3 Places You Cannot Miss in Guatemala!
This country is the home of 37 volcanoes, the most in the region and home of Acatenango, a stratovolcano overlooking the active El Fuego volcano. A landscape of hills, valleys, and lakes makes this an incredible place to visit, and if you are daring enough, you can even take on the overnight hike to the top of Acatenango.
1. Lake Atitlan – Lake Atitlan has something for everyone so it really depends on what you are into. If you love to get out in nature, eat and drink, or learn more about culture - this is the place for you. There are so many different hikes that you can venture out on or you can relax on the lake for the day. The views are amazing, especially while enjoying a cocktail or two.
2. Acatenango – It takes about 4-5 hours to reach the Acatenango base camp and then a few more hours to get up to the summit. The 360 degree views are absolutely worth the overnight venture. You can hike the volcano all year round but November to April is the dry season. You are more likely to have clear views during that time. Keep in mind that this hike is not the easiest, and a common challenge most hikers face is the altitude sickness. Try to hang out in Guatemala for 48 hours before you decide to hike to get yourself used to the elevation. If you are not interested in doing an overnight hike, you can do the Acetenango Hike as a day trip as well!
This was one of the toughest hikes I’ve done; it took us 6 hours to get to base camp, climbing through 4 ecological zones, all while carrying a backpack full of supplies. Completely exhausted, we then had the option to hike another 3 hours across the valley to get a closer look of El Fuego. I almost broke down from exhaustion but I will never forget the physical challenge and the incredible views we were rewarded with. I highly recommend this hike if you are up for the challenge.
3. Tikal & Flores - The temples of Tikal are incredible and definitely worth a trip. The entrance fee is around $19, depending on what time of day you arrive. Keep in mind that tourists tend to flood the area around noon. Some tours will allow you to pay a little extra to arrive a bit earlier before the crowds creep in. We went before sunrise and it was worth the wake up in what felt like the middle of the night. After you check out the temples, spend your evening in the beautiful island town of Flores. The street food is delicious, budget friendly and the town is absolutely adorable and colorful.