1 week in Guatemala itinerary
Welcome to our 1 week in Guatemala itinerary.
This country is a staple among any backpacking route through Central America, which is full of picturesque destinations.
From sprawling Mayan temples and beautiful colonial towns to one of the most stunning lakes found in the Western Hemisphere, Guatemala is one of those countries that we simply cannot recommend enough.
1 Week in Guatemala Itinerary
In this guide we’ll explore Guatemala, the best things to see, as well as include our very own 1 week Guatemalan itinerary for those looking to discover this unforgettable Central American country.
From visiting lesser-known spots to hiking volcanoes and more, we’ll now cover everything you need to know about Guatemala.
Getting to Guatemala
As is often the case with most Central American countries, Guatemala isn’t the cheapest to fly directly into (especially if arriving directly from Europe or other continents).
If Guatemala is the first or only country on your route, it’s best to first fly to Cancún in Mexico, and then hop on the 2 hour flight to Guatemala City.
The other main way is by bus. Belize is the most popular way of entry, where you can take a bus from San Ignacio bound for Flores in the north of Guatemala.
The other northern entry point is for those who are backpacking through Mexico, although it’s a more off the beaten path and rough route (definitely one for those up for an adventure!) it is 100% doable. You’ll need to head to Tapachula through the Mexican jungle, and then cross over into Quetzaltenango.
To the south, the main way of arriving in Guatemala by bus is from Honduras. Copán is one of the best stop-off points before crossing, given its home to a must-visit Mayan site. The final country that shares a border is El Salvador, where you can take a bus from Santa Ana heading up to Antigua.
Guatemala Travel Tips: Other Things to know
When following our Guatemala itinerary, we recommend a daily budget of $15-20 per day. This country is by far one of the cheapest you can visit in Latin America, which is great since you’ll find lots of quality hostels for low prices.
Food is also cheap too, and you can alternate between trying dishes from the local market as well as eating at nice restaurants every now and then. Other costs such as international flights, travel insurance or shuttles between major cities are not included in this budget.
Safety in Guatemala really can be hit or miss depending on where you are heading. Guatemala City is by far the most ‘rough around the edges’ destination, so you’ll want to take extra caution here.
Anywhere else is more or less fine, although pickpocketing definitely seems to be more of an issue in this country than elsewhere in the region. We recommend bringing this Money Belt to keep your valuables safe.
Using Chicken Buses is a great way of exploring nearby towns and destinations, such as those from Antigua. However when traveling between major cities (such as from Guatemala City to Flores), then it’s better to spend more for a better quality bus or shuttle.
This is because it will take less time, is more comfortable, as well as the fact that it’s less likely for your personal belongings to get robbed.
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1 Week Guatemala Itinerary
Now let’s dive into our personalised 1 week in Guatemala itinerary.
Whilst most recommend two weeks (which would be great if possible), with 1 week you’ll still have an unforgettable time seeing the very best sites.
Days 1-3: Antigua and Hiking Volcanoes
We’ll first kick things off by arriving in the colonial town of Antigua. From Guatemala Airport you can take this convenient shuttle directly to Antigua, where you won’t need to waste time waiting for the buses.
This Guatemalan town is by far one of the prettiest any of us have seen when traveling through Central America. Here you’ll find a tonne of awesome, historic landmarks and picture-perfect streets when walking around.
Some of the highlights you’ll want to see include the Santa Catalina Arch, the Iglesia de la Merced, as well as the Cathedral that borders the Main Plaza.
We also suggest heading up to the Cerro de la Cruz, which is a mirador (look-out point) which gives some truly stunning views over Antigua, with the looming volcanoes just behind. It’s best to go early in the morning for sunrise (with the mist making for an almost eerie-style photo), or in the evening for sunset. Why not see our 1 week in Antigua itinerary for more things do here?
During your days here you can also hike one of the towering volcanoes of the region. Pacaya is the most popular of all and good for those who want a more comfortable hike.
However the all-round best has to be Acatenango, which requires a 2 day hike to reach the breath-taking summit. We recommend heading with this highly-rated tour, which includes all hiking and sleeping equipment, as well as all meals too.
Days 4-5: Exploring Lake Atitlan
From Antigua we’ll now head to the stunning Lake of Atitlan, which is surrounded by volcanoes from all sides. It’s by far one of the most picturesque locations that you can visit in Central America, and 2 days will be enough to get to know the best gems.
There’s many different towns around its shores which are great for a base. San Pedro la Laguna is best for backpackers where you’ll find many cool hostels and a lively night scene. San Marcos has a more chilled-out vibe, which is great for those who want more peace and off the beaten path exploring.
Whilst here you’ll want to hike up to the Indian Nose, which is a viewpoint on the town of Santa Clara la Laguna and gives the overall best views over Lake Atitlan (takes around 30 minutes of up-hill walking). Other awesome things to do include getting off the beaten path with hikes through the Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve, as well as going Paddleboarding on the Lake.
Those who want to stay the extra day in Antigua (or after in Flores) can also visit Lake Atitlan with a day tour. We highly recommend going with this all-inclusive tour, which includes a private boat tour around the lake as well as a visit to the legendary Chichicastenango Market.
Days 6-7: Flores and the Deep Jungle
With our last couple of days, we’ll head up to Flores in the north of Guatemala. From Lake Atitlan we’ll first need to head to Guatemala City, and then take an overnight bus. Once you arrive on the small island, it’s time to quickly unpack your things in your accommodation and get out exploring!
The absolute must-do is to head to the ruins of Tikal. This incredible ancient site was one of the most important and served as the capital of the Mayan kingdom.
Here you can explore these mysterious temples that are found deep within the Guatemalan jungle, and also learn the rich history of the site. To get here you can either take a combi directly from Flores, or join this awesome all-inclusive tour which includes a professional guide, lunch as well as all transport.
Back in Flores, you’ll be surprised to learn just how small the actual island is. Situated on Lake Péten Itzá, you can easily walk around Flores in just 20 minutes!
Going for a stroll is another recommendation we have, where you can also head up to the Parque Central for sweeping views and its cute church and plaza. Just try to avoid going during midday, since it can get uncomfortably hot here (George can, unfortunately, attest to this).
Whilst here we also recommend heading to Jorge’s Rope Swing, which has become something of a local legend itself in the region. Owned by a family, this quaint little site can easily be reached by a speedboat from Flores, and has numerous rope swings where you can fly like Tarzan into the lake below. There’s also a restaurant here too, making it a great way to spend half a day.
From here, if you are thinking about backpacking Belize you can either cross the border or take the bus back to Guatemala City for your flight out.
Best time to visit Guatemala
Guatemala is home to both cool mountain highlands as well as the hot jungle. Despite the range of temperatures, it’s quite easy to prepare for the country since it has a notable dry and wet season (that you’ll need to plan around for the least amount of surprises).
The dry season begins in December and lasts until April. In Antigua, average temperatures range from 61-65°F, with highs of 77°F and chilly evening lows of 53°F. You can expect as little as 0-0.5 inches of rainfall here (the weather is also somewhat similar for Lake Atitlan too). The biggest benefit of this season is that rainfall levels are really low, meaning that you’ll hardly be getting wet when exploring or having trips canceled.
The contrasting wet season starts in mid-May and lasts until December. Back in Antigua, average temperatures rise slightly from 65-67°F, with warm highs of 78°F and lows of down to 56°F. When it comes to rainfall, this will rise significantly to 4-7 inches for each month.
The issue with visiting Guatemala this time of year is that flooding can cause road blockages and complications. Whilst off-peak travel does make things cheaper, it won’t make much of a difference since Guatemala is so cheap in the first place!
Guatemala Backpacking Tips
Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Guatemala:
- 🛏 Antigua: Central Hostel, Lake Atitlan: Selina Atitlan, Flores: Hostal Don Cenobio
- 🌮 Whilst Guatemalan food isn’t exactly renowned as the all-time best in Latin America, there are still many tasty staples that’ll help fill you up when out and exploring. Tortillas filled with beans and meat is a must, whilst Caldos (hot soups) are much needed in the evening and early morning.
- 🌴 Acatenango Volcano, Antigua Centre, Tikal Ruins, Boat Trip through Lake Atitlan.
- 🍺 Most of the best parties will be around Antigua and Guatemala City. Antigua has some good hostel bars, which eventually spill out to the many bars and venues located around Plaza Mayor and 5a Avenida Norte. Guatemala City is where things are the spiciest, with the Zona Viva offering the all-around best bars and clubs.
- 💡 Whilst the destinations we’ve mentioned in this guide are all safe for travelers, you’ll still want to keep an eye on your belongings. This means avoiding taking valuables out with you, and also locking up your bags and things back in the accommodation with a safe lock (not saying locals will steal from you, however, given the previous experience of other travelers it’s best to be safe than sorry).
1 Week in Guatemala Itinerary
This country is one of the main highlights when backpacking through Central America, which is evident from just how many travelers are now heading here.
In this itinerary-style guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about Guatemala. This includes the very best destinations to visit, our top recommendations as well as a customized 1 week itinerary to get the most out of your time spent here.
Be sure to come back to this article whenever you need help planning, or even to suggest your own tips once you’ve completed the adventure yourself.
Also, see our backpacking Central America travel guide for more ideas.
👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.
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