Guatemala is an incredibly beautiful Central American country with so much to see and do, including climbing active volcanos, enjoying local coffee, exploring the rich history of Mayan culture and relaxing by one of the most spectacular lakes! This short, ten day itinerary is perfect for just a taste of the country and includes all of these incredible experiences for you.
Day 1:
Flying to Guatemala City International Airport is the closest access point to the city of Antigua. We booked our transfer through GuateGo.com and took a shared mini-bus. There are also private transfer options if preferred. Check into your accommodation, Antigua is rather small with most places are within walking distance.
Finish off the day by enjoying a drink at a rooftop bar and watching the sunset. On a clear day, you might even be able to spot an erupting volcano in the distance! Antigua Brewing Company has an excellent rooftop space.
Day 2 – 3:
Over the next two days explore everything Antigua has to offer. It is a beautiful city with a rich history. Its laid-back nature is inviting and makes relaxing very easy here. My top 5 recommendations of things to do while in Antigua are…
- If you know anything about me know I love love love food. My top recommendation is to indulge in a traditional Guatemalan meal at Rinconcito Antigueno! Flame-grilled chicken with roasted potatoes and salad was incredible. Such a simple meal, but I cannot stress enough how delicious it was that we had to go back. Hand-making pita bread out the front of the shop there was almost always a line out the front went walking past.
- Walk from town to Cerro De La Cruz. A short walk through the gardens from the city centre brings you to the Cerro De La Cruz. The tall cross, standing over the city, offers an excellent viewpoint of not only the town but also the surrounding volcanoes on a clear day.
- Visit some ruins and learn about the history of Antigua! We visited the stunning Cathedral De San Jose and had a guided tour, which gave us information about not only the ruins but also the city and some Mayan culture. Due to past destructive earthquakes, there are plenty of other ruins around the city. Another popular one to see is the Convento Santa Clara.
- Take a walk through town and visit the Arco de Santa Catalina
- Spend some time perusing the shops and street vendors around The Parque Central
Day 4 and 5:
Tick off a bucket-list item and climb an active volcano! The overnight Acatenango hike is hands down one of my favourite memories ever. It is a challenging hike that takes you to the peak of Acatenango, a volcano that last erupted in 1972. The spectacular views from the camp at the top offer views of Volcan Fuego erupting overnight, you can see the lava running down the side. As well as spectacular sunrise and sunset views from the camp at the top of the mountain. For an extra challenge, there is the option to partake in the additional hike across to Fuego to get that much closer to the action.
I travelled with Wicho Charlies tour as a guided hike, the company was simply incredible. To read more about this experience click here for my full Acatenango Hike Blog.
This was the number 1 thing to do in Antigua, the entire experience was just incredible!
Day 6
After the hike, take a slow morning to recover and sleep in. Gautemala is known for its excellent coffee and is a major exporter. Enjoy a coffee in one of the many cute cafes around the city!
The rest of the day will be used as a travel day. From Antigua across to Lake Atitlan is approximately a 2.5-hour bus ride. We booked a minibus using GauteGo, which made the travel easy.
Lake Atitlan is the largest and deepest lake in Central America, with eleven different communities situated on its shores. The area primarily uses boats to travel between towns. The lake is surrounded by incredible mountains boasting spectacular scenery.
To read more about my Lake Atitlan experience and recommendations click here.
You are dropped off in Panajachel, the largest transport hub around the lake. From here, walk down the village dock to catch a water taxi across to San Marcos to base yourself for the next 3 days on the lake.
Day 7 – 10:
Spend the next three days exploring all the lake has to offer, using the water taxis to navigate across the lake to visit other communities. There is heaps to do and see at the lake, and three days will only scratch the surface. Here are some suggestions on how to spend your time…
- Visit San Juan
Take a day trip across to San Juan. The gorgeous streets are lined with market stalls and local art galleries. This village has a heavy focus on art. This was such a beautiful town with many decorated streets and street art!
- Visit San Marcos National Park
For 15 Guatemalan Quetzales entry fees, you can take a walk through the incredible lakeside national park. In the middle of the park, there is a 12m and 6m platform where you can cliff jump from. This was so much fun; I definitely recommend taking the jump!
- Kayak or paddle board on the lake!
Some accommodations provide kayaks or paddle boards for guests to use. Otherwise, there are plenty of places around to hire kayaks from. Enjoy the lake from a different perspective, this is the perfect way to enjoy a sunny day!
- Take a hike
There are options for everybody to hike around the lake, ranging in difficulty and length. A popular option is the Indian nose hike for the best view at a high point over the lake. You do need to book with a company for a guided tour along this trail, and it requires an early morning wake-up! For those less ambitious Mirador Kaqasiiwaan in San Juan is a short but steep ascent to look over the village. The path is lined with multiple small vendors for you to enjoy an ice-cream or cold drink along your hike!
Beyond this itinerary, there is so much more to see and do in Guatemala. This is an ideal 10-day itinerary to get a taste of the country and tick off a bucket item such as climbing an active volcano.