What to See in Guatemala for First Time Travelers?
If you have a short stay in Guatemala, you are suggested to explore the colonial city of Antigua to visit the well-preserved Spanish Baroque architecture. If you want to take a Guatemala vacation for 4 to 6 days, it is a good choice to add the sightseeing tour to the Lake Atitlán to witness the shining blue waters and interesting villages along the lake. For those who prefer an in-depth travel, 7 to 8 days' Guatemala tour packages will cover more highlights, including the Mayan ruins of Tikal and Yaxha in Flores.
![]()
Lake Atitlan
![]()
Village of San Juan La Laguna
When is the Best Time to Take Guatemala Tour Packages?
Guatemala has a tropical climate, and its weather is affected by altitude and geography. It is hot all year around in the lowlands and cool in the mountain area with high altitude. The best time to go there is during the dry season from November to next April with warm and pleasant temperature. The rainy season is from May to October, when the annual rainfall is the highest, especially in September and October. But the rain usually starts in the late afternoon, instead of raining all day long.
Do I Need a Visa to Enter Guatemala?
For visitors from 86 countries including USA, Canada and New Zealand, who travel in Guatemala for less than 90 days, there is no need to apply for a visa. If you are planning to stay there for more than 90 days, you are suggested to ask for advice from your local Guatemala embassy for the latest information in advance.
In addition, visa is not required for holders of residence permits issued by El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, according to the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement.
For those who are not among the visa exempt countries, you are suggested to contact the Guatemala Embassy or consulate to check the visa policy first.
How to Get to and Travel around Guatemala?
The international flights to Guatemala mainly come from USA. Normally, travelers can choose to connect the flight in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami or New York in USA. La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City is the only one international airport of the country. Once you set your travel plan, you are suggested to purchase the tickets in advance, as the airline company may release discount tickets in low season.
Additionally, there are many bus lines from the nearby countries including Mexico, Belize and Honduras. In our Guatemala tours, you will mainly travel by flight, private transfer and boat.
