Guatemala Travel Guide
- Two Seats Reserved
- Jan 26
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 27
A Perfect 2 Weeks in Guatemala: Travel Itinerary
3 days – Lake Atitlan
2 days – Volcano hike
3 days – Antigua
3 days – Rio Dulce
3 days - Flores
Guatemala Travel Guide: At a Glance
Best Time to Visit: November–April is the dry season, with warm days, clear skies and ideal hiking conditions.
How Long Do You Need?: Two weeks gives you that sweet spot — temples, volcanoes, lakes, jungle time and proper chill moments.
Currency: Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ).
Language: Spanish.
Budget Level: Generally affordable — food, buses and accommodation cater for backpackers through to boutique luxury.
Visa Info: Most nationalities get 90 days on arrival, but always double‑check your passport rules.
Must‑See
Top 3 Landmarks
Acatenango & Fuego Volcanos – the smoking giants that dominate the Antigua skyline.
Tikal – the mighty Mayan city rising out of the jungle.
Lake Atitlán – the iconic crater lake surrounded by three towering volcanos.
Hidden Gems
La Tortilla Cooking School, Antigua – our first ever cooking class and what an introduction. Fun, immersive, Spanish‑learning by accident, and bottomless wine (a genuinely excellent combo).
Bistro Puertas del Cielo, Flores – Bernie, the chef and all‑round fascinating human, curates a bespoke dish based on you. His chefs whip up some of the best food we had in Guatemala.
Personal Favourite Moment: Celebrating our wedding anniversary on top of a volcano with a glass of wine while Fuego burbled away in the distance — hard to top that.
Practical Logistics
Getting Around Guatemala
Chicken buses are colourful, chaotic and full of character — you’ll share your journey with sellers, buskers and the occasional preacher. They’re not the most comfortable, but they are part of the adventure. Tourist minibuses run everywhere and are easy to book via 12Go or locally.
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Days 1–3: Lake Atitlán
One of Guatemala’s crown jewels — a vast crater lake framed by dramatic volcanoes and dotted with vibrant Mayan towns. The water glimmers blue at sunrise, gold at sunset, and everything in between feels like a postcard.
Things to Do in Lake Atitlán
Town‑hopping by lancha: Visit San Pedro La Laguna and San Juan La Laguna for colourful streets, weaving cooperatives and local life. Lanchas run all day and are quick, cheap and surprisingly fun.
Kayaking & swimming: Hire kayaks easily from most lakefront spots and paddle across calm morning waters.
Breakfast at Idea Connection (San Pedro): Fresh food, garden setting, and often live morning music — a dreamy slow start to the day.
Indian Nose Viewpoint: Sunrise or sunset hikes offer spectacular panoramic views.
How to Get to Lake Atitlán
Most travellers arrive via Panajachel, the main transport hub. From there, lanchas shuttle you to your chosen town for $2–$5.
We travelled in from Santa Ana (El Salvador) via Ahuachapán, walked across the border at Frontera las Chinamas, and hopped a chicken bus into Guatemala City. A late arrival meant an Uber across to Antigua before catching a shuttle to the lake the next morning — long but brilliant local travel.
Where to Stay
San Pedro La Laguna – bigger, lively, great restaurants, plenty of hostels and shops.
La Casa del Mundo – a dreamlike cliffside hotel near Santa Cruz La Laguna; perfect for downtime.
Other towns worth considering: Panajachel (most connected), San Marcos La Laguna (spiritual and serene), Santa Cruz La Laguna (quiet, stunning views), Jaibalito (tiny and peaceful).
Days 4–8: Antigua & Volcano Hike
Antigua is everything you want in a small colonial city — cobbled streets, pastel buildings, rooftop bars, artisan shops and volcano views that stop you mid‑sentence. Fuego sits in the distance puffing away like it's posing for photos.
Things to Do in Antigua
Fuego & Acatenango Overnight Hike: A tough but unmissable experience. Tour companies (Ox Expeditions, Wicho & Charlie’s, Lava Trails) run similar setups — store your big bags, carry your gear, brace for the cold, enjoy camp meals and revel in outrageous volcanic views. The altitude is real; headaches struck everyone in our group, but hydration and steady pacing helped.
Sunrise summit on Acatenango: A freezing start but one of the most beautiful sunrises we’ve ever seen.
Explore the UNESCO‑listed town:
Arco de Santa Catalina
Iglesia de La Merced
Cerro de la Cruz for sweeping town views
Eat & Drink:
27 Adentro: top-tier food in a gorgeous setting.
Hector’s Bistro & Deli: great for snacks or a longer dinner.
Ta’Cool Tacos: amazing pastor tacos and unbeatable value.
Antigua Brewing Company (ABC): rooftop, live music, locally brewed beers.
Cook Guatemalan cuisine at La Tortilla — bottomless wine included, which always helps.
How to Get to Antigua
Antigua is well-connected to Lake Atitlán and Guatemala City via shared shuttles. Taxis and Ubers also run between the cities. Longer transfers usually route through Guatemala City, which has both domestic and international flights.
Where to Stay in Antigua
Selina Antigua – great location, excellent amenities and a pool you’ll be grateful for after the volcano trek.
Other good options:
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo – a restored monastery with beautiful grounds.
Mesón Panza Verde – stylish boutique hotel with an artsy touch.
Days 9–11: Río Dulce
A relaxing change of pace — jungle‑lined rivers, lakes and a scattering of hidden lodges accessible only by boat.
Things to Do in Río Dulce
Do very little — you’ve likely hiked a volcano or explored Tikal recently, so this is your recharge zone.
Visit Livingston on the Caribbean coast, home to the Garifuna community — expect vibrant culture, coastal vibes and a completely different energy to the interior.
Lancha journey to Livingston: A beautiful ride passing Lake El Golfete and into narrowing river cliffs draped in jungle greens.
Kayak the mangroves – most accommodation comes with free kayaks to explore the mangroves around the area.
How to Get to Río Dulce
Easily reached from Guatemala City, Antigua, or Flores via bus or shuttle. Journey times vary, but it’s a popular transport corridor so options are frequent.
Where to Stay
Boatique Hotel & Marina – 10 minutes by boat from town, dreamy sunset views, dorms on stilts, hammocks, yoga mats and delicious food (the nachos are gigantic — consider sharing).
Other options:
Tortugal Boutique River Lodge – wooden cabins right on the river.
Banana Palms Hotel – resort-style with pools and lake views.
Days 12–14: Flores
Isla de Flores is small, colourful and perfectly placed for Tikal adventures. Think cobblestone streets, pastel walls, rooftop bars and golden lake sunsets.
Things to Do in Flores
Tikal Mayan Ruins: The kind of place that reminds you how small you are — ancient temples rising above dense jungle, howler monkeys calling overhead, and a real sense of magic. Tours run all day, but sunrise is quiet, cool and unforgettable.
Sunset Drinks: Head to the western rooftops for cocktails with a view.
Lancha trips across Lake Petén Itzá: Visit Petencito Zoo, Jorge’s Rope Swing, or Mirador Rey Canek.
Dinner at Bistro Puertas del Cielo for the Bernie experience as mentioned in our hidden gems.
How to Get to Flores
Buses, shuttles and domestic flights connect Flores to Belize, Guatemala City, and Río Dulce. Travel times vary but the routes are well established and easy to organise locally.
Where to Stay
Los Amigos Hostel – central, social, good food and a helpful travel desk.
Plenty of other hostels and hotels for all budgets.
Food & Drink
Classic Guatemalan dishes to try:
Pepián – rich spiced stew (often chicken).
Rellenitos – sweet plantain filled with chocolate and fried.
Atol de Elote – warm, sweet corn drink.
Jocon – chicken cooked in a tangy green tomatillo sauce.
Tamales – steamed masa parcels wrapped in leaves.
The Final Verdict
Who is this for? Honestly anyone — Guatemala blends adventure with comfort beautifully. Transport is easy, accommodation ranges from basic to boutique, and there’s real soul everywhere you go. Do note: some activities (like Acatenango) may not suit young kids or travellers with mobility challenges, but there’s still plenty to enjoy.
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