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So you want to visit Guatemala but you’re not sure where to go, how to get around or what order to visit places? This Guatemala itinerary will answer all your questions!
Guatemala is a beautiful country in Central America, home to active volcanoes, stunning lakes, gorgeous colonial cities, ancient Maya ruins and a rich, living culture.
However, Guatemala is a big place with relatively poor roads and infrastructure, so getting between destinations can be long and slow. That’s why one month is the perfect amount of time to spend in the country, to see not just the highlights, but also some hidden gems.
After making some mistakes with our own Guatemala route, we have crafted what we think is the perfect one-month Guatemala itinerary.
It allows for plenty of time in Antigua and Lake Atitlan, visits the northern city of Flores and Tikal, and the dazzling pools of Semuc Champey, which are notoriously hard to reach.
Our itinerary also includes some lesser-visited destinations like Xela, El Paredon and Rio Dulce, and includes some unique experiences like hiking from Xela to Lake Atitlan, to give you an insight into all facets of life in Guatemala.
This is our 1 month Guatemala itinerary, covering the top things to do, places to eat and where to stay in each destination, as well as comprehensive transport details to travel between each stop.
Guatemala travel information
I’m sure you have lots of other questions – when is the best time to visit Guatemala? Is it safe? What’s the currency and money situation? I answer all these questions and more in my Guatemala travel guide. If you’re wondering how much it costs to travel in Guatemala, check out our Guatemala travel cost post, with our complete budget breakdown and samples of typical travel costs.
1 Month Guatemala itinerary summary
📍 DESTINATIONS
- 🛕 Flores/Tikal: 4 nights
- 💎 Semuc Champey: 3 nights
- 🌋 Xela: 3 nights*
- 🥾 Hiking from Xela to Lake Atitlan: 2 nights (optional)
- 🌈 Lake Atitlan: 6 nights*
- 🏄🏼 El Paredon: 3 nights
- ⛪️ Antigua: 6 nights*
- 🌿 Rio Dulce: 3 nights (optional)
*These are the destinations I’d recommend adding on the additional nights if you don’t want to do the hike or visit Rio Dulce, and you have extra nights to re-allocate
⏰ Don’t have 1 month? Jump to my 3 week itinerary options
Guatemala itinerary route considerations
We travelled to Guatemala as part of a broader trip through Central America, entering the country in the north from Belize and exiting in the southeast to Honduras. I will share the itinerary in this post in this order.
But I know not everyone will follow the same route, and many of you are probably flying in and out of Guatemala City, which does shake up the order.
These are some considerations and possible adaptions, depending on your travel plans, that you can use to arrange your route into a workable order.
Putting together an itinerary for Guatemala that minimises travel time is a puzzle! The best destinations are not necessarily in a linear pattern and there are some long journeys to factor in.
The following section will no doubt hurt your brain, but please read and try to digest it. I’ve tried to provide thoughts and a possible route for every trip, whether you’re solely flying in and out of Guatemala, or combining it with a broader trip through Central America.
It will be helpful to have my itinerary map next to you so you can cross-reference as you read.
WHY START IN FLORES?
We crossed into Guatemala via the border from Belize in the north. San Ignacio in Belize is very close to Flores, so that was a natural first stop for us in Guatemala.
If you’re only visiting Guatemala, you’ll be flying in and out of Guatemala City in the south, but I still suggest that you start your route in Flores.
Why would I suggest that? Most people would hop directly from Guatemala City to Antigua and start their itinerary there, and Flores is a long way from the other destinations in this Guatemala itinerary.
Despite the distance, Flores and Tikal are unmissable destinations. The quickest and easiest way to get there is via a domestic flight from Guatemala City. Since you’re already in the airport, I’d recommend booking a connecting flight right after you land. This cuts off at least one very long bus trip, and after you’ve spent some time in Flores, you will then make your way south overland, with stops along the way.
VISITING RIO DULCE IF YOU’RE FLYING IN AND OUT OF GUATEMALA CITY
The only caveat to arranging your itinerary this way is that you may not be able to easily fit Rio Dulce into your route if you’re also flying out of Guatemala City, and not travelling onwards to Honduras or Belize.
Rio Dulce is a great stop between Flores and Guatemala City/Antigua, but so is Semuc Champey. By following my route, you will use Semuc Champey as your bridge between Flores and the south, not Rio Dulce.
We travelled to Rio Dulce as our final stop and used it as a jump-off point for crossing the border to Honduras. It’s also possible to cross into southern Belize.
But if you’re not travelling onwards and need to be back in Guatemala City to fly out, it doesn’t make sense to travel all the way to Rio Dulce (6+ hours), only to turn around and come straight back a few days later.
Personally, I think it is a destination that CAN be missed if it doesn’t work in your route, but if you are adamant about visiting, I would recommend the following adaption:
- Land in Guatemala City
- Bus to Rio Dulce
- Rio Dulce (3 nights)
- Bus to Flores
- Follow rest of itinerary as planned
It’s a bit of a strange route as Rio Dulce is a very relaxing place and probably not somewhere you would want to start your journey.
But if you reverse the itinerary (starting in Antigua, finishing in Flores and then visiting Rio Dulce on your way back south to the airport) you’ll create complications for the Xela – Lake Atitlan hike, if that is something you want to do.
The hike is only one way and can’t be reversed, so you must visit Xela before Lake Atitlan, and this doesn’t work as well if you reverse the itinerary. To get from El Paredon – Xela you’d need to go via Antigua (even if the shuttle says it’s direct, you will have to change in Antigua) and it’s an unnecessarily long and complicated travel day.
We unintentionally travelled this route and it took over 10 hours, even though the map says it should take 5 hours if you drove directly, and wasted an entire day. I wouldn’t recommend it if you can help it.
If you’re happy to skip the hike and include Rio Dulce instead, you could rearrange the entire itinerary as follows:
- Fly into Guatemala City
- ⛪️ Antigua – 7 nights
- 🏄🏼 El Paredon – 3 nights
- 🌈 Lake Atitlan – 6 nights
- 🌋 Xela – 4 nights
- 💎 Semuc Champey – 3 nights
- 🛕 Flores/Tikal – 4 nights
- 🌿 Rio Dulce – 3 nights
- Fly out of Guatemala City
WHAT IF I’M COMING FROM THE SOUTH?
If you’re travelling through Central America from south to north, then you’ll need to reverse or adapt the itinerary.
Honduras 🇭🇳
If you’ve been in Honduras, you can reverse the itinerary, crossing the border from La Ceiba (the port city for the Bay Islands) to Rio Dulce and continuing onwards from there.
Do keep in mind that you can’t reverse the order you visit Xela and Lake Atitlan if you want to do the hike. As above, it’s quite tricky without either doubling up on a visit to Antigua, wasting a whole day on travel or skipping the hike. A possible itinerary without the hike could be:
- 🌿 Rio Dulce – 3 nights
- ⛪️ Antigua – 7 nights
- 🏄🏼 El Paredon – 3 nights
- 🌈 Lake Atitlan – 6 nights
- 🌋 Xela – 4 nights
- 💎 Semuc Champey – 3 nights
- 🛕 Flores/Tikal – 4 nights
If you’re sold on the hike, instead, skip El Paredon, travel from Antigua to Xela, hike to the lake and continue north from there.
El Salvador 🇸🇻
If you’re coming from El Salvador, you’ll want to enter Guatemala via El Paredon or Antigua. The same concern applies about the hike from Xela to Lake Atitlan but it’s easier to work it this way. A possible route could be:
- 🏄🏼 El Paredon – 3 nights
- ⛪️ Antigua – 6 nights
- 🌋 Xela – 3 nights
- 🥾 Hike from Xela to Lake Atitlan – 2 nights
- 🌈 Lake Atitlan – 6 nights
- 💎 Semuc Champey – 3 nights
- 🛕 Flores/Tikal – 4 nights
- 🌿 Rio Dulce – 3 nights (if you are travelling onwards to Belize, skip this. If you’re flying out of Guatemala City you could travel back overland via Rio Dulce, instead of flying from Flores)
Nicaragua 🇳🇮
If you’ve come all the way from Nicaragua (which I don’t recommend, stop in El Tunco at the very least), you’ll actually pass via El Salvador, so follow the same instructions.
1 Month Guatemala itinerary
Getting to Guatemala
The first stop on this 1 month Guatemala itinerary is Flores. So how to get there?
✈️ FLYING IN
If you’re not already in the Central America region you’ll fly into Guatemala.
Guatemala only has one international airport, GUA – La Aurora International Airport, so no matter where you’re flying from, you’ll land here first.
As I explained above, I recommend booking a second domestic flight and flying straight to Flores FRS – Mundo Maya Airport, considering you’re already at the airport.
Give yourself a few hours of buffer time between flights, and use this time to organise a SIM card (there are kiosks inside the airport) and withdraw some money from an ATM.
There are multiple direct daily flights from Guatemala City, with TAG or Avianca. The flight only takes an hour and cuts out a huge 10+ hour bus trip.
Once you land in Flores, the airport is only a 10-minute drive from Flores Island, where you will most likely be staying. You can pre-book a shuttle or jump in a taxi when you arrive. There is no Uber in Flores.
🇧🇿 OVERLAND FROM BELIZE
If you’re travelling through Central America, it’s very easy to travel to Flores in Guatemala from Belize.
San Ignacio in Belize is the closest and most common jump-off point, but it’s possible to travel all the way from the cayes (Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye) or Belize City in one day if you don’t want to stop in San Ignacio.
The easiest option is to book a tourist shuttle, that will take you from door to door and help with the border crossing process. You can book from Belize City (which offers pick-up from the water taxi dock if you’re coming from the cayes) or from San Ignacio.
Alternatively, you can do it yourself via public transport which is actually really simple. The trip isn’t too long and the border here is quite quick and straightforward. I’ve got more detailed instructions to DIY the border crossing here.
Remember you need to pay a $20 USD / $40 BZD exit fee when you leave Belize.
Stop 1: Flores
🌜 4 NIGHTS
Start your 1 month in Guatemala in the tropical, jungly north in the charming town of Flores.
Flores is best known as the gateway to the great Maya city of Tikal, but there is so much more to this area! It’s a completely different landscape and climate to the rest of the country, with dense jungles full of wildlife, and hot, steamy weather.
The heart of Flores is the quaint and charming Flores Island, a tiny island on the shores of Lago Peten Itza, connected to the mainland via a causeway. With cobblestone streets, a rainbow of colourful colonial houses, gorgeous lakeside views at every turn and spectacular sunsets, we absolutely fell in love with it!
Of course, Tikal is a must-visit, and there are a variety of ways you can explore this impressive ancient city. Day tours from Flores are the most common, as it’s only a 1.5-hour drive away. There are options to go into the park for sunrise or stay for sunset with a guide. If you want a more immersive jungle experience, there are a handful of accommodations around the park entrance where you can spend a night or two, in addition to a stay in Flores.
🐒 TOP THINGS TO DO IN FLORES
- Explore Isla de Flores (Flores Island), the prettiest little island you ever did see!
- Visit Tikal, the grandest Maya city of all time (we recommend a sunrise tour)
- Take a lancha boat across the lake and spend a relaxing afternoon at Jorge’s Rope Swing
- See the sunset at the ancient Maya city of Yaxha, a quieter alternative to Tikal
- Enjoy sunsets over the lake every night, with a happy hour cocktail from Sky Bar
🌈 Read our complete guide to the best things to do in Flores
🍛 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN FLORES
- Maracuya
- Tacos los Peces
- Maple y Tocino
- Bistro Puertas del Cielo
- Secret Garden Restaurant @ Los Amigos Hostel
🍍 Read more about our favourite restaurants in Flores
🛏️ WHERE TO STAY IN FLORES
Flores Island
- Budget: Los Amigos Hostel
- Mid-range: Hotel Casazul
- Boutique: Hotel Isla de Flores
Tikal
- Budget: Jungle Lodge Tikal Hostal
- Mid-range: Hotel Tikal Inn
- Boutique: Jungle Lodge Tikal Hotel
😴 Read more about the best hotels in Flores
📆 HOW I WOULD SPEND 4 NIGHTS IN FLORES
- DAY 1: spend most of your day travelling, arrive in Flores and check into your accommodation. Hopefully in time to catch the sunset from the west side of the island, with a cocktail from Sky Bar and enjoy a nice dinner.
- DAY 2: explore Flores Island today. It’s only small, but it’s so painfully gorgeous that you’ll want a few hours to get lost in all the alleyways, stop for a coffee or snack and enjoy the lake views. Organise a lancha boat tour to see some of the sights around the lake.
- DAY 3: today it’s time to visit Tikal! We recommend a sunrise tour if you can handle the early wake-up. Otherwise, you can opt for a standard day visit or a sunset tour. If you want to stay the night at Tikal, travel there in the afternoon and do a sunrise tour the following morning.
- DAY 4: spend this morning hanging out at Jorge’s Rope Swing. You may also be able to squeeze in a visit to nearby ARCAS, a wildlife rescue centre. This afternoon take a tour to Yaxha, another Maya city and watch the sunset atop a temple.
- DAY 5: today you will be up very early and on the road for a huge trip to Semuc Champey. Stock up on plenty of snacks and drinks, and try and snag a seat towards the front of the shuttle for the comfiest ride.
How to get from Flores to Semuc Champey
Get ready for a long ride! Flores to Semuc Champey is one of the biggest travel days you’ll have on your Guatemala itinerary, at least 10 hours.
The easiest (well, really the only feasible way!) to make the trip is via tourist shuttle. You can book the shuttle online, in person in Flores at Los Amigos Hostel or via your accommodation in Semuc Champey.
The shuttles depart Flores Island in the morning, and it’s an all-day journey to get to the town of Lanquin, the gateway town to Semuc Champey. Accommodations in Lanquin and Semuc Champey generally include pick-up from the petrol station where the shuttles stop.
If you’re staying around Lanquin town, it’ll be a quick trip. If you’ve chosen a more remote lodge nearer to Semuc Champey, you still have another 45 – 60 minute trip in the back of a 4×4 truck.
Stop 2: Semuc Champey
🌜 3 NIGHTS
When planning your trip to Guatemala, you’ve no doubt seen photos of the dazzling turquoise pools of Semuc Champey. The Rio Cabahon passes underneath a natural limestone bridge, leaving behind these beautiful, calm pools in a deep valley surrounded by vibrant green jungle. It’s quite the sight!
It’s become so popular, that people have started referring to the entire area as ‘Semuc Champey’, or ‘Semuc’ for short. Technically Semuc Champey is the name of the natural attraction, which is located in the small town of Lanquin. There isn’t too much else to do here, and the pools really are the star of the show.
There are accommodations spread all over this remote region between Lanquin town and the entrance to the pools. Most are remote jungle lodges, where you can immerse yourself in nature and unwind for a few days.
Although there isn’t too much else to do here besides see Semuc Champey and relax in the jungle, don’t stay any less than 3 nights. It’s an all-day journey to get here, and the same when you leave. If you reduce your stay to 2 nights you’ll only have 1 day free which is very rushed. You’ll appreciate the day of downtime in this stunning location!
💎 TOP THINGS TO DO IN SEMUC CHAMPEY
- Swim and relax in the stunning turquoise pools
- Hike to the mirador for an aerial view of Semuc Champey
- Venture inside a cave lit only by candlelight on the famous Semuc cave tour
- Join a tubing tour and float down the Rio Cabahon
- Relax at your lodge and soak up the beautiful jungle environment
🍛 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN SEMUC CHAMPEY
Semuc Champey is a very remote area, and if you choose to stay at one of the lodges outside of Lanquin town, you will eat all your meals there.
🛏️ WHERE TO STAY IN SEMUC CHAMPEY
- Budget: Greengos
- Mid-range: Utopia Eco Hotel
- Boutique: Mountain Nest
📆 HOW I WOULD SPEND 3 NIGHTS IN SEMUC CHAMPEY
- DAY 1: an all-day journey from Flores to Semuc Champey. Make sure dinner is waiting for you at your lodge when you arrive.
- DAY 2: join a tour with your accommodation to visit Semuc Champey. The tour will cover all the highlights like hiking the mirador, relaxing by the pools, going inside the cave, braving the huge swing and you can add on tubing at the end.
- DAY 3: a tour is a great way to see the highlights of the park, but I’d recommend going back to Semuc Champey independently today to enjoy the pools at your own pace and spend plenty of time relaxing! Otherwise, have a chilled-out day at your lodge.
- DAY 4: it will be a very early wake-up today to get back to Lanquin and onto the shuttle to your next stop, Xela. Stock up on snacks at the petrol station before you get in the van.
How to get from Semuc Champey to Xela
Getting to and from Semuc Champey is always a long journey, and this trip is no exception!
Going from Semuc to Xela (Quetzaltenango) is not a particularly common route, but it is possible and it’s important you try and follow this route as it dominoes for the rest of your Guatemala itinerary.
Accommodations in Semuc prefer you to book your departure shuttles with them. Some won’t offer the 4×4 ride to Lanquin for free if you book elsewhere, so this should be your first option for organising your shuttle.
However, if they can’t book you to Xela, Monte Verde Tours and Adrenalina Tours both offer shuttles from Lanquin to Xela. I would suggest organising this multiple days in advance, not the day before because it is a bit of an unusual route.
The trip will be at least 9 hours, if not more.
Stop 3: Xela
🌜 3 NIGHTS
Quetzaltenango, or Xela as it is thankfully shortened, is Guatemala’s second-largest city. It’s a far cry from the pretty and tourist-orientated Antigua and is primarily a city for locals. It’s a little gritty and rough around the edges, but Xela is a popular place for Spanish classes and the city is surrounded by volcanoes.
There are 3 constantly active volcanoes in Guatemala. Two are located near Antigua, and the third, Santiaguito, is near Xela and you can hike to a mirador overlooking the smoking crater. There are plenty of other volcano hikes to choose from, hot springs and sacred Maya sites to explore.
We had grand plans for our time in Xela, but this is where our Guatemala itinerary went a little off the rails for a few days. I ended up spending our entire time in Xela in hospital with dengue fever! Unfortunately, I don’t have too many personal insights from the city, but I can share our intended plans, and we did eat some good food!
🌋 TOP THINGS TO DO IN XELA
- Explore the city centre, with its pretty plazas, grand churches and old colonial buildings
- Hike to the mirador overlooking Volcan Santiaguito, a constantly active volcano spewing out smoke and ash
- Spend a day soaking at the Fuentes Georginas hot springs
- Hike to Laguna Chicacabal, a sacred Maya lake and ceremony centre
- Overnight hike to Volcan Tajumulco, the highest point in Central America
🍛 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN XELA
- Panquewaffles
- Sabor de la India
- Esquina Asiatica
- Xelapan
- Parque Floresta Xela
🛏️ WHERE TO STAY IN XELA
- Budget: Kasa Kiwi Hostel
- Mid-range: Hotel Muchá
- Boutique: Hotel Pensión Bonifaz
📆 HOW I WOULD SPEND 3 NIGHTS IN XELA
- DAY 1: you most likely won’t arrive in the city until the evening. Check in to your accommodation and grab dinner.
- DAY 2: organise an early morning tour to hike to the mirador overlooking Volcan Santiaguito. You have to go first thing as the cloud rolls in and conceals the view by late morning. Be back in the city for lunch and spend the afternoon wandering around the centre and exploring the parks, plazas, churches and historic buildings.
- DAY 3: choose between a short but steep hike to Laguna Chicabal, or spending a relaxing morning soaking in the Fuentes Georginas hot springs. Get prepared for your hike this afternoon with a pre-trip briefing.
- DAY 4: set off early on your next adventure, a 3 day/2 night hike from Xela to Lake Atitlan.
Hiking from Xela to Lake Atitlan
Sadly we weren’t able to do the hike when silly ol’ Sally ended up in hospital with dengue fever. But we were booked in, and travelled specifically to Xela to do it, and despite not having the personal experience, I think hiking from Xela to Lake Atitlan is a really unique activity to include on your Guatemala itinerary.
It’s not something many travellers do, and I think the hike gives you a complete view of all facets of Guatemala, including life in rural Maya villages. We had friends who did it and loved it, and I’ve read many reviews saying it was the highlight of people’s time in Guatemala.
A fantastic local non-profit, Quetzaltrekkers, runs this hike and it’s completely volunteer-led. All the proceeds go towards their school and safe house in Xela, EDELAC, which supports disadvantaged kids.
It’s a 3-day/2-night hike, leaving from Xela early in the morning on day 1 and concluding in San Pedro La Laguna in Lake Atitlan at lunchtime on day 3, after watching a spectacular sunrise over the lake from Indian Nose.
The entire trek is 46 km (28.5 mi), passing mystical cloud forests, through coffee and corn plantations and across rivers. You’ll spend the night in remote Maya villages, sleeping in homestays with home-cooked meals.
If this is something you want to do, you can find out more about the hike and book on the Quetzaltrekkers website. For more details on the hike from someone who’s done it, this is a great blog post.
If you’re not interested in hiking, you can easily book a tourist shuttle from Xela to Lake Atitlan. There are shuttles to Panajachel or San Pedro La Laguna, depending on where you’re staying. You can re-allocate the 2 nights for the hike to another destination on this Guatemala itinerary.
Stop 4: Lake Atitlan
🌜 6 NIGHTS
A place that needs no introduction, Lake Atitlan is a mainstay on every Guatemala itinerary. One of the most picturesque lakes in the world, the deep, blue waters of Lake Atitlan are ringed by three looming volcanoes. It truly is magical.
So often people think of Lake Atitlan as one destination and assume that 2 or 3 nights will be sufficient – it won’t! Lake Atitlan is a collection of almost a dozen towns along its shores, and the lake itself is huge, taking almost an hour to travel by boat from one side to the other.
With 6 nights at the lake, you’ll be able to cover a lot of ground. I’d suggest dividing your time and spending three nights each in two different towns. We chose one town for relaxing and enjoying the lake and volcano views (Santa Cruz), and one busier town with more amenities to do day trips and tours from (San Pedro). To help choose which towns and accommodations are right for you, make sure you read our post about where to stay in Lake Atitlan.
🛶 TOP THINGS TO DO IN LAKE ATITLAN
- Go kayaking or SUPing on the lake, Santa Cruz accommodations usually have rentals included otherwise you can join a tour (a sunrise SUP is a must!)
- Explore the colourful town of San Juan, and don’t miss the rainbow Mirador Kaqasiiwaan
- Hike Indian Nose for sunrise (if you didn’t hike from Xela, or you want a second amazing sunrise!)
- Go swimming at Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve in the hippy town of San Marcos, and take a yoga class at Eagle’s Nest while you’re there
- Visit as many of the other towns of Lake Atitlan as possible, our favourites (outside of San Pedro and Santa Cruz where we stayed) were San Juan, Santa Catarina and Panajachel
🌈 Read our complete guide to the best things to do in Lake Atitlan
🍛 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN LAKE ATITLAN
- Cafe Sabor Cruceño (Santa Cruz)
- Pita Sabij (San Pedro)
- Circles Cafe (San Marcos)
- Jakuu (San Pedro)
- The Little Spoon (Panajachel)
🛏️ WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE ATITLAN
Santa Cruz La Laguna
- Budget: Free Cerveza
- Mid-range: Atitlan Sunset Lodge
- Boutique: Casa Prana
San Pedro La Laguna
- Budget: Amigos
- Mid-range: Millennium Apartments
- Boutique: Sababa Resort
😴 Read our complete post on where to stay in Lake Atitlan
📆 HOW I WOULD SPEND 6 NIGHTS IN LAKE ATITLAN
- DAY 1: hike into Lake Atitlan, arriving in San Pedro around lunchtime. Transfer to Santa Cruz by boat and check into your accommodation. Enjoy a peaceful afternoon and sunset over the lake.
- DAY 2: today is all about relaxing and soaking up the magic of the lake. In Santa Cruz, you will have excellent views of the volcanoes, and you can spend all day staring at them! Go for a kayak or SUP, and if you’re really restless hike a portion of the Lower Mayan Trail.
- DAY 3: spend today exploring a couple of the towns on the north shore of the lake, Panajachel, Santa Catarina and San Antonio Palopo if you have time.
- DAY 4: go for a sunrise SUP this morning and make the most of the volcano views before you shift accommodation to San Pedro. Have lunch at one of the amazing restaurants in San Pedro, explore around town and book in for a soak at the Los Termales hot springs around sunset time.
- DAY 5: if you haven’t already, or you want another go, book a hike up Indian Nose for sunrise this morning. Spend the rest of the day exploring the hippy town of San Marcos. Enjoy a swim at Cerro Tzankujil and book a yoga class at Eagle’s Nest.
- DAY 6: there are a few options for today depending on your interests. You can explore some lesser visited towns on the lake like Santiago and San Lucas Toliman, hike one of the volcanoes around the lake if you’re eager for more activity, visit the biggest market in Guatemala at Chichicastenango, spend the day at a lakefront resort like La Casa del Mundo or head back to Panajachel to participate in a tour like a cooking class, ATV tour, paragliding or the Atitlan Nature Reserve.
- DAY 7: your shuttle to El Paredon doesn’t depart until this afternoon, so spend this morning exploring the rainbow town of San Juan. It’s the prettiest town on the lake and not too far from San Pedro so you can comfortably see it this morning.
🌞 Check out our Lake Atitlan itinerary for a more fleshed-out plan
How to get from Lake Atitlan to El Paredon
This is a pretty easy journey compared to your previous travel days, and the trip should take about 4 hours. I’d recommend booking a tourist shuttle, it’s the easiest and most straightforward way.
You can book shuttles departing from San Pedro or from Panajachel, depending on where your final stay is on the lake. The shuttles both depart mid-afternoon, so you’ve got one more morning to spend around the lake.
Stop 5: El Paredon
🌜 3 NIGHTS
Welcome to Guatemala’s Pacific Coast! El Paredon is Guatemala’s funky surf town. It wasn’t always a fixture on the standard Guatemala itinerary, but this dusty surf town has grown in popularity in recent years.
It’s still nothing more than a few sandy streets with an extremely laidback vibe, but you’ll find a handful of party hostels along the beach, some gorgeous boutique hotels with interiors straight out of a magazine and some vibey cafes and restaurants.
The beach here is black, volcanic sand and the waves are wild, attracting surfers from all over the world. You can see both sunrise and sunset from the beach, and they were some of the most spectacular we saw in all of Central America!
Be prepared for the heat though. You’re not at altitude anymore and El Paredon is stinking hot. The black sand beach becomes unbearable during the day, so opt for an accommodation with a pool where you can hide from the sun in the heat of the day and re-emerge for sunset.
🌞 TOP THINGS TO DO IN EL PAREDON
- Do nothing! Enjoy a blissfully slow few days lazing about El Paredon, resting weary muscles after a very busy few weeks
- Catch a sunrise and sunset on the beach. Do not miss them! Not even one!
- Go surfing, you can rent boards or book lessons at any accommodation in town or along the beachfront, low tide is best for beginners
- Go kayaking or SUPing in the mangroves
- Release baby sea turtles into the ocean (September – December)
🍛 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN EL PAREDON
- Chef in Flip Flops
- Yoli’s Local Cuisine
- Soul Food Kitchen
- Cafecito del Mar
- Zicatela
🛏️ WHERE TO STAY IN EL PAREDON
- Budget: Cocori Lodge
- Mid-range: Swell
- Boutique: Casa Zala
📆 HOW I WOULD SPEND 3 NIGHTS IN EL PAREDON
- DAY 1: most shuttles don’t arrive in El Paredon until late afternoon/early evening. Make a beeline for the beach if you’re early enough to see the sunset. Check in, wander around the small town and grab dinner.
- DAY 2: wake up for the sunrise this morning, trust me it’s worth it! Enjoy the cooler weather and go for a long stroll along the beach. Mooch around town, rent a surfboard or organise a lesson if you’re interested, laze by the pool in the heat of the day and relax. Get back out to the beach for sunset when it’s cooler.
- DAY 3: much of the same today. You might like to organise a kayak or SUP tour of the mangroves on the edge of town, otherwise, it’s surf, beach, sunset, repeat.
- DAY 4: most shuttles don’t leave for Antigua until early afternoon, so you’ve got one more sunrise to watch and a lazy morning before you pick up the pace again.
How to get from El Paredon to Antigua
Another relatively quick and easy journey, it should take less than 3 hours to get from El Paredon to Antigua via tourist shuttle. Book your shuttle online.
Most shuttles leave El Paredon in the mid-afternoon, meaning you’ll be arriving in Antigua in the early evening.
Stop 6: Antigua
🌜 6 NIGHTS
Have you saved the best for (almost) last? I’ll let you be the judge of that when you arrive, but there is no doubt Antigua is the most popular tourist destination in all of Guatemala, and I understand why!
This colonial city is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. It is so pretty it’s painful, every street is more charming than the next, and three enormous volcanoes loom overhead at every turn. Have you ever been in a city where you can see an active volcano erupting from the main plaza? I know I hadn’t before I went to Antigua.
You can easily spend days strolling the cobblestone streets, sipping barista-made coffees in cute cafes and enjoying cocktails on rooftop terraces overlooking the volcanoes.
But outdoor adventures abound around Antigua, and this is the jump-off for the craziest hike in the country – Acatenango Volcano, where you’ll see lava spewing from Fuego.
Another kink in our Guatemala itinerary, we sadly weren’t able to hike Acatenango. We were all packed and ready to go and had to cancel at the last minute as Brayden had terrible food poisoning the night before. We came back to the city two weeks later to try again. We got even closer and were moments away from getting on the shuttle to the trailhead… and then the hike was cancelled. A particularly large eruption from Fuego had set the forest on fire. Sigh! Book your hike early on during your time in Antigua to cater for any cancellations.
⛪️ TOP THINGS TO DO IN ANTIGUA
- Spend at least a day walking around the historic centre, admiring the pretty churches, restored colonial buildings, crumbling ruins and leafy parks
- Do the overnight hike to Acatenango Volcano, where you’ll sleep near the summit of the volcano, watching neighbouring Fuego erupt and spew out lava all night
- Visit Hobbitenango, a fun Lord of The Rings-themed eco-park in the hills outside the city
- Roast marshmallows on Pacaya Volcano, a quicker and easier hike to another active volcano
- Take a tour of a coffee farm to connect with local farmers and learn the entire process of growing and harvesting coffee
🌋 Read our complete guide to the best things to do in Antigua
🍛 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN ANTIGUA
- 12 Onzas
- Rincón Antigüeño
- AM BKFST
- Fridas
- El Bosque
☕️ Read more about our favourite restaurants in Antigua
🛏️ WHERE TO STAY IN ANTIGUA
- Budget: Ojala
- Mid-range: Cacao Boutique Hotel
- Boutique: Posada del Angel
😴 Read more about where to stay in Antigua
📆 HOW I WOULD SPEND 6 NIGHTS IN ANTIGUA
- DAY 1: you won’t arrive in town until the early evening. Check in, and head out for a wander around the city. It’s gorgeous all lit up at night, and have dinner at one of the many excellent restaurants.
- DAY 2: this morning is all about exploring the historic centre of Antigua. You can start with a walking tour to get your bearings or create your own using our map. The Arco de Santa Catalina is an iconic sight, as is the pretty yellow Iglesia de la Merced and Parque Central, but every street is beautiful and worth seeing. Don’t forget to stop for lots of coffee, snacks, meals and drinks. Head up to Cerro de la Cruz for sunset.
- DAY 3: today is a little rushed but hits two highlights. Book a coffee tour with De La Gente this morning, where you’ll visit a local farm in a village outside the city and learn all about the process of coffee. Be back in the city for a quick lunch before taking a sunset hiking tour to Pacaya Volcano.
- DAY 4: it’s time for one of the toughest but most rewarding parts of your Guatemala itinerary, hiking Acatenango Volcano! You’ll depart the city in the morning and spend tonight in a hut on the slopes of Acatenango, looking out to Fuego spewing lava.
- DAY 5: descend the volcano and be back in the city around lunchtime, and have a restful afternoon. You’ll be sore and exhausted, you can book in for a massage or spa treatment at Casa Santo Domingo.
- DAY 6: have a fun and relaxing day today, visiting Hobbitenango, the Lord of The Rings-themed park just outside Antigua. It only takes a few hours, return to the city for lunch and spend the afternoon browsing the markets, doing some final sightseeing and enjoying the food scene.
- DAY 7: you’ll be off bright and early this morning to travel to Rio Dulce.
How to get from Antigua to Rio Dulce
Depending on your onward travels, you may or may not want to visit Rio Dulce. Refer back to my route considerations section above for more info.
If you are ending your trip and flying out from Guatemala City, I don’t recommend travelling to Rio Dulce. I’d instead re-allocate those 3 nights to other destinations on this itinerary. Antigua could definitely use an extra night to make it less rushed, and you could opt to add some more time at the lake, in Xela or at the beach in El Paredon.
If you are travelling onwards to Honduras or Belize, you should include Rio Dulce in your Guatemala itinerary as it’s the perfect jump-off point.
Coach buses run from Guatemala City to Rio Dulce, which is a much more comfortable journey than in a cramped tourist shuttle. The buses are run by Liteagua and Maya de Oro a few times per day.
You’ll need to work out how to get from Antigua to the bus terminal in Guatemala City. The most straightforward way is to book a combined package with GuateGo, that includes a shuttle from Antigua to the bus terminal and the bus from Guatemala City to Rio Dulce.
You could also use Uber to travel to the bus station independently and organise your ticket directly with the bus company if you wish.
Pack snacks. Although this trip doesn’t look too long on the map (5 hours), this route is notoriously slow, with road works, protests blocking the road and accidents.
Stop 7: Rio Dulce
🌜 3 NIGHTS
Not many travellers make it out to Rio Dulce (Sweet River) on their Guatemala itinerary. This 43-kilometre (27 mi) waterway is the gateway to Guatemala’s small section of Caribbean coastline and feels completely different to anywhere else in the country.
This tropical region is a stark contrast to the volcanoes and highlands you’ve come from, both in landscape and culture. Eco-lodges are perched on stilts along the banks of the river, surrounded by dense jungle. Nearby Livingston is populated by the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna people, with a unique and vibrant culture unlike anywhere else in Guatemala.
We spent a very relaxing few days on the Rio Dulce, kayaking through tight canals as howler monkeys played overhead, reading books in a hammock during afternoon rain showers and watching hummingbirds zoom around sugar feeders.
🌿 TOP THINGS TO DO IN RIO DULCE
- Relax! This is the end of your trip after a very busy few weeks, and Rio Dulce is the perfect place to slow down, swing in a hammock and read a book at your lodge
- Kayak on the river, and explore its mangrove-lined canals
- Take a boat ride the entire length of the river from Rio Dulce town to Livingston, with stunning scenery
- Explore the unique culture of Livingston, with options for day trips to beaches and waterfalls
- Visit Finca El Paraiso, a hot springs waterfall
🍛 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN RIO DULCE
The best accommodations in Rio Dulce are eco-lodges on the banks of the river. Accessible only by boat, you will mostly be confined to your lodge for meals.
🛏️ WHERE TO STAY IN RIO DULCE
- Budget: Hotel Kangaroo
- Mid-range: El Hotelito Perdido
- Boutique: Boatique Hotel & Marina (they have a few dorm rooms too!)
📆 HOW I WOULD SPEND 3 NIGHTS IN RIO DULCE
- DAY 1: by the time you get off the bus and transfer to your lodge, it’ll most likely be dinner time.
- DAY 2: spend today relaxing around your lodge. Take out a kayak or a paddleboard to explore the river and its many canals, and keep an eye out for wildlife. If you’ve got itchy feet, visit Finca Paraiso.
- DAY 3: organise the scenic boat ride all the way down the Rio Dulce to Livingston. Spend some time exploring the town, and try the local dish, tapado, a coconut seafood soup.
- DAY 4: depending on where you’re travelling onwards, today will most likely be an early start and a full day of travel.
Departing Guatemala
Your time in this special country has come to an end! How you leave will depend on if you’re continuing your travels in the region. This builds on my original comments about arranging your route, so be sure to read both sections.
✈️ FLYING OUT
As I mentioned earlier, if you’re flying out of Guatemala City, I wouldn’t recommend visiting Rio Dulce. It’s a very long trip to get there, only to turn around a few days later and do the big journey again to return to the airport. Go directly from Antigua to the airport. You can book a shared shuttle or private transfer with GuateGo.
🇸🇻 TRAVELLING TO EL SALVADOR
If you’re travelling southbound through Central America but you either don’t want to go to Honduras, or you want to go to El Salvador first, I’d also suggest skipping Rio Dulce, as it puts you out of the way.
You can get a shuttle from Antigua or El Paredon (you could potentially re-arrange your itinerary to be Lake Atitlan – Antigua – El Paredon – El Salvador) across the border to the Ruta de las Flores, Santa Ana or El Tunco.
I’d suggest starting your El Salvador travels with a shuttle to Santa Ana and working south from there. You can check out our El Salvador itinerary.
🇭🇳 TRAVELLING TO HONDURAS
If you’re continuing your travels through Central America, finishing off your Guatemala itinerary in Rio Dulce is the perfect jump-off to Honduras. It’s possible to book a shuttle from Rio Dulce to La Ceiba in Honduras, which is where the ferries depart for Utila and Roatan.
We did this trip with Roneey Shuttle. It was a massive day, and we arrived at the port literally 5 minutes before the ferry departed, but it was worth it to wake up in paradise the next day! You can then follow our Honduras itinerary.
🇧🇿 TRAVELLING TO BELIZE
If you didn’t already visit Belize before Guatemala, you can cross the border in the south via Rio Dulce. You’ll need to first get yourself to Livingston, and I’d actually recommend spending a night or two there first.
From there, you can get a ferry to Punta Gorda in southern Belize. It should be possible to travel onwards in one day if you don’t want to stay there, and you won’t be too far from the beach towns of Placencia or Hopkins. We didn’t follow this route, but you could connect with the rest of our Belize itinerary and adapt it a little.
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3 Week Guatemala itinerary options
I know 1 month in Guatemala isn’t feasible for everyone, but I truly believe that 1 or 2 weeks is not enough time for a country this big, with destinations spread as far as they are.
If you have 3 weeks, you can still enjoy the highlights without rushing, with plenty of time in each destination to properly experience them. If you cram too much in, you’ll be spending every second day on a shuttle bus which is no one’s idea of fun, and not really seeing Guatemala.
With just 3 weeks in Guatemala, you’ll definitely have to sacrifice Rio Dulce and most likely the hike from Xela to Lake Atitlan. Depending on your interests, you can choose between Xela for more culture and hiking, or El Paredon for the beach, but not both.
Follow the same instructions as above in terms of ordering your route, depending on how you’re arriving and departing from Guatemala, and any onward travel.
My recommended itinerary for 3 weeks is:
- 🛕 Flores/Tikal – 4 nights
- 💎 Semuc Champey – 3 nights
- 🌋 Xela – 3 nights (option 1)
- 🌈 Lake Atitlan – 5 nights
- 🏄🏼 El Paredon – 3 nights (option 2)
- ⛪️ Antigua – 6 nights
Final thoughts: Guatemala itinerary
I hope this Guatemala itinerary has helped you plan your ideal trip to this beautiful country.
I know it may seem like I’ve overcomplicated things, but Guatemala is a big country, with poor infrastructure and slow and relatively uncomfortable transport.
You’d rather plan your route as best as possible in advance to minimise long travel days and maximise the time you’ve got to explore, rather than wasting precious time when you arrive due to poor planning.
Whether you’ve got a whole month (or more!) or just 3 weeks, I know you’ll love Guatemala.
If you need any help re-working your route or trying to fit it into a broader Central America trip, please just drop me a comment. I LOVE the puzzle of working out an itinerary.
Don’t forget to check out our other Guatemala articles too for a ton more helpful information to plan your perfect trip.
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