Luxury holidays in Guatemala

Guatemala Living Maya traditions, colourful markets, misty volcanoes and tranquil mountain lakes

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Guatemala with True Travel

Where ancient Maya culture is still alive

Guatemala may be small, but its cultural identity is anything but. Nowhere is this more evident than in the country’s rich indigenous heritage, where traditional dress, languages, crafts and customs remain woven into everyday life. From colourful markets and ancient Maya ruins to mist-shrouded volcanoes and the tranquil waters of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala offers a fascinating glimpse into a culture that remains very much alive. Stay in atmospheric haciendas and boutique hideaways, and explore the country at your own pace, with every journey revealing another layer of its remarkable character.

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Specialist Tip

Antigua’s cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial architecture are stunning, but visiting during Semana Santa (Holy Week) to see intricate sawdust carpets lining the streets is truly unforgettable.

Evie Oswald, Latin America Programme Manager

Journeys we love

Luxury Guatemala holidays

Each of our journeys starts from a conversation. Every detail, from the route to the hotels, is built and rebuilt around you until it fits. To provide you a taste of what True Travel can create, our team of global destination specialists have created a selection of suggested journeys, from our recent travels. Get in touch to start planning your next adventure.

Guatemala

Guatemala: Maya Heritage & Lake Atitlán

Guatemala brings together colonial towns, volcanic landscapes and some of Central America’s most remarkable Maya sites, with plenty of time to get into the country’s more remote corners. In Antigua,…

Guatemala | Belize

Guatemala & Belize: Ruins, Rainforest & Reef

Take 12 days to travel from Guatemala’s colonial heart into the Maya ruins and rainforests of the north before crossing into Belize for time on the Caribbean coast. In Antigua,…

EXPLORE GUATEMALA

Places in Guatemala

Our Favourite Places Antigua Antigua, Guatemala's former colonial capital, sits in a valley ringed by three volcanoes, its cobbled streets and pastel-coloured buildings largely preserved since a devastating 1773 earthquake led the capital to relocate elsewhere. Baroque church ruins, still standing despite the damage, give the city a slightly haunted, layered beauty, while a thriving cafe and language-school scene keeps it lively. Climbing nearby Pacaya volcano to roast marshmallows over its warm volcanic vents has become something of a rite of passage.

HOW WE TRAVEL DIFFERENTLY

True Experiences in Guatemala

Explore a selection of our hand-picked experiences our Travel Designers can build into your holiday, from hiking up a volcano to a traditional shaman blessing.

Guatemala

Hike Acatenango volcano

Hike Acatenango Volcano in Guatemala, climbing through changing landscapes towards a high-altitude campsite with views across the volcanic highlands. If conditions allow, watch neighbouring Fuego erupt after dark before rising early for sunrise over the surrounding peaks.

Guatemala

Pacaya volcano and thermal pools

Hike across the volcanic slopes of Guatemala’s Pacaya Volcano, walking over warm lava fields and black volcanic rock. After the hike, relax in natural thermal pools for a soothing contrast to the rugged landscape.

Guatemala

Traditional shaman blessing

Experience a traditional Mayan shaman blessing with a local spiritual guide, learning about the symbolism and rituals behind the ceremony. This personal cultural encounter offers an insight into beliefs and traditions that remain an important part of community life in Guatemala.

Guatemala

Explore the ancient ruins of Tikal

Explore the ancient Maya ruins of Tikal, rising dramatically above the Guatemalan jungle. With a private guide, discover towering temples, plazas and carved monuments while learning about the civilisation that made Tikal one of the most important cities of the Maya world.

Guatemala

Visit Chichicastenango market

Visit Chichicastenango market, one of Guatemala’s most colourful traditional markets, where local traders gather to sell textiles, crafts, produce and flowers. Explore with a guide who can explain the Mayan traditions and everyday life woven into the market’s busy atmosphere.

Guatemala Accommodation

A Taste of Where We Stay

Guatemala is a country of striking contrasts, from the colonial streets of Antigua and the volcanic shores of Lake Atitlán to the dense jungle surrounding Tikal. The places you stay can be just as evocative, from the intimate charm of Posada del Ángel and Casa Palopó to the secluded jungle setting of La Lancha and the peaceful gardens of Villa Bokeh. We seek out hotels with character, a strong sense of place and something that makes them worth travelling for.

Villa Bokeh

Antigua's cobbled streets, colourful markets and colonial architecture are all within easy reach of Villa Bokéh. Surrounded by gardens and overlooking the volcanoes that frame the city, the hacienda-style property offers a peaceful place to return to after a day of exploring. A swimming pool and extensive grounds provide plenty of space to relax between excursions.

Casa Palopó overlooking Lake Atitlán and a volcano in Guatemala

Casa Palopo

Lake Atitlán is one of Guatemala's most beautiful landscapes, and Casa Palopó sits above its shores with views across the lake and surrounding volcanoes. Originally a private home, the property offers a characterful stay with easy access to the lakeside villages, markets and cultural traditions that define this part of Guatemala.

Posada del Angel

Hidden away on a quiet street in Antigua, Posada del Angel offers a characterful stay in one of Guatemala's most historic cities. With just seven rooms, a traditional courtyard and views towards Volcán de Agua, it provides a peaceful base from which to explore the city's markets, churches and colonial architecture.

La Lancha

The ancient ruins of Tikal are one of Guatemala's most important archaeological sites, and La Lancha provides an ideal base from which to explore them. Overlooking Lake Petén Itzá, the property is surrounded by rainforest and offers a collection of lake and jungle-view casitas. Beyond Tikal, guests can discover nearby villages, wildlife and the natural beauty of this remote region.

Bolontiku

Northern Guatemala is home to some of the most significant Mayan sites in Central America, and Bolontiku offers easy access to many of them. Its collection of lakeside villas overlooks Lake Petén Itzá, while nearby archaeological sites such as Tikal and Yaxhá reveal the rich history of the ancient Maya. Between excursions, guests can enjoy time on the water or simply take in the natural beauty of this part of the country.

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Explore destination guides, travel news and stories from our specialists’ travels around the world, from new hotels and destinations to the experiences worth seeking out. Discover fresh ideas and insider knowledge to inspire your next trip.

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Zambia

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From the travel and transfers to the lodging, it was the most magical and perfect trip that we will remember for the rest of our lives. The hotels were beautiful and luxurious, with the most amazing staff. Every day was 10/10, and the trip was so well balanced with adventure and relaxation.

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Fatima, Spain

True Travel arranged all our internal flights and transport, which ran like clockwork. Each accommodation was lovely, as was being able to explore Ecuador's varied regions and amazing people, culture and animals. As usual, True Travel delivered a seamless trip.

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My sister and I spent 12 days in Cambodia, planned by True Travel. Everything went perfectly. We stayed in four different amazing locations, had wonderful guides and drivers, and did so many different activities. The team at True Travel were really easy to deal with and great at communicating.

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Quick Answers

Common Questions

What happens during Semana Santa in Antigua, and should I know before booking around it?

Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua is renowned worldwide for its elaborate processions over carpets made from dyed sawdust and flowers, painstakingly created overnight only to be walked over and destroyed as the procession passes. Hotel prices rise substantially and rooms sell out months ahead if your trip falls during this week, so confirming this with your specialist well in advance, whether to build your trip around it or deliberately avoid the crowds, is worth doing early.
What currency is used in Guatemala?

The Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) is the local currency, and unlike some neighbouring Central American countries, US dollars aren’t as universally accepted here, making local currency genuinely more necessary for day- to-day spending. ATMs in Antigua and Guatemala City are reliable for withdrawing Quetzales.
What indigenous languages are spoken alongside Spanish, especially around Lake Atitlán?

Spanish is the official language, but Guatemala recognises over twenty distinct Mayan languages, several of which remain the primary spoken language in highland communities around Lake Atitlán, where each village can have its own dialect and traditional dress. This linguistic diversity runs deeper here than in most Central American destinations, reflecting Guatemala’s large and culturally distinct indigenous population.
Can I drink the tap water in Guatemala?

Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Guatemala, including Antigua and Guatemala City. Bottled or filtered water is provided as standard at hotels and should be your default throughout, unlike in neighbouring Costa Rica where tap water is generally safe.
What time zone is Guatemala in?

Guatemala operates on Central Standard Time (UTC-6) year-round, with no daylight saving changes. Sunrise tours at Tikal begin very early, so adjusting to local time promptly on arrival is worth doing if this features in your itinerary.
Should I carry cash or are cards widely accepted?

Cards are accepted at larger hotels in Antigua and Guatemala City, but markets, smaller restaurants and rural areas around Lake Atitlán generally expect cash. Quetzales in small denominations cover day-to-day spending far more reliably than cards outside the main tourist centres.
Is tipping expected in Guatemala?

A 10 percent tip in restaurants is customary, and guides on tours to Tikal or around Lake Atitlán are typically tipped directly in cash at the end of the excursion. This follows a broadly similar pattern to tipping elsewhere in the region.
What plug sockets are used in Guatemala?

Guatemala uses Type A and Type B sockets, the same flat two or three-pin design used in the US, running at 120V. This applies consistently throughout the country, so US travellers can generally use their own devices without an adapter.
What's the etiquette for photographing indigenous Maya communities and their traditional dress?

Always ask before photographing individuals, particularly around Lake Atitlán where traditional dress, or traje típico, carries deep cultural and family significance rather than being a costume for tourist photographs. A polite request, sometimes with a small tip offered afterwards, is far better received than photographing candidly from a distance without permission.
Should I do a sunrise tour at Tikal, and what wildlife might I encounter?

Yes, a sunrise tour at Tikal is genuinely worth the early start, since the jungle canopy is at its most active with howler monkeys calling and toucans visible before the day’s heat and crowds arrive. Comfortable, sturdy shoes and insect repellent matter more here than at more manicured historical sites, given the genuinely wild jungle setting surrounding the ruins.

Guatemala Living Maya traditions, colourful markets, misty volcanoes and tranquil mountain lakes

Where ancient Maya culture is still alive

Guatemala With Us

Luxury Guatemala holidays

Guatemala: Maya Heritage & Lake Atitlán

Guatemala & Belize: Ruins, Rainforest & Reef

Places in Guatemala

True Experiences in Guatemala

Hike Acatenango volcano

Pacaya volcano and thermal pools

Traditional shaman blessing

Explore the ancient ruins of Tikal

Visit Chichicastenango market

A Taste of Where We Stay

Villa Bokeh

Casa Palopo

Posada del Angel

La Lancha

Bolontiku

Read all about it