Guatemala has been gaining more popularity over the last few years, drawing in adventure travelers all over the world. If you love a good mix of culture, nature, & relaxation then this is the perfect itinerary for you. I spent 2 weeks in Guatemala solo and I couldn’t recommend it more. In fact, I dream of going back every.single.day.
Best Time to Visit Guatemala
Most people opt to visit during dry season from November to April. I chose to visit in December and the weather was great! That being said, there are microclimates throughout the country so you can still get rainy days during the dry season.
Is Guatemala Safe?
As a solo female traveler, I felt very safe during my trip. I also came across lots of other solo travelers. I did only spend time in the tourist areas though so do your research about each location as crime varies from city to city. Exercise the same caution as you would anywhere you visit.
Transportation in Guatemala
There are lots of different ways to get around in Guatemala. It all depends on your itinerary, budget, & experience. If you are visiting popular places like Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Tikal, and Semuc Champey there are lots of tourist shuttles that will get you to these destinations. If you’re looking for a shuttle to go from Guatemala City Airport to Antigua you can book this shuttle online.
Guatemala By Shuttle
I personally chose to get around using the shared tourist shuttles, they are relatively affordable (generally around $30-40 USD for 2-8 hrs) and you can reserve them ahead of time online
Hire a Private Driver
Lots of tourists visiting Guatemala choose to hire a private driver throughout or for a portion of their trip. This option makes sense for groups or families. This is a great option to have a more personal experience with a local. Lots of private drivers speak English, or you could use this as your opportunity to learn Spanish 🙂
Other Transportation Options:
Car Rental or Uber: I used Uber to go short distances in Antigua. Car Rentals are also available but I don’t recommend it unless you’re used to driving in Foreign countries & very windy roads.
Antigua (3-4 nights)
Kick off your trip in Antigua, a city that’s also World Unesco Heritage Site for its well preserved history. Antigua is also surrounded by volcanoes close enough to see the eruption! From the Airport, it’s about an hour and a half drive. The most straight forward way to get to Antigua from Guatemala City is by Uber or Shuttle.
Where to stay in Antigua
Antigua has loads of options for every budget. You can stay in a hostel, luxury hotel, or rent an apartment on Airbnb like I did.
Apartment on Airbnb
I ended up extending my stay in this apartment in the heart of Antigua because I loved it so much. The view of the volcano from their lush garden was incredible and it was complete with a full kitchen & laundry room (so perfect after Acatenango trek!).
Luxury: El Convento Boutique Hotel
If there’s a hotel that might be worth a splurge, check out El Convento. This small boutique hotel in Antigua is stunning, if I were to come back I will definitely want to check this one out.
Budget: Tropicana Hostel
I’ve heard nothing but great things about Tropicana Hostel. They have both dorms and private rooms, plus a pool + rooftop bar.
Things to do in Antigua
Learn to cook Guatemalan Cuisine
I would highly recommend booking a cooking class while you’re in Antigua! Some classes offer market tours which is a great way to get to know the local food and culture. Book your cooking class here.
Volcan Acatenango Overnight Hike
One of the most popular activities in Antigua is an overnight hike to watch Volcan Fuego erupt from up close. This is a once in a lifetime experience and if you’re thinking about doing it, just know it is as difficult as people say it is. I also recommend acclimating in Antigua for at least 2 nights before going on this trek to avoid altitude sickness.
I booked my trip with Lavatrails and had a really pleasant experience. I particularly loved their cabins since it’s more insulated and you can watch the eruption right from your bed with their glass windows.
Tip: Most accommodations have a storage area where you can leave your luggage during this overnight trip.
Pacaya Volcano Day Hike
If you don’t want to dedicate that much time or energy to hike Acatenango, you can do a half day hike to Pacaya. You can even get a pizza that’s cooked over the volcanic rocks. Book your hike
Watch the Sunset from a Rooftop Bar
A trip to Antigua isn’t complete without checking out a few of their rooftop bars. I loved going to Antigua brewing during sunset since it’s very lively and you have a clear view of Fuego erupting from a distance. Stay after sunset to get a glimpse of the lava.
Visit a Coffee Farm
Guatemala is well known for high quality coffee so a visit to a coffee farm is a must! Tours usually include tastings and this is a great activity that supports local farmers. Book Your Tour
Restaurants, coffee, shops, and bars:
- Fernando’s Koffee (affordable and delicious!)
- Caoba Organic Farm
- Artist de Café
- Casa Escobar for steak
- Ulew for cocktails
- Doña Maria Gordillo for traditional sweets
Lake Atitlan (2-4 nights)
How to get around Lake Atitlan:
Book your shuttle from Antigua to Lake Atitlan
It’s actually super easy to visit nearby lake towns. Each town has a dock and boats stop by frequently for passengers. There’s no need to pre-arrange a ride and you’ll need cash for payment.
Deciding which town to explore/stay in is one of the hardest decisions you’ll make when visiting Lake Atitlan. I personally split my time between San Marcos & La Fortuna Hotel which was on its own little cove but where you should stay depends largely on what you’re looking for.
Panajachel: The main entry point, offering the most developed infrastructure, restaurants, shops, and markets.
San Pedro La Laguna: A lively backpacker party vibe with the best nightlife, Spanish schools, and plenty of hostels.
San Marcos La Laguna: Known for its quiet, “hippie” vibe with a focus on yoga, meditation, wellness, and the Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve.
San Juan La Laguna: A quieter, culturally focused town known for its art galleries, women’s weaving cooperatives, and coffee tours.
Santiago Atitlán: The largest town on the lake, rich in traditional Mayan culture and known for the shrine of Maximón. I’ve read great things about birdwatching here.
Santa Cruz La Laguna: A quieter, scenic spot known for its steep hillside views and a mix of high-end lodges and Free Cerveza, a very popular hostel in Lake Atitlan.
Jaibalito & Tzununa: Smaller, quieter villages, offering a more peaceful experience. Most people visit Casa Del Mundo for a day.
Yoga Retreat in San Marcos
I spent 2 nights in an all inclusive Yoga retreat and it was the perfect way to relax after trekking Acatenango. Eagle’s Nest is at the top of the hill in San Marcos (typically reached by TukTuk + a 10 min walk). The rate includes 3 meals a day (which was so delicious by the way!) and unlimited wellness classes. There are options like glamping and cabins overlooking the lake. I personally stayed in Rose but I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them.
Ps. There are some cute cats in this hotel, they are super sweet but if you don’t like animals then maybe it’s not a good spot for you. Actually, if you don’t like animals I’d avoid lake Atitlan altogether lol.
Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve
No matter where you’re staying, you need to spend a day swimming, sun bathing or maybe cliff jumping?! here. The water is so clear and it’s one of the few areas that’s considered “safe” for swimming. Bring cash since there is a small entry fee 🙂
La Fortuna Lake Atitlan
If you are looking for a more private and EPIC place to stay, check out La Fortuna. It’s located on a semi private cove with just a handful of rooms so it never feels crowded. The view from here is incredible! As far as amenities go, there’s lots to do like kayaking, pool, hot tub, and even the unique sauna built from an old VW bus. They also have a restaurant and bar on side with reasonable prices.
Semuc Champey (2-3 nights)
Is Semuc Champey worth the long bus ride? Short answer, YES. I almost talked myself out of going because of the long journey to get here but if you have 2-3 nights to spare, I think you should do it! Seeing this enchanting place was MUCH better in person.
How to get to Semuc Champey
The most common way to get to Semuc Champey is by taking a 6-10 hr shuttle (depending on where you’re coming from!) to Lanquin. The shuttle is direct, usually stopping every couple of hours for snacks & food. I booked this through Guatego.com
Things to do in Semuc Champey
Semuc Champey is in the rural jungle so you won’t find a ton of activities other than outdoor adventures. I highly recommend doing the cave tour with river tubing & spending a day hiking and swimming in the pools of Semuc Champey. I did all of these activities through Greengo’s Hostel, they are a 10 minute walk from Semuc Champey and the facilities were amazing! I felt like 3 nights was enough time but I would have happily stayed an extra day.
After Semuc Champey, you can end your 2 week Guatemala itinerary and head back to Guatemala City OR you can continue your trip on to Tikal.
For more travel inspo check out my Destinations Page.