Backpacking Antigua, Guatemala (1 week)
Welcome to our 1 week Antigua itinerary.
Located in the very heart of Guatemala, this thriving city has now turned into one of the biggest tourist hotspots in Central America.
It’s a great place to see colonial architecture, as well as visit some authentic and hectic markets (because when in Guatemala).
Backpacking Antigua Itinerary
In this guide, we’ll explore the must-visit city of Antigua, including our very own 1 week backpacking itinerary to get the most out of a trip here.
As well as seeing the highlights of this Guatemalan gem, we’ll also be hiking fiery volcanoes and taking trips to some more authentic areas too.
It’s no secret that for anyone backpacking Central America, Antigua is a quintessential stop and one of the region’s best hubs for meeting travelers.
Getting to Antigua from Guatemala City
If arriving from other parts of the world, you’ll first need to fly to Guatemala City. From here, Antigua is just a 1-hour drive which makes it very easy to get to.
At the airport, there are numerous shuttles constantly driving to and from, so you won’t even need to worry about the capital itself.
We recommend booking a private transport from the airport so you don’t end up wasting time waiting around in the airport and looking lost.
If you are already backpacking El Salvador or Honduras, then you’ll want to make your way to Copán, which is close to the Honduras-Guatemala border.
From here you can easily take a shuttle directly to Antigua, or do a DIY trip crossing the border and then taking a bus from Guatemala City.
For those that are already in Guatemala, then you’ll first need to head to Guatemala City. From Lake Atitlan it’ll take around 5 hours, whilst Flores will be a longer, overnight bus of 11 hours.
Other Things to know: Travel Tips
You’ll need $15-25 a day for our Antigua itinerary shared below. With this budget, you’ll be staying in a hostel, and mostly eating at local restaurants (which is good since you’ll be able to try more authentic dishes here).
Other costs such as international flights, travel insurance, or long-distance buses are not included in this budget.
Guatemala in general has lots of issues with petty theft and pickpocketing, and it’s no different in Antigua. Whilst the historic center is the best place to be, you’ll need to keep your guard up.
Carrying a secure Money Belt with you is also a very sensible idea.
The climate in Antigua can be quite cool (especially during the evening and mornings), so rest assured you’ll want to pack extra layers to keep you warm.
Rainfall is pretty heavy between the months of May and September, so make sure you bring a high-quality poncho along if heading during this time.
If you’ll be moving around a lot and not sure what you’ll need, why not see our Central America packing list for more ideas on what to pack for your travels?
Antigua Itinerary (1 Week)
Now we’ll go through our personalized 1 week backpacking Antigua itinerary.
Here we’ll cover the very best things to do each day, and also some of our own tips from our experience here.
Day 1-3: Antigua Highlights
Arriving in Antigua on our first day, we’ll start by exploring the very best gems that lie within the historic center.
We first recommend heading to Central Park, where you’ll find many beautiful buildings and also plenty of vendors walking around selling novel goods.
Some of the best sights here include the Cathedral and the Royal Palace. You’ll also want to head to the ChocoMuseo, where you can take a chocolate-making class as well as try some of the very best stuff!
For us, this guided walking tour is the very best way to discover all of Antigua’s best spots such as the Santa Catalina Arch and La Merced Church, where you’ll also be transported to some of the best sites in Guatemala City too.
During these three days, you’ll also want to hike up to Cerro de la Cruz, which is a vantage point that gives some stunning views over the city with the volcanoes looming in the background.
I (George) also headed up further into the mountains, and after about an hour of walking up the road, you’ll find Restaurante El Tambor which offers some unreal views (and food of course).
Other awesome things to do in the center include seeing the beautiful Santa Catalina Arch, the Iglesia de la Merced as well as the Convento Capuchinas.
Days 4-5: Volcanoes and Breathtaking Landscapes
Guatemala is known for its explosive volcanoes, and for us, it’s one of the best countries in Central America for exploring these beauties.
From Antigua, there are many good options. Those who are up for a single-day trek can head to Volcán del Fuego for some awesome views, with the hike not being too strenuous (although you may need a few stops like I did!).
As we’ve given two days for this activity, this also unlocks the unforgettable two-day hike up Acatenango Volcano. Here you’ll camp for a night, and you’ll want to wake early to see the incredible sunrise. Once you make it to the summit you’ll feel like you’re walking in heaven.
We recommend going with this reputable, 2-day tour where you’ll have all equipment, lunches and dinners included!
Days 6-7: Sprawling Guatemalan Markets and Lake Atitlan
On our final two days in Antigua, we’ll get to know the culture on a deeper level.
The markets are one of the best ways to get to know the real Guatemala, and the overall top choice has to be Chichicastenango (a real mouthful, we know).
Better known as “Chichi”, this market is located two hours from Antigua, with many colectivos making the trip daily from the historic center.
This market is the biggest in all of Central America, and here you’ll find rows of stalls as far as the eye can see. It’s the perfect place to pick up souvenirs and try authentic Guatemalan dishes.
During these days you can also head on a day trip to Lake Atitlan, where you’ll visit many beautiful towns. If possible, we’d recommend spending more time at the lake given there are so many great things to do and see.
When on a shoestring budget this combined tour is great for when you want to see it all, because you’ll spend a day exploring the best lakeside towns of Atitlan, whilst also visiting Chichicastenango.
Best time to visit Antigua, Guatemala
The overall best months to visit Antigua are March and April, which are the warmest months before the start of the heavy downpours.
The dry season runs from November until April, where average temperatures range from 61-67°F, with highs of up to 78°F (in April, hence why we recommend this month!) and low down to 53°F. Rainfall is at its lowest this time of year, with between 0-0.5 inches falling throughout each month. This is the perfect time to come for uninterrupted sunny skies, although the winter can get chilly at night.
The wet season begins in late May and lasts until October. Average temperatures are overall warmer, which range between 65-67F, with highs of 76°F and lows of 59°F. Levels of rainfall increase pretty dramatically, with anywhere from 4-7 inches of rainfall each month.
Whilst it can make the scenery much more pretty (greener greens), as well as being cheaper to visit, the downside is that roads can often get flooded making transport a nightmare. As you can imagine, a solid Poncho is a must-bring this time of year!
Antigua Backpacking Tips
Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Antigua:
- 🛏 Check out: Selina Antigua or Hotel Amigo Antigua for some of the most comfiest beds in the city.
- 🌮 Basing yourself in the heart of the historic center is ideal since you’ll have almost endless eating options near you. Palacio Doña Leonor is the best all-around with both local and international cuisines. You’ll also want to go at least once to Messón Panza Verde, which whilst on the pricier side, is home to some truly exceptional Guatemalan twists on global classics.
- 🌴 Santa Catalina Arch, Cerro de la Cruz, Acatenango Volcano.
- 🍺 Most good nights start off at a hostel bar like that of Selina, where after you’ll find numerous bars near the main plaza. Lucky Rabbit and Las Vibras de la Casbah are some great choices to really kick things off.
- 💡 Head up to the Cerro de la Cruz around 4:00 pm , where you’ll get an insane sunset backdrop behind Antigua, which is made even better with the volcanoes behind (sometimes these even spew dark red lava too which lights up the sky).
Backpacking Antigua Itinerary
Antigua is an awesome destination, which is usually the main destination travelers have on their route through Guatemala. From hiking fiery volcanoes to exploring colonial gems, you’ll want to spend a good amount of time here!
In this itinerary-style guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about Antigua, including the very best destinations to visit, how to best use your days here as well as our top recommendations.
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.
Are you feeling inspired to explore the rest of the country? Read our backpacking Guatemala itinerary for ideas on where to go after visiting Antigua.
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