Things to do in Guatemala
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Caza Sueños
About 100m uphill from Hotel Mansión del Lago is Caza Sueños, a leather shop owned by brothers Fernando and Pedro González. They handcraft custom leather goods, including vests, boots, bags and whatever else you may want in hide. For an incredibly reasonable around US$35 the brothers will craft a pair of shoes to your specifications of size, color, fringe, trim and lace style; allow a few days.
reviewed
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Panama City To Antigua
28 days (Panama City)
by Intrepid
Discover the beauty of El Impossible National ParkNot LP reviewed
from USD$2,610 -
Antigua To Mexico City
28 days (Antigua)
by Intrepid
Learn the history of the cliff-top Maya-Toltec ruins at TulumNot LP reviewed
from USD$2,645 -
Anchorage To Ushuaia
207 days (Anchorage)
by Intrepid
Sip local wine and go whitewater rafting in ArgentinaNot LP reviewed
from USD$18,835 -
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Parque Nacional Las Victorias
The forested 0.82-sq-km Parque Nacional Las Victorias, a national park right in town, has ponds, barbecue, picnic areas, children's play areas, a lookout point and kilometers of trails. Camping is available too. Facilities include water and toilets but no showers. The entrance is near the corner of 9a Av and 3a Calle, Zona 1. Beware: readers have reported violent crime here. Consider hiking in a group.
reviewed
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Ushuaia To Anchorage
207 days (Ushuaia)
by Intrepid
Sip local wine and go whitewater rafting in ArgentinaNot LP reviewed
from USD$18,835 -
Proyecto Lingüístico Monterrico
Proyecto Lingüístico Monterrico, about 250m from the beach, is quite professional. Classes are generally held outdoors in a shady garden area. You can study in the morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Courses here run at around US$130 per week with 20 hours of tuition, and accommodation with access to a kitchen, or around US$75 for classes only. It has useful maps of the town.
reviewed
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from USD$5,055
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Ascending Volcán San Pedro
Looming above the village, Volcán San Pedro almost asks to be climbed by anyone with a bit of energy and adventurous spirit. The volcano has recently been placed within an Ecological Park to minimize environmental damage caused by hikers and also to improve the security situation, which wasn't great before. Guides can take you up here from San Pedro for around US$13, including entrance fee.
reviewed
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Cycling
Cycling is a great way to explore the surrounding countryside or commute to Spanish class. Fuentes Georginas, San Andrés Xequl and the steam vents at Los Vahos are all attainable day trips. Vrisa Bookstore (15a Av 3-64, Zona 1) rents mountain and town bikes for around US$4 per day, around US$10per week, as does Monte Verde Tours (7761 6105; www.monte-verdetours.com; 13a Av 8-34, Zona 1).
reviewed
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Alegre Pub
Near the Pana dock, the Alegre is always, well, alegre (happy), with a real British pub feel - drinks specials, a Sunday roast and trivia nights. There are free movies twice a week in the way laid-back rooftop garden, and loads of free, reliable tourist info. The big breakfast fry-up will make Brits weep with homesickness. The Alegre Lounge has a range of ridiculous drinks specials.
reviewed
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Mayan Sun—Southbound
16 days (Playa del Carmen to Antigua)
by G Adventures
Find your paradise somewhere between the blazing Yucatán sun and the cool Guatemalan highlands on this 16-day odyssey. Wander Antigua’s cobblestone streets and…Not LP reviewed
from USD$1,249 -
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Cerro de la Cruz
Overlooking Antigua from the north is Cerro de la Cruz provides fine views looking south over town toward Volcán Agua. In the past this hill was famous for muggers waiting to pounce on unsuspecting visitors, and Antigua's tourism police were formed precisely to counter this threat. The Policía Municipal de Turismo offer a free escort, and it's still best to go with them.
reviewed
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Central American Journey
32 days (Playa del Carmen to San José)
by G Adventures
Escape the resorts and discover something extraordinary in Central America. Visit six countries on this classic adventure and experience mighty ruins, clear…Not LP reviewed
from USD$2,499 -
Museo Maya Tzutujil
Museo Maya Tzutujil is the more humble of the two museums, but it does have some good displays on the various trajes (traditional costumes) used by people around the lake, some great old photographs and a good lending library/bookstore. Once a month or so, a Maya priest comes to perform ceremonies here, and the public is welcome to attend - ask when the next one is.
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Escuela Mayab
Down a laneway coming off the street between the two docks, the well-organized Escuela Mayab holds classes under shelters in artistically designed gardens. Activities include videos, kayaking and horse rides, although tuition is cheaper without these things. It is associated with a medical clinic in Nahuala and can organize volunteer work for doctors, nurses and assistants.
reviewed
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Restaurante Las Calas
An artistic sort of place with lilies growing in the patio and lily-themed art on the walls (and a gallery in the back), Las Calas serves good medium-priced meals. Satisfying portions of chicken, fish or beef are creatively prepared and served with a unique salsa picante. This restaurant also features cheaper vegetarian dishes and a daily regional specialty.
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Hiking Indian Nose
Another popular hike goes up the hill to the west of the village that is generally referred to as Indian Nose (its skyline resembles the profile of an ancient Maya dignitary.) Excursion Big Foot (7a Av, Zona 2) will guide a minimum of four people up there for around US$10 each; it also offers horse rides (around US$3 per hour) and rents bikes (US$1.5/7 per hour/day).
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Mercado Central
Until the quake of 1976, Mercado Central, behind the cathedral, was where locals shopped for food and other necessities. Reconstructed after the earthquake, it now deals in colorful Guatemalan handicrafts such as textiles, carved wood, metalwork, pottery, leather goods and basketry, and is a pretty good place to shop for these kinds of things, with reasonable prices.
reviewed
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Yaxhá
This beautiful Classic Mayan ceremonial site may be ancient, but some travelers might recognize it as the setting for 2005 Survivor Guatemala. Yaxhá's position atop a hill overlooking two lakes, Laguna Yaxhá and Laguna Sacnab, makes it particularly alluring. The main groups of ruins can be covered in a couple of hours, as it's still being cleared of jungle.
reviewed
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Museo Multicultural de Lívingston
The Museo Multicultural de Lívingston, upstairs on the municipal park in front of the public dock, has some excellent displays on the history and culture of the area, focusing on the ethnic diversity, with Garífuna, Q'eqchi, Hindu and Ladino cultures represented. While you're down here, check out the open-air alligator enclosure in the middle of the park.
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Quiriguá
The small archaeological site of Quiriguá is famed for its intricately carved stelae - the gigantic sandstone monoliths that rise up to 10.5m (35ft), like ancient sentinels, in a quiet tropical park. Quiriguá is a wonderful place and, wandering among the stelae of the Gran Plaza and Acropolis (most built under great leader Cauac Sky), is quite spiritual.
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Casa Popenoe
The beautiful Casa Popenoe was built in 1636 by Don Luis de las Infantas Mendoza. After the 1773 earthquake the house stood desolate for 150 years until it was bought in 1929 by agricultural scientist William Popenoe and his wife Dorothy. Their painstaking, authentic restoration yields a fascinating glimpse into how a royal official lived in 17th-century Antigua.
reviewed
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Museo del Hermano Pedro
This museum houses relics from the Iglesia de San Francisco and the Santo Hermano's curiously well-preserved personal belongings, including some spectacularly uncomfortable-looking underwear. The pasillo de los milagros is a corridor jam-packed with testimonials, photos, plaques and crutches donated by people who claim to have been healed by the Hermano.
reviewed
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G
Museo de Santiago
The Museo de Santiago is housed in the City Hall (which dates mostly from 1743) in the former town jail. The mermaid statues that once graced the fountain in the Central Park are here, along with a room full of creepy portraits whose eyes follow you everywhere. Also on exhibit are canons from the Castillo San Felipe and some good examples of colonial era pottery.
reviewed
