Guatemala's relatively compact size, and vast and varied natural beauty make it a perfect place to get out and get active. Any town where there are things to do will have at least one tour operator offering trips. Guatemala's many volcanoes are irresistible challenges, and many of them can be done in one day from Antigua or Quetzaltenango. Treks of several days are perfectly feasible, and agencies in Antigua, Quetzaltenango and Nebaj can guide you. There's probably no better way to experience the Guatemalan highlands than by bicycle.
Panajachel, San Pedro La Laguna, Quetzaltenango and Antigua in particular are the best launch points, with local agencies offering trips and equipment. Opportunities for a gallop, a trot or even a horse trek are on the increase in Guatemala. There are stables in Antigua, Laguna Brava and Nakum. Unicornio Azul , north of Huehuetenango, offers horse trekking in the sublime Cuchumatanes. Paragliding remains relatively undeveloped in Guatemala, but its mountains and volcanoes make excellent launch points and the views are superb.
Guatemala attracts cavers from all around the world. Mayan Whitewater Guatemala by Greg Schwendinger is your ultimate guide to the waterways of Guatemala, packed with tips on how to explore the country afloat. National parks and nature reserves offer lots of wildlife-watching opportunities, while generally having few tourist facilities. Mammals tend to prove more elusive, but you should see several species at Tikal.
Guatemala has a wide variety of good accommodations options, from tried-and-trusted backpacker hostels to boutique hotels and international chains. The following price ranges refer to a double room with bathroom in high but not absolute peak season. Guatemalans love to eat and you're never far away from a food source. Reservations are pretty much unheard of, except for in Guatemala City's top-end restaurants.
The following price ranges refer to a standard main course, including taxes but not including tip. What you eat in Guatemala will be a mixture of Guatemalan food, which is nutritious and filling without sending your taste buds into ecstasy, and international traveler-and-tourist food, which is available wherever travelers and tourists hang out. Your most satisfying meals in both cases will probably be in smaller eateries where the boss is in the kitchen themselves.
