We work in the kind of places you daydream about—countries with real range, from cities and coasts to jungles, mountains, and small towns. Our in-country insiders handle the planning, booking, and in-trip problem solving, so you can drop in, enjoy the highlights, and come home with stories that keep you inspired to keep exploring our amazing planet.
We can design transformative travel experiences for any group-type that match your unique style and your ideas for activities and dream locations. Let's build your adventure.
We can design transformative travel experiences for any group-type that match your unique style and your ideas for activities and dream locations. Let's build your adventure.
If you're going to travel abroad, you don't want to see some of a new country, you want to see all of it — you want the most authentic experience possible. Well, the only way to see what other travellers miss is to go where they don't. Discover Guatemala off the beaten path, and see amazing sites low on tourism but big on adventure. Guatemala is a sizeable country with diverse terrain, which offers you plenty of lesser-visited places to explore.
Trek through deserted Mayan ruins in Guatemala in Yaxchilán; explore rugged rainforest paths near Río Dulce, Fronteras; and get to know the Guatemala's people in small highland communities. Unique places in Guatemala offer authentic backdrops of both the cultural and environmental variety. Though these destinations are often in more isolated, harder to reach parts of the country, what they lack in deluxe amenities they more than make up for in adventure.
If you consider yourself an open-minded traveller with an adventurous streak, then this is the most unique Guatemala vacation you can possibly plan. It's waiting for you, all you have to do is explore Guatemala off the beaten path.
Destinations
Guatemala highlights: Guatemala Off The Beaten Track
Not sure where you want to go yet? Get inspired and browse the best places to visit in Guatemala
Flores and Santa Elena
The twin towns of Flores and Santa Elena, which are often collectively referred to simply as “Flores,” are set within the heart of Petén. Flores is actually a small island in Lake Petén Itzá that’s connected to Santa Elena, on the mainland, by a causeway. With its pastel houses and genteel atmosphere, Flores is very pleasant.
Set within a lush valley in Guatemala’s Central Highlands, the small town of Lanquín is becoming well known for two attractions—the Lanquín caves and the Semuc Champey limestone pools.
The Río Dulce flows from Lake Izabal to the Caribbean Sea, emptying its waters near the town of Lívingston. Dense jungle, some of which falls within the protection of the Río Dulce National Park, border this picturesque river. Several eco-lodges line the shores of tributaries that flow away from the Río Dulce. The town of Fronteras is set along the headwaters of the Río Dulce.
The mellow town of Santa Cruz La Laguna is set along the shores of Lake Atitlán to the west of Panajachel. Accessible only by boat, Santa Cruz is both beautiful and supremely relaxed.
Santiago Atitlán is set within an inlet on the southwest corner of Lake Atitlán and lies in the shadow of the San Pedro, Atitlán, and Tolimán volcanoes. Santiago Atitlán is one of the largest lakeside villages and also one of the most traditional.
The bustling and sweltering city of Escuintla is located at the junction of the two main coastal roads from Guatemala City. It will interest travelers mainly as a place to eat or refuel while heading to or from the Pacific coast.
The small and traditional village of Santa Catalina Palopó lies 3 miles (5 km) east of Panajachel. The town borders Lake Atitlán and has some of the best hotels in the area.
Retalhuleu is one of the larger towns along Guatemala’s Pacific Slope. It’s been growing in recent years thanks to its proximity to population attractions, including twin amusement parks and the Mayan ruins of Takalik Abaj.
The departments of Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz collectively make up an area known as “Las Verapaces.” Alta Verapaz, the more northern of the two departments, hosts verdant forests, turquoise swimming holes, large caves, and white-water rivers. Although this area is becoming an ecotourism destination, it still sees far fewer visitors than most places in Guatemala.
Baja Verapaz is a lovely department in the Central Highlands of Guatemala. Together with Alta Verapaz, this region is collectively known as “Las Verapaces.”
Yaxhá is the third largest Mayan site in Guatemala. It’s located in the heart of the Petén department to the east of Lake Petén Itzá. This destination is fairly isolated, and as such doesn’t see huge crowds of tourists. The few hotels here provide travelers with intimate access to this remote jungle area.
The small town of Purulhá is located in the Central Highlands of Guatemala. The town itself is unremarkable, but it is close to the Biotopo del Quetzal and a number of other outdoor attractions.
Lívingston is unlike anywhere else in Guatemala. For starters, it has a seriously interesting mix of Guatemalan and Caribbean cultures—it’s a hub for the Garífuna people and Q’eqchi’ Maya of the Río Dulce region. It’s also surrounded by water and is only accessible by boat.
San Marcos La Laguna is the New Age center of Guatemala. Set along the western shores of Lake Atitlán, San Marcos is best known for its yoga courses, meditation retreats, and holistic therapies. The town itself is rather small and basic.
El Remate was once a sleepy lakeside village but is quickly becoming a destination unto itself. Set along the road to Tikal, El Remate offers travelers a pleasant alternative to staying in Tikal or Flores while visiting Petén. It has a variety of recreational opportunities that include hiking, kayaking, swimming, and horseback riding.
Carmelita Village is a small town in Petén that serves as a jumping off point for treks to El Mirador. The village is set within the Maya Biosphere Reserve at the end of the road from Flores.
Lake Izabal is the largest lake in Guatemala. It’s still largely undeveloped, but that may change in the coming years as word gets out about its natural beauty and tranquil vibes.
Iztapa is a small port town along Guatemala’s Pacific coast that’s well known for sailfishing. The fishing here truly is incredible—it’s common to haul in 15-20 Pacific sailfish each day. The surfing is good too, and there isn’t much competition for waves.
Yaxchilán is a Mayan site set along a beautiful section of the Río Usumacinta just across the border with Mexico. Yaxchilán was the most important Usumacinta site during its heyday, which came about during the late 7th century A.D.
Set along Lake Atitlán’s southwest corner is the hip town of San Pedro La Laguna. Second in popularity of Panajachel, San Pedro is a favorite of international travelers who come here to hike the San Pedro Volcano, ride horses, or party. While the town has evolved to accommodate more travelers over the years, it hasn’t yet lost its Guatemalan flavor. And the setting is absolutely spectacular.
The twin towns of Flores and Santa Elena, which are often collectively referred to simply as “Flores,” are set within the heart of Petén. Flores is actually a small island in Lake Petén Itzá that’s connected to Santa Elena, on the mainland, by a causeway. With its pastel houses and genteel atmosphere, Flores is very pleasant.
Lanquin
Rio Dulce Fronteras, Izabal
Santa Cruz La Laguna, Lake Atitlan
Santiago Atitlan
Escuintla
Santa Catarina Palopo, Lake Atitlan
Retalhuleu
Chelemha, Alta Verapaz
Salama, Baja Verapaz
Yaxhá
Purhula, Baja Verapaz
Livingston, Izabal
Sayaxche
San Marcos la Laguna, Lake Atitlan
San Juan La Laguna, Lake Atitlan
El Remate
Carmelita Village
Lake Izabal, Izabal
Iztapa
Yaxchilán, Chiapas Mexico
Raxruhá Candelaria
San Pedro la Laguna, Lake Atitlan
Anywhere Guatemala
Insider-led Guatemala Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
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Anywhere Guatemala
Insider-led Guatemala Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.
24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.
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