Table of Contents:

• Where is Guatemala?
• Why Elope in Guatemala?
• Legalities of Getting Married in Guatemala
• When to Elope in Guatemala
• 5 Epic Places to Elope in Guatemala
• 10 Best Guatemala Elopement Ideas
• How to Prepare for Your Guatemala Elopement
• Hiring Your Guatemala Elopement Photographer

I’ve been obsessed with Guatemala ever since I visited last year, trying my absolute hardest to turn it into a popular destination for couples looking for a unique place to elope. Right now, it’s an insanely underrated elopement destination, but I would bet that’s going to change soon—starting with this Guatemala elopement guide that I’ve created to tell you all you need to know! I visited so many incredible places during my trip that I’ve included in a list of the best places to elope in Guatemala, as well as my top travel tips, activity recommendations, and more. Ready to learn about this beautiful country that doesn’t get all the love it deserves?

Where is Guatemala?

We’ll start off with a mini geography lesson, shall we? If you’re not familiar with Guatemala, it’s a Central American country located just south of Mexico, bordered on the west by Belize and El Salvador & Honduras in the south. Home to around 17.6 million people, Guatemala is best known for its unique heritage, spectacular natural beauty, dreamy tropical weather, and it’s unique geological features that make up so many of the country’s landscapes. 

How to Get to Guatemala

Getting to Guatemala is fairly easy, with most major airlines flying directly into La Aurora International Airport in the country’s capital, Guatemala City. It only takes around 5-6 hours to fly to Guatemala from both the West and the East Coast of the US, so it’s a quick trip that doesn’t require crazy long flights or extended layovers in international airports! US citizens are able to visit Guatemala for 90 days without a visa, so no need to get one before your trip—all you’ll need is your good ol’ passport. 

How to Travel Around Guatemala

Once you’ve made it to Guatemala, I highly recommend renting a car at the airport so that you can freely explore during your trip without relying on public transportation. Most locations are accessible by car, but some require a boat ride (including Lake Atitlán, which we’ll be talking about more later in this guide). If you don’t feel like driving at some point during your trip, there are a few other options depending on where you’re located:

• Shuttle buses—these typically run between big tourist destinations
• Uber—available in Guatemala City
• Public buses—such as the Transmetro, a cheap and fast method of transportation in Guatemala City

Why Elope in Guatemala?

I’ve been shouting Guatemala’s praises ever since my trip there last year, trying to show everyone why it’s such an amazing elopement destination. There are seriously SO few people who would ever even think about it when choosing a place to elope—but we’re changing that today!

I’ll tell you right off the bat the two main things I loved about Guatemala during my time there: the unique, vibrant culture and the breathtaking landscapes. I swear the moment my plane touched down in Guatemala City I was taken aback by the natural beauty that seemed to follow me everywhere I went, which makes total sense when you learn that Guatemala actually ranks super high in biological diversity. This means that the country has a huge range of diverse landscapes, including tropical rainforests, alpine forests, volcanoes (inactive and active), lowlands, highlands, beaches, jungles. . . its location on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean makes it the dream blend of every type of landscape you could ask for. 

Want to elope on a black sand beach? Cool—Guatemala has ‘em! 

What about an elopement in the middle of the tropical rainforest? We can make it happen. 

How about a ceremony on top of a literal volcano? Absolutely, definitely doable.

Aside from the wide variety of breathtaking landscapes, Guatemala is also home to a really beautiful culture, featuring a mix of indigenous Mayan, Caribbean, and European influences. All around the country you’ll find delicious traditional foods (you’ll find me munching on empanadas everywhere I go), lively festivals celebrating historic events, gorgeous artwork full of bold colors and unique patterns, and all kinds of landmarks that hold spiritual meaning to locals. The rich diversity of both Guatemala’s landscapes and its people make it a really amazing place to visit, whether you’re eloping or just planning your next vacation!

Legalities of Getting Married in Guatemala

Can Americans get legally married in Guatemala?

Yes, Americans can get legally married in Guatemala!

You essentially have two options:

1. Get legally married in Guatemala and follow local laws & procedures
2. Get legally married in your home country, then have a symbolic ceremony in Guatemala

For couples who want to go with option 1—having a legal ceremony in Guatemala—you’ll need to follow the procedures laid out by the U.S. Embassy of Guatemala. The following documents are required to get married in Guatemala as a US citizen:

• Valid passport
• Valid birth certificate
• Dissolution of previous marriages (if applicable)
• Affidavit of eligibility to marry*

*To get this affidavit that’s required by Guatemalan law, you’ll need to write up your affidavit (more info here) stating that you are free to marry, then have it notarized at the American Embassy (which you can make an appointment through here).

All non-Guatemalan documents (aka all of the above) need to be apostilled before presenting them to a local marriage registrar, which you can do by contacting the Department of State Authentications and Apostilles Office, or the Secretary of State in your home state. Guatemalan law also requires all foreigners to publish an announcement in the official newspaper for two weeks before your marriage.

For couples who want to go with option 2—having a solely symbolic ceremony in Guatemala—you’ll simply need to go through the process of getting a marriage license in your home state before heading to Guatemala. I would say this is technically the easier option, as it doesn’t require you to go through the process of getting an affidavit notarized by the U.S. Embassy of Guatemala, or getting all of your documents apostilled. You’ll do all the paperwork before leaving the US, then have a symbolic, non-legal ceremony during your trip to Guatemala. It’s completely up to you, though, and if it’s important to you to get legally married in Guatemala, then we can absolutely make that happen!

When to Elope in Guatemala

When is the best time of year to elope in Guatemala?

Guatemala has two distinct seasons, the dry season (November-March) and the rainy season (April-October)—but I actually love how this article describes the seasons more accurately as “dusty” and “muddy” instead. Dry season is without a doubt the best time to elope in Guatemala, assuming you’d like to spend time exploring the outdoors and enjoying all the natural beauty that Guatemala has to offer. However, it’s good to keep in mind that this season is also peak tourist season, meaning you’ll often be met with larger crowds (especially at very touristy spots) and higher prices!

November-March are a great time to elope in Guatemala if you want to:

• Hike a volcano
• Explore national parks
• Visit Mayan sites
• Enjoy the beaches
• Swim in a lake
• Participate in festivals
• See the wildflowers
• Go on a coffee tour

Guatemala’s rainiest months are June-August, which don’t get quite as busy as the November-March high season but definitely see a lot of tourists. Despite the rain, these months are great for:

• Seeing wildlife (including turtles!)
• Hiking to lookouts for clear-sky views
• Hiking volcanoes
• Visiting ruins
• Floating down rivers

For couples who would rather elope during Guatemala’s slower seasons with fewer tourists, April-May and September-October are going to be your best bet. These low seasons bookend the rainy season, meaning the weather can be a bit unpredictable. But if you’re up for some possibly rainy weather, then the cheaper accommodations, gorgeous landscapes, and slower atmosphere are so worth it! This is the best time to elope if you want:

• Fewer crowds
• Cheaper costs
• Slower pace
• Vibrant, lush greenery
• Less rain than the rainy season
• Sunny mornings

5 Epic Places to Elope in Guatemala

Now it’s time to show you all the beautiful places I’d recommend eloping in Guatemala—some of which I visited during my own time there, and some of which I haven’t gotten the chance to yet but am SO stoked to explore next time around.

Antigua

I’m totally obsessed with this colorful Spanish colonial town, located in Guatemala’s central highlands. Home to a variety of breathtaking architectural ruins and surrounded by volcanoes, Antigua will transport you to another time with its colorful homes, baroque architecture, and historic buildings. It’s pretty close to Guatemala City, making it a very accessible place to elope if you want to stay near the capital city and everything it has to offer. The food scene in Antigua is incredible, with plenty of cuisine both international and local, as well as a wide selection of cafes, bars, and restaurants to explore. I can’t say enough about all the ruins in Antigua that would make for the perfect elopement backdrop—some of my favorites include La Casa de La Ruina, Convento Santa Clara (where the photos throughout this blog post were shot), and San Jeronimo Hermitage. Convento Santa Clara is a former convent built in the early 1700s that is now a stunning wedding venue, transporting lovers and guests through centuries; such a beautiful elopement location!

Lake Atitlán

Known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlán’s immense backdrop of vibrant blue water and surrounding volcanoes make for jaw-dropping scenery that just screams “adventure elopement.” Waking up to one of the surrounding volcanoes puffing out smoke as the sun rose behind it was one of the most insane experiences of my life, and I immediately saw how it earned its title! Between ziplining, horseback riding, or ATV’ing through coffee plantations, kayaking, paddleboarding, paragliding, hiking, rock climbing, and yoga retreats, there are endless things to do at Lake Atitlán that would be incredible additions to your elopement itinerary. 

There are a few towns, villages, and communities that line the shores of the lake, including Panajachel, San Pedro, San Marcos, and San Juan. Each town has its own unique vibe, some with a more holistic atmosphere that are known for hosting yoga retreats + having acai bowls readily available at restaurants, and some that are more known for their nightlife + parties. Lake Atitlán is truly the perfect elopement location and its view are a must-see during your time in Guatemala!

Semuc Champey

I myself haven’t been to Semuc Champey yet, but I’ve heard so many amazing things that I just had to include it on this list. It’s a bit further from Guatemala City and the main international airport than the other locations we’ve talked about so far, but its beauty makes it all worth it! Located near the Q’eqchi’ Maya town of Lanquín, Semuc Champey is a natural monument featuring a gorgeous limestone bridge over the Cahabón River, bright turquoise pools, stunning views, and mysterious caves. Whether you’d like to hike up to the wildly beautiful viewpoint, hang out in the pools, check out the waterfalls, explore the caves (or all three), Semuc Champey is a really unique place to elope, and is unlike anything else you’ll ever see.

Black sand beaches

Funny that I just wrote a guide to eloping in Iceland, because Iceland and Guatemala have something really cool in common: their black sand beaches! Guatemala has quite a few black sand beaches up and down its pacific coast, but I’d recommend visiting Monterrico and El Paredon, both of which are near Antigua. El Paredon is a great beach for surfing if that’s something you’d like to include in your elopement, while Monterrico is not somewhere you’d want to swim due to the very strong tides. Can you imagine standing in the middle of a scenic black sand beach in your elopement attire, after having exchanged your vows or maybe spending some time exploring Antigua? Epic!

On a volcano

Want an elopement completely different from anyone else’s? Do it on an active volcano! 

Hiking a volcano is one of the coolest and by far most adventurous ways to elope in Guatemala! Guatemala currently has three active volcanoes, and you can hike to the top to see lava pouring out. Volcán de Fuego has been active since early 2002, and you can hike up to the top to spend the night on Fuego’s next door neighbor, Volcán Acatenango. If you’re suuuper lucky, you might even have bright orange lava as a backdrop for your ceremony—seriously, what a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Although this is a super epic elopement option, this hike isn’t for the faint of heart. I’ve done it (and would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant photographing an elopement up there), but it’s not an easy hike. Altitude sickness is fairly common too, so keep that in mind, and be realistic about your abilities + whether or not this hike would be a good option for you on your elopement day!

10 Best Guatemala Elopement Ideas

1. Go rock climbing on limestone boulders

2. Hike to the top of an active volcano and roast marshmallows from the heat

(Seriously—I did this and it was pretty wild)

3. Ride on horseback through a coffee farm

4. Shop for locally-mined jade

5. Go surfing at a black sand beach

6. Visit the historic Mayan ruins

7. Go ziplining over the Atitlán Nature Reserve

8. Go cliff jumping, kayaking, or paddleboarding at Lake Atitlán

9. Shop at the local markets for textiles & delicious food

10. Enjoy traditional food in Xela (Quetzaltenango) 

How to Prepare for Your Guatemala Elopement

Let’s wrap this up with a few final Guatemala travel tips to keep in mind as you plan + prepare for your Guatemala elopement!

1. The US Dollar is widely accepted, but I’d suggest having some Guatemalan Quetzals (GTQ) on hand just in case. The exchange rate as of the time of writing this is 7.71 GTQ to 1 USD.
2. Pack layers, no matter what season you’re visiting. Even during the warmer months, you’d be surprised at how quickly the temperatures can drop at night. 
3. Get the proper vaccines before you travel. The shots you’ll need depending on where you’re coming from, but it’s usually recommended that you’re up to date on your typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies, flu, and TDaP shots.
4. Bring bug spray! There are LOTS of mosquitos in Guatemala, and certain parts of the country are home to mosquitos that carry diseases such as malaria. I’d recommend bringing your own bug spray that you know is effective, rather than buying a locally-sold spray.
5. Avoid drinking the tap water, as it isn’t safe to drink. Stick to bottled water instead.

Hiring Your Guatemala Elopement Photographer

If this all feels a little overwhelming, don’t worry—as your Guatemala elopement photographer, I’ll be there to provide stress-free planning support, customized location suggestions, and all of my best tips from my own time exploring Guatemala. You won’t be on your own planning your elopement in this breathtaking country, whether your itinerary is full of adventures, looks a little more laid-back, or is the best of both worlds. Fill out my contact form to take the first step toward planning the elopement adventure of a lifetime!