2 Weeks in Guatemala - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Active Family Adventure in Guatemala: Hiking, Camping & Culture

Outdoorsy and active families will appreciate the opportunities to experience Guatemala's classic highlights on this adventure. You'll hike the Pacaya volcano, take an overnight camping trip to Acatenango Volcano, and go ziplining or cable biking in the Atitlán Nature Reserve. Given that some activities, such as the overnight hiking, camping trip, and cable biking, may have age and size restrictions and require some stamina, this itinerary may be best for those with older and adventurous children. 

Start on a sweet note at ChocoMuseo, where the kids can learn about chocolate-making and sample sweet treats. Take a walking tour of the sites (don't forget a family photo in front of the canary-colored Arco de Santa Catalina!), then learn how to prepare tortillas and other Guatemalan dishes in a cooking class. Intrepid kids will love trekking otherworldly landscapes and roasting marshmallows over the lava on a hike up Pacaya. Take a bike tour in Almolonga Valley; then it's off to Acatenango for another trek and overnight camping—let the kids stay up late to watch for volcanic activity from the Fuego volcano. 

Head to Lake Atitlán and take the kids to meet goats and try local cheese at a farm, then work together, with guidance from a chef, to create pepián (a spiced meat stew) or other Maya dishes in a culinary workshop. Board a boat and visit villages along Lake Atitlán, go ziplining or cable biking in the Atitlán Nature Reserve, and kayak along the lake to San Marcos La Laguna for a hike. On Day 11, you'll fly to Flores, where you'll impress the kids with the ancient ruins and wildlife, including monkeys, at Tikal National Park. Make more memories (and take family photos!) on a boat tour around Flores before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Classic Guatemala for Families: Culture, Cuisine & Nature

Another classic itinerary that covers the highlights, this time with a focus on culinary experiences—honey tasting in Flores and a family cooking class, a visit to an organic cacao farm, and an ATV tour to a coffee plantation in Antigua—is ideal for foodies and budding chefs. It's a good choice for first-time visitors looking for a balance of historical sites, including Tikal National Park, outdoor adventures in Lake Atitlán and Flores (including kayaking, hiking, and swimming), and cultural experiences such as meeting the vendors at Chichicastenango Market and the villagers around Lake Atitlán.

Arriving in Antigua, take the kids on a walk around Old Town, then it's off on an ATV ride to La Azotea coffee plantation, followed by a stop at Cerro de la Cruz for views over Antigua and a family photo. Spark young imaginations with a visit to Hobbitenanga, a park inspired by the fantasy worlds of JRR Tolkien. Encourage the kids to find their favorite dishes on a street food tour, then sample macadamia nuts at a farm in the Almolonga Valley. The culinary adventures continue with a cooking class and lunch with a local family, followed by a tour and tasting at a goat cheese farm and an organic cacao farm. 

Crafty kids can create keepsakes in a jade workshop in Antigua and then try traditional weaving once in Lake Atitlán. Take a family-friendly boat tour before heading to Chichicastenango for some souvenir shopping. Return to Antigua for a honey-tasting, then catch a flight to Flores, where you'll tour ancient ruins in Yaxhá National Park (be sure to get a family photo atop Temple 216). Cruise to Crater Azul for a swim, then take your animal lovers and budding archaeologists on one last adventure—a tour of Tikal National Park, where you can wander the ruins and spot spider monkeys, tropical birds, and more. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Family-Friendly Guatemala: Antigua, Lake Atitlán & El Paredon

Swapping out Flores for the coastal city of El Paredon, this family-friendly trip offers a variety of activities suited to diverse interests and ages, animal lovers will especially appreciate the opportunities to encounter wildlife. You'll meet farm animals in Antigua, go horseback riding on the beach in Monterrico, visit a turtle conservation project, and spot caimans and other wildlife on a mangrove tour. Of course, there are also plenty of cultural and culinary experiences, including a Maya fire ceremony in Lake Atitlán, a weaving workshop in Casa Flor Ixcaco, and a food tour, cooking class, and chocolate tasting in Antigua. 

Perk up any weary travelers on arrival with a Maya chocolate making and tasting at ChocoMuseo. Then, get to know Antigua through more of its food on a guided tasting tour of some traditional restaurants and street stalls. Crafty families can create alfombras (carpets) together in a workshop before departing for a tour of Almolonga Valley, including a visit to historic Ciudad Vieja and scenic stops for family photos. Aspiring chefs will be thrilled to make Guatemalan dishes in a cooking class with Indigenous chefs, and your animal-loving kids will be delighted to meet the residents of a goat cheese farm. 

Experience a Maya fire ceremony in Lake Atitlán, then visit local villages to learn about daily life. Take a trip to Chichicastenango and let the kids test their bartering skills (and taste polvorosas cookies and other street food!) while souvenir shopping. After admiring textiles in the markets, creative kids will be excited to try weaving in a workshop at Casa Flor Ixcaco before departing for El Paredon for a family surf lesson. The animal enthusiasts among you will be happy for the chance to ride horses, visit the Monterrirco turtle conservation center, and spot caimans on a mangrove excursion before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Adventurous Family Trip to Guatemala & Belize

Families interested in an active multicountry trip that includes a few days at the beach will like this family adventure. Hike in Atitlán Nature Reserve, take a chicken bus tour in Antigua, shop in the Patzicía markets, take a 4WD tour to Acatenango for a volcano excursion, and climb the steps of Uaxactún—all before heading to Belize's coast for four days of snorkeling and leisure time at the beach. The activities also suit various ages, so this is a good option for families with children of any age. 

Rally the family on arrival and join local chefs for a cooking lesson. Spend a day in Atitlán Nature Reserve—let little ones enjoy views from the hanging bridges and check out the Butterfly Garden while older kids try ziplining. Take a hike to El Mirador de San Juan viewpoint, then visit a women's co-op where the kids can learn about the local weaving tradition. Head to Antigua with a stop at the Patzicía markets letting the kids can hunt for souvenirs. Adventurous kids will enjoy the colorful transportation on a chicken bus tour to local villages, including San Juan de Obispo, where you'll join a chocolate workshop.

Take a 4WD tour to Acatenango and task the kids with watching Fuego for eruptions. Fly to Flores on Day 8, where your little explorers can check out the ruins of Tikal National Park and climb the steps of Uaxactún for views of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Then it's on to Belize for a canoe paddle through ancient caves, followed by a snorkeling tour to Blue Hole—sure to leave your kids amazed by the underwater stalactites and turtles. Spend your final days snorkeling together among seahorses and eagle rays at Hol Chan and searching for jaguars, pumas, and more at Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Family Fun in Guatemala: Nature, Ruins & Culture

Adding three nights in Río Dulce, this trip is an excellent option for families with diverse interests. Young chefs will enjoy a cooking lesson in Antigua, outdoorsy kids will love kayaking around Lake Atitlán and swimming in caverns in Río Dulce, crafty kids can create their own keepsakes in artisan workshops in Totonicapán, budding artists have a chance to meet Guatemala artists in San Juan Comalapa, and the young archaeologists and historians will be thrilled to explore the ancient ruins in Flores. Given this itinerary's pace and the number of flights and long drives, it may be better suited to families with older children.  

Immerse the kids in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Antigua with a visit to the market, located just 10 minutes from Plaza Mayor, then learn how to make tortillas and more in a cooking lesson with Indigenous chefs. Transfer to Lake Atitlán and encourage the kids to watch for wildlife on a boat tour. The following day, paddle around in kayaks before heading ashore for a hike. Take a day trip to Chichicastenango on Day 5 and teach the kids how to barter for souvenirs. Inspired by the colorful masks and textiles in the market, they'll have a chance to make keepsakes during handicraft workshops in Totonicapán. 

Your young Picassos will relish meeting local artists in San Juan Comalapa before heading to Río Dulce, a treat for outdoorsy families. You'll have three days to soak in hot springs, hike a river cave, and visit Livingston, where the kids can learn a Garifuna dance and try tapado (seafood stew). Continue to Tikal National Park and Yaxhá National Park—the ancient temples and pyramids will wow kids of all ages. Then catch a flight to Guatemala City on Day 12 and take a guided tour (if you've got young anthropologists or archaeologists, save time for the museums), then celebrate over one last Guatemalan meal. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Guatemala Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Guatemala? Check out these other two-week Guatemala itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and family-friendly tours to hit the highlights.