Have you heard of a country that boasts of 33 active volcanoes, volcanic lakes, and sights straight out of Temple Run, the video game? Well, the country is Guatemala and this post on spending 10 days in Guatemala should convince you about why it is the hottest up-and-coming travel destination in Central America.
Dubbed the Heart of the Mayan World, Guatemala is a destination that has something for everyone. So, if you are the type of traveler who likes a little adventure, history, architecture, incredible food, and loads of fun, Guatemala needs to be on your bucket list!
Is Guatemala Worth Visiting?
I swear I am not exaggerating when I say that out of all the countries I have visited, Guatemala exceeded my expectations the most! I was blown away by everything that Guatemala had to offer – old cities steeping in history, volcanoes, adventure (Tikal), coffee farms, and a huge volcanic lake surrounded by little towns, and black volcanic beaches.
You get the idea. No matter the type of traveler you are, you will find something worth exploring and worthwhile for you.
In addition, Guatemalans are lovely and welcoming. In the hotels, the staff often went above and beyond to help us out in many different ways. For example, the staff in our Atitlan hotel asked us to contact them over WhatsApp if we needed them to book a tuk-tuk for us. They even offered to haggle the price for us, in case we were quoted high! Such warm hospitality made us appreciate the people a lot and want to visit the country again.
Another reason to visit Guatemala is its location and easy accessibility from both North and South American countries. There are daily flights to Guatemala City from most major hubs in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Other Guatemala posts
For the following topics about traveling to Guatemala, be sure to review this comprehensive post I put together. It covers a lot of different topics (listed below) that will help you with your trip planning.
- Is Guatemala safe?
- How to get around Guatemala
- Where to stay in Guatemala
- What to pack for Guatemala
- Tips on planning your perfect Guatemala trip
So, be sure to read that post for all relevant and related topics about Guatemala. Additionally, if you do not have a full 10 days to spend in this country, that post covers a 7-day itinerary. Therefore, if you have just a week to spend in Guatemala, you can tailor your travel plans according to the post linked above.
Guatemala Itinerary 10 days
Here is the Guatemala itinerary for 10 days that covers the top highlights of the country. With 10 days, you have enough time to see the best spots in this wonderful country. Use it to plan your own itinerary, and feel free to add or remove spots and customize it to fit your travel style and needs.
As usual, I like to prepare a more jam-packed itinerary when I plan a trip. This is for 2 reasons. First, my partner and I work full time at our 9-to-5 jobs and do not get as many vacation days as we would like (sigh, one can dream though?). And second, we like to have a more detailed plan because it gives us options when we travel. If we end up enjoying a spot, we stay there for a bit longer than planned. However, if not, we have something on the itinerary already picked out so and don’t have to deal with decision fatigue on our trip!
Thus, here is my Guatemala itinerary (10 days).
Guatemala Highlights in 10 days
Day # | Highlights | Overnight stay |
Day 1 | Fly into Guatemala City, travel to Atitlan | Atitlan |
Day 2 | Experience lake activities, Explore Panajachel (or the town you base yourself in) | Atitlan |
Day 3 | Town hopping in Lake Atitlan: San Juan la Laguna, San Marcos, San Pedro | Atitlan |
Day 4 | Visit Santa Catarina del Palopo, travel to Antigua in the evening Alternate: The famous Chichicastenango market | Antigua |
Day 5 | Hike an active volcano Alternate: Pacaya Volcano | Antigua |
Day 6 | Explore Antigua city highlights | Antigua |
Day 7 | Fly from Guatemala City early morning to reach Tikal midday, explore Tikal National Park and sunset tour | Tikal |
Day 8 | Sunrise tour, travel to Flores, and then Lanquin/Coban Alternate: Stay overnight in Flores | Lanquin/Coban Alternate: Flores |
Day 9 | Semuc Champey Alternate: Yaxha Mayan Ruins | Lanquin/Coban Alternate: Flores |
Day 10 | Guatemala City and head back home | Home |
10 days in Guatemala Additional Considerations
You can also use the itinerary above backwards. Fly directly from Guatemala City to Tikal, then head over to Lanquin/Semuc Champey or Yaxha. After that, make your way west towards Atitlan and Antigua.
If you want to travel first to Tikal but will arrive in Guatemala City late at night, you will need to spend overnight in Guatemala City. I would not recommend this itinerary as you should avoid staying overnight in Guatemala City.
Instead, if you arrive in Guatemala City late at night, I would recommend going to Antigua first and then Atitlan. This is because driving to Atitilan will take about 3 hours from the airport, which will be a long drive at night. If you pick Antigua instead, it will take about 45 minutes at night by a private shuttle.
For the sake of a streamlined travel plan, I will add specific travel details per the itinerary outlined in the table above.
Day 1 Morning - Fly into Guatemala City airport, travel to Lake Atitlan
Upon landing at the main airport of the country, La Aurora International Airport, make your way through immigration. Then, walk outside the main airport arrival gates to catch your hotel-appointed driver or a shared shuttle to Lake Atitlan.
Lake Atitlan is located in the highlands of Guatemala. Surrounded by towering volcanoes around the perimeter of the lake, there are several towns that dot the Atitlan hillscape. Some of these lake towns are accessible only by water.
Therefore, depending on where you base yourself, you may need to take a boat/ferry to your hotel from the biggest town of Panajachel in Atitlan. Since we did not want to deal with lugging baggage on a boat, we opted to stay in a hotel between Panajachel and Santa Catarina del Palopo. These areas are accessible by roads fairly easily from Guatemala City and Antigua.
Now, because this itinerary has you staying in Atitlan for 3 nights, you could choose to stay in a more secluded town accessible only by boat. Just note that you will either need to coordinate with your hotel to have them pick you up from Panajachel Port or be prepared to find a local ferry that will take you to your town. The latter option is not hard, but something to keep in mind as you will likely have traveled for several hours already.
Panajachel is pronounced “Pana-ha-chel” and shortened to “Pana”.
Day 1 Afternoon - Settle into your hotel, get a chef-cooked meal
Once you arrive at your hotel, settle down after your long journey, and freshen up. Then, head outside to take a look at the stunning Lake Atitlan. FYI I am still not over just how pretty and picturesque it was.
You can also take the time now to dip your feet into the cool waters of the lake. Avoid swimming in the lake in the afternoon as the waters will be choppy. Kayaks are also not a good idea later in the afternoon due to the strong waves.
Don’t worry though, because you will experience these activities the next day.
Later that evening, indulge in a dinner cooked by a private chef. Check with your hotel beforehand to see if they offer such an experience. We stayed at Villas B’alam Ya, and they had this as an option. It was an absolutely fantastic experience and we loved that we could see our chef preparing the meal in our villa’s kitchen.
By the way, this is an excellent experience if you stay in a place with incredible views (which I highly recommend). That way, you can stay in and see a beautiful sunset right from your room as you get served delicious food and wine.
Other cool experiences include cooking classes, an ATV tour, or seeing a Sacred Mayan ceremony.
Day 2 Morning - Experience lake activities
Rise early the next morning to take advantage of the beautiful body of water that is Lake Atitlan. Go kayaking in the early hours after sunrise when the waters are the calmest. Check with your hotel if they offer free or rental kayaks. Most hotels do, and you can view the pretty buildings on the lakefront.
Fancy a swim? You can swim in Lake Atitlan. There are areas marked around the lake that you should avoid as they are used by boats, but if you stay close to shore, you should be good.
I was not adventurous enough to swim in a lake, so I skipped it. But, it would have been pretty cool to say that I had swum in a volcanic lake, right?
Furthermore, you can also go sailing, parasailing, and paddle-boarding on the lake.
Day 2 Afternoon - Explore your town
In the afternoon, walk around and explore the town you stay in. Most of the towns around Lake Atitlan have many things to do and spots to explore. If your hotel is located farther from the town center, take a tuk-tuk for a small amount to the town. You can also ask your hotel to arrange a tuk-tuk for you.
Once there, check out the following places which your town should have.
- A Coffee farm – The towns around Lake Atitlan produce local coffee. Chances are high that you will encounter a coffee shop (or several) in the main town square.
- Textiles and handicrafts – Showcasing the exquisite traditional weaving and handloom designs of the indigenous tribes of Lake Atitlan, these shops are both educational and a great spot for souvenir shopping.
- Take a hike – Hike along the lake and go to a viewpoint for panoramic views of the volcanoes surrounding Lake Atitlan.
Later, come back to relax in your hotel. We had an amazing view from our hotel balcony and decided to enjoy the sunset from right there.
Day 3 Morning - Town hopping in Lake Atitlan: San Juan la Laguna
One of the coolest things about Lake Atitlan is the fact that there are a bunch of small towns around the lake. I would even go so far as to say that touring them was one of the best experiences of Lake Atitlan.
Note that you do NOT need to take a guided tour if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. Navigating the local boats/ferry is super easy. And as long as you speak some basic Spanish or use Google Translate, you will not be ripped off.
Start your third day in Guatemala early in the morning. Take a tuk-tuk or walk to the main docks of your town (we went to Panajachel dock) and catch a local boat. This boat stops at many spots along the lake. They charge a flat fee of 25 Q (~$3.20) for each passenger irrespective of whether you go as far as only one stop, or several stops.
We found this to be an excellent way to explore the lake towns. The only con is that they stop at the docks until they have “filled up” enough seats. So, you may need to wait a while.
For your first stop, head to the charming town of San Juan la Laguna. Although a bit touristy, we loved seeing a demonstration of the traditional weaving process and learning about organic coffee farming. Out of all the towns around Lake Atitlan, San Juan was easily the prettiest. In addition, it is easy to navigate and you can basically walk around the whole town. It is quite small.
Day 3 Afternoon - Continue town hopping in Lake Atitlan: San Juan, San Marcos, San Pedro
If you have extra time, try hiking to Mirador Kiaq’Aiswaan viewpoint for incredible lakeside views!
While in the town, I highly recommend going to El Tata Cafe coffee farm for a wonderful experience learning about organic coffee farming in Lake Atitlan. Our guide, Benedicto was an incredibly humorous, jovial, and engaging soul. He went above and beyond to teach us all about his family’s traditional coffee farming methods, from growing the coffee all the way to roasting.
After lunch, head back to the docks to go to the next town of San Pedro. Check out the Tzunun’Ya Museum, the Teixchel Women’s Weaving Association showroom, or hike to the Indian Nose Summit.
If you have time to spare, stop at San Marco. Take a yoga or meditation class at a lakeside retreat. Note that San Marco is a hipster paradise, so you will find plenty of unconventional activities to keep yourself occupied. They include learning how to grow mushrooms and going to a cacao ceremony.
Guatemala is a great place to go to learn Spanish. There are many Spanish language schools in the towns surrounding Lake Atitlan. I got inspired by seeing expats learning Spanish there and after arriving home, I started learning Spanish on Duolingo.
Day 4 Morning - Visit Santa Catarina del Palopo or San Antonio Palopo
This morning, head towards the bright and colorful town of Santa Catarina del Palopo. You can take a tuk-tuk from Panajachel docks to reach there.
This small town is considered a more authentic Lake Atitlan town experience. It underwent a revamp of sorts and is now painted brightly in different colors representing the weaving textiles of the local tribes. As you can imagine, the vistas around this place are breathtaking.
Walk to the docks and on the way, you can see local women selling their wares in makeshift stores on either side of the walkway. Their wares included beautiful hand-woven table runners, tote bags, etc. Some even were weaving in front of their makeshift store using the traditional backstrap loom. It was a cool sight! This is a great spot for souvenir hunting.
Afterward, go to the nearby town of San Antonio Palopo, another gem off the beaten path. Check out the handcrafted ceramics and pottery that this town is famous for.
Day 4 Morning Alternate: The famous market Chichicastenango
If you happen to be in the Atitlan area on a Thursday or Sunday, you have to visit the Chichicastenango Market. Open from 8am to 6pm, this market is touted to be the world’s largest open-air market! So, if you are a seasoned haggler, and want to experience a market that locals frequent, this is the place for you.
Get your Quetzals (or USD) in a crossbody bag, put on some comfortable shoes, and get ready to haggle and score some lovely souvenirs to bring back home. Be aware that there will be hundreds of people in this market. So, plan accordingly.
With regards to getting there, since you won’t stay overnight, your best bet would be to go with a tour company. They offer group and private tours to Chichicastenango Market.
Day 4 Afternoon - Travel to Antigua
In the late afternoon or evening, get ready to head to your next base, Antigua, Guatemala. Your travel will take you approximately 2 to 2.5 hours by car from Pana. If you take a bus, account for over 3 hours.
Note that if you go to Chichicastenango Market earlier in the day, make sure to return to your hotel in the early afternoon. This is so you have time to get to Antigua before nightfall.
Day 5 Morning - Hike an active volcano
Antigua, Guatemala offers the unique opportunity of seeing an active volcano with flowing lava. If you are up for some adventure, sign up for a tour to hike Volcan Acatenango. This is a great spot for experienced hikers looking for a challenge midway through their vacation. Also, since you have 10 days in Guatemala, you will have enough time to experience this spot. Be sure to pack hiking essentials as you will need to camp overnight on the mountain.
Need help with figuring out what to take on a hike? Check out this post that covers all the hiking essentials you need for a day or overnight hiking trip.
Now, we did not do this hike, as it is challenging and we weren’t ready to spend a night camping. However, if we return to Guatemala, we will definitely do it. The cool thing that interested us was you can see lava from the top! No other volcanoes in Guatemala allow you to see active lava from nearby. However, since we had recently been to Hawaii’s Big Island Volcanic National Park to see active lava, we felt comfortable skipping it.
As the sky darkens and night rolls in, you can see Volcan de Fuego erupting under the dark canvas from atop Volcan Acatenango! There are plenty of tours available on TripAdvisor and Viator.
When you hike to Volcan Acatenango, you will spend between 1.5 to 2 days on this trip. For this itinerary, I would highly recommend keeping at least a full day in Antigua.
Day 5 Morning Alternate - Pacaya Volcano
For those of us looking for a bit of adventure but not as strenuous, I recommend an alternate option to see another active volcano, minus the lava.
Spend the morning or afternoon (if you want to sleep in) hiking a different active volcano: Pacaya. This volcano is very accessible from Antigua and takes about 1 hour of drive to reach the base of the mountain.
Note that this volcano is currently not erupting lava, so you will not see any active lava. However, you will see volcanic fumes at the top. Check with your hotel, or take a TripAdvisor tour of the volcano. It is important to note that you cannot hike the volcano without a guide.
The trail to the top of Pacaya is moderate. While it is not a long hike at 3.5 miles, the climb up is steep as you gain 1,500 feet in elevation. Also, Pacaya stands at a cool 8,373 feet, so you may experience some shortness of breath and find it harder than a moderate hike. If you are not an experienced hiker, you can take a horse (which I did) making it a unique fun experience!
Whether you choose to ride a horse or use your good-old legs, the unique terrain along the way and at the top makes it well worth the trek. You can even enjoy marshmallows roasted on volcanic rocks as a treat at the top!
When you travel to Pacaya, your guide may expect a tip. Read this post to learn all about the tipping etiquette and expectations in Guatemala.
Day 5 Afternoon - Explore Antigua City
Assuming the volcano hike did not completely tire you out, spend the afternoon getting acquainted with the city of Antigua. A quick walk around the city will leave you gawking at the spectacular volcanoes that surround this old city. You will also notice the obvious remnants of Spanish colonial architecture all over the city.
Want to relax with a cool beer and views of the ubiquitous volcanoes? Head to El Zapote or any of the craft breweries that dot the old Antigua streets.
Day 6 Morning - Explore Antigua City highlights
In the morning, continue exploring the city of Antigua and its main highlights. Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Consider getting a city guide, for a well-rounded understanding of the history of this beautiful city. Don’t forget to take photos with the colorful streets as your background and up your IG game 😉
The highlights of the city included Antigua Cathedral, Antigua Central Park, Santa Catalina Arch (beautiful photo op with Volcano Agua in the background), and Iglesia de la Merced. If you are feeling hungry, the park next to Iglesia de la Merced (Parque la Merced) has tons of street food vendors whipping up delicious-looking fare.
Day 6 Afternoon - Hill of the Cross, Cerro de la Cruz
Grab brunch at one of the best spots in the city, the Refectorio restaurant inside Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. Note that brunches are super popular in Antigua. I loved that there’s a brunch place on nearly every corner of the city!
After fueling up, check out Calzada Santa Lucia, and Union Tank (a unique location where people washed clothes in colonial times). For a different experience, head to Caoba Farms to learn about organic farming techniques. They also have a restaurant.
In the evening, walk up to the Hill of the Cross for sweeping views of the city at sunset. Hike around Cerro de la Cruz if you arrive a bit early. Note that the park is closed strictly at sunset, so make sure to reach ahead of time.
End your Antigua experience with a nice dinner at Restaurante 7 Caldos. Wash your dinner back with a local brew and engaging music at Antigua Brewing Co., a spot we absolutely loved.
Day 7 Morning - Fly to Flores, explore Tikal National Park
This day will be a hectic one. Early in the morning, head to Guatemala City airport from where you will catch your flight to Flores. Make sure to book your flights early in the morning. After your one-hour flight to Flores, take a shared shuttle directly to Tikal National Park (it takes about 45 minutes).
To take a flight from Guatemala City to Flores, airline websites will show you the option for Tag Airlines, Guatemala’s local airline. Read this comprehensive, honest review where I highlighted my experience flying Tag.
If you choose to hike Volcan Acatenango, stay back in Antigua to explore the city for a whole day before heading to Guatemala City. Take an evening flight to Flores.
Check in to your hotel in Tikal, and get down to exploring Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park is a must-see highlight of Guatemala. In fact, no matter how long or short your Guatemala vacation may be, plan on spending at least 24 hours in Tikal.
Tikal National Park is the location of a major Mayan civilization from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD. In fact, there are over 3000 structures within this park. So, it would take several days to explore the entire park!
Day 7 Afternoon - Tikal National Park sunset tour
In the afternoon, grab lunch at your hotel, shop for a souvenir, and rest up. It generally tends to get really hot during peak afternoon time in Tikal. So, make sure to hydrate.
Your daytime ticket lets you explore Tikal between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. In the evening, go for a sunset tour with a guide. You will need another ticket to enter the park after 5 p.m. But hear me out, it is well worth it.
Your guide will take your group to the Mundo Perdido Complex. From this location, you can climb to the top of the tallest temple for one of the best sunsets of your life! Not only is the vista incredible, but you will also hear the jungle sounds changing as the sun sets. As it gets darker, the birds quieten, and the crickets start chirping with the occasional roar of a howler monkey.
Also, a good thing about opting for a sunset or sunrise tour is the ability to enjoy the park without crazy crowds and less heat.
Day 8 Morning - Tikal National Park sunrise tour, and Flores
On day 8 of your 10-day Guatemala itinerary, wake up super early for a sunrise tour. If you stay inside the park, your tour guide will meet you around 4:15 a.m. to start the trek up to Temple IV. If you stay outside the park in Flores, you will need to start around 2:30 a.m. But I promise you, it will be worth it!
Your group will start out at the entrance of the park and your tickets will be checked. The sunrise tour tickets are sold separately from daytime and sunset tour tickets.
After about 30 minutes of hiking on relatively flat ground, you will start ascending from the base of Temple IV. The climb consists of several flights of steep stairs, but you can stop to catch your breath at any time.
Once you reach the top, the steps created by the temple’s design function as an amphitheater where you can sit down for the best view of the park.
Listen to the jungle sounds and you will hear creatures waking up as the sun rises. As the sky gets lighter, you will spot more temples peeking above the jungle cover. This was my favorite moment of my entire Guatemala trip! It was surreal.
Day 8 Afternoon - Flores, and head to Coban or Lanquin
Once your sunrise tour is over, and you feel like a completely different person, head back to your hotel and pack up. Grab breakfast and head towards Flores.
Haven’t had enough of Tikal yet? You can also go back to explore the other parts of the complex not covered by a tour. Do note that you will need to get tickets for daytime entry.
Once you reach Flores, you can either check into your hotel (if you stay overnight in Flores) or explore the little town with your luggage in tow. Flores is a unique island on River Peten Itza and it only consists of a few dozen houses. So, even with a luggage bag, you should be fine walking around the streets with colorful houses and tiny cafes with the lake as your background.
Later, take a private or shared shuttle to Coban or Lanquin. It should take about 5 hours, and set you up perfectly for a day trip to the stunning Semuc Champey.
Don’t want to travel the 5 hours for Semuc Champey? See my alternate suggestion below.
Day 8 Afternoon Alternate - Explore Flores
Similar to the itinerary above, after your sunrise tour, head to Flores. Explore Flores at a more leisurely pace and stay overnight in a hotel. The next day, head to Yaxha. More on that below under the “Day 9 Alternate” section.
Day 9 Morning - Semuc Champey
A slightly controversial destination in Guatemala is Semuc Champey. Why is it controversial? People’s opinions are divided on whether it’s worth visiting because of how long it takes to reach the place.
While opinions are unified that Semuc Champey is absolutely beautiful, you will end up spending nearly 24 hours to get there. Add to that, that you will need another 12 hours to get out of Semuc Champey. While I would 100% recommend it if you spend a bit longer in Guatemala (2+ weeks), for a 10-day itinerary, note that it may feel a bit rushed. So, opt for going there only if you prefer a more brisk-paced itinerary.
Rest assured that if you do go there, it will be a terrific off-the-beaten-path experience. Semuc Champey is a natural monument with unique bridge cave formations and pristine green pools. To top it off, it is surrounded by lush green foliage, offering stunning visuals.
You will need to start your day early from Coban or Lanquin. Most hotels in that area can arrange a day tour for you. Again, considering that you will have limited time, I strongly recommend going with a guided tour.
However, if you must do it by yourself, you will need a 4 by 4. You can walk about 2.5 hours to the falls, but it is not recommended as the road is busy with other vehicles. In Lanquin, pickup trucks will be waiting to transfer people to the main spots of Semuc Champey and will ask you if you need a ride.
Day 9 Afternoon - Semuc Champey
Continue on with your tour of Semuc Champey. Some tour companies will also take you to Kamba Caves, a cave system with a running river within.
Day 9 Alternate - Yaxha Mayan Ruins
Did you fall in love with Mesoamerican archaeology? Explore another famous site, the Yaxha Mayan Ruins.
Pronounced “Yasha”, it is also another Mesoamerican archaeological site similar to Tikal, but much less crowded. Plus, Yaxha has beautiful water views of Lago de Yaxha.
Since you will have spent the night in Flores, you are in the perfect fantastic location to catapult yourself to Yaxha for a day trip. Also, consider adding El Mirador, or Uaxactun to your itinerary.
Day 10 Morning - Head to Guatemala City
If you stayed in Coban/Lanquin the previous night, take a private or shared shuttle to Guatemala City. Head straight to Guatemala City airport.
If you stayed in Flores the previous night, take the first flight from Flores airport to Guatemala City from where you will catch your flight back home.
Grab some local lunch fare on the way. Guatemala City airport has a few food options but the choices are limited. However, we had heard about and seen signs of Pollo Campero everywhere in Guatemala. Pollo Campero is essentially Guatemala’s answer to KFC and we tried their fried chicken sandwich. I must say that it was delicious.
Day 10 Afternoon - Fly home
Later, catch your flight back home. Be sure to pick up some souvenirs at one of the stores at the airport if you have not had a chance to earlier. Yes, they will be overpriced, but I assure you that you will want something to remember your magical moments of Guatemala.
When to visit Guatemala
The best time to visit Guatemala is during the dry season which typically runs from November to April. During these months, expect the weather to be pleasant between the lower 70s and high 80s during the daytime. In the highlands (eg. Lake Atitlan), the temperature is cooler.
The dry season coincides with the tourism season as well. So, during the holidays in December and spring break in March, expect hotel rates and airfare to be higher.
Should you add another country to your 10 days in Guatemala Itinerary?
Have additional vacation time? Lucky! You should add the country of Belize to your Guatemala itinerary. Not only is it located perfectly right next to Guatemala, but getting there is easy and fast. In addition, Belize offers very different experiences compared to Guatemala, such as the Belize Barrier Reef. There, you will see hundreds of varieties of marine life within the span of a few hundred feet!
Stay tuned for comprehensive travel posts on Belize that are being crafted right now, by signing up for our newsletter below.
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Additionally, make sure to read this comprehensive post on how to spend a week in Guatemala!
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