15 Days in Guatemala - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Guatemala Nature & Culture Tour

It's all about striking volcanic landscapes, charming villages, and ancient ruins on this 15-day highlights tour of Guatemala. Perfect for first-time visitors, you'll see and explore the country's most fascinating sites on foot, horseback, and zipline. Plus, with time in the colonial city of Antigua and the bustling Guatemala City, you'll get a well-rounded view of Guatemala's modern and historical wonders.

Welcome to Guatemala! Your adventure begins in the colorful town of Antigua, where you'll have four days to soak up the city's culture. Join a local historian for a guided walking tour, spend a day ziplining above waterfalls in Santo Domingo del Cerro, and hike through volcanic landscapes to the peak of Pacaya volcano. Next, the ultimate bucket list experience awaits—an overnight hike on the slopes of the Acatenango volcano, complete with a dinner high above the Antigua Valley and a sunrise trek to the summit. Then, more awe-inspiring landscapes are on the horizon as you transfer to Lake Atitlán.

Over the next two days, there's no shortage of adventure as you explore Lake Atitlán's ragged coastlines via a boat tour, hiking, horseback riding, and a paragliding flight. After a boat transfer across the crater lake and stopping by the Iximché ruins, it's time to fly north to Flores, the gateway to Tikal National Park. Wander through the complex's impressive temples with an expert guide before continuing to Río Dulce. With your trip winding down, you'll enjoy a relaxed cruise down the rainforest-clad river until transferring to Guatemala City to catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Highlights of Guatemala & Belize: Adventure & Culture

With long afternoons at the beach, an unforgettable hike up Pacaya volcano, and local-led tours through ancient ruins, this best of Guatemala and Belize itinerary ticks all the boxes. Ideal for those who enjoy staying on the move, you'll zigzag your way from Antigua in southern Guatemala to the stunning Ambergris Caye off the coast of Belize. Along the way, you'll have time to explore the dramatic landscapes surrounding Lake Atitlán, wander the ancient ruins at Tikal National Park, and soak up Central America's warm culture.

After arriving in Guatemala City and transferring to Antigua, you'll get your first taste of the country's deep history and incredible nature as you wander 16th-century cobblestone streets, followed by a visit to the eco-village of Hobbitenango. Rise early on Day 3 for a guided climb up Pacaya volcano, enjoy a picnic at the summit, then settle in for a scenic transfer to Lake Atitlán. With so much to see around Guatemala's most famous lake, the day is yours to spend as you please. Rent kayaks, zipline over waterfalls, or relax in a hammock, followed by a hike up Rupalaj K'istalin for vistas over the lake and the surrounding volcanoes.

Next, fly north to Flores and continue to Tikal National Park for two memorable days wandering ancient ruins until it's time to cross the border to Belize. In San Ignacio, you'll explore the limestone caverns via a float down the Caves Branch River before heading to the tiny island of Caye Caulker. Take in the crystal clear waters along the Belize Barrier Reef, then head to the adjacent island of Ambergris Caye to spend three uninterrupted days between the beach and ocean. On your last full day, fly to Guatemala City and tour the famous landmarks until it's time to catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Essential Guatemala: Volcanoes, Ruins & Waterfalls

Take a deep dive into Guatemala's lengthy history and bucket-list-worthy landscapes on this 15-day itinerary. Crafted for first-time visitors who enjoy experiencing highlights from a locals perspective, you'll keep on the move while traveling slowly from the southern volcanic region to the Maya ruins-filled north—and even the ruins of Copán, Honduras—and back to the Caribbean coast. Add on a cooking class, chocolate-making workshop, and city tours, and you'll leave Guatemala feeling rejuvenated by the country's warm culture.

Begin your Guatemala trip in the colonial city of Antigua, wandering Old Town, admiring the Santa Catalina Arch, and dusting off any jet lag with a humbling hike up Pacaya volcano. Rest up, as the next two days will be spent conquering the challenging trail up Acatenango volcano, camping 12,300 feet (3,750 m) above sea level, and summiting in time for sunrise. After an intensive past few days, you'll appreciate the scenic drive to Lake Atitlán. Swim, kayak, and relax in a hammock, then tour the village-dotted shoreline on a boat before returning to Antigua for a chocolate workshop and cooking class.

As the second half of your trip arrives, it's back to the airport to catch your flight to Flores and on to Yaxhá National Park. Filled with pyramids and plazas, you'll get a stark reminder of the deep history of Guatemala; then, another fantastic day showcases the ruins in Tikal National Park. Next, head to Río Dulce National Park on the Caribbean side of Guatemala. You'll join a river cruise to Livingston and a guided tour of the Copán ruins in Honduras before transferring to Guatemala City. Split your final two days between the Zone 10 neighborhood and Centro Histórico until it's time to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Guatemala & Beyond: Ruins to Reefs & Cobblestone Streets

Split your time between cultural highlights and off-the-beaten-path tropical islands on this nature-packed Guatemala itinerary. As you travel by vehicle, boat, "chicken bus," and on foot, you'll get an intimate view of the local's special relationship with nature while also seeing the volcanic landscapes and rainforest scenery that makes Guatemala unique. To top it off, make a quick trip to Belize to snorkel the crystal-clear waters of Sapodilla Cayes Marine Park.

Hopefully, you've arrived hungry as your adventure begins in Guatemala City, where you'll help prepare a traditional meal. Refueled, you'll hit the road to the central highlands, stopping by Ram Tzul and Biotopo del Quetzal nature reserves before arriving in Cobán. Spend a full day touring the terraced pools of Semuc Champey, then continue north to Tikal National Park, where, in just one day, you'll tour the site's temples and pyramids and hike up Temple 216 in Yaxhá National Park. After an overnight in Flores, a transfer south, and a boat tour along the Río Dulce, you'll find yourself in Livingston.

Located on the Caribbean coast, Livingston is the perfect jumping-off point to explore Lime Caye in Belize. With two days on the island, you'll have time to snorkel in Sapodilla Cayes Marine Park and relax on the white-sand beaches before retracing your steps to Guatemala City. Next, enjoy a scenic drive to Lake Atitlán and cruise along the coastline on a private boat tour, then continue to the famous Chichicastenango market and Antigua. With four days left, get to know the rhythm of Antigua through a guided walking tour and a hike up Pacaya volcano until it's time to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Wildlife, Jungle & Maya Ruins in Guatemala & Belize

Crafted for those looking to get well off the beaten path, this 15-day trip is filled with unique tours and adrenaline-filled adventures. With three nights each in Caye Caulker, Antigua, and Lake Atitlán, you'll have plenty of time to unpack your bags and embark on a snorkel excursion to the Blue Hole, a horseback ride alongside coffee fields and an overnight hike on Pacaya Volcano. That's not all, though. You'll also tube through cave passages, hike high above Sumac Champey, and tempt your tastebuds at a cooking class.

After flying into Belize City and boarding a water taxi, your adventure begins with three days soaking up the sun in Caye Caulker. Embark on an epic trip to the famous Blue Hole, snorkel among tropical fish in Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, and wander the brightly colored streets of Caye Caulker Village before transferring inland to San Ignacio, stopping along the way for an exciting tubing adventure on Caves Branch River. Next, you'll cross into Guatemala and spend a night at a jungle hotel in Tikal National Park until a long but scenic drive brings you to Cobán.

Well rested, you'll wake early for a big day exploring Semuc Champey, with a hike to El Mirador to admire the terraced pools from above before continuing to Antigua. The following three days will fly by as you wander vibrant streets, attend a cooking class, and spend a night on the Pacaya volcano; then, head west to Lake Atitlán. Get well off the tourist trail as you ride along the shore on horseback, paraglide under surrounding volcanoes, and hike through small villages to Jaibalito. Before you know it, it'll be time to transfer to Guatemala City to catch your onward flight. Learn more

More Great 15-Day Guatemala Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Guatemala? Check out these other 15-day Guatemala itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.