The Best Guatemala Outfits to Pack

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The Best Guatemala Outfits To Pack


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What to Wear in Guatemala- Lake Atitlán

Guatemala, a country of astounding mountain and volcano scapes, tranquil lake towns, and quaint ways of living (life), is quickly growing into a sought out location for big group and solo travelers alike. After spending nearly 2 weeks in Guatemala, experiencing the vibrancy found in the architecture, cuisine, and overall culture, I can confidently say that that no place has warmed my heart and made me feel as welcomed as Guatemala.

If you are someone seeking adventure, adorable coffee joints with unforgettable coffee and pastries, and of course, incredible latin cuisine—you are overdue for a trip to Guatemala. Additionally, because there are so many avenues of exploration to be found in Guatemala, from intense volcano hikes to tranquil yoga retreats, it can be challenging to know what exactly you need to pack for your adventure. Luckily for you my friend, I’ve curated the following clothing packing list to help you ensure that you’re packing for both versatility, and of course, great style.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend or promote products or services that I’ve loved or would purchase myself.

Make Sure You’ve Packed Everything You Need For Your Trip + Download My Free Packing List
(Psst It’s Pretty Cute Too).


Clothing for Acatenango + Fuego Hike

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It is no secret that hiking Acatenango and Fuego are one of the top attractions of Guatemala. The breathtaking views, adorable canine hiking companions, and the potential of seeing Fuego erupt up-close, all were a huge factor as to why I wanted to visit Guautemala. However, figuring out which clothing to pack to adequately adapt to the changing weather without feeling weighed down was a huge challenge for me.

What to Consider When Packing:

  • A Warm Endurance Jacket
  • Two Fleeces (one for warmth the other to change into after sweating)
  • A Rain Jacket
  • Base Under Layers
  • Warm Gloves
  • Hiking Pants
  • 2 Pairs of Quality Hiking Socks and 1 Pair of Warm Socks for Sleeping In
  • A Thermal Beanie
  • Face Cover
  • A Comfrotable Pack
  • Polarized Sports Sunglasses
  • Endurance Hiking Shoes With GOOD Traction (not your normal sneakers, or sandals or anything)
  • Lightweight Breathable Backpack
  • Extra: Bandana, Hand Warmers, Quality Back Pack, Make sure that you’re packing as many water resistant items as you can this comes in handy with fog and sweat

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Recreate My Hiking Outfit

Clothing for Lake Atitlan/ Swimwear

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The small towns in Lake Atitlan have a quaint charm that mimics those of cute coastal towns. What I personally loved about the towns of Lake Atitlan, was that everything truly felt so tranquil, everything from the coffee shops to the bars. With that in mind, so many people wore linen, long dresses and skirts, and truly just clothes that were elevated yet comfortable.

What to Consider When Packing

  • Comfortable Walking Sandals
  • Water-Hybrid Sneakers (I wore TropicFeel Sneakers and they were incredibly cushiony and quick-drying)
  • Linen Pants
  • Lightweight Flowy Skirt
  • Swimwear Cover-Up (for walking around after you visit the lake)
  • Comfortable Bikini
  • Bandana (adds a little extra to an outfit and conceals lake hair like a genuis)
  • Sunglasses
  •  Quick Drying Towel
  • Tote Bag/ Large Purse (you’ll want something to fit your bikini, towel, sunglasses and all other miscallaenous items in)

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Recreate My Look

–Classic Tortoise Oval Sunglasses

– Lightweight Gold Hoops

– Cheeky Metal Swirl Bikini (I adore this swimsuit, it’s so stretchy and comfortable, I feel super confident in it, and it’s so fun)

Exploring Cities

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Guatemala is one of the easiest countries to navigate––most places are extremely walkable and you can get around via Uber or Tuk Tuk (a small motor vehicle). This makes it easier to explore more shops, cultural relics, and maybe even aimlessly stroll the streets. To ensure that you’re getting the most out of your days, you’ll want to make sure that you pack attire that’s not only fun but functional.

What to Consider When Packing

  • Vibrant Cotton Dresses
  • Floral-pattern Dresses
  • Tank Tops paired with long and short skirts
  • Denim (shorts and jeans can be overcast in the March-April months)
  • Sandals/ Flats (dependent on how much you walk)
  • Casual Walking Sneakers
  • Tote Bag/ Fanny Pack
  • White Linen Sets

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Recreate My Outfit

– Classic Tortoise Oval Sunglasses

– Casual Square Neck Tank

– Light Breathable Skirt (I absolutely love this skirt, it’s so versatile and always pulls any outfit together)

– Gemstone Knitted Shoulder Tote Bag (the crossbody I have pictured I bought in Guatemala, but I linked an adorable beachy tote that would compliment the outfit and might even steal the show) 

– Stainless Steel Minimal Hoop Huggie Earrings 

– Stainless Steel Dainty Cuff Bracelet

– Memory Foam Flip Flops 

Visiting Cultural Spaces + Churches + Attending Religious Events

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Visiting Guatemala around Easter-time is one of the most exceptional periods to explore the country. During the week of Semana Santa (hyperlink the spiritual week before Easter Sunday) there are intricate flower-petaled carpets overlaying the cobblestone streets, religious parades each morning, and beautiful Catholic processions.

What no one told me prior to my trip is just how conservative the locals dress on the daily but especially during the week of Semana Santa. Many Guatemalan women wear black and or very traditional colorful clothing while men will also wear black and purple tunics all to symbolize traditional religious practices. While it’s not necessary to replicate what the locals wear during this time, I still wanted to value their space and practices by dressing a bit more conservative.

What to Consider When Packing

  • Long Cotton Dresses/ Skirts
  • Short-sleeved T-shirts
  • Denim Jeans/ Pants
  • Light Jacket
  • Overall Modest Looks

Dinner/ Going Out

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The dinner and night-life scene in Guatemala closely parallels that of the day-time scene: walkable with bar venues all typically in one central-location, live music, and clusters of people. You will find lots of party-hostels, bar crawlers through party hostels, and therefore a party scene of Gen Z’s and Millenials.

I personally wouldn’t recommend exploring Guatemala City at night as a solo-traveler, however, Antigua is very solo-travel friendly. It offers great venues to grab a drink or to sit, eat, and experience all the liveliness that Antigua has to offer.

What to Consider When Packing

  • Denim Jeans
  • Spaghetti Strap Tank Tops
  • Silky or Elevated V-Neck Top
  • Pieces with Flow and Vibrant Colors
  • Fun Mini/ Denim Skirts
  • Light Jackets (Antigua can get a little chilly)
  • Sandals/ Flip Flops/ Platform Shoes (do not pack heels for the cobblestone)

Yoga/ Active Wear

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Guatemala is well-known for its’ yoga retreats found at the Eagles Nest in Lake Atitlán. So many travelers yearn to do sun-rise yoga with the stunning panoramic view of the lake. This venue along with San Marcos (the town in which it’s located), have a very rustic, minimalist, hippie-aesthetic––which is why San Marcos is known as Hippie Town.

You will see lots of people wearing athletic-wear along with quality linen sets, and truthfully just anything that’s breathable and comfortable for them. Out of all of the towns I visited in Guatemala, San Marcos in Lake Atitlán attracted tourists with the best functional-style.

What to Consider When Packing

  • Breathable Shorts
  • Active Tank/ Short-Sleeve
  • Soft-Fabric Sports Bra and Leggings Sets
  • Athletic Fitted Zip-Up
  • Athletic Sneakers/ Sandals

Bonus: Quick Dry Clothing

If you are packing for a Guatemala trip that has a lot of variability, then you most definitely need to pack quick drying clothing. If you are hiking Acatenango ensure that you’re packing performance apparel and items that are lightweight and durable. Fabrics  I recommend bringing along are anything of a synthetic blend, microfiber fabric, or quick-drying material, and anything that you know you can comfortably move in.

Guatemala FAQs

Is Guatemala safe for tourists?

Guatemala is considered to be safe for tourism, specifically Antigua and Lake Atitlán. I would avoid traveling alone at night especially in areas such as Guatemala City.

Is hiking Volcano Acatenango and Fuego hard?

As someone who lives at elevation and is fairly fit and exercises 3-4 times a week, I found hiking Acatenango to be an easy hike. Fuego on the other hand, was difficult, because the mountain is steep, the path is very curvy, and the conditions on the volcano were windy, foggy, and rainy.

Is Guatemala expensive?

In comparison to USD, no Guatemala is not expensive. The average meal is around $3-$5 USD and accommodation for nicer stays starts around $40 USD.

How many days do you need in Guatemala?

Most travelers plan for around 7-12 days to explore Antigua, hike Acatenango, Lake Atitlán, and Tikhal. There is a lot to see in Guatemala, however it’s still doable to experience a good portion of it on a shorter trip.

When is the best time to visit Guatemala?

The best months to visit Guatemala are during their dry season which is from November to April. Keep in mind that late March to early April is one of the busiest times to visit.

Thank you so much for reading my blog on “What to Pack + Wear for Guatemala”. I hope you have more clarity and insight on items to pack for your upcoming trip to beautiful Guatemala. Also check out my blog posts on Outfits to Pack for Costa Rica and Mexico Vacation Outfits.

Per usual I wish you well and happy traveling. See you soon friend!

With Love,

Trin Travels 🍇


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