Location: Escuintla
Top Things to do in Escuintla
Top 10 Things to do in Escuintla, Guatemala
Escuintla (Spanish pronunciation: [esˈkwintla]) is a city in south central Guatemala. It is the capital of the Escuintla Department and the administrative seat of Escuintla Municipality.
Restaurants in Escuintla
1. Acatenango Volcano
Overall Ratings
5 based on 641 reviews
Reviewed By gildo28
I went Volcán Acatenango tour with Tropicana. The tour was absolutely unbelievable. We got to see so many amazing things from lava explosions to the sunrise at the summit of Acatenango. Our guide Augustin was absolutely amazing. He was so caring, knowledgeable and friendly. We were lucky to have a small group which only enhanced our experience. I would definitely check how big your group is before you do it if you can, as we saw some huge other groups pass us. But either way it’s a must if you are in Antigua. Def ask for Augustin
2. Valhalla Experimental Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
Valhalla Macadamia Farm is a family-owned and -run organic macadamia plantation. Our aim is to promote the planting of macadamia trees for indigenous communities to provide them with an income, food security and also to promote sustainability, the preservation of the environment and atmospheric carbon sequestration. Your visit will include a short tour of our plantation and samples of our chocolates, nuts and skin care products. Visitors can also enjoy a free facial massage with our natural skin care products made of macadamia oil. In our garden restaurant, visitors can enjoy our delicious and famous macadamia pancakes, as well as other breakfast dishes and sandwiches. Come and enjoy our beautiful Gardens and clean air. We are ope every day from 8 to 4, monday through sunday. Hope to see you there soon! Hope to see you there soon!
Reviewed By Travellover6128 - San Francisco, California
We visited here specifically to try the macadamia nut pncakes which were excellent. There were a variety of topping available, all of which sounded amazing. I can highly recommend the strawberry and the white chocolate pancakes though! The owner Larry, is completely bonkers!! His humour...MoreThanks! Yes, we are bonkers or more appropriately, "nuts". Glad to know you enjoyed it. Ricardo
3. Auto Safari Chapin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By Robincafoxa - Arroyo Grande, California
We visited here via cruise ship excursion on air-conditioned bus. Based on other reviews I saw on this site, it sounded like a great place to visit and it was. However, many wrote they go every year. Once was plenty. The reserve was a great place to visit animals up close...especially the lions.
4. Ravenscroft Riding Stables
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
This place definitely has character.
Horses are excellent, well trained and so well looked after!
The owners provide clean, good helmets, boots and anything else you need for riding.
Fred and Paula are a wonderful pair of eccentric characters. We loved them. They both have a great sense of humour and plenty of advice and information and of course you get a safety briefing before the ride, do's and don't. Don't come if you're a light weight with no sense of humour, and do expect real horse expertise - we are experienced riders and they know how to pitch it (for beginners too).
At least one of the horses was rescued as are all of the dogs.
We rode on Rosie and Alfred and really enjoyed the ride through coffee fields and meeting locals on the way.
These horses don't get spooked by fireworks- we rode on New Year's Day and there was plenty of noise.
Our guide was Spanish speaking only but we've managed to get by and understood each other in the end - Fred couldn't take us on our ride on this occasion.
I really would like to say we will be back, maybe one day.
Thank you Fred and Paula!
5. Santa Teresita Hotel & Spa Termal
Overall Ratings
4 based on 128 reviews
We are a Thermal water complex in Amatitlan, Guatemala. We are located about 30 minutes from Antigua Guatemala by car. We have different areas and services, both for families with kids and adults only areas. Our facilities include Kawilal Hotel, Kawilal Spa, 2 restaurants, 16 thermal water pools, natural thermal steam baths and more.
Reviewed By movingaround441 - San Jose Metro, Costa Rica
Dy trip for a massage and thermal pools. The massage was terrific and the many pools were most enjoyable. Definitely can recommend the pools and massage but not so sure about the restaurant--better quality, selection and value can be found outside of the spa. Some areas are closed on certain days due to scheduled cleaning so check ahead. This is an easy day trip from Antigua or the capital.
6. La Azotea Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By Cherry_Wonderdog - Acton, Massachusetts
This little museum about 10 minutes outside of Antigua, Guatemala is a refreshing retreat for those who want to learn about native culture without going overboard. It’s also a nice diversion from the hustle and bustle of the traffic and noise of Antigua on the outskirts of a town that feels completely genuine, devoid of touristic influences.
We traveled here by “chicken bus” as part of an organized trip from our Don Pedro Spanish School. The bus itself is an experience, but I won’t digress. What makes the museum attractive is its intimacy, the calmness, the lack of crowds, and the personal treatment by those guiding you along the way. We had our tour in Spanish (others are supposedly available in English) by a young woman of Mayan descent who described and demonstrated the many musical instruments who find their origins in Guatemala. Next, we sat through an un-narrated video about cultural ceremonies where these instruments have been used over the generations. My wife and daughter found it interesting, but I found it excessively long, dozed off a couple times, and could have skipped it.
The second part of the museum had to do with coffee, a critical element of Guatemala’s agricultural economy. Both coffee and chocolate are produced here and are highly reputed on an international level. The museum showed both inside and out how coffee was grown, cultivated, selected, sun-dried, and roasted, and we learned about the benefits and consequences of different roasting levels. The walk outside was picturesque, amidst coffee bushes, with the Mountains as backdrop. There was also a room to taste their coffee and buy knick-knacks, including very affordable coffee, chocolate, and textile samples. It was here that I purchased a couple jars of natural coffee jam (first ingredient coffee, not sugar) that taste great on toast!
The whole visit took about two hours. It wasn’t rushed. Entrance price was a reasonable 50 quetzals. Worth going if you’re spending a few days in Antigua.
7. Fuego Volcano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Nicolas C - Houston, Texas
A great hike for the adventurers, this very active volcano does not involve any technical equipment but almost requires that you overnight on Acatenango, a dormant volcano linked to it by a saddle. When I went, the volcano was spewing lava and pyroclastic debris, rumbling through the night. The wind was almost throwing us off the landscape, but the views were amazing, stretching as far out as lake Atitlan and Agua volcano. And being in the presence of such force of nature is unforgettable. You will have to hire a guide and as I say, probably will have to sleep on Acatenango, but it is worth the climb! Humbling and thrilling!
8. Caoba Farms
Overall Ratings
5 based on 173 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 ken48911 - Lansing, Michigan
This garden was a close walk to the wonderful 3 bedroom house we rented ([email protected]). A group of us hmade a reservation for lunch and had salads, pizza and pancakes. The menu was superb. Everything was fresh and presented in a wonderful way. Be sure to tour the Gardens, talk to the staff and go to the store. The owner told us a chocolate making venture will start soon.
9. Casa Santo Domingo Museums
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Elizabeth K - Denver, Colorado
We visited the beautifully restored and serene grounds of this hotel/archaeological site/museum in the evening with the perfect light. Our meal at their restaurant was our best in Antigua. The matched contemporary glass and Classic Period Mayan pottery exhibit was completely unique and a must-see....MoreThank you so much for sharing your opinion, we are glad that you enjoyed our facilities and services.
10. Pacaya Volcano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By ilianacg - new york, new york
Hiking Pacaya was something I was most looking forward to in Guatemala. I had read reviews (don't know where!) of people saying it was easy...I disagree with that! However, I'm also a wuss in direct sunlight, that was killing me. And I think the altitude was rough on me as well. There are local guides that follow your group with horses so if you need one you have that option (for 100 quetzales). But it's an amazing experience once you get towards the top and you're walking on lava rock. The marshmallow roasting is a little cheesy. Great day trip!
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