Fiery volcanoes & ancient cities
Boutique hotels, private guides, and routes through colonial Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and Maya ruins, with time to experience each properly.
Why we love Guatemala
With warm, friendly people, wild landscapes, and deep-rooted culture, Guatemala is every bit as engaging as it is unique. Smoking volcanoes and serene lakes pepper the south, and the north's thick jungle–clad lowlands contain the remains of powerful Maya cities, now only inhabited by wild troops of monkeys and a stunning array of tropical birds. You're going to find yourself utterly captivated by Guatemala's own brand of mystery and magic. Trust us.
A country of volcanoes
Traditions carried forward
Ancient cities, living rainforest
A starting point for your perfect escape
We're good company, and we give great advice
Colonial cobblestones in Antigua, and Lake Atitlán, our answer to Lake Como. Fewer crowds, a fraction of the price.
We work with community-run experiences where local people are truly in charge, and we know how to spot community-washing.
A flight to Flores for Tikal, drivers we trust on the mountain roads. You enjoy the view.
An absolutely unreal experience. Attention to detail was exceptional. Every activity was planned to perfection, transportation was arranged, and we didn't have to worry about a thing. I do not have enough good things to say about this trip. The service [Osaviva] provides is worth every penny and more.
A contact while traveling
Adrienne was great and having a contact while traveling in Central America was so convenient. Everything was perfectly planned and thought out.
Quick replies
I have nothing but good comments with regards to what I experienced throughout the process. Adrienne was always quick on her replies and everything went flawless. I highly recommend [Osaviva].
Within our budget
The agents were so awesome! Everything was within our budget and the whole trip went smoothly. [Osaviva] planned it all perfectly for us
Our top picks
Lake Atitlán
Bright blues, handcrafted Guatemalan textiles, and contemporary local art have become the signature of Casa Palopó overlooking Lake Atitlán. Fifteen individually designed rooms and a private villa face the lake and its surrounding volcanoes, while Relais & Châteaux dining has earned the hotel a reputation as one of Guatemala's finest culinary destinations.
Guatemala
Antigua
Six acres of gardens, a private lake, and uninterrupted views of Volcán de Agua give Villa Bokéh a sense of space rarely found near Antigua. The restored estate blends contemporary Guatemalan art with elegant interiors, while Antigua's historic center is only a short drive away. Guests enjoy the character of a country estate without giving up easy access to the city.
Guatemala
Lake Atitlán
Reached only by boat, Laguna Lodge occupies its own nature reserve beneath the volcanoes of Lake Atitlán. A small collection of lakeside suites incorporates local stone, reclaimed wood, antiques, and Guatemalan textiles, while forest trails and kayaking begin directly from the property. Staying here feels very different from the bustle of Panajachel.
Guatemala
Lake Atitlán
Botanical gardens have been part of Hotel Atitlán's identity for decades, cascading toward the shores of Lake Atitlán beneath towering volcanoes. Family-owned, the hotel combines hand-painted furnishings and Guatemalan textiles with one of the lake's most celebrated garden collections. Peacocks, orchids, and lake views are never far away.
Guatemala
Petén
Water defines Las Lagunas, where spacious overwater suites extend across a private lagoon outside Flores. The intimate property combines polished contemporary design with a private nature reserve, while Tikal, Yaxhá, and the surrounding wetlands are all easily explored from the hotel.
Guatemala
Lake Petén Itzá
Francis Ford Coppola's La Lancha overlooks Lake Petén Itzá from a forested hillside just outside Tikal National Park. Only ten casitas combine carved Guatemalan furnishings, colorful textiles, and screened terraces with sweeping lake or jungle views. Its intimate scale suits the quiet character of northern Guatemala.
Guatemala
When we plan a trip
Ancient Maya cities
Enter Tikal before dawn and follow jungle trails toward Temple IV, where ancient temples rise above the forest as the sky begins to brighten. Continue through the Great Plaza, ceremonial complexes, and stone causeways with a private guide, listening for howler monkeys, toucans, and parrots along the way.
Lakeside culture
Cross Lake Atitlán by private boat, surrounded by steep slopes and the volcanoes of San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán. Stop in San Juan La Laguna to visit women-led weaving cooperatives, see traditional backstrap looms, and learn how dyes are produced from indigo, cochineal, and local plants. Continue to another lakeside community according to your interests and the day’s workshop schedule.
Colonial history
Explore Antigua’s cobblestone streets, church ruins, restored convents, and hidden courtyards with a private historian or local guide. The former colonial capital was heavily damaged by earthquakes in 1773, leaving monumental ruins woven through the modern city. Stops can include La Merced, the cathedral, Santa Clara, artisan studios, and a long lunch at one of Antigua’s acclaimed restaurants.
Volcanic landscapes
Choose between a demanding overnight ascent of Acatenango or a shorter guided hike around Pacaya. Acatenango reaches 3,976 metres and looks directly toward active Fuego, where clear conditions may reveal ash plumes or glowing eruptions in the distance. Routes and difficulty vary considerably, making an experienced local guide essential.
Coffee traditions
Visit a working finca near Antigua or Lake Atitlán to follow coffee from plant to cup. Walk through the growing fields, learn how ripe cherries are harvested and processed, then compare roasting methods during a guided tasting. Guatemala’s volcanic highlands and varied elevations support several distinct coffee-growing regions, each with its own growing conditions and flavor profile.
Highland markets
Visit Chichicastenango on Thursday or Sunday, when vendors fill the streets around Santo Tomás Church with textiles, produce, flowers, carved masks, pottery, and ceremonial goods. A private guide adds context to the market’s K’iche’ Maya traditions and helps travelers recognize regional weaving patterns, materials, and techniques before purchasing directly from artisans.
The things travelers ask us most about Guatemala, from staying on Lake Atitlán to Holy Week in Antigua. Have a question we haven't covered? Send it to
November to April is dry season. From May to October, rain usually comes in the afternoon, and mornings are often clear.
Antigua and Lake Atitlán sit around 1,500 m, which most people barely notice. Acatenango's summit is close to 4,000 m.
Fly from Guatemala City to Flores (about an hour), then drive about an hour to the park. Staying near Tikal lets you visit at sunrise.
It changes each year with Easter. Antigua's processions and sawdust carpets draw huge crowds, so hotels book up to a year ahead.
Spanish, plus more than 20 Maya languages, including K'iche', Kaqchikel and Tz'utujil around Lake Atitlán.
The quetzal. Some hotels accept US dollars, but you'll want quetzales for markets and small shops.
