Guatemala is a country filled with a vibrant culture and rich history, while on the other hand, it is known for its breathtaking landscape and the famous active Fuego volcano. Many people I knew have visited Guatemala, and it became higher and higher on my bucket list. With this 2-week Guatemala itinerary, I’ll guide you through the best travel route to follow when visiting Guatemala and save you the hassle of researching. I’ve curated two routes: one featuring the tranquil Rio Dulce (this is what I did) and one highlighting the famous nature reserve Semuc Champey. Both routes promise an unforgettable journey!
To truly experience the different aspects of Guatemala, as mentioned above, the ideal duration in the country is two weeks. This allows you to explore the major highlights without feeling rushed, and therefore, this guide focuses on 2-week itineraries. However, if you have time to spare, 3 weeks allows you to combine both alternatives mentioned in this Guatemala itinerary (Rio Dulce and Lanquin), and if you feel adventurous, you could also add the 3-day hike from Xela (Quetzaltenango) to Lake Atitlan. Another addition could be El Paredon, a beach destination. However, if you ask me, it’s more valuable to add Belize to your itinerary than El Paredon, as Guatemala can be combined perfectly with a trip to Belize.
3-week Guatemala & Belize itinerary coming soon!
The best time to visit Guatemala is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. However, be prepared for hot temperatures, as in April, we had many days of 35 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, this period offers the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities. The rainy season runs from May to October and can still be a good time to visit, as the landscapes are lush and green. However, be prepared for afternoon showers. Also, the views on Acatenango might be less clear.
Moreover, the climate in Guatemala differs a lot! Due to the altitude of, for example, Antigua, Lake Atitlan and Xela, temperatures are way lower than in the east of the country. So bring sufficient layers, as you might experience temperatures between 0 (at night at Acatenango) and 40 degrees (Tikal).
The shuttle structure in Guatemala is great. I was highly impressed with how easy it is to travel around Guatemala with shuttles. We booked all our shuttles through Itamati Travels. You can request their latest schedule and book specific shuttles through Whatsapp (+502 3974 2484). Generally, shuttles pick you up from your hotel, making it an even easier way to travel. Most of the time, the shuttle departed well on time and arrived before the estimated arrival time.
Larger distances can be travelled by plane, for example, from Guatemala City to Flores. We decided to take this flight to avoid the long bus transfers from Atitlan to Flores over Lanquin.
Antigua (5 nights), including an overnight trip to Acatenango
Lake Atitlan (3 nights)
Flores (3 nights)
Rio Dulce (4 nights)
Alternatively, you can replace your visit to Rio Dulce with travel to Lanquin to visit the famous Semuc Champey.
For many, this alternative 2-week itinerary (Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Lanquin, Flores) is the most optimal route through Guatemala. However, we have heard quite some stories about Semuc Champey not being worth it, and many visitors became sick. Moreover, it requires a 10 and 8-hour bus ride to complete the stretch Atitlan – Lanquin – Flores. Therefore, and as other travellers were highly positive about Rio Dulce, we decided on the itinerary above.
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Antigua is a great place to start your travel route through Guatemala. It’s the perfect way to get to know the country and its food. Antigua is known for its colourful buildings, cobblestone streets and markets. Some highlights to visit in Antigua are, for example, the Santa Catalina Arch and Cerro de la Cruz. However, even more characteristic of Antigua are the amazing bars and restaurants. Enjoy lovely rooftops (with beer!) such as Antigua Brewing Company, indulge in amazing food at Por Que No? or Cactus, and end the night at Cafe No Se. Check out my bar & restaurant guide to Antigua for more great food & drinks.
After two days of exploring Antigua and getting used to the altitude, it is time to start your overnight trip to the Acatenango. In the early morning, you leave for a challenging trek before arriving at the Acatenango camp, offering stunning views of the active Fuego Volcano. Alternatively, you can also continue your trek to the Fuego volcano to see the eruptions up close. In my opinion, it is a great experience that can’t be missed. In my Acatenango travel guide, you’ll find all the information you need to know before climbing the Acatenango!
After your arrival back in Antigua on the 4th day in Guatemala, you will be happy to be able to relax. Therefore, make sure you have explored all of Antigua before your final day after the trek. Visit, for example, Antigua Cerveza for a relaxed afternoon.
In summary, this means you will be booking a stay in Antigua for 2 or 3 nights (we booked three as we arrived late at night), so you have 2 days to explore Antigua. Next to that, you can join a tour to Acatenango (we booked with Ox Expeditions). On the day of your return, you book another hotel night in Antigua.
Don't forget to check out my full Antigua travel guide for more information.
Maya Papaya (€45) Meson de Maria (€60), Hotel la Galeria (€85), Barbara's Boutique Hostel (€100), Adra hostel (€20 per person) Hotel la Sin Venture (€40)
From Antigua, it is time to head to the breathtaking Lake Atitlan, surrounded by villages, all with their unique vibe. Next to that, the views over the lake are amazing, as the lake is surrounded by multiple volcanoes. During your time in Lake Atitlan, you can spend your days visiting multiple villages such as San Marcos (the hub for yoga and wellness), San Juan (focused on art) and San Pedro (nightlife). You can easily travel between the villages by plancha (boat). Next to that, you can hike the wonderful Indian Nose hike from San Pedro or San Juan for an amazing sunrise over the lake. If you are in for a relaxed afternoon in nature, make sure you visit Cerro Tzankujil.
You can also book your Indian Nose hike in advance!
During our time in Lake Atitlan, we stayed at the wonderful La Iguana Perdido in Santa Cruz, which is highly popular among travellers. As we were keen on doing the Indian Nose hike, we decided to take our daypacks to San Pedro on the second day to stay the night in a cheap hotel.
Read more about Lake Atitlan here.
La Iguana Perdido (€30), Eco hotel Uxlabil Atitlan (€45), Mikaso Hotel (€30), Hotel La Casa Del Mundo (€55), Lush Atitlan (€150)
After Lake Atitlan, you take the shuttle to Guatemala City Airport for your flight to Flores. This charming island town on Lake Petén Itzá is the gateway to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal and Yaxha. On the first day in Flores, I recommend you book an early bird tour to Tikal, leaving at 4. AM in the morning and returning around 1PM. In the afternoon, you have plenty of time to explore Flores, enjoy the sunset at the waterside, chill at Cool Beans or swing at Jorge’s Rope Swing.
Read my full Flores travel guide on the best things to do in and from Flores.
Casa Maya Itza (€40), Los Amigos Hostel (€55), Hotel Isla de Flores (€120),Zapote Tree House Inn (€40)
From Flores, make your way to the lush region of Rio Dulce. You can get to Rio Dulce by shuttle from Flores and jump on the boat to Livingston afterwards, which can drop you off at your accommodation. After we arrived in Rio Dulce, we had to wait quite a bit before the first local boat would leave (2:30 PM). If you gather sufficient people waiting, you can also rent a private boat and leave sooner. After we arrived at Hotelito Perdido, our stay for the coming days, we enjoyed the tranquillity. Dinner is served at 7 pm sharp daily, and tours/canoe rental is organised from the hotel.
When visiting Rio Dulce, you’ll most likely be located somewhere between Rio Dulce and Livingston to explore the Rio Dulce River. You can take a boat to visit Livingston, a town known for its Garifuna culture. Before you visit Livingston, you can relax at Playa Blanca, the most beautiful beach in Guatemala. Furthermore, you can go canoeing and visit the waterfalls (we headed to Lampara Waterfall). Alternatively, you can take a boat to spend a day at Finca Paraiso (you have to stay closer to Rio Dulce), a natural hot spring waterfall. All in all, there is plenty to do from Rio Dulce, however, relaxing at a beautiful river is the key thing!
Check out my Rio Dulce travel guide for more information.
Hotelito Perdido (€40) and they offer bunk beds too, Palmeras del Rio (€25), Tortugal Boutique River Lodge (€85), Boatique Hotel (€65). At Hotelito Perdido and Boatique there are also bunk beds available.
As mentioned, you could also alter your 2-week itinerary to the travel route focusing on Antigua (including Acatenango), Lake Atitlan, Lanquin, and Flores. In that case, you can best stay 2 or 3 days. As Semuc Champey is the key highlight, you only need a single-day trip to visit the turquoise pools and nearby caves. In Lanquin, there is a wide range of accommodations ranging from budget hostels to lodges.
Be careful, as food poisoning can happen in Lanquin, as well as visitors getting sick from the stagnant water in the caves. As mentioned, I’ve heard many different stories. For some travellers, Semuc Champey was the key highlight of the country; others mentioned it was not worth the long travel for a single touristic sight. From some travellers who have visited both, I learned that they preferred Rio Dulce, hence our decision.
El Retiro (€40), Greengos Hotel (€55), Mountain Nest (€100)
Whether you choose the classic route or the alternative, this 2-week Guatemala itinerary ensures you will experience the best of Guatemala’s rich culture, stunning landscapes and ancient history. Have an amazing trip!
