Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
After exploring Guatemala or the second time, I am officially in love with this country. It is a great combination of adventure activities, an established tourism industry that makes it easy to get around and visit and an authentic feel that is sometime missing from other Central American countries. In this guide, I’m sharing a complete 1 week itinerary to Guatemala (although to be honest – you need more than a week to explore this country).
With 1 week in Guatemala, you have time to explore Antiqua and Lake Atitlan, and I’ll share more suggestions of places to visit if you have more time or how to shorten this itinerary.
You can find more guides to destinations around the world or all our guides to Guatemala here on Chasing ADVNTR.
I’ve spent over a decade exploring family adventures, epic hikes, and National Parks across the world. For more inspiration, check out my National Parks Page or see some of my favorite destinations to plan your next adventure and make sure to join my weekly newsletter.
Quick Look at the Guatemala Itinerary
This is a 1 week itinerary, but I’ve included 8 days total. This includes your arrival and departure dates so you really only have 6 full days in Guatemala. Depending on your exact timing you can adjust this itinerary in many ways – I’ve included a section below with ideas of how to shorten or lengthen your trip. One important thing in this itinerary is that you should plan to acclimate a little if you are coming from sea level before hiking the Volcano (thus the 3 nights in Antiqua).
- Day 1: Arrive Guatemala City and head directly to Antiqua
- Day 2: Explore Antigua – Coffee and Bike Tour
- Day 3: Hobbitenango– explore this spot and possibly stay here (with an extra day)
- Day 4: Hike Volcano Acatenango
- Day 5: Head to Lake Atitlan
- Day 6 and 7: Explore the Lake
- Day 8: Head back to Guatamala City and Fly Home
For details of this itinerary, scroll on down.
Why This is a Great Itinerary
This is a great itinerary because it hit a few amazing parts of Guatemala without a crazy amount of driving. Despite being small, it takes a long time to get around Guatemela – so trying to get in other destinations in a week (like Tikal, Semuc Champey, etc) means you’ll spend your week in car.
This itinerary hits 3 of the best places in Guatemala:
Lake Atitan – this gorgeous lake surrounded by volcanos is truly stunning, and the small towns that dot the shoreline provide lots of places to explore.
Antigua – This town is also surrounded by volcanos and is a perfect base for many activities and also has a vibrant food scene. You can easily spend a few days here and the colors make for a great background of photos.
Volcan Acatenango: this iconic hike is spectacular (and hard!) You will spend the night watching Volcano Fuego erupt. If this is too much for your group – you can also explore Volcan Pacaya.
Things to Know About Planning a Trip to Guatemala
Guatemala is an easy country to visit, but there are few things that are helpful to know to help you plan your visit.
How to Get Around in Guatemala
When I first visited Guatemala 20 years ago, we mostly got around on the local buses. On this visit, we were with another family (9 people in total) and traveled mostly with shared shuttles. These are relatively inexpensive and are a much better choice than renting a car. We’ve rented cars around the world (Thailand, Norway, Mexico, etc) and I would not rent a car in Guatemala. This may change in the next few years as the roads continue to improve.
There are many companies that run shuttles between the areas on this itinerary.
Safety in Guatemala
Guatemala is similar to other Central American countries and you should be cautious in crowded areas. I recommend doing your own reasearch and following government recommendations before visit. That said, I have never felt unsafe in this country.
Do not drink the water in Guatemala (always drink bottled) and be careful of food and drinks – it isn’t uncommon to experience digestive issues in this country. It’s also best to check with your doctor on vaccinations. Finally, altitude is a real factor, especially if you are coming from sea level. Drink plenty to water and make sure to give yourself time before doing anything strenuous.
Weather for this 1 Week Itinerary to Guatemala
The weather in Antigua and Lake Atitlan is generally cooler than you might expect as a result of the elevation. Evenings can be particularly cool so make sure to pack layers. Make sure to follow the packing list for the volcano as this hike and overnight can be very cold and windy.
How Long do you Need for a Guatamala Itinerary
1 week is enough time to visit this part of Guatelama and enjoy some of the highlights – BUT if you want to see some other areas like Semuc Champey can Tikal you will need more than a week.
Currency & Payments
Guatemala uses the Quetzal (GTQ); cash is king outside tourist areas, ATMs can be unreliable. Compared to when I visited 20 years ago, more places are accepting credit cards, but be prepared to pay a higher fee.
Language
Spanish spoken in this part of the country as well as a number of Mayan languages. In Antigua and Lake Atitlan many people speak English.
Budget & Costs
Guatemala is a relatively inexpensive country, although that is slowly changing. Many hotels in both destinations are actually quite expensive. That said, you can still travel here as a budget traveler. Expect to tip about 10% on most things if you’ve had good service.
Details on this Guatemala Itinerary
Here is a break down on the details of this itinerary.
Day 1: Arrive Guatemala City and head directly to Antigua
Guatamala City is about an hour drive from Antigua, although there will likely be traffic and it will take longer. I recommend arranging your transfer in advance so that when you arrive in the chaos outside the airport you have a driver or shuttle waiting or at least know where to go.
Head directly to your hotel in Antigua and grab some dinner.
Where to Stay in Antigua: In general the best place to stay is in the Historic center of Antigua although you can find less expensive places right outside town. Here are a few good options.
Day 2 and 3: Explore Antigua
Before you head up the volcano, you have 2 full days to acclimate in Antigua and enjoy this town in your 1 week itinerary in Antiqua. There is a lot to do in this area. Here are a few suggestions of some of our favorite things to do with a few days in Antigua:
- Hobbitenango– explore this spot and possibly stay here overnight (with an extra day)
- Take a Bikings/Coffee Tour – We did this biking and coffee tour on our first day in town and it gave us a great overview of the area and was a fun way to learn more about the coffee farms here.
- Take a cooking class – this is a un way to learn about the local foods (or you can take a food tour around town)
- Wander the streets and enjoy the Arch
Day 4: Hike Volcano
This hike is one of the top experiences I’ve had in my life and is absolutely worth it. It is also a hard hike so make sure you know what you are getting into. We did this as a 2 day hike climbing up Volcan Acentenango where you can spend the night watching Volcan Fuego erupting. We did this hike with V Hiking but there are many companies running 2 day hikes.
The hike leaves early in the morning and ascends to basecamp on the first day. On the second day you hike down the mountain and will be back in Antigua around 1 pm. You can onfte get a ride directly to Lake Atitlan as well.
I’ve written a complete guide to out Volcano overnight: A Complete Guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike for Views of Volcan Fuego
Day 5: Head to Lake Atitlan
After your hike up the Volcano – it’s time to relax and explore a bit of culture at Lake Atitlan. The drive from the Volcano or Antigua takes a few hours and you will arrive at the large town of Panajachel. This lake is ringed with volcanos and the shoreline is dotted with towns that range from hippie hangouts for traditional pottery studios.
If you have 8 days for this itinerary, you can spend 3 nights at the lake. The biggest decision you will make is where to stay. You can stay right in Panajachel, but I recommend staying in one of the towns across the lake. It’s easy to get around the lake by boat (there are only roads along part of the shoreline. To get a boat, simply head to the ferry dock and hop on a boat to go across the lake. The cost will be about 25-30Q or slightly more depending on where you are heading (prices in 2026). Once the boat fills up it will leave and stop at the towns along the way.
If you plan to stay in one of the towns you can search for a range or lodging options from hostels to luxury hotels. I can personally recommend La Iguana Perida (as a budget option). I stayed here on my first visit to the lake, or you can try La Casa Del Mundo – we absolutely adored our stay here.
Day 6 and 7: Explore the Lake
Each town around the lake has its own personality, from laid-back backpacker vibes to traditional artisan communities. The best thing to do in the area is to spend time exploring the different towns.
Explore the Lakeside Villages
One of the best parts of visiting Lake Atitlán is hopping between towns by boat. You can shop in the local markets for pottery and weaving.
- Panajachel – the main hub and entry point
- San Pedro La Laguna – budget-friendly and social
- San Marcos La Laguna – yoga, wellness, and relaxation
- Santiago Atitlán – rich in culture and history
Take a Hike
For incredible views, hiking one of the surrounding volcanoes or take a coastal walk. Some of the towns are connected by trails.
- Indian Nose – famous sunrise hike
- Volcán San Pedro – challenging but rewarding
- Mayan Trail
Kayak or paddle board on the Lake
Paddling out onto the calm morning water gives you a completely different perspective of the lake and volcanoes. Early morning is best for smooth water and fewer boats.
Take a Yoga or Wellness Class
Lake Atitlán, especially San Marcos, is known for its wellness scene. You’ll find yoga classes, meditation spaces, and holistic retreats with incredible views.
Swim (or cliff jump)
While the lake can be deep and cool, there are designated areas and docks perfect for swimming. Head to San Marcos if you want to try cliff jumping. See exactly how to cliff jump at San Marcos.
Take a Cultural Tour
Learn about Mayan traditions, weaving techniques, and local history. This adds a deeper layer to your visit beyond just the scenery. Here are some fantastic tours:
- Maya Cooking Class
- Temazcal sauna and dinner, cultural sharing experience
- Tour a NGO non profit Vocational Training Center Amigos de Santa Cruz and explore the Mayan village
Day 8: Head back to Guatamala City and Fly Home
Depending on the time of your flight you may want to head back to the city the night before or get an early morning shuttle to the airport. We had a 2 pm flight and left the lake around 8 am. There will be traffic along the route so it’s best to ask your driver directly about timing.
How to Adjust this Itinerary
This itinerary assumes you have 8 days and it includes you arrival and departure days. There are several ways to adjust this itinerary.
How to Shorten this Itinerary
If you are short on time, you have a few options.
The first thing I would do is to shorten your time at Lake Atitlan. Instead of 3 nights, just spend 2 nights at the lake and you can enjoy 1 full day boating around between the different towns.
If you need to shorten your trip even more, you can also decrease a day in Antigua – but remember that you will lose out on one day of acclimating for the volcano.
What to do with More Time
If you have more time, there are so many ways to lengthen this itinerary. The first time I visited Guatemala, I spent a full month here and never ran out of things to do. With just one extra day, you can include a visit to Chichicastenango and see the market. You can also spend another day at the lake and just do a day trip to the market.
If you have a few more days, you should plan a longer trip to Semuc Champey or up to Tikal. The fastest way to get to Tikal is to fly to Flores or you can take a shuttle across the country and stop at both destinations. Both these destinations are amazing and worth a visit if you have enough time.
Looking for more itineraries in Central America? Check out:
