5 trips
Visit Guatemala on a gap year, and you won’t be disappointed! This Central American destination is fiercely underrated and is home to extraordinary highlights - like mysterious Mayan ruins on an unbeatable scale, a tropical rainforest reserve, culturally diverse villages, ridiculously good food and some of the most beautiful cities you’ve ever seen!
While Guatemala offers more than enough to keep travellers entertained, it’s an incredible destination to visit on a multi-country journey around Central America - especially since it shares borders with four other destinations (including Belize and Mexico!). Just don’t be surprised if Guatemala becomes your favourite!
Read more in our Guatemala Travel Guide.
Found 5 trips
18 or 30 days
from £2,599 £2,114
Experience Central America from Mexico to Costa Rica
Experience Central America over 18 or 30 days, while staying at a stunning selection of twin or triple-share accommodations. See one of the world's Seven Wonders in Mexico, go snorkelling in Belize, trek Guatemala's Acatenango Volcano and chase waterfalls in Costa Rica!
28 or 40 days
from £4,299 £3,599
Volcanoes, rainforests, beaches, snorkelling and more!
Central America is calling your name. Explore while staying at an incredible selection of twin or triple-share accommodations. Rainforests, volcanoes, sandy stretches, ancient ruins, natural wonders and vibrant cities that never sleep over 28 or 40 days!
32 days
from £2,099 £1,574
Visit seven countries on this exciting adventure
Visit seven amazing countries, including Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Belize. Experience Mayan ruins, cenotes, authentic rural settlements, and paradise beaches.
17 days
from £1,049 £839
17 days, 5 countries, unlimited adventure
Take the road less travelled in 5 amazing Central American Countries - Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica!
16 days
from £1,099 £769
Soak up the Central American sunshine in Mexico, Belize & Guatemala
3 countries, 16 days and a serious helping of fun... With paradise beaches, magnificent ruins and sultry Latin cities, this trip is 100% your type on paper.
Acatenango Volcano’s iconic views are the ultimate reward, if you choose to summit almost 4,000 metres on our Guatemala tours. Discover one of the dreamiest sunsets of your life, as rosy and golden hues dance above a blanket of clouds, drifting away to reveal sparkling night skies and fiery lava bursts from Fuego Volcano in the distance.
Have your cameras ready in Antigua; you don’t want to miss a single thing inside this fairytale of a city. Pastel architecture is at every turn, interwoven with cobblestone streets and a ring of misty volcano peaks. From rooftop cafés to garden terrace bars, Antigua makes a magical first impression on our Guatemala tours.
The “Lake Como of Central America” will leave you speechless. Smouldering volcanoes are carved into lush highlands, framing epic stretches of sapphire lakes. Cosy up at a local homestay, spending your morning gazing out over the water whilst enjoying breakfast. Or begin the day with a sunrise hike up to Lake Atitlán’s most enchanting viewpoint.
In the depths of the Guatemalan rainforest lies one of Central America’s enchanting lost cities, Tikal National Park. Ancient Mayan pyramids stretch above the jungle treetops, creating a sense of awe and wanderlust as you wander from ruin to ruin. This is a true bucket list moment that will have you feeling like Indiana Jones.
Go the distance for Semuc Champey, one of Guatemala’s stunning hidden gems. Dip into cascading pools of bright turquoise waters, connected by natural limestone bridges and caves, as it winds through the rainforest. Whether you fancy some river tubing, hiking up to viewpoints or kicking back, Semuc Champey is a little slice of paradise.
Guatemala boasts a tropical climate, with two distinct seasons: the dry season lasting from November to April, and the rainy season from May to October. Temperatures are consistently warm throughout the year, except during the rainy season, which is typically more humid.
However, temperatures can vary depending on where in Guatemala you are visiting. Whereas the Guatemalan highlands average around 25℃, lower elevation areas such as Tikal can reach 30℃.
The best time to visit on our trips to Guatemala comes down to preference. November to April is Guatemala’s dry season and the most popular time of year for travel. For sightseeing and volcano treks, plus visiting the beaches of neighbouring Central American countries, this is an amazing option.
Meanwhile, May to October is when Guatemala’s lush rainy season arrives. This can be a fantastic option for budget backpacking, as travel costs will typically be lower and there will be fewer crowds. You may also be able to spot more tropical wildlife during these months.
Guatemala is a welcoming country. Dressing modestly is generally recommended whilst travelling to more rural areas or when visiting religious or spiritual sites. A little bit of Spanish goes a long way, especially for traditional homestays. Punctuality is also generally relaxed in Guatemala.
This country is famous for its iconic treks, and we always recommend sticking to the trusted routes with an expert local guide.
Entry requirements and visa regulations are different for every destination and your purpose of travel. We recommend staying updated on the latest official information before you go travelling. Your passport should be undamaged and have enough blank pages for stamps and visas. Many countries require your passport to have at least 6 months of validity beyond the date of entry.
For more information and resources regarding entry requirements, check out our Visa Advice page.
At Gap 360, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. From the moment your trip is confirmed until you arrive back home, you'll have access to a 24/7 emergency contact number for any urgent issues. For anything non-urgent, our friendly team is also available during office hours to help.
We strongly recommend checking the FCDO advice for Guatemala, as it's regularly updated with the latest safety and travel information, and you can even sign up for email alerts to stay informed of any changes. In addition, you can check the FCDO general travel advice for British nationals abroad.
The Acatenango Volcano trek can be challenging due to the high altitudes and steep terrain. However, it is generally achievable for someone with a good level of physical fitness. On our Best of Central America and Epic Central America tours, you can swap this activity out for a chocolate-making class in Antigua at no extra cost. Contact us for more details.
Guatemala is famous for its epic volcanoes, ancient Mayan ruins and beautiful cities filled with historic architecture. One of the top bucket list activities in Guatemala has to be the Acatenango Volcano trek, where you can spot the lava bursts from Fuego Volcano in the distance at night. This is right outside Antigua, one of Central America’s most iconic cities.
Spanish is the main language spoken in Guatemala, alongside many local Indigenous languages. Some English is spoken at the most popular destinations visited on our trips to Guatemala.
Guatemalan food is hearty and delicious, featuring spiced stews, fried tortillas and tamales, alongside fresh and tropical fruits. Coffee and chocolate in Guatemala are world-famous for their rich, delicious flavours.
Gap 360 has partnered with Masta and Nomad Clinics, one of the UK’s largest networks of private travel clinics. Through Masta, you can arrange a Travel Telephone Consultation, an in-person Consultation, and book your vaccinations at your nearest clinic.
Flights to Guatemala from the UK typically take between 15 to 19 hours with a layover included.
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