guide is deeply knowledgable and all 500 species nurtured in the property. We took a 45-60 min hike through the whole place and still had time for some fun pics. You will still have time to do other activities during the day (we took this on our way back to Guatemala city). We totally recommend this all nature-peaceful walk.
5. Tikal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,011 reviews
Reviewed By trvlwannab - Charlotte, United States
First, please allow me to promote Tikal Go, a tour company that provides standard and custom tours of Tikal. They did a great job for us & we highly recommend them. The ruins are among the best in the world. We’ve been to several of the more famous ones in Mexico, Peru, the UK, Italy, etc. If you appreciate historic archeological structures, find a way to go to Tikal….you won’t be disappointed. The sheer number of structures is amazing. They are in various stages of the way they were originally found to fully restored. I believe there are 6 major “pyramids”. We climbed to the top of 4 of them. In fact, you can explore inside & climb on almost all the structures. It is an awesome site from the top of the tallest pyramid, looking out over the top of the tree canopy to see the tops of 4 other pyramids peeking out from the canopy. Restrooms and small huts selling cold drinks are scattered through the expansive property. We especially enjoyed the opportunity to walk thru the mostly shady terrain as we explored. There is a main entrance building that has a restaurant, bathrooms & vendors. Other than that, there may be 1 or 2 more vendors as you start out on the path, but we appreciated not having a large number of vendors in the ruins area. We had brought umbrellas to protect us from the sun or potential rain, but never opened them. We did apply ample bug-spray and were never bothered. Near the end of our tour (not at the entrance/exit, but still in the jungle) we ate at a nice restaurant that was a much-needed break after our long walking tour. They had a nice lunch and refreshing cold water towels to put on the back of our necks. While it takes a little time to get to Tikal, it is worth the effort. I think they have a small local airport, but we drove in from the Belize/Guatemala border near San Ignacio. It is about 1 & ½ drive to the ruins. Since we were staying in Belize City the day before, we elected to spend the night in Isla de Flores. It is a wonderful little island, with many nice hotels and restaurants about an hour from Tikal.
6. The Plaza Central Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,952 reviews
This town square, with tree-lined streets and old colonial buildings, is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists.
Reviewed By Rolliecole - Austin, United States
The park itself (during Christmas season) was ablaze with Christmas lights at night and children playing, vendors selling, people strolling day and night. It is surrounded by some of the principal sights of the city, including the cathedral, several banks with guarded ATMs, and several highly-rated restaurants. We walked through it or by it every time we walked somewhere in the city, if only to see what was happening. Our favorite was a parade of dancing horses - the caballeros (and one lady) astride each horse would make them do a tap dance on the cobblestone streets to music blaring from a pickup ahead of each of two or three horses. The park is a reason to visit Antigua; if you go there, you would have to work hard to miss it.
7. Iglesia de La Merced
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,077 reviews
Destroyed twice by earthquakes, this 1548 church was rebuilt in the 1700s to withstand earthquakes and boasts a lovely yellow façade and a huge stone fountain, reputed to be the largest in Central America.
Reviewed By 796alvaror - San Salvador, El Salvador
La Merced is a colonial baroque style Catholic Church, well preserved, it keeps its greatness outside and inside. It’s a must visit place in Antigua. In addition to, its Square has delicious Guatemalan food and it’s a nice meeting place for locals and foreigners day and nighttime.
8. Lago de Atitlan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 761 reviews
Reviewed By chrisaT9240NB - London, United Kingdom
Really enjoyed being here and visiting villages. Stayed near sleepy Santa Catarina de Palopo but had bumpy boat rides to Santiago de Atitlan, San Juan and San Pedro. Each of the villages were different, and vibrant with colours, lurking volcanoes, goods for sale and fun visits, San Juan, Picturesque and arty, Santiago, interesting and San Pedro commercialised for backpackers, at least near lakeside
9. Rio Dulce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By rickb646 - Southlake, United States
Our Ponant ship anchored at Livingston on Christmas Day. Most things were closed, but we had a three hour boat ride up Rio Dulce and a tour of the Hot Springs. We enjoyed seeing the many pelicans on the ride and the hot springs and caverns were an interesting tour, led by local guide. We got to enter a cave and sit in the sulfurous hot water and tour some of the other caves as well. Outside on the river next to where the boats moored, there was an area where the hot spring vented into the river making for a nice soak.
10. Atitlan Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 811 reviews
The Atitlan Nature Reserve is both a must for visitors of Lake Atitlan and a force in the environmental cause: Atitlan Azul. It is an extraordinary gate to the magnificent Lake Atitlan and its spectacular volcanoes. Its zip lines, butterfly preserve, trails, hanging bridges and lodgings bring you in close contact with nature. On the zip lines you fly above waterfalls, coffee groves, oak stands and the steep cliffs that guard the lake. At the Butterfly Geodome you enjoy the colors and forms of hundreds of butterflies surrounded by flowers and the sounds of water. Humming birds and the murmur of the river accompany you while you have lunch, coffee or a drink, then you continue to explore the diversity and beauty of this natural wonder. At night, the crickets, owls and the sounds of the night will be your company in our lodging. The Reserve supports the work of scientist and students concerned with biodiversity and environmental degradation.
Reviewed By ChrisW9565
A short tuk tuk ride from central Pana, this nature preserve is quite nice. We explored the butterfly dome which was also accompanied by some in-depth explanations & exhibits from different stages of the butterfly's life. We also did the Xtreme Ziplining. The trail up took us past some of the nature trail and were able to see some monkeys on the way up!! It was my first time ziplining, and they could not have been nice about taking care of me and showing me the ropes. The views were *breathtaking* and I absolutely recommend stopping here and spend half a day if you have the time.
