The Top 7 Souvenirs to Bring Back From Guatemala

A great present for the rum-lovers in your life, or a wonderful souvenir for yourself, is a bottle of Guatemala’s most famous rum. Renowned the world over for its complex flavors, Ron Zacapa is sure to go down a storm.

Less complex than Ron Zacapa, and a whole lot cheaper, is the traditional aguardiente called Quetzalteca. It comes in different flavors, such as tamarind and hibiscus, and the iconic bottles make for good ornaments.

Perhaps the country’s most famous export is its coffee, which grows in a huge number of different microclimates. Pick up some beans from smaller producers such as Finca El Injerto and impress your caffeine-loving friends.

Guatemala is also home to jade mines, and the precious stone has been used in jewelry since pre-Columbian times. Buy a ring or necklace with jade for a distinctive gift. Antigua Guatemala is home to various jade shops where you can see myriad designs.

Visitors to Guatemala cannot fail to notice the eye-popping textiles still worn by indigenous Mayan communities, many of whom produce traditional textiles for sale. You can get anything from shirts to rugs, but table runners are a good size for packing in your luggage while showing off the artistry of the weavers. Buy handmade if you can afford it.

You will also see Mayan pottery all over the country, and it makes for a great souvenir. Don’t worry if you haven’t got much spare room in your bag; there are pieces available in all different sizes. The market at Chichicastenango is a great place to shop for pottery and other souvenirs.

Brightly painted masks are another popular souvenir in Guatemala, and they make for good decorations. Head to Nim Pot in Antigua to see a huge selection of masks of different sizes.