Map of Guatemala – Departments, Cities & Location Guide
Explore Guatemala with this interactive map of its departments, cities, highlands, lakes and coastlines. Zoom in to locate Guatemala City, Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlán and the northern Petén region, or zoom out to see the country's position in Central America and its connections to surrounding countries.
Guatemala lies between Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. Its landscape ranges from volcanic mountains and highland towns to tropical forests, Pacific coastal plains and a short Caribbean coastline.
Guatemala is in Central America, immediately south of Mexico. Its capital is Guatemala City, and it has 22 departments. The country borders Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, with access to both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Interactive map | Regions and cities | Landmarks | FAQs
Zoom and move around to explore departments, cities, lakes, mountains and neighbouring countries.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map features and labels may change.
Where Is Guatemala Located?
Guatemala occupies the northern part of Central America. Mexico borders it to the north and west, Belize to the northeast, and Honduras and El Salvador to the east and southeast. The Pacific Ocean lies to the south, while the Caribbean coastline is around the Gulf of Honduras.
The country covers approximately 108,889 square kilometres. The mountainous south and centre contrast with the flatter northern lowlands. This variation helps explain why road journeys between destinations can take longer than a simple distance on the map suggests.
Guatemala Regions, Departments and Cities
Guatemala is divided into 22 departments, not states. The table identifies useful geographic areas and major places rather than listing every department.
| Area | Places and features |
|---|---|
| Central region | Guatemala City, the capital and largest urban centre, plus surrounding valleys. |
| Antigua and highlands | Antigua Guatemala, volcanic scenery, highland towns and historic architecture. |
| Western highlands | Quetzaltenango, Chichicastenango and communities around Lake Atitlán. |
| Petén | Large northern department with Flores, rainforest and the Tikal archaeological site. |
| Caribbean and east | Izabal, Puerto Barrios, Livingston and Lake Izabal. |
| Pacific lowlands | Escuintla and coastal routes, with agricultural land and beach communities. |
Regional descriptions are broad geographic groupings. Official departmental boundaries may not be visible at every map zoom level.
Landmarks to Find on the Guatemala Map
- Antigua Guatemala: Historic city known for colonial-era streets and buildings, near several volcanoes.
- Lake Atitlán: Highland lake surrounded by volcanoes and lakeside towns including Panajachel.
- Tikal: Major ancient Maya archaeological site in Petén, within a forested national park.
- Volcán de Fuego: Active volcano near Antigua; conditions and access can change rapidly.
- Semuc Champey: Natural limestone pools in Alta Verapaz, in central-northern Guatemala.
- Flores: Lakeside city on Lake Petén Itzá, often used as a base for visiting Tikal.
Roads, Airports and Travel Connections
Major roads connect Guatemala City with Antigua, the western highlands, Pacific coast and eastern border crossings. Mountain terrain, weather and traffic can affect journey times. The Pan-American Highway is an important regional road corridor.
La Aurora International Airport serves Guatemala City, while Mundo Maya International Airport serves the Flores area in Petén. Use current airline and transport information for routes and schedules. The map is useful for orientation but does not provide live traffic or road closures.
What This Guatemala Map Helps You Explore
- Find the capital and major regional cities.
- Compare the highlands, tropical north and coastal lowlands.
- Locate Lake Atitlán, Tikal and other visitor landmarks.
- See the borders and nearby Central American countries.
- Understand the approximate distances between destinations.
Related Maps and Location Guides
Guatemala Map FAQs
Where is Guatemala on the world map?
Guatemala is in northern Central America, south of Mexico and west of Honduras.
What is the capital of Guatemala?
Guatemala City is the capital and the country's largest urban centre.
How many departments does Guatemala have?
Guatemala has 22 departments, which are its principal administrative divisions.
Which countries border Guatemala?
Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador share land borders with Guatemala.
Does Guatemala have two coastlines?
Yes. Guatemala has a Pacific coastline and a shorter Caribbean coastline.
Where are Tikal and Lake Atitlán?
Tikal is in northern Petén. Lake Atitlán lies in the western highlands, in Sololá department.
Can this map provide driving directions?
Use it to identify locations and routes, then check a live navigation service for actual directions and conditions.
Disclaimer
For general geographic information only. Maps, boundaries, roads and landmarks may be approximate or outdated. Do not rely on this page for navigation, emergencies, legal boundaries or official decisions. Check current travel conditions and advice. Third-party mapping services are independent; links do not imply affiliation or endorsement.