You may not have heard of Guatemala, but you're certainly familiar with the mysterious Mayan civilization. Guatemala is known as the heart of Mayan civilization, home to the famous "national book," the Popolu, and even produced two Nobel laureates related to Mayan culture. Today, Mayan indigenous people make up 46% of Guatemala's population, a unique situation among the cradles of Mayan civilization. Walking the streets, you'll often encounter Mayan women in colorful embroidered garments; the patterns on their clothing are almost identical to those on ancient Mayan stone carvings.

This land not only preserves a wealth of Mayan relics but also retains many of the lifestyles and customs of their ancestors. The indigenous Maya people are usually short and strong. Their skin tone is a lot like East Asians'. Spanish colonizers came here in the 16th century. Now Spanish is the official language. But over 20 Maya languages are still passed down in mountain villages, from one generation to the next. Colonization didn't cut their cultural roots. The Maya wove their weaving skills and old customs into their clothes. These skills go from grandma to mom, and mom to daughter—all told by word of mouth. Each village's traditional clothing is unique, with its own distinctive styles, shapes, color combinations, and patterns, making it highly individual and a regional identifier for each person.

Guatemala boasts a highly advantageous geographical location in Central America, bordering Mexico to the north, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the south, and the Caribbean Sea to the west. Due to its complex topography, Guatemala features diverse natural landscapes, such as volcanic chains, highland lakes, and tropical rainforests. Guatemala has a dry season and a rainy season; the best time to visit is during the dry season, from November to April, when you can avoid the rain and still enjoy the rainforest. Below are some recommended must-see tourist destinations.

1. Tikal National Park

Key words: Mayan Temples, Rainforest

Located deep in the rainforest of the Petén province in northern China, Tikal National Park is a landmark site of Mayan civilization, covering approximately 576 square kilometers. It offers a perfect blend of ecotourism and cultural exploration. The park boasts over 3,000 Mayan temples and architectural ruins, dating back to 900 BC. Traveling here, you'll feel like a real-life Indiana Jones, exploring ruined cities carved out of the forest, magnificent stone monuments, and crumbling pyramids.(Yes, pyramids aren't just found in Egypt.)

Here, you can not only learn about Mayan culture but also encounter many Mesoamerican jungle flora and fauna, including rare species like jaguars and macaws. Climbing to the top of a pyramid, the rainforest breeze carries the moist scent of vegetation, while millennia-old stone monuments lie beneath your feet, allowing you to deeply appreciate the unique charm of this place, a blend of natural landscape and cultural heritage. The ancient and mysterious Tikal attracts countless tourists.From Guatemala City, you can travel directly to Tikal by plane, tour bus, or car.The journey is approximately 285km.A flight from Guatemala City takes about half an hour, while a drive takes about 5 hours.

2. Antigua

Key words: Baroque Architecture, Volcanoes, Hiking

Antigua Old Town is the former capital of Guatemala, located in the Sacatepéquez province, relatively close to Guatemala City (about a 40-minute drive). It was named one of the "Best Travel Destinations of 2025" and is renowned for its colonial architecture and volcanic landscapes. Formerly a Spanish colony, it boasts many Baroque buildings. Two major earthquakes in 1717 and 1774 destroyed many buildings, leading to the relocation of the capital to present-day Guatemala City.

Volcanic landscapes are a major feature of Guatemala, with 37 volcanoes, three of which are active (Pacaya, Fuego, and Santiaguito), making it a paradise for volcano enthusiasts worldwide. These volcanoes are active but manageable, ideal for hiking, camping, and watching lava displays. We will focus on Pacaya here.

Pacaya, at an altitude of 2,550 meters, is only an hour's drive from the ancient city of Antigua, making it ideal for hiking beginners and families. The 3-5 hour hike takes you through dense pine forests and across fine volcanic ash before finally reaching the lava fields.A unique local custom involves bringing cotton candy and bananas to bake in the volcanic fumes; the sweet, caramelized aroma blends with the unique scent of the volcanic rocks, creating a taste experience unlike any other. Standing in the lava fields and gazing at Lake Amattlán, its surface sparkles like shattered sapphires, a breathtaking sight.

3. Lake Atitlán

Key words: Lake, Volcano, Hiking

Lake Atitlán, located in the province of Solalá, is one of the world's most beautiful lakes. It is said to have been formed when a volcanic eruption blocked a river flowing from north to south, creating the deepest lake in Central America.While a popular tourist destination, its azure waters, tranquil environment, and surrounding Mayan towns add a cultural dimension to the area. Spending a night or two in a small town nestled on the shores of a lake surrounded by three volcanoes, and taking a boat trip to explore several towns, is a perfect way to relax and unwind after a stressful day. Driving from Guatemala to Panajachel, the largest town nearby, takes about 3 hours. If you don't mind the extra effort and want to enjoy stunning lake views, you can choose to stay in a hotel on another island close to the lake.

For those with some hiking experience and better physical fitness, you can try Volcán San Pedro near Lake Atitlán. Starting from the town of San Pedro La Laguna, the round trip is 8 kilometers and involves climbing 1200 meters, which is quite challenging—the route is mostly steep dirt roads and stone steps, with almost no flat sections, putting considerable strain on your leg strength and lung capacity.Reaching the summit at 3020 meters can be quite tiring. The ascent typically takes 3 to 5 hours, and the descent takes 2 to 3 hours. However, the scenery at the summit is absolutely worth the effort: a 360-degree panoramic view of the lake, with the crater and vast rainforest creating a magnificent landscape.

4. Chichicastenango

Key words: Mayan Market, Vibrant Colors

To experience Mayan life, a visit to the Chichicastenango market on Sundays is a must. It boasts the largest preserved Mayan market and is accessible by bus from Antigua or Guatemala City in 2-4 hours. Every Sunday, this small Mayan town in the Quiché province is bustling with Mayan descendants from all over. They carry their handcrafted handicrafts, decorations, clothing, and food to sell.The women there still wear traditional Mayan clothing in dazzlingly bright colors.

Even more striking than the market itself was the adjacent colorful cemetery. Just steps from the market lies the local cemetery. Unlike somber gray-black tombstones elsewhere, these are vibrantly colored. The reason for this custom and tradition remains unknown, but it reveals the Mayan people's relentless pursuit of color, even in death, wanting to live on in a world of vibrant hues.Looking at these colorful "houses," death doesn't seem so heavy here.

5. Mirador Semuc Champey

Key words: Jungle, Caves, Natural Swimming Pools

This is a tropical rainforest ecological park in the Alta Verapaz province, part of Guatemala's protected areas, known as a natural paradise. Its beauty and tranquility are considered by many locals to be the best place in Guatemala. It's a 7-hour drive from the capital.It's recommended to stay overnight in Cobán (80 km) or Lanquín (15 km) and head to the park the following morning. Upon entering the park, the lakes in the caves create a visual impact—the water is a deep, jewel-like blue, with clearly visible pebbles on the bottom, a breathtakingly pure sight. A variety of activities are available, from swimming in the clear cave lakes to experiencing the thrill of ziplining through the rainforest.
Guatemala is a vibrant yet contradictory country, where ancient civilizations coexist with modern challenges. Conquered by Spain in the 16th century, it gained independence in 1821 and experienced frequent civil wars in the 19th century.The atrocities of genocide during civil wars are not so distant; the civil war from 1960 to 1996 resulted in 200,000 deaths, primarily among the Maya. The Maya civilization has suffered several devastating blows, its population drastically reduced. Despite brutal invasions and silent slaughter, the resilient Maya people have never wanted their culture and historical memory to be erased. Today, they continue to record their history in their own way. They weave their cultural history into clothing patterns, carve it into market wood carvings, and incorporate it into their daily Mayan language, ensuring the continuity of their cultural roots.

Walking the streets of Guatemala today, you'll see elderly people in traditional clothing walking side-by-side with young people engrossed in their phones, and you'll find modern billboards standing next to old colonial buildings. At the foot of volcanoes, fields are planted with corn varieties left by the Maya ancestors. Guatemala's travel experience is not flawless—you may encounter bumpy roads or language barriers—but its vibrant culture, brilliant colors, and the warm smiles of its people combine to create an irreplaceable allure.