9 of the Best Things to Do in Guatemala with Kids (Family-Friendly Guide)
Guatemala is one of the most colourful and culturally rich destinations in Central America — and it’s surprisingly great for families. Between chocolate farms, volcano views, whimsical attractions and vibrant colonial streets, there are plenty of unique things to do in Guatemala with kids.
Most family travel in Guatemala centers around the beautiful UNESCO city of Antigua Guatemala, which makes an ideal base thanks to its walkable streets, family-friendly restaurants and stunning volcano views.
If you’re planning a family trip, here are the best things to do in Guatemala with kids.
Is Guatemala Safe for Kids?
Yes….with planning, awareness, and the right destinations, Guatemala can be a really special and safe trip with kids. It’s not a “carefree” destination like a resort-heavy island, but many families (including with young children) travel there safely every year.
I would recommend sticking to Antigua and Lake Atitlan because they are the most visited spots in the country. I truly never felt unsafe once. If I am speaking honestly I have felt more scared in certain cities in the USA!
Also, don’t forget to check out my 1 Week in Guatemala Travel Guide with more informatioN!
#1. Do a Cooking Class ( or visit El Comalote for a more authentic, low-key experience)
One of our favourite family experiences in Antigua was taking a traditional cooking class, where the kids got to help prepare local Guatemalan dishes in a fun, hands-on setting. It’s such a meaningful way for children to connect with the culture beyond just sightseeing. We also got to do a Market tour which showed us some more unique items they use in their dishes. This is the one we booked!!!
If you’re not up for a full cooking class, a great alternative is visiting El Comalote, a small, authentic spot where you can watch local women making traditional tortillas by hand. It’s simple, cultural, and a beautiful way to experience everyday Guatemalan life without booking a tour.
#2. Visit Caoba Farms Restaurant– one of the best things in Guatemala with Kids ( voted by my daugher!)
One of the most family-friendly places to eat near Antigua is Caoba Farms Restaurant.
This beautiful farm-to-table restaurant sits on a lush organic farm just outside the city. Families can walk through the gardens, see where many of the ingredients are grown, and enjoy fresh meals made from local produce.
Kids love exploring the open space while parents enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and incredible food. There are often farm animals, garden paths and live music, making it feel like an experience rather than just a meal.
#3. Visit the famous McDonald’s – Best things to do in Guatemala with Kids that is free!
It might sound funny, but the McDonald’s Antigua Guatemala is often called one of the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world.
Located inside a historic colonial courtyard with fountains and gardens, it’s a great stop for families when kids need a familiar meal or quick break. Parents appreciate the stunning architecture while kids enjoy the play area. They have an amazing M shaped teetor totor and a really cool indoor section as well!
We do not go to McDonald’s back home ( maybe once a year) but doing it here felt fun! The Starbucks is also AMAZINGLY beautiful and I also recommend it. Sure enough, so is Taco Bell LOL. You don’t need to buy anything in any of these places either- you can do a quick look around and support a local restaurant if that suits you!
#4. Do a trip to Hobbitenango
Just outside Antigua you’ll find one of Guatemala’s most unique attractions: Hobbitenango.
This mountaintop park looks like a fantasy village with hobbit-style houses, giant swings overlooking volcanoes, games, playground areas and hiking trails.
Kids love exploring the tiny homes and running around the open spaces, while parents enjoy the incredible views of surrounding volcanoes.
Thisis the EXACT Hobbitenango tour we did and it was amazing
#5. Ride the Antigua Boreal Slide
For something more adventurous, head to Antigua Boreal.
This adventure park features a massive hillside slide, where you ride down winding tracks overlooking Antigua and the surrounding volcanoes. It’s a fun and slightly adrenaline-filled activity, especially if you’re traveling with friends.
Tip: This spot can be visited after Hobbitenango. It’s just 5 minutes away. They do have a pizza restaurant on site if you are hungry!
#6. Roast Marshmellows from a Volcano
This is a great tour and I recommended a guided one with the kids! This is a great option for not only kids but if you are doing a family vacation in Guatemala with teenagers!
Another unforgettable option is the volcano pizza experience, where you actually cook pizza over natural heat from the volcano—such a unique and memorable activity. I definitely recommend doing this with a guided tour when travelling with kids. It’s not only great for younger children, but also an amazing experience for a family trip with teenagers.
#7. Visit Lake Atitlan and visit the colourful towns!
These lakeside towns are perfect to explore together in a single day, making for an easy and fun outing with kids. You can even travel between them by tuk-tuk—the only two towns around Lake Atitlán connected this way, which adds a bit of adventure to the experience.
- San Juan La Laguna – The most colourful town on the lake, known for its vibrant murals, artisan shops, and charming streets. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful and family-friendly spots to explore.
- San Pedro La Laguna – A livelier town with a backpacker-friendly feel, offering plenty of affordable accommodations and a wide variety of casual restaurants—great for an easy, convenient stop with kids.
- San Marcos La Laguna – A laid-back village perfect for slowing down, with scenic lake views, quiet paths, and a relaxed atmosphere ideal for a more tranquil visit.
#8. Take a Chocolate Making Class
Beyond visiting cacao farms, many places in Antigua offer hands-on chocolate-making workshops where kids can create their own chocolate bars using traditional Mayan techniques.
It’s messy, fun and delicious… exactly the kind of activity kids remember most from a trip. Book this one ( our guide was sooo awesome!) and it has good reviews
#9. Use ( and take) all the colour transporation options
Getting around Guatemala is part of the adventure, and there are so many colourful and unique transportation options to try. Lanchas (small boats) are the main way to travel between villages around Lake Atitlán, offering beautiful views as you glide between towns. Tuk tuks are everywhere in smaller towns like Antigua and are an easy, fun way to get around short distances with kids. And the famous public “chicken buses” are the most vibrant option—brightly painted former school buses that are loud, lively, and an unforgettable cultural experience for older kids and teens.
Tuktuks will run you about $5 USD which are more expensive than Ubers in the city but I recommend doing at least 1!
Where to stay in Guatemala with Kids?
Vista Lago Air Bnb
We chose to stay in an Airbnb during our time in Lake Atitlán, and it was absolutely the right decision. Although it was just a five-minute boat ride from Panajachel, it felt completely removed—peaceful and secluded.
The property is relatively new, so everything felt modern, clean, and thoughtfully designed. It featured three beds, a full kitchen, and a beautiful outdoor pool, making it both comfortable and well-equipped for our stay.
Another option for the Lake Atitlan area is Panajachel. No, it’s no within one of the cute towns on the lake BUT it allows you to skip the additional boat road with your luggage and you are close to everything you need ( pharmacy, grocery stories etc).
Explore more dreamy destinations below:
- St Lucia Travel Guide: Best hotels, restaurants and things to do
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- Travel Guide to Puglia, Italy: 1 Week
Guatemala with kids really blew our mind and made us excited to plan some more trips to destinations that may not be so obvious on the surface level as a family destination. For context, we spent about $5,000 on the trip and that includes 4 round trip tickets to the destination. We stayed at amazing accomadations and did not hold back with restaurants and tours. In this economy, it seems like a steal if you ask me!!
If you have any questions about travelling to Guatemala with Kids or any of the things we did, reach out to me on Instagram!
