Picture this: morning coffee in a courtyard in Antigua, with Volcán de Agua framed above the terracotta rooftops. A few days later you're gliding across Lake Atitlán by boat, three volcanoes mirrored in the water, and before the trip is over you're watching the sun rise over the temples of Tikal as howler monkeys call from the canopy. That's Guatemala. It's about the size of Tennessee, yet it holds colonial cities, highland lakes, Maya markets and one of the greatest ancient cities in the Americas. The trick is matching your bases to your days: two for five days, two for eight, three for ten.
These three Guatemala itineraries come straight from trips we plan for our clients, with the same routes, pacing and drive times. Borrow them as they are, or use them as a jumping-off point. Either way, Guatemala has a way of calling you back.
Guatemala itineraries at a glance
| Trip length | Route | Best for | Sample trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | 2 nights in Antigua, 2 nights at Lake Atitlán | A first taste of Guatemala, a long weekend, a quick escape | Built to order |
| 8 days | 4 nights in Antigua, 3 nights at Lake Atitlán, with Acatenango and Semuc Champey | Couples, honeymoons, active travelers | Volcanoes & Highlands |
| 10 days | Antigua, Lake Atitlán and Tikal | First-timers who want it all, families, history lovers | Built to order, or Guatemala & Belize Explorer |
5 days in Guatemala: Antigua and Lake Atitlán
Five days is just right for Guatemala's two classics. Antigua sits about an hour from the international airport, and Lake Atitlán is around three hours beyond it, so two nights in each gives you colonial streets, volcano views and lake life, with short, scenic drives in between.
Day 1: Welcome to Antigua. Land in Guatemala City and meet your private driver for the hour-long journey to Antigua, a colonial city in a valley ringed by volcanoes. Check into your boutique hotel and spend the evening wandering cobblestone streets beneath pastel façades.
Day 2: Antigua's past & present. Step back in time on a private walking tour, passing the ruins of convents and churches as your guide brings the city's history and everyday life into view. In the afternoon, head up to a working coffee farm for a tour of the fields and a tasting of the estate's own roast.
Day 3: Into the highlands. Travel through the highlands to Lake Atitlán, winding along mountain roads toward water framed by volcanoes. If your dates fall on a Thursday or Sunday, stop at the colorful market in Chichicastenango on the way. Check into your lakeside hotel in time for sunset.
Day 4: Life on the lake. Hop on a boat to the lakeside villages, where Maya weaving cooperatives in San Juan La Laguna share their craft, or keep it simple with a kayak or paddleboard on the lake. Read more about Indigenous-led experiences at Lake Atitlán.
Day 5: Farewell to the highlands. One last breakfast with the volcano views, then your private driver takes you to Guatemala City for your flight home.
Insider's tip: Set on seeing Tikal? Swap Lake Atitlán for two nights on Lake Petén Itzá. It's a one-hour flight from Guatemala City, and a sunrise at the temples makes an unforgettable short trip.
8 days in Guatemala: volcanoes and highlands
Eight days is our sweet spot for couples and active travelers. Four nights in Antigua leave time for a volcano hike and a helicopter flight to the turquoise pools of Semuc Champey, then three nights at Lake Atitlán slow everything down. This route follows our Volcanoes & Highlands itinerary, from $4,675 per person.
Day 1: Welcome to Antigua. Meet your private driver in Guatemala City and head to Antigua. Check into your boutique hotel and spend the afternoon enjoying its courtyards or exploring the streets nearby.
Day 2: Walk through Antigua's history. Explore the city with a private guide, from grand cathedral ruins to quiet plazas, with plenty of stops for coffee and a taste of local sweets.
Day 3: Hike Acatenango's volcanic slopes. Set off early for a day hike on Acatenango, climbing through changing landscapes for sweeping views across Guatemala's volcanic chain. Watch for neighboring Fuego's activity when conditions allow, then return to Antigua for a well-earned evening.
Day 4: Turquoise pools by private helicopter. Take flight to Semuc Champey, where jungle trails lead to cascading limestone pools. Swim, explore, then fly back to Antigua for a relaxed evening in your hotel's gardens.
Day 5: Onward to the lake. Travel through the highlands to Lake Atitlán and check into your lakeside retreat. A swim, a shady terrace, or simply time together beside the water.
Day 6: A panorama above Lake Atitlán. Hike to Indian Nose with a guide for a panoramic view over the lake and its volcanoes, with the afternoon free for kayaking or swimming.
Day 7: A Maya fire ceremony. Join a private Maya fire ceremony led by a local spiritual guide, learning about the tradition through your host. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the lake at your own pace.
Day 8: Farewell to Guatemala. Your private driver takes you back to Guatemala City for your flight home.
Traveling with kids? Food, Markets & Maya Culture follows the same route at an easy family pace, with a street food tasting safari in Antigua, Chichicastenango's market and four relaxed nights on Lake Atitlán. Eight days, from $2,000 per person.
Planning a honeymoon? Our guide to honeymooning in Guatemala has our favorite romantic hotels and a sample route for two.
10 days in Guatemala: Antigua, Lake Atitlán and Tikal
Ten days lets you add the Maya lowlands to the highlands: colonial Antigua, the villages and volcanoes of Lake Atitlán, and the jungle temples of Tikal. A short domestic flight links the highlands with Petén, so the pace stays easy. This route follows the Guatemala half of our Guatemala & Belize Explorer.
Day 1: Arrival in Antigua. Meet your driver in Guatemala City for the journey to Antigua. Check into your boutique hotel and settle in beneath the volcanoes.
Day 2: Street food & colonial history. Wander labyrinthine cobblestone streets on a private walking tour, tasting your way through local delicacies and street fare as you uncover the ruins of convents and churches.
Day 3: Fair trade coffee. Head up to Finca Filadelfia, a working coffee farm with panoramic views over the valley. Handpick bright red coffee cherries, follow the beans through sorting, drying and roasting, and finish with a cupping session.
Day 4: Chichicastenango market. Travel into the highlands by way of Chichicastenango's open-air market on a Thursday or Sunday, where vendors from across the region sell textiles, pottery, flowers and fresh produce. Continue to your lakeside hotel on Lake Atitlán.
Day 5: A day on the water. Take a kayak or paddleboard out on the cobalt-blue lake, or enjoy the volcano views from your hotel's gardens.
Day 6: Lakeside villages. Explore the lake by private boat, stopping in Maya villages for weaving, coffee and art, or keep the day slow with spa time and a long lunch by the water.
Day 7: From the highlands to the jungle. Transfer to Guatemala City and fly north to Petén, about an hour. Continue to your intimate lodge on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá, ready for tomorrow's exploration of Tikal.
Day 8: Sunrise at Tikal. Start your day atop Temple IV, watching the sun rise over the morning mist. Then wander Tikal's temples and plazas with your guide as howler monkeys whoop and call overhead.
Day 9: Lake Petén Itzá. Kayak the lake, swim from the lodge's dock, or visit the island town of Flores with its colorful streets and lakeside cafés.
Day 10: Farewell to Guatemala. Fly from Flores back to Guatemala City to connect with your flight home.
Add Belize: Tikal sits close to the Belize border, so it's easy to keep going. Our Guatemala & Belize Explorer crosses into Belize after Tikal for canoeing through Barton Creek Cave, waterfall hikes in Mountain Pine Ridge and snorkeling the barrier reef from Placencia. Fifteen days, from $6,025 per person. For more ideas on the Belize side, see our Belize itineraries.
How to choose your trip length
- 5 days: a long weekend, or a week off with travel days on either end. Two nights in Antigua and two at Lake Atitlán cover Guatemala's highlights.
- 8 days: you want time for a volcano hike, Semuc Champey and slow lakeside days. It's the length most of our couples choose.
- 10 days: it's your first trip and you want the highlands and Tikal, or you're traveling as a family and like a relaxed pace.
Whichever you choose, give each base at least two nights, three if you can. Looking for hotel ideas? See our guide to where to stay in Guatemala. Want more inspiration for your days? Here are 10 activities you can't miss in Guatemala.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Guatemala?
Seven to eight days is perfect for Antigua and Lake Atitlán, with time for a volcano hike or a day trip to Semuc Champey. Five days works for a short trip to the highlands, and ten lets you add Tikal.
What's the best time of year to visit Guatemala?
November through April is the dry season, with sunny days and clear volcano views. The green season, May through October, brings lush landscapes, fewer visitors and afternoon showers on most days, with mornings that are often bright. Holy Week in Antigua, in March or April, is spectacular, so book early for those dates. Our guide to the best time to visit Guatemala has the details month by month.
How do you get to Tikal?
Fly from Guatemala City to Flores, about an hour, then drive about an hour to Tikal. We like to base travelers on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá, close enough for an early start at the temples.
Can you combine Guatemala and Belize in one trip?
Absolutely! Tikal is close to the Belize border, so a Guatemala and Belize trip flows naturally from the highlands to the Maya lowlands and on to Belize's jungle and reef. Our Guatemala & Belize Explorer shows how it works over fifteen days.
How much does a Guatemala itinerary cost?
Our sample Guatemala itineraries run from $2,000 per person for eight days with the family to $6,025 per person for fifteen days across Guatemala and Belize. International flights aren't included.
Can you plan our Guatemala trip for us?
We'd love to! It all starts with a free call. Tell us when you're thinking of going, who's coming along and what gets you excited, and we'll talk through which regions fit, how many nights to spend in each and the best time of year for your dates. You'll come away with a clear picture of your trip, plus a few ideas you hadn't thought of yet. Book your free call.
About the author
Adrienne Aragon is the founder of Osaviva Travel. She is a Certified Belize Specialist through the Belize Tourism Board and a Costa Rica and Mexico Specialist through Travel Agent Academy, and she plans custom honeymoons, family trips and group journeys across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Guatemala.
Plan your Guatemala itinerary
These routes are just the beginning. Book a free call and we'll talk through your dates, your travel style and the best route for you, with answers to all those "is it worth it?" questions along the way. Or browse our Guatemala trips for more inspiration. See you in Guatemala!
