With its vast forest greenery, glimmering lakes and volcanic moonscapes, Guatemala has firmly established itself as a dream spot for global adventurers. Explore the city of Antigua Guatemala (not to be confused with the Caribbean island) and you can hike or cycle to Lake Atitlán, with its Mayan villages and volcanic caldera, and paddle out onto the deep blue water. Climb Acatenango and you can see the smoke and fire spouting out of the neighbouring Volcán de Fuego - the most active volcano in Central America. Spend the night in a tent up there, and you can watch it against a backdrop of stars. Swim in the cascades of Semuc Champey, and you can discover hidden jungled caves, and watch the sun rises from ancient temples.
Here are our first-hand travel tips for Guatemala - from our adventure team.
Don't Rush Antigua Guatemala
Allow yourself at least a day or two to soak up the city of Antigua Guatemala - either before or after your trip. It’s easy to get around on foot, very tourist-friendly (even for a solo woman) and generally it's safe, as long as you take standard precautions. The food and drink scene is a real highlight, from local eateries and great restaurants to hidden cocktail bars tucked behind unmarked doors in colonial buildings (a quick Google search will turn up a few). I joined a free walking tour which was a great introduction to the city as soon as I arrived. If you visit during Semana Santa, the Holy Week before Easter, expect streets filled with processions and music, plus spectacular carpets of flowers and coloured sawdust along the parade routes. It’s well worth it, but expect much bigger crowds. Marta Martinelli
Train properly for the Volcano climbs
Make sure you train for the volcanoes. I booked the Five Volcanoes Challenge in Guatemala because I wanted to really step outside of my comfort zone. I was used to multi-day treks, but five volcanoes in a week was beyond anything I’d done before. Acatenango was worth every step and if you only climb one volcano, make it this one. I’d recommend stepping up your cardio and strength training two to three months ahead. As well as regular long walks, it was the StairMaster and strength work at the gym (and at home) that gave me the stamina to complete all five summits safely and actually enjoy the challenge. If you don’t live somewhere hilly, squats and stairs (at the gym, at home or outdoors) will get you much further than general cardio. Marta Martinelli
Much Better Adventures
Trekking poles can be a saviour
There's a fair bit of steep terrain on in Guatemala, both uphill and downhill, and trekking poles can make a huge difference. They're particularly useful on the descents, helping take some of the strain off your knees and giving you a bit of extra stability when your legs are starting to tire. Even if you're not someone who'd normally use them, I'd strongly recommend giving them a go. You'll be grateful for them by the end of the trip. Luke Spencer
Bring a Small Tripod!
Watching Fuego erupt from Acatenango base camp was one of the highlights of my trip, and it's an incredible opportunity to capture some photographs. A small, lightweight tripod and a basic understanding of long-exposure photography can make a massive difference here, particularly after dark when you can capture the glow of the lava against the night sky. Also, don't be disheartened if you arrive at base camp and Fuego is completely hidden by cloud. That was the case when I arrived, but the clouds eventually cleared and the views were absolutely worth the wait. Patience is key! Luke Spencer
Much Better Adventures
Take the time to relax afterwards
If you've been hiking up and down the steep volcanoes of Guatemala, you should reward yourself with some hammock and chill time at Lake Atitlán. Sway, swim and sup on an ice cold bottle of Cabro. Take a few days to enjoy the views and celebrate your achievements before heading home. Naomi Coleman
Leave some luggage space for coffee
If you’re a keen coffee drinker, make sure you leave some space in your luggage for bringing back some fresh grounds, and for gifts too. There are loads of local coffee tours you can take near Antigua Guatemala, but if the budget doesn’t stretch, or you don’t have much time, take yourself on your own coffee shop tour around the town, wander around, have tastings and get chatting with the locals serving up the good stuff - they are super passionate about their local brew. I left with a soft spot for El Gran Café - check it out. Naomi Coleman
Much Better Adventures
Inspired? Check out our full range of adventure holidays in Guatemala now!
