About Guatemala

I have seen many people traveling with their kids in Guatemala, and I always wonder how much information there is about it to help them planning a family trip. My recent investigation on internet made me realize there is virtually no information regarding traveling with children in Guatemala.

I don’t have kids myself, but considering a lot of people seems to think I still act like a 6 year old boy, perhaps I can recommend you a thing or two your kids will enjoy while you travel in Guatemala, and of course it would be great if more people could share their experiences, tips and any sort of recommendations to other families interested in coming to this country.

Guatemala City

Even Guatemala City is avoided by most travelers, in this case offers some of the best activities for parents and children.

One of the things your kids will enjoy the most is a visit to La Aurora Zoo, giving them the opportunity to see a diversity of animals of the Central American region and the rest of the world. And not far from there you can visit El Museo de los Niños (Children’s Museum), where your kids will be learning while they have fun in some of the interactive exhibitions and galleries they count with. Not far from there, you can find the Museum of Archeology and History, the perfect place to end up your day.

Another activity you and your family would enjoy is a visit to the relief map in Zone 2. The map, built hundred years ago was an engineer accomplishment considering the tools they used and the exactitude it has. Go around Guatemala in a couple of minutes and visualize the volcanoes and mountains of the country, remember the places you visit or choose new destinations. There is a small park with mechanic games just a few meters away that children up to the age of 6 would enjoy for sure, and if it is possible do this on Sunday since the main Boulevard is closed for families to be able to use it as a park.

Avenida Las Americas and Avenida Reforma, two main interconnected avenues are closed as well for the same purpose on Sundays. Come here and enjoy with your children many activities, you can either enjoy a nice walk while you eat an ice cream, rent a bicycle for you and your kids or watch them enjoy of a small horse ride among other things.

Antigua Guatemala

One of the nicest cities in Guatemala, a lovely park and a dozen activities to enjoy. If you and your kids enjoy spending time in the kitchen, why not take some cooking lessons of traditional Guatemalan food and learn how to make tamales, chuchitos, rellenitos, chiles rellenos….maybe I should take some lessons myself.

Enjoy hiking?? never seen an active volcano, if your children are not too young they would love a visit to Pacaya Volcano. This is not a difficult hike, and if things get complicated you can always rent horses to take you to the top. This is an experience your family will never forget.

Spanish lessons is something else you can do in Antigua Guatemala, there is a big selection of schools to choose from, and some of them will organize other kind of activities for you.

Retalhuleu

Probably you never heard of this place, but your kids will adore you if you take them there. The two biggest amusement parks of Central America are here:

Xocomil
My favorite one, it combines to of my favorite things in life, water and sliders… you will spend hours of fun in this place, I promise you.

Xetulul
Watch a replica of the mayan temple “El Gran Jaguar”, jump in one of the many mechanical games in the park… so many things to do around here that is difficult to put them all.

Peten

Tikal “The city of Voices”, visit one of the most important Mayan cities of the classic period while you walk trough the rain forest and watch wild animals.

And if you would like to stay near the Flores area, visit the park Ixpanpajul where you can enjoy of horse rides, birdwatching, mountain biking or the always fun canopy tour.

At the moment this are some of the things that come to my mind but let’s not forget Guatemala is a country with natural reserves, amazing biodiversity, beauty and full of history. If you can appreciate that, your children will too… enjoy Guatemala and please share your comments and opinions.