Central Highlands attractions

After being ravaged by an earthquake in 1773, Antigua’s Catedral de Santiago was never fully rebuilt. Behind the imposing white facade and modest-sized present-day church—which occupies what was the cathedral’s entrance hall—you’ll find roofless remains including pillars, archways, and altars with plants sprouting among the ruins.

Constructed in the mid-16th century, this Dominican monastery was one of the largest and grandest in all of the Americas until it fell victim to a series of ruinous 18th-century earthquakes. It was later converted into a luxury hotel, though large parts of the complex—including a series of fascinating museums—are open to the public.

Situated in the heart of Guatemala City, the National Palace (Palacio Nacional de la Cultura) showcases the country's rich political past and cultural heritage. With its stunning neoclassical facade, impressive interiors, and earthquake-resistant foundation, the grand building stands as a testament to the nation's history and fortitude.

Overlooking Plaza de la Constitución in the center of Guatemala City is the impressive Metropolitan Cathedral. Though several devastating earthquakes have rambled through the city, the blue-domed Neoclassical-Baroque structure stands strong as the city’s main house of worship. Pass through the 12-pillar entrance to admire the massive interior, austere though wonderfully embellished with religious paintings, carvings, and sparkling gold altars.

Located in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, the 16th-century Santo Tomas Church (Iglesia de Santo Tomas) holds significant cultural and historical importance as a spiritual center for the indigenous Quiche Maya people. During a visit to the iconic church, you’ll glimpse the intersection of Mayan traditions and Catholicism.

One of Antigua’s most visited ruins, Las Capuchinas (Convento de las Capuchinas) is a Guatemalan convent with a past unlike other convents—women were not required a dowry to join. The building, featuring the work of architect Diego de Porres, is a perfect example of colonial architecture, and there’s an art museum on the convent’s second floor.

Though it’s much smaller than Tikal or nearby Copán, Quiriguál attracts attention thanks to its collection of large, intricately carved stelae. Standing as tall as 35 feet (10 meters, the towering monoliths are artfully carved with hieroglyphs that reveal clues about the rise and fall of this Maya city.

Lanquín Caves (Grutas de Lanquín) are limestone caverns near Cobán. Considered sacred to the Mayan people, they are believed to be the ""heart of heaven” and possess the ""secret of the ages"" deep inside. Mayan priests still perform spiritual rituals here, while tourists enjoy the experience of spelunking and the amazing site of droves of bats flying out at dusk.

Named after Guatemala’s colorful national bird, Biotopo del Quetzal is a vast nature reserve in central Guatemala encompassing Lanquin Caves, Rey Marcos Caves, and the rock pools of Semuc Champey. Abundant wildlife populate the expanse, including howler monkeys and elusive birds such as emerald toucanets, highland guans, and the endangered quetzal.

Constructed in 1904, long before Google Earth, this huge 3-dimensional outdoor map of Guatemala offers a grand-scale viewpoint of the mountainous country from above. A family-friendly attraction, Mapa en Relieve contains all the country’s volcanoes, rivers and lakes (some with running water), as well as its cities, roads, bridges, and railroad tracks.

The Popol Vuh Museum located within the Francisco Marroquin University campus exhibits one of the largest collections of Mayan art in the world. Extraordinary artifacts are here, including masks, ceramics, pre-Hispanic statuettes, traditional fabrics, and more. One of Guatemala City’s must-visit destinations, some pieces date back to 9000 BC.

This 18-century neoclassical church in Guatemala City’s historic center rose to fame after the Virgen del Rosario was dedicated here in 1933. Join the pilgrims who come to visit the venerated image along with celebrated sculptures such as El Senor Sepultado and Jesus de la Buena Muerte. The splendid gold stuccoed altar is one of the best preserved in the country.

Set on an elevated ravine-surrounded site, this Maya city was built with defense in mind, with its inhabitants—the Chajoma people—having battled against neighboring Maya groups before finally succumbing to Spanish forces. As well as being of historical interest, Mixco Viejo also offers spectacular views of the surrounding valleys.

The Museum of Colonial Art (Museo de Arte Colonial) is known for its extensive collection of sculptures, paintings, and furniture from the 16th to 18th centuries. The museum is housed inside the former University of San Carlos, a beautiful colonial building situated right in front of the cathedral, in the heart of Antigua, Guatemala.

One of the best-maintained zoos of Central Asia, the La Aurora Zoo is located next to Guatemala City’s International Airport. Established in 1924, the zoo also houses the relics of an ancient viaduct. This zoo has three distinct areas- African, Asian and American where animals from the respective continents can be found.

Constructed in 1743, Antigua City Hall (Palacio del Ayuntamiento) once served as the seat of the Spanish colonial government seat as well as an 80-person jail. Today, the building is the city’s administrative center and home to the Museo del Libro and the Museo de Santiago. The hall’s visually striking two-story façade has a double layer of stone archways and Tuscan-style columns.

A lush green park in Guatemala City houses all that remains of Kaminaljuyu, an important Maya city that also shows later influences from Teotihuacán. Most of the remains appear only as mounds in the earth, but you can see the ruins of the acropolis and a ball court under a protective roof. The rest of Kaminaljuyu lies buried under modern-day sprawl.

Set in an area of Guatemala City that was once the Maya city of Kaminaljuyu (and is now largely dominated by shopping centers), this archaeology museum features a massive collection of artifacts from the ancient city and beyond. A few ancient mounds sit just outside.

A lively pedestrianized strip in the heart of Guatemala City’s historic center, Paseo de la Sexta is part of the city’s Sixth Avenue. Lined with bars, restaurants, stores, and colorful apartment blocks, it transforms over Christmas and Easter when the street comes alive with parades and festivities.

In Guatemala City, the sprawling IRTRA Mundo Petapa amusement park offers a diverse range of rides, attractions, and live entertainment options for every age group. From adrenaline-pumping roller coasters to family-friendly activities, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy.

A small park with a big view, Cerrito del Carmen is a popular lookout point over Guatemala City and the surrounding landscape. This hilltop site is also home to the colonial-era Cerrito del Carmen Church—one of the oldest churches in the city.

Inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Avenida La Reforma is a wide, shady boulevard through the heart of Guatemala City. Its park-like median is lined with fountains and statues celebrating important people from Guatemala’s history.

With its red exterior and neo-Gothic style, Iglesia Yurrita is one of the most distinctive pieces of architecture in Guatemala City. The inside is every bit as ornate, incorporating stones from various regions of Guatemala and painted windows that are made to look like the sky.

Orchids bloom in rainbow hues within this 82-acre (33-hectare) bird and plant sanctuary near Coban. Its forested landscape is home to nearly 700 varieties of orchids and more than 160 species of birds—which can be observed through binoculars on guided walks with naturalists. A treetop observation tower at the heart of the preserve offers wraparound views of the surrounding Sierra de Chama mountain range.