Here’s a suggested travel itinerary for Guatemala that includes the charming Antigua, the stunning Lake Atitlán, and the historic Tikal.
Why Travel To Guatemala
- Ancient civilization
- Fascinating historical sites and ruins
- Colorful colonial towns
- Indigenous villages
- Varied landscape
- Unique culture
- Friendly locals
- Value for money
Guatemala Itinerary Map
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A:Guatemala-City B:Antigua C:Lake-Atitlán D:Tikal
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Guatemala Travel Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala City, Transfer to Antigua
- Day 2: Explore Antigua
- Day 3: Hike Volcano Pacaya
- Day 4: Travel to Panajachel (Lake Atitlán)
- Day 5: Explore Lake Atitlán and Indigenous Villages
- Day 6: Visit Chichicastenango
- Day 7: Travel to Tikal
- Day 8: Explore Tikal's Mayan Ruins
- Day 9: Depart
If you've got few more days then consider also visiting Semuc Champay to enjoy stunning scenery and adventure sports.
Best Time To Visit Guatemala
The best time to visit Guatemala is between November and April when the conditions are dry.
Guatemala Top Experiences
- Fascinating ancient Tikal ruins
- Indigenous villages around Lake Atitlán
- Colorful colonial town of Antigua
Day 1: Arrive In Guatemala City, Transfer to Antigua
After flying into Guatemala City, take the transport to Antigua which is under an hour drive. Antigua is a charming little city in the central highlands of Guatemala with a rich history. Antigua served as the capital of Spanish Colonial Guatemala until it was abandoned in the 1700s due to a catastrophic earthquake. Today, the city is well-known for its lovely Baroque architecture, fascinating church ruins, and charming cobblestone streets. It's also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Best area to stay in Antigua: The area of El Caseo (Historic Center) is the best place to stay in Antigua. The Historic Center of Antigua is home to the main colonial buildings, museums and historic churches of the city.
Once you reach Antigua, settle down into your hotel. If you're not too tired then stroll through the charming cobblestone streets of the city. Don't miss the chance to admire the iconic Santa Catalina Arch, a beautiful structure dating back to the 17th century.
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| Santa Catalina Arch (Antigua) |
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| Antigua |
Day 2: Explore Antigua
- Begin your day by exploring the charming baroque-style Catholic church, Iglesia de la Merced, which opened its doors in 1767. Be sure to check out the stunning Fountain of los Pescados located inside.
- Then visit Cathedral of San José which has been damaged due to many earthquakes. Also visit Iglesia de San Francisco which is also one of many ruined churches in the city and often visited by the pilgrims.
- Then head over to the Casa Santo Domingo Museum, which is also a hotel. This exceptional property features a top-notch museum, fascinating ruins, beautiful gardens, and comfortable accommodations.
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| Iglesia de la Merced (Antigua) |
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| Fountain at Iglesia de la Merced (Antigua) |
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| Iglesia de San Francisco (Antigua) |
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| Hotel Casa Santo Domingo |
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| El Carmen Church Ruins (Antigua) |
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Day 3: Hike Pacaya Volcano
Start your day with a guided Pacaya Volcano Tour. The hike will offer you a chance to see hot lava and volcanic ash. Pacaya is an active volcano in Guatemala, which first erupted approximately 23,000 years ago and has erupted at numerous times since the Spanish conquest of Guatemala. Please check for any red alert/warnings issued for the volcano before visiting.
If hiking isn't your preference, then consider joining a guided tour of a coffee plantation instead. Antigua has perfect conditions for coffee cultivation and produces some of the finest premium coffee in Guatemala.
Once you’re back from the tour, take some time to relax and then spend rest of your day wandering the streets Antigua.
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| Pacaya Volcano |
(Above photo by Airbagfailure at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons)
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| Pacaya Volcano Hike |
Day 4: Transfer to Panajachel (Lake Atitlán)
Travel to the charming town of Panajachel, which is approximately a 2.5-hour drive from Antigua. Panajachel is situated on the Northeast side of Lake Atitlán, and will be your base for exploring the lovely Lake Atitlán area.Panajachel was a popular destination for the hippies back in the 1970s. Nowadays, it serves as a convenient base for the travelers looking to take day trips around Lake Atitlán. The town is full of Spanish language schools, yoga studios, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and cafés.
Spend the rest of the day walking through Panajachel's lovely streets, experiencing everything it has to offer.
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| Panajachel |
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| Lake Atitlán |
Day 5: Explore Lake Atitlán
Lake Atitlán is one of the most mystical places in Guatemala. Atitlán is the deepest lake in Central America and one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
Lake Atitlán is surrounded by several indigenous Mayan communities. The villages of San Pedro, San Juan, and Santiago are among the most well-known around the lake. Consider joining a guided Lake Atitlán Tour to explore these vibrant villages and learn about their culture and the way of life.
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| Lake Atitlán |
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| San Juan La Laguna (Lake Atitlán) |
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| San Juan La Laguna (Lake Atitlán) |
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| San Juan La Laguna (Lake Atitlán) |
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| Church of St. Peter at San Pedro La Laguna (Lake Atitlán) |
Day 6: Visit Chichicastenango
Start your day with a trip to the lively town of Chichicastenango, located just over an hour's drive from Panajachel. Book your round-trip transfer from Panajachel in advance. Chichicastenango is famous for its lively and colorful market, which operates on Thursdays and Sundays. Here, you'll find a variety of vendors offering handicrafts, delicious food, flowers, pottery, wooden boxes, spices, textiles, etc. It's a fantastic spot to immerse yourself in the rich Mayan culture. You can also visit 400 year old Church of Santo Tomás, which is located right next to the market.
Alternatively you can choose to spend the day exploring more of any of the villages around the lake or getting involved in some activities like hiking, yoga, etc.
Once you're back in Panajachel, relax for a bit and end your day with a nice dinner.
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| Chichicastenango |
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| Iglesia de Santo Tomás (Chichicastenango) |
Day 7: Travel to Tikal
Take a short domestic flight to the town of Flores in northern Guatemala. You would need to transfer first to Guatemala City from Panajachel, to take the flight to Flores. Tikal is around 64 km from Flores where the airport is located. Alternatively you can also travel to Flores from Panajachel via road.
Where to stay in Tikal: You have the option to choose between staying in a hotel in Flores or one that is conveniently located near the Tikal archaeological site. It's important to keep in mind that any hotel near the archaeological site will be situated within the protected jungle area. Be sure to do your research to understand the advantages and disadvantages of staying in a hotel located in this special environment.
Tikal stands out as the largest and the most well-preserved Mayan city in Mesoamerica. It served as the capital of a powerful conquest state, becoming one of the most influential kingdoms of the ancient Maya civilization. While some of the impressive architecture at Tikal dates back to the 4th century BCE, the city truly flourished during the Classic Period, which spanned from 200 CE to 900 CE. There are approximately 3,000 structures in Tikal, including temples, terraces, ceremonial platforms, and plazas to explore.
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| Tikal main plaza during winter solstice celebrations |
(Above photo by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen - Own work by uploader, http://bjornfree.com/galleries.html, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14585666)
Day 8: Explore Tikal
For most visitors, one full day is sufficient to explore the main highlights of Tikal. The main highlights include the six impressive pyramids and temples, known as Temples I–VI, with some of them towering over 200 feet. You can consider joining the Tikal Guided Tour if you're staying in Flores.
Travel Tip: Some of the things to consider before visiting Tikal would be: 1) Do you prefer to explore on your own or with a guide?; 2) Would you like to be there for sunrise or sunset?. Make sure to wear appropriate shoes for walking and climbing. To handle the heat, don't forget to bring sunscreen, hat and water. Using bug spray is also recommended to help keep those annoying mosquitoes away.
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| Great Jaguar Temple (Tikal) |
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| Tikal |
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| Tikal |
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| Stela 16 (Tikal) |
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| Tikal |
Day 9: Depart
Depart from Tikal/Flores to your destination.
What to Shop In Guatemala
Guatemala is known for textiles, ceramics, Jade jewelry, masks, coffee and rum.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this itinerary! Feel free to share your questions or suggestions in the comments section below.
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