Exploring Guatemala: The Ultimate 7-10 Day Itinerary

We absolutely loved our trip to Guatemala. It truly exceeded our expectations. Planning our itinerary was a bit challenging due to the abundance of activities and sights, many of which aren't easily accessible. With 7 to 10 days, you won't be able to see everything the country has to offer, but you can certainly hit the highlights.

One major attraction missing from our itinerary is the ancient Mayan ruins at Tikal National Park. To reach Tikal, you need to take a domestic flight from Guatemala City to Flores, which is roughly an hour-long flight. Alternatively, you could drive for 10 hours, but with kids, that’s a hard no for us. While adding Tikal to your itinerary is completely doable, we chose to skip it. We've visited several other Mayan ruins before, and considering our children's ages (1, 5, and 8), it didn't seem necessary this time around.

Other places we considered visiting but couldn't fit in were Semuc Champey and El Paredon. We were particularly keen on Semuc Champey, but the options were either a bus ride over 10 hours or a very expensive private transfer, so we had to pass on it this time.

Our trip coincided with Semana Santa (Holy Week), one of the busiest times of the year. Experiencing the cultural celebrations leading up to Easter was amazing, but it made booking hotels more challenging, as many of the best ones were fully booked. If you're planning to visit during this week, it's wise to book in advance. However, we didn't plan ahead (we usually don’t), and everything still worked out, so don't stress too much if you're a last-minute planner like us!

Procession in Antigua

When to plan your trip (Weather & Crowds)

Before planning your Guatemala itinerary, it’s important to understand the country’s weather patterns. Guatemala experiences two distinct seasons, the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October).

For those seeking comfortable temperatures and minimal rainfall, I highly recommend visiting during the dry season. The dry season is popular for a reason – the weather is typically sunny and dry, making it ideal for traveling and exploring the country’s outdoor attractions.

Itinerary:

Our first day we arrived after 7 PM, so I’m not counting this travel day as part of the itinerary. Instead, I’ll start with our first full day.

Day 1 – Explore Antigua

Scenes from Antigua

After flying into Guatemala City, head over to Antigua. You can easily take an Uber, but we arranged our pickup through the hotel. They charged us $75, which is definitely more than an Uber, but we preferred this option because we wanted a large van to pick us up.

Antigua Guatemala, the old capital of the country, is a charming small town surrounded by volcanoes and rich in history. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua offers a glimpse into colonial Guatemalan history, evident in its well-preserved architecture and cobblestone streets.

We spent the day with no real agenda, simply wandering around the streets, visiting the many markets, and soaking in the beauty of the town. Highlights included the iconic Santa Catalina Arch, the bustling Central Park, and the stunning ruins of old churches like La Merced and San Francisco. Antigua's vibrant café culture is also a delight – we enjoyed a delicious coffee at one of the many quaint cafés. Don't miss the chance to sample local delicacies at the street vendors and try some of the town’s renowned chocolate.

Where to stay in Antigua:

For accommodations, if you can, stay at Casa Hotel Santo Domingo. This hotel is absolutely gorgeous, doubling as a museum and built around ruins, making for a very special experience. They also have a lovely pool, which we enjoyed in the afternoon after getting hot and tired from walking around all morning. The food here was also really good.

Even if you're not staying there, you should visit Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. The hotel is situated on the ruins of an old convent, and its beautiful grounds, gardens, courtyards, and museums are open for anyone to visit.

We also stayed at Casa Faustina because one of our nights at Santo Domingo was fully booked. This hotel is amazing for families because they have very large rooms. We had a room with two bedrooms and a downstairs area with a kitchen, table, couch, etc. The beds were very comfortable, and the kids loved the room! The staff was also extremely friendly and helpful.

Casa Hotel Santo Domingo: https://www.casasantodomingo.com.gt/

Hotel Casa Faustina: https://hotelcasafaustina.com/

Day 2 – Hobbitenango & Volcano Pacaya

Such a fun time at Hobbitenango

Hobbitenango is a must-visit with kids and a great place even without them. It’s a quick ride, about 15 minutes outside of Antigua. We took a very inexpensive Uber to get there.

Hobbitenango is a hobbit-themed eco-park with adorable hobbit houses and sweeping views of the mountains surrounding Antigua. The whimsical architecture and stunning vistas make it a delightful spot for both kids and adults. We could have easily spent a few more hours here, but we had to return so Levi could nap before heading out for the volcano tour.

One of the highlights of the trip for the kids was Volcano Pacaya

We booked a private tour the day before while walking around town with Luna Tours. You have the option of doing a sunrise or sunset tour, and we opted for sunset because our kids are not early risers, and the timing worked better for us. Unsure about the difficulty of the hike, we weren’t sure how many horses to get, so we ended up getting three, planning for the parents to switch on and off hiking or riding with Levi. Turns out they brought an extra horse, anticipating we might need it, and they were right! The hike is quite challenging, with a constant uphill climb.

Hiking Pacaya is an adventure in itself. The trail ascends through a mix of lush forest and volcanic rock, providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The trek can be strenuous, especially for young children, but the horses made it manageable and enjoyable for the whole family. About halfway up, there are rest stops where you can take a break and enjoy the scenery.

Reaching the top was an unforgettable experience. The area where they make pizzas in the volcanic rocks is fascinating, and roasting marshmallows over the heat from the lava flows beneath the rocks was a highlight for the kids. The volcanic activity creates a unique cooking experience, and the ambiance from the top during sunset were absolutely breathtaking.

This was a not-to-be-missed experience. We all enjoyed it so much, and it was the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. The kids loved riding the horses and roasting marshmallows, while we appreciated the stunning natural beauty and the unique experience of being so close to an active volcano.

Day 3 – ½ Day Antigua & Drive to Lake Atitlan

Some of the beautiful Alfombras we saw on our walk

The drive from Antigua to Lake Atitlan typically takes between 2.5 to 3 hours. To maximize Levi's nap time, we planned to depart around 1 PM. This day coincided with one of the main days when the Alfombras, colorful street carpets made of sawdust and flowers, were on display. Residents along the streets of Antigua begin preparations weeks and even months in advance to create these beautifully intricate offerings. The carpets are painstakingly made by hand. Ranging in designs from biblical scenes to popular soccer teams, alfombras are often created a single spoonful of sawdust at a time. We took some time to admire these intricate creations before heading to brunch at Caoba Farms.

The amazing Caoba Farms

Caoba Farms was one of our favorite places in Antigua! The farm offers not only delicious food but also a range of activities for the whole family to enjoy. From exploring the butterfly sanctuary to interacting with farm animals and relaxing to live music, we found ourselves immersed in the serene atmosphere.

After brunch, we Ubered back to the hotel, where our van from Luna Tours awaited us for the journey to Lake Atitlan. Choosing Luna Tours again was a no-brainer, given our excellent experience the day before.

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala’s second-largest lake and the deepest in Central America, is renowned for its stunning beauty and cultural diversity. Each town around the lake boasts its own unique charm and specialty industries. We opted to make Panajachel our home base, as it offers convenient access to water taxis for exploring neighboring villages and a wide range of accommodation and dining options.

Navigating the lake is a breeze with public boats, offering frequent departures at budget-friendly prices ($1-3). For shorter trips within towns, tuk-tuks are readily available and provide a convenient way to get around.

The water taxis were very fun for the kids

Luckily, we encountered minimal traffic on our drive, allowing us to arrive at Lake Atitlan with plenty of time to soak in the breathtaking scenery and start our adventure.

Where to Stay in Lake Atitlan:

While we initially hoped to stay at Hotel Atitlan, it was fully booked for the entire week we were there. Instead, we found accommodation at Hotel Reserva Natural. Though our room was more rustic compared to some of the other hotels we considered, the kids loved it. We appreciated its quiet location on a beautiful nature reserve, away from the hustle and bustle of town.

The kids loving the hanging bed at Hotel Reserva Natural

Once settled in our room, we took a Tuk Tuk into town to walk around the streets and grab some dinner. Exploring the streets of Panajachel in the evening was a delightful way to end our day.

Hotel Atitlan: https://www.hotelatitlan.com/

Hotel Reserva Natural: https://www.atitlanreserva.com/en

Day 4 – San Juan & San Pedro

Scenes from San Juan

San Juan is undoubtedly one of the most captivating towns to explore around Lake Atitlan, renowned for its vibrant art galleries, captivating street art, weaving cooperatives, and streets adorned with bursts of color.

After breakfast, we hopped into a Tuk Tuk and made our way down to the public boats (Lanchas) for a scenic boat ride to San Juan. The journey, punctuated by stops at various towns along the lake, lasted about 40 minutes, much to the delight of the kids.

In San Juan, we spent a couple of hours strolling through its charming streets, admiring the art and browsing through the weaving cooperatives. We had a delicious lunch before hopping back onto the boats to continue our journey to San Pedro.

San Pedro, unfortunately, didn't quite capture our hearts. As luck would have it, the heavens opened up, and we found ourselves caught in a downpour while exploring the town. Taking refuge in the cozy confines of Sababa café, we savored some delectable falafel from a nearby eatery. Despite the rain, San Pedro felt somewhat uneventful to us.

After a long and slightly damp day, we retreated to the comfort of our hotel. For dinner, we treated ourselves to a delicious meal at Hotel Atitlan, savoring both the food and the tranquil lakeside ambiance.

Day 5 - Santa Catarina Palopó & San Antonio Palopó

Gorgeaous views driving to Santa Catarina Palopo

These two picturesque towns can be easily reached from Panajachel by Tuk Tuk. We began our day with a visit to Santa Catarina Palopó, the closer of the two.

Santa Catarina Palopó is one of the most beautiful and colorful towns surrounding Lake Atitlan. Recently, an initiative has been launched to rejuvenate the town through vibrant murals and colorful facades, aiming to boost tourism and the local economy. The town also boasts a thermal water area, so we took a stroll down to the lake for a refreshing swim. After enjoying the warm waters and the scenic surroundings, we had lunch at a local eatery before finding another Tuk Tuk to take us to our next destination, San Antonio Palopó.

Thermal waters in Santa Catarina Palopó

San Antonio Palopó is a stunning coastal village known for its pottery and ceramics. Our Tuk Tuk driver dropped us off at one of the local ceramic workshops, where the kids were treated to a pottery lesson. This was an incredible experience, as the workshop was an authentic, hands-on pottery studio that gave us a real sense of the craft and the local culture. The kids were fascinated by the process, and we all enjoyed learning about the traditional techniques used to create beautiful ceramic pieces.

Local ceramic workshop in San Antonio

After a day filled with creativity and exploration, we headed back to Panajachel, feeling enriched by the vibrant culture and craftsmanship we had experienced.

Day 6 – Hiking, Ziplining, & Santiago Atitlan

Hiking and ziplining at the Hotel Reserva Natural

One of the best parts about staying at Hotel Reserva Natural is the proximity to the nature reserve, known for its hiking and ziplining. Plus, staying at the hotel gets you a slight discount on the cost of ziplining!

We started our morning with a beautiful family hike through the reserve. The trail was perfect for all of us, offering stunning views and plenty of photo opportunities. After our hike, the kids were excited to go ziplining while Levi napped back in the room.

Santiago Atitlan

In the afternoon, we took a boat over to Santiago Atitlan. Since the public boats stop running at 5 PM, we had to be mindful of our time. To make the most of our visit, we hired a Tuk Tuk driver to give us a tour of the town. This turned out to be a fantastic idea. We got a personalized tour and our driver made sure we got back to the boats on time. We really enjoyed exploring Santiago, with its rich history and vibrant local culture.

Once back in Panajachel, we unwound at a bar by the water, watching a beautiful sunset. For dinner, we headed to Circus Bar, which served up pizzas and pastas—a nice change from the Guatemalan food we'd been enjoying. It was the perfect end to a wonderful day. 

Sunset in Panajachel

 Day 7 – San Marcos La Laguna

Today was supposed to be our visit to Chichicastenango, the largest market in Guatemala. It’s held every Thursday and Saturday, except during Semana Santa when it moves to Wednesday. Unfortunately, no one informed us about this change, so we missed it. Instead, we found ourselves with an extra day around the lake and decided to visit San Marcos La Laguna, which turned out to be one of our favorite spots.

When you get off the boat in San Marcos, there's a path to the left that leads to Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve. It’s an easy hike with stunning views of the lake, leading to a spot where you can cliff jump into the water from various heights. Entry to the trail requires a ticket, but it’s very affordable. Sarel, never one to miss a chance for a swim, jumped from the highest point, while Mylo did his first-ever cliff jump from one of the lower spots. The area was bustling with people, and there were lifeguards on duty—good thing, as we did see someone get hurt, so caution is advised. It was a fun and unique experience, different from the other places we visited.

Cliff jumping at Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve

After the nature reserve, we wandered through the streets of San Marcos. The town has a relaxed, hippie-ish vibe, known for its focus on wellness and spirituality. We absolutely fell in love with it. We found some wonderful cafes, and had one of the best drinks of our entire trip at a local bar. The atmosphere was so laid-back and enjoyable.

Walking around San Marcos

Later, we met up with friends who were staying at Hotel Atitlan. We joined them for a swim and stayed for dinner. The grounds of the hotel are simply breathtaking, providing a perfect end to our day.

Late swim and dinner at Hotel Atitlan

Day 8 –  Tecpan

Today we’re leaving Lake Atitlan. Our hotel also had a butterfly sanctuary, so we spent the morning there. It was absolutely beautiful and a perfect way to start the day.

Butterfly sanctuary at Hotel Reserva Natural

Seeking an off-the-beaten-path place to stay for a night on our way back to Antigua, we discovered Tecpan, about an hour from Lake Atitlan. After our morning at the butterfly sanctuary, we set off for Tecpan.

We stayed at Albergues de Tecpan, which turned out to be fantastic for the kids. The property is expansive, with numerous unique play areas for children. We had lunch at their restaurant, which was surprisingly delicious.

In the afternoon, we visited the ruins at Iximche. Our hotel arranged a driver for us, whom we used during our stay and for our trip to Antigua the next day. At Iximche, we were the only tourists, and locals even stopped to take pictures with us. While we enjoyed exploring the ruins, there was no information available in English, which made it a bit challenging to fully appreciate what we were seeing.

The ruins at Iximche

For dinner, we went to Pueblo Real Tecpan. This place is unbelievable! They have a small petting zoo, playground, pony rides, trails, small shops selling souvenirs, and a wonderful restaurant. The kids had a blast, and the food was great too.

We were so glad we stopped in Tecpan. This place was the real deal.

Day 9 - Antigua

After breakfast, we headed back to Antigua, which was a little over an hour's drive. We checked back into Hotel Casa Santo Domingo and were thrilled to return. Since it was the middle of the day and quite hot, we decided to relax by the pool first and then explore the city once it started to cool down a bit.

In the afternoon, we strolled around Antigua, picking up some last-minute souvenirs and enjoying some tasty bites along the way. We also found a really cool bar/lounge for happy hour, which was a great way to unwind and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the city.

Cafes and happy hour in Antigua

For dinner, we dined on the hotel patio, and it was absolutely delicious. We spent our last night reminiscing about all the amazing experiences we had on this trip and how much we loved being in Guatemala. It was the perfect end to a memorable adventure.

Day 10 – Head Home

We enjoyed breakfast at the hotel before getting an Uber back to the airport.  The Uber was around $40 and took 40 minutes to get there.

The airport check-in process was quick and easy, wrapping up our fantastic journey in Guatemala!