There are many first-class hotels in Guatemala City and throughout the country. Many offer excellent restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Antigua Guatemala also has a good choice of hotels. Chichicastenango, Cobán, Panajachel (near Lake Atitlán), Puerto Barrios and Quetzaltenango have a reasonable selection of hotels, although elsewhere accommodation is more limited. Registered hotels are required to display room rates.

Inexpensive guest houses are found in all the main towns and tourist areas.

Spanish language schools and voluntary work schemes often offer their students or participants the opportunity to stay with local families. This is a relatively cheap option and is a great way to get under the skin of the local culture.

There are a few campsites dotted around the country but facilities are usually basic. A popular excursion is to stay overnight in camping grounds on the still active Pacaya volcano to see the glow of the ashes and lava from the volcano's eruptions. Around Lake Atitlán, camping is permitted only in designated areas.

The Guatemala Tourism Institute (INGUAT) lists hotels online (website: www.visitguatemala.com).