Best of Guatemala - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Antigua, Optional Activities

Welcome to Guatemala! Filled with rich Indigenous culture, stunning natural beauty, historic cities, and ancient Maya archeological sites, this is one of the true gems of Central America. You'll arrive in the capital of Guatemala City, where a driver will be waiting to whisk you off through the southern highlands to Antigua. This well-preserved Spanish colonial city was one of the first capitals of Guatemala, but in the late 18th century a major eruption of one of the many nearby volcanoes forced its relocation.

Upon arrival, you'll settle into your hotel in the historic center and will have the rest of the day to relax and explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a walk along the cobbled streets of Antigua's Old Town (historic center), which is situated around the main plaza. Visit historic landmarks like the Santa Catalina Arch, the ruins of the 16th-century Antigua Guatemala Cathedral, and the 18th-century Convento Santa Clara. Be sure to stop along the way and treat yourself to local street food like tostadas and empanadas (called dobladas in Guatemala). 

Day 2: Hike Pacaya Volcano

Get an early start for a guided climb up the 8,370-foot (2,552 m) Pacaya volcano. These slopes are home to some of the most impressive volcanic landscapes in Central America. Set in its own national park, Pacaya cuts an imposing figure with a continuous plume of smoke drifting from its summit and the massive dried lava field at the base of its caldera.

The trip up and back takes about six hours, but horses are an option for those who'd prefer a more relaxed ascent. Upon arrival at the summit, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch amid panoramic views of the nearby volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. You'll even get to roast marshmallows over the volcano's natural heat. The hike down traverses more dried lava fields before descending through tropical forests and farmland on your way back to Antigua. 

Day 3: Countryside Bike & Coffee Tour

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up for today's combined mountain bike excursion/coffee tour. When your bikes are ready, you'll ride outside Antigua to the De la Gente coffee cooperative. On this half-day tour, you'll visit DLG's large-scale production farm. The site itself is a community on the flank of Volcán de Agua, where local farmers work together to grow, pick, and process their own coffee. DLG works with these farmers to help them brand their coffee and export it to global markets.

Upon arrival, your personal guide will lead you on a short hike around the fields, where you can meet some of the farmers. Then, you'll visit the roasting house to see how they toast the beans, one small batch at a time. A real treat is when you sit down to lunch with one of the farming families, sample their coffee, and learn a bit about life on a working coffee farm. After the meal, you'll ride back to Antigua.

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Atitlán, Village Tour

Your driver will pick you up this morning for the 2.5-hour ride west from Antigua to Lake Atitlán, the most famous lake in the country, which is sacred to the Maya people. A section of this drive is on the Pan-American Highway, part of a network of roads stretching from one end of the Americas to the other, from Alaska to Argentina. As you get closer to Atitlán and round the mountain bends, keep an eye out for stunning views above the lake.

Once you've settled into your hotel on the lakeshore, you'll board a boat for a private tour of the villages around Atitlán. In the company of a local guide, you'll stop at villages like Santiago Atitlán and San Juan Laguna, which are far off the tourist trail and offer a truly authentic cultural experience. For example, you'll visit a local women's weaving co-op and see how they turn cotton into beautiful textiles by hand. You'll also visit a shrine to the infamous Maximón, a Maya saint known for his depraved behavior. After the tour, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 5: Kayaking & Hiking Lake Atitlán, Transfer to Antigua

Wake up to views of the lake and its towering volcanoes before meeting your guide for today's five-hour expedition. You'll start out in a kayak, paddling westward along the north shore of Lake Atitlán for roughly two hours. Pass by villages perched on lakeside cliffs, hop in the water for a swim, or even do some cliff jumping. Your destination is a spot between the villages of Tzununá and San Marcos La Laguna, where you'll leave your kayak behind and lace up your hiking boots.

Follow the lake trail that runs between the villages, taking in views of the San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán volcanoes. Hike along the shoreline and through small villages for about 1.5 hours, and eventually, the route will return you to your lodge. There, you'll hop in a vehicle for the ride back to Antigua, where you'll check in to your hotel. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner at one of the fine restaurants around Antigua's main plaza, then perhaps indulge in the local nightlife.

Day 6: Transfer to Tikal, Explore Tikal National Park

Transfer to the airport in Guatemala City this morning and fly north to the town of Flores. Here a driver will be waiting to take you on the one-hour ride to Tikal National Park. Tikal was once the capital of one of the ancient Mayas' most powerful kingdoms, and the ruins around this archeological site date to at least the first century CE. They feature sprawling citadels and towering pyramids, including the most impressive of all, Temple IV. At 230 feet (70 m), it is the tallest pre-Columbian structure in Central America. Upon arrival, you'll meet your guide and begin the tour.

Not only will you explore the ruins of this ancient Maya city, but the rainforest surrounding it is part of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. It's home to exotic animals like monkeys, toucans, parakeets, and other tropical birds, so keep your eyes peeled and your camera close. Throughout the tour, you'll visit the major points of interest including Temples I, II, III, IV, and V, the Lost World, Complex Q, the Great Plaza, the Window Palace, and more. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel in the park.

Day 7: Transfer to Las Conchas

After an early breakfast, meet your driver for the ride south to Oasis Chiyú, an ecolodge on the edge of Parque Natural Las Conchas. This protected area is one of Guatemala's hidden gems and consists of rivers, cascading waterfalls, caves, and an abundance of exotic flora and fauna. The owners of the ecolodge will be your ambassadors, offering up their expertise to ensure you don't miss the highlights.

Once here, you can choose to explore the park on your own or have a resident take you on a guided walk. The major draw here is the waterfalls, where you can dive into lagoons and enjoy a refreshing swim. After an afternoon of hiking and enjoying the waterfalls, you'll return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 8: Transfer to Río Dulce, Visit Finca Paraíso Hot Springs

In the morning, you'll drive south about two hours to the Caribbean side of Guatemala and Río Dulce National Park, home to the river of the same name. The "sweet river" is located near the country's eastern border with Belize and connects to Lago Izabal. Upon arrival, you'll settle into your accommodation in a waterfront lodge and enjoy lunch.

Then you'll make your way to Finca Paraíso, a beautiful river and waterfall fed by natural hot springs. You'll have the entire afternoon to relax. One of the most enjoyable ways to spend your time here is to take a dip in the cool river and then stand under the thermally heated waterfall to warm up. After lunch on the banks, you'll hike up to a river cave and go for a swim in the cavern. At the end of the adventure, you'll return to your hotel for dinner.

Day 9: Río Dulce Boat Tour

After a leisurely breakfast, you'll meet your guide for a boat tour on the Río Dulce. As you travel north along the tranquil jade waters, keep your camera at the ready, as the banks are lined with stunning rainforest scenery and quaint villages. Waterbirds like herons are constantly flitting overhead or resting on the lily pads, and you're sure to see blooming flowers like orchids and white water lilies.

The ride will take you to Livingston, a small town on the Caribbean coast of Guatemala. Along the way, you'll stop at the famous 17th-century Castle of San Felipe. You'll also visit a protected island home to exotic birds and a natural hot spring. Once in Livingston, you'll experience a different side of Guatemala.

This Afro-Guatemalan community is defined by its distinctive Garifuna culture, which has its own language, cuisine, and customs. You can take a dip in the warm waters of the Caribbean, do some bird-watching, and try tapado, a seafood stew that's the community's most popular dish. Or learn to dance punta, a traditional Garifuna dance. At the end of the afternoon, you'll board the boat and return to your hotel on Lago Izabal.

Day 10: Transfer to Guatemala City, Guided Tour

In the morning, your driver will pick you up for the 5.5-hour trip back to Guatemala City. Then, after checking in to your hotel, you'll embark on a half-day tour of Guatemala City's Centro Histórico ("Historic Center") led by a local expert. Head to the Plaza de la Constitución and visit the National Palace, a historic Spanish Renaissance building that was once the headquarters of the president, but today it's a museum. Nearby are famous religious landmarks like the 18th-century Iglesia San Francisco, St. Augustine Rectory, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, which was built in 1871.

Day 11: Depart Guatemala City

Depending on your flight schedule, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before saying adiós to Guatemala. At your convenience, you will take the hotel shuttle to the Guatemala City airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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