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🇬🇹 Guatemala

The towering Mayan temples of Tikal, volcano-ringed Lake Atitlán and colourful colonial Antigua — Guatemala is the vibrant cultural heart of Central America.

Visa-free 📅 Best: Nov–Apr (dry) 💵 $70/day avg
🏙️
Capital
Guatemala City
💱
Currency
Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)
🗣️
Language
Spanish
📅
Best time
Nov–Apr (dry)
🛂
Visa
Visa-free (many)
💵
Avg daily budget
$35 – $250
🛡️
Safety
Use normal caution
✈️
Main airport
Guatemala City (GUA)
Overview

Why travellers love Guatemala

Antigua's cobbled streets, the Maya villages of Lake Atitlán and the jungle pyramids of Tikal are the big three, with volcano hikes for adventurers.

It's affordable, beautiful and rich in living Mayan culture.

Where to go

Top places in Guatemala

The destinations worth building your trip around.

Antigua

Antigua

🗓 2 days

Cobbled colonial city under volcanoes.

CultureHistoryRomance
Lake Atitlán

Lake Atitlán

🗓 2 days

Volcano-ringed lake and Maya villages.

NatureCulture
Tikal

Tikal

🗓 1–2 days

Jungle Mayan temples above the canopy.

HistoryIconic
Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey

🗓 1 day

Turquoise limestone pools.

AdventureNature
Plan day by day

Guatemala itineraries

Ready-made routes — tap a duration to see the plan.

Route
Antigua → Lake Atitlán → Tikal
Trip length
5 days
Est. budget
$175 – $1,250
1–2

Antigua

Cobbled colonial city under volcanoes.

🗓 2 days✨ Culture · History · Romance
3–4

Lake Atitlán

Volcano-ringed lake and Maya villages.

🗓 2 days✨ Nature · Culture
5

Tikal

Jungle Mayan temples above the canopy.

🗓 1 day✨ History · Iconic
Route
Antigua → Lake Atitlán → Tikal → Semuc Champey
Trip length
7 days
Est. budget
$245 – $1,750
1–2

Antigua

Cobbled colonial city under volcanoes.

🗓 2 days✨ Culture · History · Romance
3–4

Lake Atitlán

Volcano-ringed lake and Maya villages.

🗓 2 days✨ Nature · Culture
5–6

Tikal

Jungle Mayan temples above the canopy.

🗓 2 days✨ History · Iconic
7

Semuc Champey

Turquoise limestone pools.

🗓 1 day✨ Adventure · Nature
Route
Antigua → Lake Atitlán → Tikal → Semuc Champey
Trip length
10 days
Est. budget
$350 – $2,500
1–3

Antigua

Cobbled colonial city under volcanoes.

🗓 3 days✨ Culture · History · Romance
4–6

Lake Atitlán

Volcano-ringed lake and Maya villages.

🗓 3 days✨ Nature · Culture
7–8

Tikal

Jungle Mayan temples above the canopy.

🗓 2 days✨ History · Iconic
9–10

Semuc Champey

Turquoise limestone pools.

🗓 2 days✨ Adventure · Nature
✨ Build a custom Guatemala itinerary →
Visa & entry

Guatemala visa requirements

Visa required?
Visa-free for many
Allowed stay
Up to 90 days (CA-4)
Visa on arrival
N/A
eVisa
N/A
Passport validity
6 months
Visa type
Visa-free
⚠️

Visa rules change frequently. Most Western nationalities enter visa-free under the CA-4 agreement for up to 90 days. Always verify with the official Guatemala immigration / e-visa website before travelling.

Full Guatemala visa guide →Use the visa checker →
Money

Guatemala budget guide

Budget

$35/day
  • Hostels & guesthouses
  • Local food & markets
  • Public transport
  • Free sights & nature

Luxury

$250+/day
  • 4–5★ hotels & resorts
  • Fine dining
  • Private transfers
  • Premium experiences
Full Guatemala budget guide →
Things to do

Top attractions in Guatemala

🏛️

Tikal

Mayan pyramids rising over the jungle.

⛰️

Lake Atitlán

Three volcanoes and indigenous villages.

Antigua

Baroque ruins and Semana Santa.

🌋

Acatenango hike

Watch Volcán Fuego erupt at night.

💧

Semuc Champey

Natural turquoise pools.

Get outside

Nature in Guatemala

All nature
Blog

Guatemala travel articles

All guides