Planning Your Guatemala Trip: 7-Day, 10-Day, and 14-Day Itineraries

By Gisela Bayer, February 18th, 2026

Guatemala is one of Central America’s most rewarding destinations – a country where ancient Maya civilizations, colonial charm, dramatic landscapes, and vibrant living cultures come together. From misty highland villages and colorful markets to jungle-covered ruins and Caribbean beaches, Guatemala offers incredible diversity in a relatively compact area. Ready to explore Guatemala? Let’s plan your perfect itinerary.

Whether you have one week or two, the key to a great trip is choosing the right balance of destinations, pace, and experiences. Below, we break down 7-day, 10-day, and 14-day itineraries, along with practical tips on the best time to visit, budget, transportation, packing, and how to tailor your journey to your interests.

Mayan woman holding incense during a traditional festival parade in Guatemala, showcasing indigenous culture, colorful garments, and ceremonial rituals

7-Day Guatemala Itinerary: Highlights of the Highlands

Best for: First-time visitors, culture lovers, and travelers short on time
A week in Guatemala allows you to experience its cultural heart and most iconic landscapes, all without long travel days.

Days 1–3: Antigua
Start your journey in Antigua, Guatemala’s most iconic colonial city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cobblestone streets, pastel-colored facades, and dramatic views of surrounding volcanoes create an unforgettable first impression.

Spend your days exploring historic churches, lively local markets, fascinating museums, and stylish rooftop cafés. Antigua is also a culinary hotspot, home to a growing collection of first-class restaurants that blend traditional Guatemalan flavors with modern, international cuisine.

For adventure seekers, Antigua is the ultimate base. Popular experiences include a Pacaya volcano hike, coffee plantation tours, hands-on cooking classes, and the legendary Acatenango volcano hike, an overnight trek rewarded with front-row views of the constantly erupting Fuego volcano.

Throughout the year, Antigua comes alive with vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations, from colorful Semana Santa processions to music, dance, and local traditions that showcase the city’s rich heritage.

Collage of Antigua Guatemala featuring colorful colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, volcano views, historic churches, and local culture

Days 4–6: Lake Atitlán
From Antigua, travel to breathtaking Lake Atitlán, often described as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Surrounded by three volcanoes and dotted with traditional Maya villages, the lake offers a slower, more peaceful pace – perfect for unwinding and connecting with nature.

Each lakeside village has its own distinct personality. Panajachel, the main gateway to the lake, offers lakeside promenades, shops, restaurants, and easy access to boat transport. San Juan La Laguna is known for its art cooperatives and natural-dye textiles, while San Pedro La Laguna combines lively cafés with hiking opportunities and panoramic viewpoints. For a more tranquil, wellness-focused experience, San Marcos La Laguna is popular for yoga retreats, meditation centers, and holistic therapies. Santa Catarina Palopó stands out for its strikingly colorful lakeside homes and nearby San Antonio Palopó is renowned for its centuries-old pottery traditions, strong Kaqchikel Maya heritage, and a quieter, more authentic village atmosphere overlooking the lake. Santiago Atitlán, one of the largest and most culturally significant towns on the lake, is known for its vibrant markets, traditional Tz’utujil dress, and the unique folk-spiritual figure of Maximón, reflecting a powerful blend of Indigenous and Catholic traditions.

Boat rides connect the villages, making it easy to explore multiple communities while enjoying stunning views from the water.

Collage of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala featuring panoramic lake views, surrounding volcanoes, and Mayan culture and traditions

Day 7: Chichicastenango
End your week with a visit to Chichicastenango, one of Guatemala’s most culturally significant towns, deeply rooted in ancient Maya history and living traditions. Home to one of the largest and most vibrant indigenous markets in Central America, it offers a powerful glimpse into the country’s cultural soul.

On market days (Thursday and Sunday), the town bursts with color as locals sell handwoven textiles, ceramics, flowers, masks, and traditional foods. The unique blend of Catholic and Maya spiritual practices – often seen in rituals at the Church of Santo Tomás – creates a fascinating and unforgettable cultural experience.

Collage of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, featuring the vibrant market, traditional rituals in front of the church, and the colorful cemetery, highlighting Mayan culture and local traditions

Estimated Budget (7 days, per person):

Mid-range: $1,100 – 1,600
Well-located boutique hotels, a mix of local and international dining, guided tours (volcano hike, coffee tour), shared transportation.

Luxury: $2,300+
High-end boutique or lakefront hotels, private transfers, fine dining, private guides, premium experiences.

10-Day Guatemala Itinerary: Culture and Ancient Wonders

Best for: History enthusiasts and travelers wanting a deeper experience
With 10 days, you can keep the highlights of the highlands and add one of Guatemala’s most iconic sites – Tikal – along with time in Flores, the charming island town that serves as the perfect base for exploring the ancient ruins and relaxing after jungle adventures.

Days 1–7: Antigua, Lake Atitlán & Chichicastenango
Follow the same route as the 7-day itinerary, but at a slightly more relaxed pace. Extra time allows for village homestays around Lake Atitlán, additional hikes, or wellness experiences like yoga and spa treatments.

Days 8–10: Flores & Tikal
Fly or travel north to the Petén region, where dense jungle hides some of the most impressive Maya ruins in the world.

Stay in Flores, a charming island town on Lake Petén Itzá, known for its colorful buildings and laid-back atmosphere. From here, visit Tikal National Park, where towering pyramids rise above the rainforest canopy. Early morning or sunset tours offer unforgettable views and the sounds of howler monkeys echoing through the jungle.

Collage of Tikal National Park pyramids and Flores town on Lake Petén Itzá, Guatemala

Estimated Budget (10 days, per person)

Mid-range: $1,600 – 2,200
Boutique hotels in Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and Flores; mixed local and international dining; flight or overland travel to Flores; guided highlights including Tikal and volcano hikes; shared transportation.

Luxury: $3,000+
High-end boutique, lakefront, and jungle lodge stays; private transfers and flights; fine dining; private guides at Tikal and key sites; premium experiences such as sunrise tours and spa treatments.

14-Day Guatemala Itinerary: The Complete Experience

Best for: Travelers who want it all – culture, adventure, and relaxation
Two weeks in Guatemala allows for a truly comprehensive journey, adding the Caribbean coast to the classic route.

Days 1–10: Highlands & Tikal
Begin with Antigua, Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango, and Tikal as outlined above, but with fewer rushed days and more opportunities for immersion – think cooking classes, guided cultural tours, and nature excursions.

Days 11–14: Caribbean Coast (Río Dulce & Livingston)
Head east to the Río Dulce, a lush river corridor framed by dramatic cliffs, dense jungle, and natural hot springs. Boat travel here is an essential part of the experience, offering a scenic and relaxed transition toward Guatemala’s Caribbean side.

End your journey in Livingston, a coastal town known for its vibrant Afro-Caribbean (Garífuna) culture. Savor coconut-based seafood dishes, unwind on laid-back beaches, and enjoy a rhythm of life completely different from the highlands – an ideal way to relax after an active adventure.

On your final day, travel back to Guatemala City for your international departure, completing a diverse and unforgettable journey through Guatemala’s landscapes, cultures, and traditions.

Collage of Rio Dulce river gorge and Caribbean town of Livingston, Guatemala

Estimated Budget (14 days, per person)

Mid-range: $2,400 – 3,200
Boutique hotels and comfortable lodges; mixed local and international dining; domestic flights and boat transfers; guided highlights and shared transport.

Luxury: $4,200+
High-end boutique, lakefront, and jungle lodge stays; private flights, transfers, and boats; fine dining; private guides and curated experiences.

Guatemala is vibrant, welcoming, and endlessly fascinating.
Whether you have 7, 10, or 14 days, the country rewards travelers who come curious and leave transformed. Ready to start planning your Guatemala adventure? Let us help you design a journey that fits your style – and introduces you to one of Central America’s most beautiful and culturally rich destinations.

Best Time to Visit Guatemala
Guatemala is a year-round destination, but timing can shape your experience:

  • Dry season (November – April): Best weather for sightseeing, hiking, and photography, with clear skies and cooler nights in the highlands
  • Green season (May – October): Lush landscapes, fewer tourists, and better prices (afternoon showers are common, mornings are often sunny)
  • Festival periods: Semana Santa (Easter Week) and Día de Todos los Santos offer incredible cultural experiences but require advance planning due to higher demand
  • Regional variations: Highland areas are cooler year-round, while coastal and jungle regions stay warm and humid
  • Crowd considerations: December, January, and Holy Week are peak travel times; November and early May offer a quieter balance
Giant colorful kites at Festival de Todos los Santos in Sumpango, Guatemala
Sumpango – Día de Todos los Santos

Transportation Between Destinations
Getting around Guatemala is easier than many travelers expect, with options for every style and budget:

  • Shared shuttle vans: The most popular and convenient choice for tourist routes.
  • Private transfers: Ideal for families or travelers seeking flexibility and comfort.
  • Domestic flights: The fastest way to reach Flores/Tikal from Guatemala City.
  • Boats: Essential for exploring Lake Atitlán villages and Río Dulce.
  • Local “chicken buses”: Colorful, lively, and very affordable – they offer an authentic local experience but can be crowded and slower, so many travelers prefer pre-arranged transport for comfort and efficiency.

We recommend arranging most of your transfers in advance to maximize convenience and safety while traveling through the country.

Public boats transporting passengers across Lake Atitlán in Guatemala

Packing Essentials for Guatemala

What to pack for Guatemala tropical and highland climate travel flat lay

  • Daypack or small backpack
  • Lightweight layers, long pants, and long-sleeve shirts
  • Warm sweater/jacket for evenings
  • Rain jacket (especially May–October)
  • Comfortable shoes + sandals
  • Swimsuit
  • Hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent
  • Towel & personal hygiene items
  • Camera/binoculars
  • Flashlight & pocket knife
  • Personal medicines

Traditional musicians 16-Day Guatemala Adventure
Explore Guatemala from Antigua to Tikal, Lake Atitlán to the Caribbean coast, and hidden gems in between. Hike an active volcano, stroll colonial streets, browse vibrant markets, relax on white-sand beaches, and uncover ancient Maya ruins – all in one unforgettable journey, filled with culture, adventure, breathtaking landscapes, and rich traditions at every turn.

How to Combine Culture, Adventure, and Relaxation
Guatemala excels at blending different travel styles, making it easy to design a well-rounded itinerary:

  • Culture: Explore vibrant Indigenous markets, ancient Maya ruins like Tikal and Yaxhá, traditional village tours around Lake Atitlán, and immersive language schools in Antigua that offer insight into daily life and local traditions.
  • Adventure: Take on iconic volcano hikes such as Acatenango or Pacaya, kayak across Lake Atitlán, trek through the rainforests of Petén, or experience adrenaline activities like zip-lining and white-water rafting.
  • Relaxation: Unwind at lakeside boutique hotels, enjoy spa treatments in colonial towns, or slow down on the laid-back Caribbean beaches of Livingston and Río Dulce.

The key is pacing – alternating active days with slower ones to truly enjoy each destination, reduce travel fatigue, and allow time for spontaneous cultural encounters along the way.

Customizing Your Guatemala Trip
Every traveler experiences Guatemala differently. Customization ideas include:

  • Adding more archaeological sites for history lovers
  • Including multi-day hikes or outdoor adventures
  • Focusing on wellness, yoga, or photography
  • Traveling slower with longer stays in fewer places
  • Adjusting accommodations to match your comfort level and budget

This is where our team comes in. Our Guatemala travel specialists work closely with you to design a personalized itinerary – handling logistics, accommodations, transportation, and unique experiences – so you can travel with confidence and ease. Tell us how you like to travel, and we’ll craft a Guatemala journey made just for you.