The best places to visit in Guatemala are the ones that truly take your breath away. From secret waterfalls and lakeside castles to black sand beaches and mountains high above the clouds, these are the top 14 most beautiful places in Guatemala:
1. Panajachel
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: the gorgeous view from the boat docks!
Nestled along the north shore of Lake Atitlán, the beautiful town of Panajachel can be found in the Guatemalan Highlands surrounded by the San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán volcanoes. Panajachel is best known for this unrivaled, photogenic view, but the town also serves as a popular connection point to access other lakeside villages in the area. It’s the busiest location on the lake, and its main street–Calle Santander–is lined with restaurants, cafes, street food vendors, and artisan stalls offering visitors the unique opportunity to shop for textiles and crafts handmade by the local indigenous people. If you’re looking for the most beautiful places to visit in Guatemala, Panajachel should definitely top your list!
2. Semuc Champey
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: the turquoise pools and tiered waterfalls
In the middle of the Guatemalan jungle, far from any town, lies a remote oasis paradise known as Semuc Champey. Meaning “where the river hides,” this beautiful place consists of a series of spring-fed, gemstone-blue pools that formed atop a natural limestone rock bridge where the Cahabón River flows unseen underground. Small waterfalls flow into these pools from the surrounding mountains, and the spot’s become especially popular amongst adventure-seeking backpackers who don’t mind the somewhat difficult journey involved in reaching Semuc Champey. Once you’ve made it there, you can relax by swimming in the pools, scaling the waterfalls, or trekking all the way up to an overlook platform to get an aerial view from the top of a nearby cliff. If you’re in good health and don’t mind taking a potential, one-of-a-kind trip on a chicken bus, then this is by far one of the best places to visit in Guatemala!
3. Las Piedras de Captzin
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: the scenic drive past the iconic twin stones
Legend states that the twin boulders rising out of the side of the road on the way to Los Cuchumatanes are actually Mayan Princess Xinabajul of Zaculeu and her fiancée’s brother, Akik Balam, who ran away with the beautiful woman after tricking her. As punishment for their betrayal, the gods petrified them, and there they remain to this day, forever frozen in time. Known as Las Pedras de Captzin, you can find the rock pair at the entrance to the municipality of San Juan Ixcoy while on the road to the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes in Huehuetenango. Throughout history the stones have been used in Mayan rituals to ask for rain and peace, but they’re also one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala.
4. Los Cuchumatanes
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: the cloud-top mountain views
With elevations reaching over 3,800 meters, the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes ranks as the highest non-volcanic mountain range in all of Central America. It covers 16,350 km2 (6,310 sq mi) and is the most extensive highland region in Central America, stretching across the Huehuetenango as well as the El Quiché departments of Guatemala. This is one of the best places to visit in Guatemala for adventure seekers, as visitors can even hike to the highest point in the range–La Torre Peak.
5. Lake Atitlan
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: the volcano-silhouetted sunsets reflecting over the water
Surrounded by three picturesque volcanoes that provide a silhouetted backdrop against the endless sky, Lake Atitlan is known for its breathtaking sunsets and longstanding position as one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala. Although it’s not the country’s biggest lake (ranking 2nd behind Lake Izabal), Lake Atitlan is probably the most famous lake in Guatemala. It’s also the deepest lake in Central America, with depths reaching a shuddering 1,049 feet (320 meters) down. It’s one of the best places to visit in Guatemala–as well as one of the most visited tourist attractions in the entire country–and definitely shouldn’t be missed on your next trip. Hike to the top of San Pedro Volcano, soak in its thermal baths, or attend one of the top-rated Spanish language schools located in the area. To fully explore the lake, all the villages lining its waterfront, or the the nearby Mayan ruins, head to Panajachel first, and use this pretty lakeside town as your hub.
6. Castle Fort San Felipe in Lake Izabal
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: the pretty castle fortress views as seen from the water (and surrounded by water)
The Castle of San Felipe de Lara–or Castillo de San Felipe–is a beautiful Spanish colonial fort lying at the entrance to Lake Izabal, the largest lake in Guatemala. Originally built in 1644 to keep pirates from looting the port, the fortress has evolved over the years and today serves as a park and popular tourist attraction in Guatemala. This is one of the most unique places to visit in Guatemala, and it will be well worth your trip!
7. Antigua
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: the Spanish colonial buildings set against a volcanic backdrop
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Guatemala, Antigua is best known for its its Spanish colonial buildings and the towering volcanoes that surround the small town. The most famous of all is the iconic 17th century Santa Catalina Arch, which paints a sunshine yellow bridge of color across the sky where the Volcán de Agua rises above the city, perfectly framed behind. Cobbled streets complete the pretty, postcard-perfect view, and with other candy-colored buildings lining up nearby, it’s not hard to see why this location is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Guatemala!
8. Monterrico
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: the Black Sand Beaches!
One of the most beautiful beach towns in Guatemala, Monterrico is known for its volcanic black sand beaches and the hundreds of sea turtles that come ashore each year to lay their eggs between June and December.
9. Flores Island
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: the fairytale-like island in the middle of a lake
Known as a gateway to the nearby Mayan ruins, the colorful town of Flores, Guatemala is located on an island in the middle of Guatemala’s third largest lake–Lake Petén Itzá–in the country’s northern Petén region. A causeway links Flores Island to the mainland via its sister town Santa Elena which is located on the lakeshore across the way. With its charming cobblestone streets, vibrantly colored buildings, and gorgeous waterfront views, Flores Island easily ranks near the top of Guatemala’s most beautiful places to visit!
10. Livingston
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: its Caribbean coast line and palm-lined beachfront
Reachable only by boat, Livingston is located on Guatemala’s Caribbean coast at the mouth of the Río Dulce. It’s best known for being a hub of Garifuna culture, brought to the city by descendants of a shipwrecked slave ship who intermarried with the Arawak people of St. Vincent Island before fleeing to the rest of Central America. Visitors to Livingston may be able to sample traditional Garifuna foods such as Hudut (fish and coconut stew) and cassava bread or experience the rhythmic beat of the Punta music and dance. Don’t miss this lesser known place to visit in Guatemala!
11. Cathedral of Guatemala City
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: its Neoclassical architecture is strikingly pretty but also serves a bigger purpose in remembering lives lost
Located in the Plaza de la Constitución in the center of Guatemala City, the Cathedral of Guatemala City dates back to 1782, when the main body of the church was first built. The 12 pillars in front of the cathedral stand in remembrance of thousands of people who were murdered or forcibly disappeared during Guatemala’s counterinsurgency violence from 1960 through 1996. The central plaza in which the cathedral is located holds city events, hosts parades, and serves as a popular gathering place for tourists visiting Guatemala City.
12. Rubel Chaim Waterfall
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: It’s a waterfall paradise!
Meaning “Under the Stars” in the Q’eqchi’ language, the Rubel Chaim waterfall is a 200-ft cascade that can be found in the Ram Tzul (“Heart and Spirit of the Mountain”) Nature Reserve in small town Purulhá located in the mountains of the Baja Verapaz Department of Guatemala. The lush greenery surrounding the falls and the pool that forms beneath it make this hidden gem destination worthy of being known as one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala.
13. Quetzaltenango
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: its Neoclassical buildings, gardens, and artisan markets
Commonly referred to by its K’iche’ Maya name “Xelajú” (or just “Xela”), Quetzaltenango is known for its Neoclassical architecture and its unique position as a center for trade between the coast and highlands. This makes it an exceptional place for tourists to shop for vibrant textiles and other Guatemalan souvenirs. Quetzaltenango Central Park marks the heart of the historic district and serves as the city’s cultural epicenter. With its beautiful buildings and gardens, it’s easily one of the best places to visit in Guatemala.
14. Tikal National Park
Why It’s One of the Most Beautiful Places in Guatemala: the historic wonder surrounding this ancient Mayan city in a rainforest
Tikal National Park is the largest excavated site in the American continent, encompassing 575 square kilometres and thousands of architectural structures. Now the ruins of an ancient Mayan city, Tikal once flourished between 200 and 850 A.D. and is believed by historians to be the capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient empire–Yax Mutal. Among the ruins are temples and palaces, including the sacred Mundo Perdido–Lost World Pyramid–and the Temple of the Great Jaguar, which today has become a popular spot for watching the sunset. This is one of the most popular places to visit in Guatemala, and you should definitely add it to your list!
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