Must-see nightlife in The Highlands

  • Salón Tecún

    Quetzaltenango

    On the plaza end of the elegant Pasaje Enríquez, alive day and night with a healthy mix of Guatemalans and foreigners quaffing Cabro by the liter, the…

  • Café La Luna

    Quetzaltenango

    For chocolate aficionados, this is a shrine. Made from scratch on the premises, the chocolate is velvety smooth and served in a variety of beverages: the…

  • Crossroads Café

    Panajachel

    This cafe has made Panajachel a major crossroads for coffee aficionados. When he's not roasting beans, the Bay Area owner/head barista spends his time…

  • El Cuartito

    Quetzaltenango

    This offbeat cafe-bar is a point of reference for travelers and language students, with quirky decor and art installations. It serves a good range of…

  • La Palapa

    Panajachel

    As the name suggests, this party center unfolds beneath a thatched-roof shelter (actually two), with a beachy ambience. It's popular with volunteer…

  • Café Las Cristalinas

    San Pedro La Laguna

    To savor a shot of the coffee grown on the surrounding slopes (and roasted here), head for this thatched-roof structure on the way up from the Pana dock…

  • D'Juice Girls

    San Pedro La Laguna

    D'Juice Girls are young Hebrew-speaking Tz'utujil women who squeeze the tropical fruits of Guatemala into supernutritious combos, such as carrot-ginger…

  • Bar Sublime

    San Pedro La Laguna

    Bar Sublime is the current epicenter of San Pedro's party scene. During the day its lakefront terraces are pretty relaxed and you can enjoy good…

  • Pool & Beer

    Quetzaltenango

    There's no mistaking what's on offer at this refreshingly unfashionable spot. The pool tables are worn and the cues crooked, but this ramshackle clubhouse…

  • Café El Balcón del Enríquez

    Quetzaltenango

    With specially designed viewing counters overlooking the Parque Centro América, this lively cafe-bar on the upper level of the Pasaje Enríquez makes a…

  • Pana Rock Café

    Panajachel

    Like a Hard Rock by the lake, this lively little pub hosts plugged-in bands nightly from 9pm. It's popular with Guatemala City youth, who settle in for…

  • King & Queen

    Quetzaltenango

    This tiny pub packs in a mixed crowd, so count on a bilingual evening. Whether there's live music, a heated trivia quiz (Tuesday) or karaoke (Thursday),…

  • El Barrio

    San Pedro La Laguna

    This boisterous pub on the path between the two docks has one of the most happening happy hours in town (5pm to 8pm). Every night has a different theme;…

  • Sunset Café

    Panajachel

    This open-air lounge at the end of Calle Santander is the place to enjoy those dream-like volcano sundowns. In high season, there's live music Friday to…

  • Café Loco

    Panajachel

    This Korean-run cafe is heaven for coffee connoisseurs. The youthful staff set up a formidable range of espresso variations, from 'Brown Cloud' (a small…

  • Student Pub

    Quetzaltenango

    The apt name of this split-level corner joint might describe any of the beer-guzzling, sports-viewing establishments along the south side of the Pasaje…

  • Chapiteau

    Panajachel

    This strobe-lit disco-bar is the anchor of Pana's little Zona Viva. Check out the phantasmagoric marquee before you cross the threshold – if it doesn't…

  • El Aleph

    Panajachel

    DJs keep the multitudes moving here with a spirited mix of bachata, house, salsa and reggaetón. There are as many discount drinks promotions as there are…

  • Alegre Pub

    San Pedro La Laguna

    Some nights are more alegres than others at this long-running upstairs pub at the corner up from the Pana dock, but it remains a watering hole for San…