1 Week in Guatemala - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Family-Friendly Guatemala: Lake Atitlán & Antigua

Split your time between the historic city of Antigua and the stunning Lake Atitlán on this seven-day Guatemala tour perfect for families with young children. With fun-filled experiences crafted with young ones in mind, including a chocolate-making workshop, a day trip to the beach, and short but beautiful hikes, the entire family can delight in trying new things and learning more about the country's warm culture. Plus, with limited time in a vehicle, you'll get the most out of your week in Guatemala.

Welcome to Guatemala! Your family's adventure starts in the colonial town of Antigua, where you'll shake off any jetlag with a fun afternoon wandering cobbled streets and roaming Plaza Mayor. Settled in, spend the following day tempting family members' taste buds with a history and food walking tour followed by a fun-filled visit to the Chocolate Museum for a "bean to bar" workshop. The next morning brings you on a day trip to El Paredon, the perfect place for parents to relax under palm trees while kids burn off energy running along the black sandy beaches or trying their hand at surfing.

As day four rolls around, transfer north to Chichicastenango—home to Central America's largest market. You'll have no problem entertaining the kids during a carpet-making workshop, in which flowers, colored sawdust, and fruit are used to decorate the streets. Afterward, continue to Lake Atitlán, where plenty of unique experiences will take place for your family, including a visit to Iximché and a boat cruise to Maya villages dotted around the lake. Before transferring to Antigua, embark on a hike to El Mirador de San Juan, then spend your day indulging in street food until it's time to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Guatemala Family Tour: Antigua & Lake Atitlán

Enjoy the ideal mix of nature and culture on this fun-filled southern Guatemala family vacation. Perfect for active children who love getting involved, you'll gain a deep appreciation for the welcoming nature of Guatemalans while watching your young ones interact with local families through cooking classes, guided tours, and a Maya fire ceremony. Plus, with three nights each in Antigua and Lake Atitlán, there is plenty of time for parents to enjoy delicious dinners and relaxing evenings.

Your family adventure starts in Antigua, where you'll get a taste of the country's flavor-packed cuisine during an interactive cooking class. Next, embark on a guided driving tour of the surrounding countryside, visiting the quiet town of Ciudad Vieja and letting kids bring out their inner artists during a visit to a textile and weaving co-op. Adjusted to the timezone, you'll embark on a remarkable guided hike to the top of Pacaya, one of the region's most popular active volcanoes, and the perfect place to treat children to a surprise activity of roasting marshmallows on hot pockets of petrified lava at the summit.

After a relaxing evening in Antigua, you'll hit the road to Lake Atitlán. Once you've checked in at your hotel, you'll spend a lovely afternoon on a boat cruise visiting Maya villages that surround the lake via a boat cruise. Meet the residents, learn about their daily life, and see a women's weaving co-op; then, kids will be particularly excited for a day of kayaking and hiking near San Marcos La Laguna. Parents and children alike will also enjoy wandering the seemingly endless stalls at a market in Chichicastenango and attending a traditional Maya fire ceremony before it's time to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Best of Guatemala with Kids: Antigua & Lake Atitlán 

Crafted for families seeking the perfect blend of cultural immersion, history, and outdoor activities, this best-of Guatemala itinerary ticks off Guatemala's most impressive highlights. Parents and children alike will love diving deeper into the Guatemalan way of life through a cooking class, a boat tour, and a visit to the Chichicastenango market. Then, let your kid's imagination run wild as they roam the temples and palaces of the Iximché ruins before ending your trip in Guatemala City.

Start your bucket list family adventure in Antigua, where you'll settle into life in Guatemala during a cooking class led by chefs who'll introduce you to the rich flavors of local cuisine. Next, set off on a guided driving tour through the Almolonga Valley, exploring quaint villages and a macadamia nut farm and visiting vibrant weaving co-ops. In the evening, head back to Antigua for a mouthwatering street food tour that even the pickiest eaters will love. Then, treat your kids to a memorable chocolate-making workshop before visiting the beautiful sculpture garden in Santo Domingo del Cerro.

The following day promises countless memorable moments as you transfer to Lake Atitlán and spend a relaxing evening meandering along the shore and capturing family photos. Ready to explore further, you'll set off on an exciting boat tour, stopping by the tiny village of San Juan La Laguna, embarking on a hike to El Mirador de San Juan, and learning more about the local culture during a visit to the Chichicastenango market. Before returning to Antigua, treat your children to an exciting side of history with a visit to the Iximché ruins; then, it'll be time to head to Guatemala City to bid adios to Guatemala. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Family Adventure in Guatemala: Temples, Pyramids & Wildlife

This adventure-packed trip is perfect for families seeking cultural experiences and thrilling activities. Children will love the chocolate-making workshop, ziplining in the Atitlán Nature Reserve, and exploring ancient ruins. At the same time, parents will appreciate discovering Indigenous Maya villages and the impressive Tikal National Park.

Your adventure starts with a family-friendly guided walking tour of Antigua's charming streets, followed by a chocolate-making workshop at the Chocolate Museum. After a relaxing morning, head west to Lake Atitlán. You'll explore Indigenous Maya villages like San Juan La Laguna and Santiago Atitlán and delve into traditional crafts and weaving techniques. Next, get ready for a thrilling family adventure day at the Atitlán Nature Reserve, ziplining above the forest canopy, visiting the Butterfly Geodome, and wandering along serene trails and hanging bridges.

Nearing the halfway mark of your family trip, you'll take a deep dive into Guatemala's history with a visit to the fascinating Iximché ruins, where children can immerse themselves in ancient tales and explore pyramid temples, palaces, and ball courts. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal National Park, once the capital of a powerful Maya kingdom, and marvel at the majestic temples and pyramids hidden within the jungle. As you explore, help the kids spot native wildlife, including monkeys, armadillos, and ocelots. Then, make your way to Guatemala City to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Guatemala for Young Explorers: Temples, Jungles & Cave

Crafted especially for families eager to get off the beaten path, this family-forward itinerary takes you from Guatemala City in the south up to Tikal National Park in the north. Parents and children will delight in the kid-friendly activities, including river tubing adventures and guided explorations of ancient ruins. 

After arriving in Guatemala City, let the little ones burn off their energy and excitement on a walking tour, checking out the impressive architecture of the Metropolitan Cathedral and visiting the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology. Next, trade the city for coffee farms and cloud forests with a trip to Ram Tzul, a nature reserve near Cobán, where you'll hike to a waterfall plunging 260 feet (79 m) down into a lagoon. Geared up for even more adventure, you'll spend the following day marveling at Semuc Champey's turquoise pools and navigating the K'an Ba river caves by candlelight. 

A transfer to Candelaria and a big day of adventure await next, where you'll join a guide for a tubing trip through the underground river system. Continue your exploration with a visit to the ancient Maya site of Aguateca before reaching Tikal National Park. Immerse yourselves in the ancient world of Tikal Maya, exploring ruins and pyramids, all while watching for playful monkeys. Finally, transfer to Antigua, where you'll spend your last night savoring traditional Guatemalan fare and reminiscing about your family adventure until it's time to catch your flight from Guatemala City the following day. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Guatemala Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Guatemala? Check out these other seven-day Guatemala itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.