City: Guatemala
Top Things to do in Guatemala
What to do and see in Guatemala, Guatemala: The Best Sights & Landmarks
Coordinates: 15°30′N 90°15′W / 15.500°N 90.250°W / 15.500; -90.250
Restaurants in Guatemala
1. Temple IV
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 788 reviews
If you're up for an energetic climb, ascend the wooden stairs to the top of this 212-foot structure, the highest in Tikal, for a magnificent view of the jungle below.
Reviewed By 73valh
We went here with a tour group. We had a guided tour at this place and it was very insightful. We were able to climb a couple of the temples. They have made their own wooden steps to get to ALMOST the top. The views are incredible.
2. Yaxha
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 379 reviews
Reviewed By 312darshanh - Columbus, United States
On our last free day in Flores, we took a sunset tour to Yaxha National Park with the help of our guide Francisco Florián Escobar. Until our trip we didn’t know Yaxha was the third largest Mayan ruin and was situated in the heart of the rainforest of Guatemala. Francisco was very entertaining and very knowledgeable. He even showed us spider monkeys and grey haired fox. He was also telling us about how Mayan cities were built and how they varied from region to region due to the location of stars. At the end of the trip, we did enjoy a beautiful sunset on top of the Mayan temple.
3. Santa Cruz Spanish School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 48 reviews
Since 2006. The school is located at Our Hotel Arca de Noe - 1 minute away from the main public dock in Santa Cruz la Laguna. Our teachers are highly qualified and flexible. Students can share different experiences with other teachers! It is possible. Our courses are individually or in a small group designed for everyone. All materials provided by the school are free. Our school includes free WIFI and a great place for coffee or just relax. Though we offer structure, we are always ready to accommodate student's particular needs and desires. Our teachers are ready to help if a student feels the need to spend more time on any phase of the learning process...
Reviewed By laurarU2942BZ
My husband and I were most impressed with the Santa Cruz Spanish School. The communications, price, and reception were all great, but above all the teachers were excellent. My teacher, Juana, a remarkable young woman from the local town, used a diverse range of teaching tools and techniques, which kept things fun and interesting. She was so patient with me and my awful pronunciation. In the beginning, I thought I wasn't advanced enough for a language school, but I was amazed how much I had learned by the end of the week. The school is located lakeside, and the beautiful views offered inspiration and respite. Combined with a stay a few minutes up the hill as Casa de Cameron (Panorama), it was the perfect place to do a language school.
4. 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.
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. Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 531 reviews
One of many ruined churches in the city, this multi-domed church is often visited by pilgrims seeking answers to their prayers from Friar Hermano Pedro, the beatified 17th-century monk buried inside.
Reviewed By T9604IZmattp - San Diego, United States
Make sure you stop here to see the resting place of Hermano Pedro, Guatemala’s first Saint. He was considered the Mother Theresa of his time, and is venerated as such. The church was damaged and eventually destroyed in Guatemala’s famous historic earthquakes, and was rebuilt in the 1960’s. Fun Fact: Scenes from The New Adventures of Tarzan were filmed here when the church was still in ruins.
9. Casa Popenoe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Casa Popenoe appeals to the inquiring mind. It prompts us to ask questions about ideas, about passion, about commitment; about history, art, science, beauty, austerity, proportion. What role does each play in human development? In the development of civilization?
10. Santo Tomas Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Mayans enter through the front door, but others are relegated to the side door of this unusual 1540 church which combines Catholic and Mayan spiritual practices.
Reviewed By BRodrig - Hillsboro, United States
We had an “authorized guide” (with a special guide vest) take us through both churches and the murals by the museum. It was totally worth the cost. She was very thorough and was able to answer all our questions. It makes more sense to go through the main church with someone explaining the Catholic and Mayan traditions held within and outside the church.
