Get to know Guatemala with On The Go Tours
Get to know gorgeous Guatemala. Packed full picturesque highland lakes, lush jungle, smoking volcanoes and cute colonial towns. Refreshingly off the well-trodden tourist trail, Guatemala is a Central American gem. Home to the picturesque colonial town of Antigua, nestled among three volcanoes. Lake Atitlan, arguably one of the world’s most beautiful lakes. And tremendous Tikal in the heart of the rainforest - regarded as the greatest city of the Mayan world. Discover the beauty of Guatemala on one of our tours!
Guatemala Group Tours
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Hidden away in a rainforest in Guatemala are the ruins at Tikal - one of the largest archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, some of the monuments at Tikal date as far back at the 4th century BC and provide endless fascination for explorers.
Recommended places to visit in Guatemala
With gorgeous jungle landscapes, stunning lakes backed by volcanoes, colourful colonial towns and awe-inspiring ancient ruins, Guatemala has plenty to recommend it and here's our choice of top places to visit:
Tikal National Park
You could travel the world a hundred times over but you would be unlikely to find a more stunning set of ruins. Sunrise or sunset tours are the best way to make the most of a trip to this ancient site as the vista from the top of the tallest temple as the sun emerges or disappears behind the extensive jungle landscape is utterly breathtaking. Incidentally, part of Star Wars was also filmed at Tikal, contributing further to its worldwide fame.
Antigua
The cobbled streets of the beautiful colonial town of Antigua stretch out between colourful buildings which house chic boutiques, handicraft shops and sublime restaurants. From the town a number of volcanoes can be seen, including the legendary Pacaya and the enormous Acatenango, both of which can be conquered in a day. The town is also well known for its incredibly vast market which sells everything from food to hammocks to sandals.
Lake Atitlan
Surrounded by stunning Mayan villages, each with their own distinct personality and filled with locals sporting traditional local garments, Lake Atitlan is a hub of beauty and culture and should be, without a doubt, a stop on every Guatemalan itinerary. Exploring the lake in a kayak is a popular activity here, as are numerous other watersports, as is taking a trip to the Atitlan Nature Reserve which can be explored by foot or by walking along the series of hanging bridges.
Chichicastenango
While this town is a fantastic place to visit any day of the week, Chichicastenango really comes alive on Sundays and Thursdays when the market takes place. This explosion of noise and colour draws in both locals and travellers and sells a remarkable selection of objects including food, flowers and handmade crafts. On non-market days there is a beautiful church – Iglesia de Santo Tomas – and a museum in the town that are worth visiting.
Rio Dulce
Charmingly translating as the ‘Sweet River’, Rio Dulce is a natural wonder that winds its way from Lake Izbal, through the vibrant Caribbean town of Livingston, all the way to the Caribbean Sea. The river is the main thoroughfare for this area, with roads being in sparse supply, and its waters range from cool to scalding hot depending on the section and the time of year. For those who prefer their water on the warmer side, the hot springs make a great day trip.