No, this is not yet another copied-and-pasted article on Mexico:
If you think the Southern neighbor is the only Latin American country laying claim to wondrous Mayan ruins dating back literal millennia, pristine jungle reserves, and endless miles of unspoiled coastline, you’re in for a big surprise this time.
Having welcomed over 3 million visitors in 2024, Guatemala has officially broken its all-time tourism record, a 15% growth over the preceding year, and based on the country’s current trendiness, it looks set to build on its success in 2025.
If you haven’t been properly introduced, you may be wondering what it is about an offbeat Guatemala that keeps drawing all those tourists in.
Although it is a small country located in the Central American isthmus, which connects North to South America, only slightly larger than Tennessee, Guatemala has no shortage of world wonders and historical sites to its name:
Where Beautiful Nature & Ancient History Meet
It is best known for its diverse landscapes, comprising vast rainforests dotted with waterfalls and crystalline lakes and traversed by volcanic mountains, as well as its ancient heritage, with over 3,000 years of recorded history.
On nature, one of the country’s top attractions is Semuc Champey, a protected jungle offering trail and hiking opportunities, and widely popular for its cascading pools and limestone bridge spanning a turquoise-colored river.
An icon of Guatemala, Atitlán is an active stratovolcano towering over a serene namesake lake in the southwestern highlands, and other than being an area of outstanding natural beauty, it’s equally great for culture, as it’s bordered by numerous towns.
The Mayan-majority village of Panajachel has a charming main street lined with stalls and eateries, and it is home to the bustling Chichicastenango market, held every Sunday and Thursday, the go-to event for buying souvenirs and handicrafts in the region.
An Undiscovered Coastal Paradise
With coastlines on both the Caribbean and the Pacific, Guatemala is also a hugely-under-appreciated beach destination:
The Pacific Coast is Guatemala’s longest, stretching for over 186 miles: Monterrico has black-sand beaches and sea turtle nesting sites, El Paredón is a trendy surfing and backpacking hotspot, and over in lively Champerico, there’s a big choice of restaurants and beachside bars.
The Caribbean Coast, on the other hand, is a shorter 94 miles long, and it is interspersed with all the postcard-ready, white-sand beaches and laid-back resort towns like Livingston:
Sitting at the mouth of Río Dulce and only accessible by boat, it is Guatemala’s leisure capital, with its Afro-Caribbean and Mayan influences, amazing food scene, and affordable beachfront stays from only $39––check out this deluxe double room at Casa Nostra.
In general, traveling to Guatemala is hugely affordable, with Budget Your Trip estimating meals average $23 and hotels $33.
Over in Puerto Barrios, you can stay in 5-star resorts with overnights starting at $159 (Amatique Bay Hotel), and don’t forget Río Dulce itself (the town the river is named after), famous for its historic Castle of San Felipe de Lara.
Some Of The Best-Preserved Mayan Ruins Known
Speaking of history, Guatemala is strewn with archeological zones and colonial towns.
Perhaps the most historically significant of all is Tikal, a ruined Mayan city that was formally a major political entity and now forms a collective of UNESCO-protected temples dominated by a mystical Temple of the Great Jaguar.
In the northern department of El Petén, El Mirador is just as fascinating a Mayan site, with a step-pyramid so tall it is visible above the jungle canopy––hence the naming, ‘The Lookout’.
Finally, there’s an even more off-path Quiriguá in southeastern Guatemala, a compact set of ruins straddling the scenic Motagua River, filled with ceremonial temples and ornately carved Mayan palaces.
Fast forward some centuries in Guatemala’s timeline, and you’ll get Antigua Guatemala, a Spanish-era colonial town with brightly-painted facades, Baroque churches, and traditional towns, with a monumental Acatenango volcano as a backdrop.
Read more about Guatemala, and why it’s one of the most underrated countries in Latin America here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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