Guatemala wasnt even on my radar…

Six months ago, Guatemala wasn't even on my radar.

I kept seeing clips of volcanoes erupting, colorful cobblestone streets, and a lake surrounded by towering volcanoes that honestly didn't look real. The more I watched, the more I found myself wondering, Could this actually be our next adventure? I brought the idea up to Max one night, expecting it to be one of those "maybe someday" conversations. Instead, within a few minutes, we were already planning our summer trip.

There were only two things I knew I absolutely wanted to experience: watching Volcán de Fuego erupt in person and spending a few days relaxing at Lake Atitlán. Everything else could fall into place around those two moments. Before long, our flights were booked (thanks to a healthy stash of travel points), our volcano trek was reserved, and we were counting down the days until we landed in Guatemala.

First Impressions of Antigua

We spent our first few days in Antigua, and it completely exceeded my expectations.

The colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and towering volcanoes surrounding the city made it feel like somewhere frozen in time. Everywhere we walked, there were vibrant markets, cafés tucked into old courtyards, and women proudly wearing traditional woven skirts called a corte that reflected the villages they came from. It was one of those places where you naturally slow down because there's something beautiful around every corner.

It was hard not to spend every moment checking out each store or go down every road but we had to get prepared for our volcano hike!

Watching a Volcano Erupt

As someone who spends a lot of time hiking, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I was wrong. The hike up Acatenango is no joke.

It's steep, challenging, and tests you both physically and mentally. But somewhere between catching your breath, laughing with new friends, and reminding yourself to keep putting one foot in front of the other, you realize everyone around you is sharing the exact same experience. There's something special about suffering a little together.

By late afternoon we reached base camp, dropped our packs, and looked across at Volcán de Fuego. Every few minutes the volcano kept erupting and you couldn't help but stop what you were doing every time you watched it. 

After a bit of rest we hit the trail again to get closer to the volcano to watch it erupt at night. Again, another challenging portion that tested all your capabilities. I really appreciated being with a larger group to help keep myself motivated through the uphill climb.

The views were insane but the wind was crazy! It made sitting at 12,000ft twice as cold as it already was so we decided to make our way back to camp. At this point it was dark and we needed our headlamps on. We were hiking back to base camp thinking we would just go to bed. And then it happened. A deep rumble echoed before bright orange lava shot into the night sky.

Everyone fell in complete awe.

No phone screen could ever capture what it actually felt like standing there. Every few minutes another eruption would send glowing lava spilling down the side of the volcano while all of us watched in complete disbelief. It was easily one of the most unforgettable travel moments I've ever experienced.

We finally made it back to base camp. After a (much needed) hot meal and a few hours of sleep, we skipped the optional sunrise summit hike in favor of something that honestly felt just as magical—waking up slowly while watching an active volcano from our sleeping bags.

Not a bad way to start the morning. We made our way back down to the trailhead where shuttles waited for us. We were all beat but felt so accomplished.

One of my favorite parts wasn't something you can really plan for. It was the people. We had such a fun mix of people in our group and everyone got along so well. Friendships were definitely made and socials were exchanged at the end of it all. 

Slowing Down at Lake Atitlán

After our volcano adventure, Lake Atitlán was exactly what we needed. The moment we arrived, I understood why so many people fall in love with this place. Our hotel overlooked the lake with volcanoes rising in every direction, and for the first time all week, there wasn't anywhere we needed to be. We spent our days wandering colorful towns, drinking good coffee, exploring local shops, and hopping between villages by boat.

Each town had its own personality. San Marcos had a peaceful, wellness-focused atmosphere that felt centered around yoga and slow living. San Juan was colorful, artistic, and full of locally owned businesses where you could genuinely feel your money supporting the community.

One of my favorite experiences was visiting a small Mayan bee farm where we learned about native stingless bees and tasted different varieties of honey. It wasn't a major tourist attraction, but it ended up being one of those unexpectedly memorable moments that reminded me why I love traveling.

Of course, not everything went perfectly.

A thunderstorm rolled through shortly after we arrived, knocking out power across town. Our hotel spent nearly two days without electricity, which meant cold showers, no charging our phones/cameras, and simply rolling with whatever the day brought. Oddly enough, it ended up being part of the adventure.

Travel rarely goes exactly as planned and you just have to go with the flow. 

The Little Moments I'll Remember

As incredible as Guatemala's landscapes are, the moments I keep thinking about aren't always the ones you'd expect.

They're the conversations with strangers who became friends over the course of a hike.

The satisfaction of finally taking a hot shower after two days on a volcano.

Watching sunrises at 5:30am over Lake Atitlán.

Taking a boat across the lake with nothing but mountains surrounding us.

Feeding leftover pizza to the friendly street dogs on our final night because we couldn't bear to let it go to waste.

Those are the moments that made the trip feel real.

Why Guatemala Stays With You

Every trip leaves me with the same realization. I always think traveling will satisfy that part of me that's constantly dreaming about the next destination.

Instead, it does the opposite.

Every adventure only makes me more curious about the world. Guatemala reminded me why I love traveling in the first place. Not because I want to check countries off a list, but because I want to experience places that challenge me, surprise me, and introduce me to people I'd never meet otherwise.

If you're looking for a destination that combines adventure, culture, incredible landscapes, and some of the kindest people you'll meet, Guatemala deserves a spot on your list.

It certainly earned a permanent place on mine. And somehow, before our plane had even taken off, I was already wondering when I'd get to come back.

Lake Atitlan