This Colourful Central American Country Ended Up Being One of My Favourite Solo Travel Experiences
Travelling solo in Guatemala was hands down the best part of my backpacking days — just ask my friends, I bring it up every chance I get!
I spent three months in Central America during my two-year solo trip, and five of those weeks were in Guatemala. I wasn’t planning on staying that long, but I kept cancelling plans because I loved it so much.
Before I got there, I really didn’t know what to expect. I’d heard about the volcanoes, ancient cities, and cobblestone streets, but also about the high crime rates, which did make me a bit nervous.
Honestly? I felt really safe for the most part, but there are a few things you should know to stay safe, and a few places I’d probably skip next time.
In this guide, I’m sharing my experience, safety tips, advice for getting around, and the best spots I visited.
My Solo Travel Experience In Guatemala
Guatemala is super easy to get around, and I had no trouble moving from place to place. The locals were warm and welcoming, and the landscapes were a dream to explore.
I felt safe pretty much the whole time I was there, with just two exceptions.
One was Guatemala City. I was only there one evening, but the vibe felt really off, and honestly, I get why most people say to skip it.
The other was in Antigua. I was walking back to my hostel at dusk when an old man tried to cop a feel as he passed me. It was infuriating because Antigua felt so safe otherwise, and everyone I told was shocked. Sadly, this can happen anywhere; it’s not the first time it’s happened to me, at home or abroad.
I wouldn’t let this put you off though. I still think Guatemala is an amazing place for solo women, just keep your wits about you and follow the safety tips I share later in this guide.
Safe Ways To Get Around Guatemala
Getting around Guatemala is easier than you might think!
✅ Shuttles:
- Super convenient for longer distances.
- Pick you up and drop you off right at your hostel or hotel.
- Affordable and felt really safe.
- Great for routes like Antigua to Lake Atitlán or Semuc Champey.
✅ Night Buses:
- Handy for long trips, like Antigua to Flores.
- Just stay inside the bus station in Guatemala City, it’s not safe to wander around there at night.
✅ Local Buses (Chicken Buses):
- Personally, I’d skip these if you’re travelling solo.
- They’re cheap but crowded, uncomfortable, and you often have to switch buses mid-way.
- Pickpocketing can be an issue, not worth the hassle in my opinion.
✅ Uber:
- Only available in Guatemala City, Antigua, and Quetzaltenango.
- Handy for short trips when you don’t want to haggle with local taxis.
✅ Tuk-Tuks:
- Popular in towns like Antigua and around Lake Atitlán.
- Cheap, quick, and fun for short hops.
Do You Need To Know Spanish In Guatemala?
You don’t need to speak Spanish to get by in Guatemala, especially if you’re sticking to the main backpacking or tourist trail (often called the gringo trail). I do recommend learning a few basic phrases though, as they’ll definitely come in handy. English isn’t widely spoken by everyone.
My Spanish is pretty basic, less than basic actually. I picked up a few words and phrases while travelling through other parts of Latin America and brushed up using Duolingo as I went along, which was enough to get me by.
Places To Visit As A Woman Travelling Solo
Antigua
The quaint and colourful town of Antigua is usually the first stop on any Guatemala trip and it’s an amazing place for solo female travel. It’s about an hour from Guatemala City and honestly, it was my favourite place in the whole country.
It has sweet cobblestone streets, amazing food, rooftop cafes and markets where you can spend hours shopping. The town is also surrounded by volcanoes, including Fuego, which you can sometimes see erupting in the distance after dark.
Things To Do In Antigua
Climbing Acatenango to get a close-up of its sister volcano erupting is one of the reasons Guatemala holds such a special place for me. It’s such a surreal and unique experience! I won’t lie, the trek was tough, but it was so worth it. There are plenty of great tours with an overnight stay on the volcano.
I wasn’t expecting to see Hobbit houses in Guatemala, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! Just 20 minutes outside of Antigua, Hobbitenango is a unique Lord of the Rings-themed hotel, restaurant, and eco-park perched on the edge of a mountain. The views over the Panchoy Valley are stunning, and you can see Fuego erupting in the distance. You can even book an ATV tour to reach here!
A very short hike from the centre of Antigua will take you to Cerro de La Cruz, an amazing viewpoint overlooking the town and Volcán Agua. You can either walk to the start point from the city centre or hop in a tuk-tuk if you’d prefer a quicker ride.
Where To Stay In Antigua – Tropicana Hostel has a really social vibe and amazing views on its rooftop!
El Paredón
El Paredón is a laid-back surf town on Guatemala’s Pacific coast, known for its black sand beaches and is about 2.5 hours from Antigua. I don’t actually surf, but I came here to relax for a few days after climbing Acatenango, and it was just what the doctor ordered!
The town has a rustic charm with sandy streets, and everywhere is easy to explore on foot. It’s much more peaceful than some other spots in the country, making it the perfect place to relax for a few days.
Things To Do In El Paredón
If you visit El Paredón between September and December, you might be able to see baby sea turtles being released into the ocean!
You’ll need to head to The Driftwood Surfer at around 5:45am and walk to the hatchery, where they’ll check if any turtles have hatched. If they have, they’ll be released near the shoreline, and you can watch them make their way to the ocean. Unfortunately, on both mornings I visited, no turtles had hatched, but the sunrise made it worth the early start.
Another fun thing to do in El Paredón is to take a tour through the mangroves in Sipacate-Naranjo National Park. You can paddleboard or kayak along the river and spot birds, turtles, and iguanas as you go. Most accommodations in the area can help you book a tour, so it’s super easy to organise.
Surfing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a trip to Guatemala, but El Paredón is a surfer’s paradise! So much so that it was named one of the top places to surf by The Guardian.
If you’re new to surfing or just starting out, it’s worth taking a lesson since the rip tides here can be strong. Most of the hostels and hotels around here offer surf lessons or board rentals.
Where To Stay In El Paredón – Caracola Hostel is a boutique hostel that is just 100m from the beach.
Lake Atitlán
Lake Atitlán is another great spot to visit if you’re a woman travelling solo through Guatemala and the views here are just friggin gorgeous!
Formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, it’s surrounded by lush greenery and towering volcanoes. The lake is dotted with charming towns, and getting around is super easy! Just hop on a boat to cross from one town to another.
Most people arrive in Panajachel, where you can easily access wherever you’re staying. I spent three nights in San Pedro and absolutely loved this buzzing little town with its amazing views.
Things To Do In Lake Atitlán
One of the best things about Lake Atitlán is that you can explore all the different towns around the lake, each is very different with its own vibe. You can easily hop between them by boat, whether you want to visit the chilled-out yogi town of San Marco or a livelier spot like San Pedro.
If you’re up for a challenge, hiking Volcán San Pedro is a great way to see some incredible views over the lake. I personally didn’t do this hike as I was still sore from Acatenango (I wasn’t at my fittest after partying my way through Panama and Nicaragua), but I’ve been told it’s a tough climb. Having a guide is a good idea, and I bet the views from the top are unreal!
You could also visit Atitlán Nature Reserve, which has scenic trails and ziplining if you’re feeling brave! It’s also a great place to spot wildlife, with monkeys and coatis often hanging around the trails.
Lake Atitlán is home to the indigenous Mayan people, and there are some great ways to learn about their culture while you’re here. You can take a Mayan cooking class to try making traditional dishes or join a weaving workshop to see how their textiles are made.
Where To Stay In Lake Atitlán – Casa Blanca if you’re staying in San Pedro or Casa AHAU if you’re staying in San Marco.
Lanquín
I loved my visit to Lanquín, but it’s pretty remote and not the easiest place to get to. There’s not a whole lot to do besides visiting Semuc Champey and a couple of other spots, which totally make the trip worth it, and it’s a great place to slow down and relax.
But if you’re short on time on your trip, you might want to skip it. That said, if you have the time, it’s a beautiful and untouched area worth seeing. I travelled here from Antigua before heading to Flores.
It’s also home to what I think is one of the best hostels in Guatemala, Zephyr Hostel, which has an infinity pool with insane mountain views. It’s a bit of a party hostel, so if that’s not your vibe as a woman travelling solo in Guatemala, Utopia Hostel is a great alternative and is set near the river.
Things To Do In Lanquín
As I mentioned earlier, the main reason people visit Lanquín is to see Semuc Champey, a natural wonder hidden in the Guatemalan jungle. It’s home to a limestone bridge with turquoise pools, caves, and a stunning lookout point.
You can chill in the pools that have formed in the limestone, or you can find some of the deeper pools and jump off the ledges into them! Not only was it beautiful here, but I actually had so much fun.
There are also caves to explore, and you can book a guided candlelit tour through Ka’an Ba Cave, where you’ll squeeze through tight spaces, walk through tunnels, and swim through underground pools.
You can also go tubing down the Cahabón River while in Lanquín. Most places to stay can help you book it, or it’s often included in a tour to Semuc Champey. How good it is depends on the weather and time of year, as the river conditions change.
Where To Stay In Lanquín – For a more social vibe, I’d stay at Zephyr Hostel or for a more relaxed stay Utopia Hostel is a great alternative.
Flores
I only spent two nights in Flores before finally moving on to Belize, but from what I saw, I’d definitely stay an extra day or two next time. I felt really safe here, and I think it’s a great spot for solo female travellers in Guatemala.
Flores is actually a tiny man-made island in Lake Petén Itzá, part of a larger area that includes Santa Elena and San Miguel. Most visitors, including me, chose to stay on Flores Island itself, and I loved its colourful buildings and charming cobblestone streets.
A lot of people treat Flores as a quick stopover since it’s the main gateway to the Mayan ruins at Tikal, but looking back, I wish I’d stayed a little longer, as there are some other fun things to do here.
Things To Do In Flores
The first and most obvious thing to do is, of course, visit the ancient Mayan city of Tikal, which is only an hour from Flores. The ruins are nestled deep in the Guatemalan rainforest, and it’s such an interesting place to explore. I was there for sunset, and it was absolutely stunning!
I totally missed out on visiting Jorge’s Rope Swing, and I’m kicking myself for not spending an afternoon there. It’s just a short boat ride from Flores, and once you’re there, you’ll find rope swings and diving platforms you can launch yourself into the lake from, and cabanas to enjoy a beer or some food in.
Grabbing a cocktail at happy hour and watching the sunset over the lake is a solid way to end the day if you ask me. There are a few rooftop bars you can choose from, like Terraza, Sky Bar, and Mangos Bar.
Where To Stay In Flores: I stayed in Los Amigos Hostel, which had a really buzzy vibe and was in a great location.
Safety Tips for Solo Female Travel in Guatemala
I genuinely felt safe in Guatemala, aside from the two points I mentioned earlier. That said, here are some safety tips to keep in mind for your solo adventure.
Avoid Guatemala City
I don’t say this lightly, but I’d recommend skipping Guatemala City altogether, and I’m not the only one who feels this way.
The city has very high crime rates, and it’s not somewhere I’d want to explore alone, especially as a woman. If you do have to pass through, try to do it during daylight hours and head to your next destination as soon as you can.
If you have a flight landing late in Guatemala City, I’d recommend staying close to the airport before moving on the following day.
Use Shuttles Instead Of Buses
Using shuttles felt like a really safe option to me, and since they’re super affordable, it’s a no-brainer in my book.
That’s not to say all local buses are unsafe, I’ve used them myself, and some backpackers rely on using them to save money while travelling across Central America. But if you’re solo, they can be pretty overwhelming.
You’ll also need to stay extra alert, figuring out where to get off or switch buses while keeping an eye on your belongings. It’s doable, but it can be a lot to manage on your own.
Keep Your Valuables Out of Sight
I know this can be easier said than done, especially when you’re out exploring and using your camera or phone to take photos. I’m not saying don’t take pictures, I took plenty while I was there, but just be mindful of your surroundings and tuck your valuables away safely once you’re done.
This goes for jewellery too, keep it minimal where you can as you don’t want to draw too much attention where you can help it.
Keep your Money In Separate Places
Whether you’re at your accommodation or travelling between places, it’s a good idea to spread your money and cards around, just in case one of your bags gets lost or stolen.
I travelled with two backpacks, a smaller one for day trips and a bigger one with all my stuff, and I split my cash and cards between them as a backup plan. It’s an easy way to avoid a total disaster if one of your bags goes walkabout.
Have A Local SIM card
As a solo female traveller, getting a local SIM card was a game-changer for me. It gave me that extra bit of comfort because I didn’t want to rely on Wi-Fi, especially when I was out and about, as it’s not always easy to find.
Having internet most of the time meant I could check directions, use Google Translate, and stay connected if I needed anything. Honestly, it just made me feel way more confident and secure while I was out exploring.
Instead of buying a local SIM card from a store, you can now buy e-sims, which you can activate on your phone as soon as you arrive in a country.
Don’t Walk Alone At Night
It’s frustrating that this is the world we live in, where women are told pretty much everywhere not to walk alone at night. It honestly makes my blood boil, but that’s a whole other conversation for another day. For now, safety has to come first.
If you can avoid it, it’s best not to be out alone after dark. That doesn’t mean you can’t go out at all—I went out a few times with groups from the hostels I stayed at, but I always made sure to think about how safe I felt in those situations and made a judgment call from there.
If It Doesn’t Feel Right, Trust Your Gut
This point ties in perfectly with the last one, always, and I mean always, trust your gut! If something feels off, it probably is. I’d much rather be overly cautious than not cautious enough. Your instincts are there for a reason, so listen to them!
Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved my trip through Guatemala as a solo female, and it’s such a beautiful and unique place to travel. From wandering ancient cities and hiking volcanoes to relaxing on the beach and strolling along cobblestone streets, there’s something for everyone, no matter what you enjoy.
No matter where you travel in the world, it’s important to keep safety in mind, and Guatemala is no exception to this rule. But with a little awareness and preparation, you can have an amazing solo adventure in this beautiful country.
