Choose from 32 Fun Things to Do in Central Highlands
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National Palace
This stoic structure in the heart of Guatemala's capital city was built in 1939 entirely by local hands and using only local materials. As a result, the National Palace offers up an homage to Guatemalan heritage and is ranks tops among the buildings prized by locals. Its green-tinged exterior is a nod to the favorite color of the former dictator's wife, and the result of concrete and copper used to cover the exterior to avoid painting. As a result, it's affectionately known by some locals as 'The Big Guacamole.'
An impressive bronze plate at the entrance to the Palace marks a spot known as 'Kilometer 0.' According to residents, this is the official starting point of all roads in Guatemala. Travelers will find a beautiful courtyard at the center of the five-story building, which is surrounded by five archways on every side. A touching Monument to Peace is located in the center of the palace to commemorate the end to the nation's most recent civil war. Because the National Palace is also home to a national museum, travelers will find unique and historically significant artifacts like the first switchboard and hand painted murals depicting scenes from the nation's past. Be sure to check out the stained-glass windows along the presidential balcony and the palace salon, used only for ceremonial events.
Practical Info
The National Palace is located off the Parque Central in the center of the city. English language tours are conducted daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Address: 5A Calle, Guatemala City, Guatemala
From $ 34
Semuc Champey
Tranquil, tiered turquoise pools suspended over limestone are what you can expect to find when visiting Semuc Champey. A natural limestone bridge supports the pools, which change shades of turquoise due to climatic variations throughout the year.
Semuc Champey is one of Guatemala’s best-kept secrets—one that is quickly getting out. Its remote location was often bypassed for more popular and certainly more accessible destinations and sights in the country, but the turquoise pools and surrounding scenery have helped Semuc Champey garner attention from backpackers traveling between the Western Highlands and Tikal.
Despite the increase in visitors, you can still easily find a quiet spot to enjoy the tranquil pools. You can stick close and lounge (or swim) in the shallow waters, or venture off for some further exploration. A slippery path leading upstream a few hundred meters brings travelers to Río Cahabón, the river that feeds the pools. Be careful in this area as the fast-flowing river “gets lost”in the underground caves, an area called “El Sumidero.”
If you’re up for a bigger adventure, head up a pretty steep, slippery trail to the mirador, high above the pools, where you can snag postcard-type photos of the entire area.
Practical Info
Semuc Champey is located near the town of Lanquin in the Alta Verapaz area of Guatemala. Although there are security guards present, it is recommended not to leave belongings unattended. It is best to take an organized tour to Semuc Champey, as this prevents you from having to wait for infrequent public transportation. Pools are open 6am to 6pm daily.
Address: Semuc Champey, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
Hours: 6am to 6pm daily
From $ 381
Xetulul Theme Park
Located in the Retalhuleu Department of Guatemala, Xetulul Theme Park is one of the largest amusement parks in Latin America. Together with the nearby Xocomil Waterpark, it is estimated that both parks welcome over one million visitors each year. Xetulul is capable of handling up to 12,000 visitors per day.
Xetulul Theme Park has been awarded both national and international prizes, helping it become one of the most-visited attractions for Guatemala and other Central America residents.
Opened in 2002, Xetulul is divided into various plazas and features architecture from countries that have influenced Guatemalan culture, including Guatemala, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland. Each plaza features themed attractions, shows, and related restaurants.
Wander through Spain’s Square and take in the park’s representation of notable cities like Seville, Barcelona, Granada, and more. Jump on rides like El Galeon (Galleon) or Sillas Voladoras (Flying Chairs). Afterward, sit and sip on authentic Spanish “churros y chocolate.” Or take a leisurely stroll through France to La Gare de France and hop on the train to take a tour around the park. Enjoy European crepes and waffles, with perhaps the best cup of coffee you will find.
Those looking for live entertainment will be impressed with the number of live shows at Xetulul Theme Park. From street characters wandering the plazas to Flamenco dancers, magicians, and musicians, Xetulul offers numerous live shows to keep you occupied for an entire day.
Notable replicated landmarks at Xetulul include Tikal, Moulin Rouge, and the Trevi Fountain. In addition to the themed plazas, the park features two roller coasters. Avalancha is Central America’s largest roller coaster. It’s a steel coaster with eight inversions, making it one of the only roller coasters in the world with eight or more inversions. Choconoy is the second coaster and is more a family style roller coaster. Xetulul is also home to the only double-decker carousel in Central America.
Practical Info:
Xetulul is located just over 100 miles from Guatemala City and Antigua. It is open only on weekends – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Day trips to Xetulul Theme Park are available from Guatemala City. For those who prefer to spend more than one day at the park, Xetulul offers Hostels IRTRA, a complex located in San Martin Zapotitlan, Retalhuleu, which includes 699 rooms – the largest hotel in Guatemala.
Address: Km 180.5 Carretera a Quetzaltenango por la Costa Sur, Retalhuleu, Guatemala
From $ 27
Santo Domingo Monastery (Casa Santo Domingo)
Part museum and part hotel, the Santo Domingo Monastery or Casa de Santo Domingo—is an exquisitely restored, histori window into Antigua’s Colonial past. Founded in 1542, the monastery quickly grew into one of the largest in all the Americas, though massive earthquakes in the 18th century turned the monastery to rubble.
In the 1970s, the monastery was dramatically revived and reborn as a five star hotel, which now has a wealth of fascinating museums that even travelers not staying at the hotel are welcome to visit and enjoy. At the Colonial Museum, wander past pieces of Colonial art from the 16th to 19th centuries, where religious paintings, sculptures and angels adorn the dimly lit walls. The artifacts get even older at the Archaeological Museum, where ceramic jugs, urns and bowls date all the way back to 200 AD and the Classic Period of the Maya. To learn about local metallurgy, visit the popular silver museum to see candlesticks, crowns and incense holders that were crafted around Antigua. There’s even a classic apothecary shop reminiscent of a 19th century pharmacy.
While the Santo Domingo Monastery is open to the public, it’s best accessed as part of a guided tour of Antigua’s sites, where guides can offer in depth info of everything inside the museum.
Practical Info
Since the museums are located inside of a hotel, visitors are asked to be respectful of guests staying at the hotel.
Did You Know? At the hotel’s archaeological zone, two crypts were discovered during excavations, one of which held religious murals dating back to the 17th century.
Address: 3a Calle Oriente 28, Antigua, Guatemala
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm, and Sunday 11:45am-6pm
Admission: $1
From $ 11
Palacio del Ayuntamiento
The Palace of the City Council (Town Hall), or El Palacio del Ayuntamiento, was constructed in 1743 and once served as the Spanish colonial government seat and an 80-person jail during the
colonial era. Today, it is home to Antigua’s municipalidad, or city government, the Museo del Libro and the Museo de Santiago. One of the most impressive elements of the Palacio del Ayuntamiento is its two-story façade.
The double layer of stone archways with columns was done in a Tuscan style, which contributes to the building’s striking appearance. A portion of the carved-stone exterior of the east-facing
wall managed to survive the 18th century, though centuries of earthquakes contributed to the need for restoration efforts at the palace.
Palacio del Ayuntamiento was heavily damaged in a 1773 earthquake, and the capital seat was then transferred to Guatemala City. The Museo de Armas de Santiago, an arms and weapons museum, is housed in the section that once served as the jail. The Old Book Museum, or Museo del Libro Antiguo, is in the same area where the first Central American printing press once stood and includes a replica of the printing press, along with copies of works produced by it.
Be sure to head upstairs and check out the scenic views from the second-floor balcony, where you can see the Central Plaza, Metropolitan Cathedral and the three volcanoes surrounding the
city.
Practical Info
El Palacio del Ayuntamiento is open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. While admission to the Palacio del Ayuntamiento is free, each of the two museums is about 10 quetzals each.
Address: 4 Calle Poniente, Antigua, Guatemala
Hours: Weekdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Admission: 10 quetzals
From $ 140
Quirigua
Quiriguá is an ancient Mayan site in southeastern Guatemala. Although it’s considered a small Mayan city, it is without a doubt one of the most important. It was here that the tallest stela from the Maya world was discovered. The monolithic stone stands 35 feet high (10.6 meters), 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide and 5 feet (1.5 meters) thick, weighing over 60 tons (53.6 long tons).
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Quiriguá once controlled the jade and obsidian trade route. During the same time, the city had a fierce rivalry with its neighbor Copán in Honduras. Researchers believe Quiriguá was inhabited starting in the second century, and the bulk of the most important monuments were carved between A.D 426 and AD 810. It is unknown why Quiriguá entered a period of decline, but evidence suggests that when the Europeans arrived, the jade route was under the control of Nito, a city closer to the Caribbean coast.
The stelae, or monolothic sandstone monuments, at Quiriguá were carved without tools and contain hieroglyphic texts that provide information on the Maya city’s rise and fall, along with details during the most important years. These monumental structures also tell an important tale of Quiriguá’s relationship with Copán and were built around the Great Plaza. The Ceremonial Plaza and the Plaza of the Temple are renowned for their complexity.
The last known hieroglyphs from Quiriguá date back to A.D. 810, which was around the time of the entire Classic Maya collapse. Researchers believe that the reduction in trade along the Motagua may have caused Quiriguá to ultimately be abandoned.
Practical Info
One of the best ways to see Quiriguá is to take a combination Copán (Honduras) overnight tour that departs from either Antigua or Guatemala City. It is only 58 miles (94 km) from Guatemala City, making it the closest ruins from the capital.
Address: Quirigua, Izabal, Guatemala
Hours: Daily
From $ 332
Xocomil Water Park
Looking for the best spot to get wet in Guatemala? Check out Xocomil Water Park, located in the Retalhuleu Department of the country. Together with nearby Xetulul Theme Park, both parks welcome over one million visitors each year.
Xocomil is the largest and most visited water park in Guatemala and covers an area of 77,300 m3 and is designed around the recreation of a Mayan pyramid. In 1998, the World Water Park Association awarded Xocomil the best water park in the world for “innovation” and in 2008, it was awarded the Park of the Year award by Amusement Today Magazine.
The park has four different pools and two wave pools, one for adults, and one designed for children. Aguajal II is the wave pool designed for adults, where you can experience six different varieties of waves.
Rio Tumala is a great spot to float and the current will let you go for over 540 meters. Pass by the “Cannon Maya” where you will find replicas of five Mayan masks with spring water jets to give you a massage as you pass “The Mound”, which represents a traditional Mayan tomb surrounded by its riches.
Xocomil Water Park is home to 14 different water slides that can easily keep you busy for an entire day. El Chaparron, or “The Shower”, is a new attraction featuring slides, keys, jets, and more in the tallest tower, which routinely fills with water, creating a feeling of heavy rain, known as a “cloudburst” in Guatemala.
Other popular slides include El Caracol, El Regreson, El Samala, and the Xocomil Rapids, the largest slide in Central America, with five lanes and a launch platform 21 meters high. Don’t miss Xibalba, featuring two slides with fast high-speed free falls for adventure seekers.
Practical Info
Xocomil is located just over 100 miles from Guatemala City and Antigua. It is open only a few days per week, Thursday through Sunday. Day trips to Xocomil Water Park and Xetulul Theme Park are available from Guatemala City. For those who prefer to spend more than one day at the park, check out Hostels IRTRA, a complex located in San Martin Zapotitlan, Retalhuleu, which includes 699 rooms – the largest hotel in Guatemala.
Address: Retalhuleu, Guatemala
From $ 30
Parque Central
Located in the center of Antigua, Parque Central is the major outdoor area in the town. Considered one of the most beautiful in the country, the park is the place where people meet up for an afternoon of relaxation and nice weather.
By day, vendors line the tree-covered walks, selling their wares. By night, mariachi or marimba bands set up shop, entertaining passersby with their live music.
Be sure to check out the fountain, which was originally created in 1738. Although a replica, the 1936 reconstruction maintains the original's posterity.
By day, vendors line the tree-covered walks, selling their wares. By night, mariachi or marimba bands set up shop, entertaining passersby with their live music.
Be sure to check out the fountain, which was originally created in 1738. Although a replica, the 1936 reconstruction maintains the original's posterity.
Practical Info
If visiting on a Sunday, prepare for crowds. Streets on both the east and west sides are closed to traffic.
Address: Between 4a Calle and 5a Calle, Guatemala
From $ 20
San Antonio
This authentic Mayan town is located on the shores of picturesque Lake Atitlan in Guatemala's Western Highlands. Visitors in search of old world Guatemala will find plenty to explore amid the streets of this quiet village that is a far cry from touristy, and instead offers a true slice of the local daily life.
Known for its handmade pottery and brightly colored traditional dresses, travelers can loop through the steep, uneven streets of San Antonio and visit the iconic church of Saint Anthony of Padua. In addition to its stunning colonial architecture and beautifully white-draped interior, the hilltop offers breathtaking views of the lake and town.
Practical Info
San Antonio is accessible only by boat and travelers must cross Lake Atitlan on a local water taxi. Be sure to pick up some of the hand-woven textiles available from local vendors that line the San Antonio streets.
Address: San Antonio, Guatemala
From $ 60
Santo Tomas Church
Built during the 1540s upon the ancient foundation of a Maya temple site, this Roman Catholic church in Chichicastenango, Guatemala remains a venerated holy site for people of both Catholic and Maya faiths and blends of the two. The stone stairs leading to the gleaming white Dominican church are reminiscent of those at ancient temple sites, and the steps have turned black from prayer sessions in which shamans waft copal incense and set purification fires. Inside, the church is adorned with offerings, everything from maize to liquor, and numerous candles, which have colors and patterns that correspond with those they've been lit for.
Practical Info
Santo Tomas Church sits on the main marketplace of Chichicastenango, a town that has retained much of its indigenous culture from the pre-Colombian era. The marketplace is a must-see hive of food, icons and multi-colored handcrafts.
Address: East side of the central plaza, Chichicastenango 14006, Guatemala
From $ 62
Santa Catalina Arch
The Santa Catalina Arch is one of the most iconic structures in Antigua. Arco de Santa Catalina in Spanish, the notable arch is located on Fifth Avenue North and was built in the 17th century to connect the Santa Catalina convent to a school. This allowed the cloistered nuns to pass between buildings without ever having to enter the street and come into contact with the general public, thereby violating the strict laws regarding seclusion. On either side of the arch you will find the Convents of Virgin and Mártir Santa Catalina.
The Santa Catalina Arch is one of the most photographed spots in Antigua, and its prime location creates a beautiful frame for the Agua Volcano in the background. Although technically owned by the Guatemalan government, the Santa Catalina Arch is looked after by the Santos family, which also owns the Reino del Jade store and Hotel El Convento.
If you’ve been to Guatemala City, this arch may seem familiar, and for good reason; the Guatemala Post Office Building was patterned after this iconic arch.
Practical Info
The Santa Catalina Arch is one of the most popular tourist sites in Antigua. If you want to beat the crowds, come early. Aqua Volcano, south of the arch, is primarily only visible on clear days.
Address: 5 Av. Norte and 2 Calle Poniente, Antigua, Guatemala
From $ 20
Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana)
The Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Guatemala City, is the main church of Guatemala City. Located in the heart of town, the main portion of it was built between 1782 and 1815. About 50 years later, the towers were finished. The impressive baroque/neo-classical building with a blue dome is earthquake proof "“ it's withstood numerous quakes (it was damaged by two earthquakes and repaired).
Inside there is a collection of work which was originally from the Cathedral of Antigua Guatemalan. In addition, the altars are preserved and feature images of saints and other work from the Cathedral of Antigua Guatemala as well.
Be sure to take a moment and pay respect to the tragic recent history of the country at the 12 pillars, located in front of the cathedral. These pillars were resurrected to pay tribute to the murders and disappearance of thousands of people during the civil war from 1960s through 1996.
Inside there is a collection of work which was originally from the Cathedral of Antigua Guatemalan. In addition, the altars are preserved and feature images of saints and other work from the Cathedral of Antigua Guatemala as well.
Be sure to take a moment and pay respect to the tragic recent history of the country at the 12 pillars, located in front of the cathedral. These pillars were resurrected to pay tribute to the murders and disappearance of thousands of people during the civil war from 1960s through 1996.
Practical Info
Located east of Constitution Square, the Metropolitan Cathedral is easily accessible via public transit.
Address: 8 Calle and 7 Av., Guatemala
Hours: Daily 8am"“8pm
From $ 34