Sites in Guatemala We Recommend (& Don't)

Probably best not to visit any Mayan ruin on a weekend; going on a weekday is how you avoid both hoards of tourists and hoards of locals having picnics and birthday parties.

We didn't do it on this 2024 trip - we did it on a previous trip - but Tikal and Flores are must-sees. Either stay two nights in Flores and see Tikal in between (don't rush it!), or come over from Belize, stay one night in Flores and as early the next morning as possible, head to Tikal, spend the whole day there, and then go back to Belize. We stayed at Hotel Isla de Flores on that previous trip and loved it, and we highly, highly recommend Elmer at Tikal VIP Tours. Among those rave reviews on Trip Advisor is mine. Elmer and his driver will pick you up in the beautiful, air conditioned van, he will take you on a tour of the site that's unlike anyone else's, he'll answer any question you have as though you are the first person to ever ask thim the question, you get a delicious meal after the tour at Tikal (included!) and then he takes you back to the border with Belize (included!). It's some of the best money we spent there. A private tour meant we didn't have to wait for anyone else, no one else could divert us from what we really wanted to do, no one would get frustrated with all of our questions and desire to linger somewhere. If you can't find him on Trip Advisor or elsewhere, contact me and I will hook you up with his contact info. Here's more about our time in Flores and Tikal. 

It should go without saying that the church ruins of Antigua, and the architecture of Antigua in general, are worth visiting. But I think two full days there is PLENTY to get your fill.

Lake Atitlan was a let down because of the smog and the kitschy tourism shacks everywhere, but if it's clear, and you have a place with a beautiful view of the lake, even for a drink or dinner, it would have been worth it. I liked San Pedro de Lago better than San Juan de Lago, though most people say the opposite. I didn't enjoy Panajachel, except for our hotel, Casa Amaranto, which I adored.

I loved Q'Umarkaj., a Mayan ruin near Santa Cruz del Quiche. I also really loved the street market in Quiche - go at sunset, if you can. Both were highlights of our trip.

Zaculeu, a site of Mayan ruins in the city, is worth visiting if you really love Mayan ruins (we do). It's near Huehuetenango and it's really difficult to find. Read up on it on Wikipedia before you go.

I loved the cities of Nebaj and Coban. They aren't touristy, I love the clothing of the Mayan women, and the town squares are nice to just walk through and see what's going on. And the drives to both places are scenic.

Lanquin and Semuc Champey are must sees. Get a hotel that's a nice place to hangout and be there two nights, and go to the pools on the day in between. Get to the pools as soon as they open and don't go on a weekend.

I think Pachalum is a hidden jewel of a village. It's crazy hilly and beautiful. It's a great place to base yourself to see the Mayan ruins of Mixco Viejo, San Martin Jilotepeque.

I enjoyed the Pacific Coast village of Monterrico. Get a hotel with a pool, even though you are right on the ocean! If you can be there for two nights and want to go out on the water, do research beforehand and book in advance.

I would have loved to see Fuentes Georginas, the thermal hot springs near Xela, to have gone over the boarder into Honduras to see the Copan Mayan ruins, and maybe even one day visit the museum in Guatemala City where the things taken from Mayan sites are on display, but we just did not have time. We would have needed another four or five days at least.

Here is our route.

Here is the list of hotels where we stayed in 2024 and what I thought of them.

Here is my Guatemala travelogue:

• Part One: Problems before leaving, arriving in Guatemala, first days in Antigua and at Lake Atitlan, anxiety over the Presidential election.
   
• Part Two: Q'Umarkaj Mayan ruin, Santa Cruz del Quiche, Zaculeu, Nebaj, Coban, Lanquin and Semuc Champey.
   
• Part Three: Pachalum, the Mayan ruins of Mixco Viejo, San Martin Jilotepeque, the Pacific Coast village of Monterrico, our last day in the country, the chaos to get out.

Back to my January 2024 Guatemala Motorcycle Adventure main page.