2 Weeks In Guatemala Travel Itinerary
Guatemala is a Central American country worth adding to your travel bucket list. This country has so much to offer travelers, from active volcanoes, to the colorful city of Antigua, to black sand beaches, to the largest lake in Central America. In turn, travelers can benefit Guatemala by choosing to visit a less-traveled country and supporting local and sustainable businesses throughout your stay. Because Guatemala is less widely visited, Guatemala travel tips can be hard to come by. That’s why we’ve piled every detail of our recent trip into this 2 weeks in Guatemala Travel Itinerary.
Steal our exact itinerary, or pick and choose from this travel itinerary to customize your own based on your travel type. Of course, we’ve included our best sustainable travel tips for Guatemala throughout this post, to help you find the best locally owned businesses and eco hotels during your trip to Guatemala!
Earth Lodge, Guatemala
Earth Lodge, Guatemala
Table of Contents
Guatemala FAQs
Is 2 weeks in Guatemala enough?
Spending 2 weeks in Guatemala gives you enough time to see the different landscapes of the country. Our Guatemala travel itinerary took us from the largest lake in Central America, to the black sand beaches on the Pacific coast, to the tropical mountains above Antigua.
How many days do I need for Guatemala?
If you have 14 days, this 2 week Guatemala itinerary is perfect for you because it will allow you to visit Lake Atitlan, the black sand beaches of El Paredon on the Pacific Coast, and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Antigua.
If you have 10-12 days, Spend 3-4 nights on Lake Atitlan, 3 nights in El Paredon, and 3-4 nights in Antigua.
With less than 10 days, we recommend traveling to Lake Atitlan and Antigua, and skipping El Paredon on the pacific coast.
What is the best time of year to visit Guatemala?
We visited Guatemala in December, and had no rain and gorgeous weather. The warmest months in the country are supposed to be February-August. The climate also changes drastically depending on location. During our trip we experienced temperatures as high as 90+ fahrenheit in El Paredon, and temperatures as low as 55 at night, during our mountain stay in Antigua.
How much cash should I bring for a week in Guatemala?
We recommend bringing $300-400 USD for a week of expenses in Guatemala if you’re following this travel itinerary. However, it’s best to take cash out in the form of Guatemalan Quetzales from an ATM once you arrive, rather than bring a ton of cash into the country. Avoid exchanging currency at the airport if you can, as the exchange fee is always significantly more expensive here. $1 USD = 7.80 Guatemala Quetzales. We took money out of ATMs 3 separate times during our trip, and our ATM fees for this are listed in the cost breakdown section below.
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Panajachel, Guatemala
2 Weeks in Guatemala Travel Itinerary
5 nights in Lake Atitlan
4 nights in El Paredon
5 nights in Antigua
El Paredon, Guatemala
Hidden Wave, El Paredon, Guatemala
Get To Know Guatemala
Currency
$1 USD = 7.80 Guatemala Quetzales. Prices in Guatemala are cheaper than other Central American countries we’ve visited, with the average cost of a meal in an restaurant being $5-10. Street food is even cheaper.
Language
Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language. There are also 22 different Mayan languages spoken throughout the country. We recommend that you (or someone in your party) have a basic understanding of Spanish in order to get around in this country. In our experience, tourism operators, like hotel staff, all spoke English. However, most of our drivers and the locals we met during our trip did not.
Transportation
Shuttle is the best form of transportation in Guatemala for tourists. Arrange these services ahead of time through your hotel to ensure safety. We were pleasantly surprised at the affordability of shuttles here and felt that it was the safest way for our group of 4 girls to travel across the country.
Size
Guatemala is relatively the same size as the U.S. state of Kentucky. Foreign countries can seem vast, but in reality, this country is easily navigable by car. What’s so unique about Guatemala is the varied landscapes across the country. We were amazed at how different each place we visited was, despite the fact that they were only a few hours drive apart.
Cost
We spent approximately $700 each for 2 weeks in Guatemala, without paying for accommodation (we were working with hotels during our stay, so we stayed for free). Below, we break down the costs of transportation, food, and activities for our trip.
While this may seem like a lot of money, it’s worth asking yourself what you would spend during a typical week at home? What would your grocery bill be? How often would you pay to eat out? What would your gas bill be for your car? Living costs money, and recognizing that some of these costs are just the costs of living has helped us understand that traveling is not nearly as expensive as some people make it out to be.
Hotel Atitlan, Guatemala
Lakefront views at Hotel Atitlan
Hotel Atitlan gardens
How Much Does 2 Weeks in Guatemala Cost?
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Transportation $138
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Food $374*
*We ate out pretty much every meal at restaurants, you can do this much more affordably if you eat street food or cook meals in.
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Activities $156
This included admission to 2 nature conservancies, ice bath/sauna, yoga classes, and massages.
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ATM Fees $14
Approximately a $5 fee each time we took money out at an ATM.
TOTAL: $682 before accommodation
Disclaimer: There are ways to travel Guatemala much more cheaply, and ways to make your trip significantly more expensive. We tend to travel somewhere between budget and luxury. In other words, we find the middle ground between enjoying our own space and eating delicious food, while also being conscious of our spending.
How To Make Your Trip To Guatemala More Affordable
If you want to spend less money than we did in Guatemala, there are a few easy ways to do this. We recommend eating street food, minimizing drinking, and choosing to stay in hostels to lower your accommodation costs.
El Paredon, Guatemala
Beaches on El Paredon, Guatemala
Sustainable Travel in Guatemala
In this 2 Weeks in Guatemala Travel Guide, we’re sharing our best sustainable travel tips for this country. We strive to be responsible and ethical travelers on every trip we take, which (to us) means supporting small, local businesses; finding eco-friendly stays; embracing nature whenever possible; minimizing our carbon footprints; and choosing eco tours. We were thrilled to find some amazing family-run hotels & eco lodges in this country, and we’re excited to spread the word about them!
My sister and I are imperfect environmentalists, meaning that we do our best to protect the planet as we explore, but we are always learning. If you know of other sustainable travel initiatives in Guatemala, please let us know in the comments below!
Earth Lodge, Guatemala
Volcano Views from Earth Lodge, Guatemala
2 Weeks in Guatemala Travel Guide
Lake Atitlan (5 days)
Getting there
Fly into La Aurora International airport in Guatemala City. Take a pre-arranged shuttle to Lake Atitlan. The lake has 11 towns and some are only reachable by boat. Be aware that if you choose to stay in one of these towns, your shuttle will drop you off in the town of Panajachel. Next, you will need to board a small boat and cruise across the lake to the town where you plan to stay.
Towns to visit
Panajachel, San Marcos La Laguna, San Pedro La Laguna, Santa Cruz. There are 11 towns on Lake Atitlan, so we recommend doing a bit of research to decide which ones you most want to visit.
Transportation
You can reach the other towns on lake Atitlan by boat. Simply head down to the dock, and there will be locals offering rides on small boats called lanchas. Let them know where you plan to go and you’ll pile into a boat with other people. Be prepared to take stops at different towns until you reach your desired location. Ultimately, this is cheaper than taking a private boat directly to a town, and it’s a great experience to travel just as the locals do.
Where to stay in Lake Atitlan
La Fortuna at Atitlan
This 100% off grid, solar energy boutique hotel offers 5 private luxury bungalows. These bungalows are made from sustainable materials, including bamboo grown on the property. What’s more, the hotel was custom built by the owners with local craftsmen. La Fortuna is a family owned hotel created by two travelers who met and fell in love in Latin America. If you’re traveling with a group to Guatemala, or looking for somewhere amazing to enjoy your honeymoon, this is the eco hotel for you.
Selina Lake Atitlan
While not a sustainable property, Selina is a great option for budget conscious travelers. This global hostel chain offers the chance to meet fellow travelers. Plus, it’s great for digital nomads who plan to work remotely from Guatemala. The Selina on Lake Atitlan is located in Panajachel, the bustling hub with many different things for visitors to explore.
Selina, Lake Atitlan
Selina, Lake Atitlan
Things to do in Lake Atitlan
Immerse yourself in Nature
We visited 2 nature preserves during our time on the lake, one in Panajachel and one in San Marcos La Laguna.
First, Atitlan Natural Reserve is located in Panajachel and has a butterfly garden and hiking trails that lead out to gorgeous lake views and a waterfall. Admission is $10 USD and you can spend an entire morning or afternoon exploring this place.
Second, Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve is located in the town of San Marcos. We visited this reserve after being told it was one of the best spots to swim in the lake. This nature reserve has amazing views of the lake, visible as you hike along the paths. There are many different spots to stop off and go for a dip. What’s more, this reserve is well known for its cliff jumping platform – many tourists visit to take the steep jump into the water.
Where to eat in Lake Atitlan
The Little Spoon Cafe – Health food, smoothies, fresh juices, and the perfect location right on Calle Santander in Panajachel.
7 Caldos – Authentic Guatemalan restaurant in Panajachel. Enjoy traditional recipes passed down from generations.
Deli Jasmin – Traditional Guatemalan breakfast in Panajachel.
Vida – Unmatched views of Lake Atitlan from the upstairs dining area and one of the best gluten-free veggie sandwiches.
Where to swim in Lake Atitlan
We found a gorgeous swimming spot in the town of San Marcos La Laguna at Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve. This reserve is popular for cliff jumping, hiking, and swimming. Plus, it has some of the best views of Lake Atitlan that we found during our stay.
Swimming in Lake Atitlan
Sunset at Hotel Atitlan
Hiking at Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve
Where to shop in Lake Atitlan
If you want to shop in Lake Atitlan, head to Calle Santander in Panajachel. This is the main street in one of the most bustling towns on the lake, full of local vendors and restaurants. When we travel, we always try to purchase local, handmade goods to help support the economies of the places we visit.
We politely ask vendors if they made the products they’re selling, or where the products came from. This is one of the easiest ways to become a more sustainable traveler, by putting your money toward ethically made products and businesses.
Plus, this is why it’s great to leave some extra room in your suitcase when you travel. Many of our favorite clothing and jewelry pieces come from the trips we’ve taken. We love being able to tell the story behind our clothes.
Where to watch the Sunset on Lake Atitlan
Hotel Atitlan has arguably the best view in all of Lake Atitlan, and we experienced the most stunning sunsets here. This hotel is located in Panajachel and it’s a great place for families, couples, or honeymooners to enjoy a stay on the lake.
However, even if you’re not a guest you can visit the hotel for a drink, appetizer, or meal around sunset. Enjoy watching the sky light up as the orange sun dips below the volcanoes.
Take a boat ride along the lake
Of course, one of the best things to do in Lake Atitlan is take a boat ride along the lake. To do so, simply head down to the dock of whichever town you are in, and tell the boat captains where you are headed. You’ll hop into a lancha, one of the small boats, with other people and be transported from town to town for a gorgeous ride along the lake. Alternatively, you can take private boat charters. But we recommend traveling as the locals do and enjoying the experience of being out on the water.
Other Activities
El Paredon (4 days)
Getting There
Traveling from Lake Atitlan to El Paredon is an experience in and of itself. Book a shuttle in advance through your accommodation (Selina has a shuttle that you can book from Panajachel to El Paredon if your accommodation doesn’t offer a transfer). The ride takes about 4 hours and culminates in a ride along a canal! Be prepared for your driver to back your shuttle up onto a small wooden barge, which will carry your vehicle and all passengers across the canal to reach El Paredon. Finally, when you’ve reached the other side, your driver will drop you directly at your accommodation.
Know before you go
El Paredon is remote, and there are limited ATMs in this town. We recommend bringing enough Guatemalan Quetzales with you to last the duration of your stay.
Transportation
This is a small surf town and once you arrive, everything is within walking distance. The roads are all dirt and the hotels, cafes, and restaurants are all right next to each other, just steps from the black sand beach.
Hidden Wave, El Paredon
Hidden Wave, El Paredon
Where to stay in El Paredon
Hidden Wave Surf Hotel
If you know us you know we love to find local, family owned hotels wherever we go. Hidden Wave is owned by a Guatemalan / Canadian couple who created a beachfront surfers paradise.
This hotel includes a pool where you can cool off from the 90+ temperatures, a community space and kitchen where you’ll have access to wifi, and 4 private air conditioned casitas. If you want to know more about this hotel, check out our video below so you can see what El Paredon is all about.
@baggagegirls If you’re traveling to Guatemala, consider adding El Paredón & Hidden Wave Surf Hotel to your travel itinerary 🏄🏽♀️🌴🍍🌞 But only if you like surf, beach days, cafes, black sand, gathering for sunset, waking up early to watch baby sea turtles, and meeting other travelers. If not, you can skip it 😉 For our trip to Guatemala, we started in Lake Atitlàn, then traveled to El Paredón, and finished in Antigua 🛶🌿🌊🌋 we’ll have our full Guatemala Travel Guide up on our Baggage blog soon 💌 ••• #elparedonguatemala #elparedonbeach #surftowns #guatemalatraveltips #guatemalatravel #guatemala #baggagegirls #travelitinerary #traveltips #centralamericatravel
♬ Beat Goes On - The All Seeing I
What to do in El Paredon
El Paredon is less about what to do and more about embracing the sun, the surf, and a seemingly endless stretch of beach. Below, you’ll find a few of our suggestions for how to spend your time here:
- Surf
- Lounge by the pool
- Eat at the variety of cafes
- Lay on the beach
- Visit the Turtle Conservation Center to watch baby turtles be released into the ocean (meet at Driftwood Surfer Hostel at 5:45 am and one of the staff will walk you along the beach to the conservation center. Watching the turtles be released is free, but please bring cash along with you to make a donation to this amazing organization).
- Embrace a slow lifestyle
If you don’t enjoy the laid back beach life, this probably isn’t the town for you. You won’t find hikes, history, or a ton of activities in El Paredon.
Antigua, Guatemala (5 days)
Getting There
Prearrange a shuttle with your accommodation from El Paredon to Antigua. The drive should take approximately 2 hours.
Transportation
The city of Antigua is very walkable. If you stay directly in the city, you will be walking distance to the best markets, shops, bars, and restaurants.
However, if you choose to follow our Guatemala Travel Itinerary exactly and stay at the Earth Lodge just outside of Antigua, there is a daily shuttle service that you can take into the city anytime you wish. Let the front desk person at Earth Lodge know what your plans are and they will arrange an affordable shuttle into the city whenever you need it. Earth Lodge is just 15 minutes outside of Antigua. Below, we break down exactly why this is THE place to stay for a magical experience in Guatemala.
Yoga at Earth Lodge
Volcano Views From Earth Lodge
Treehouse Cabin at Earth Lodge
Where to stay in Antigua
Earth Lodge Antigua
Imagine sleeping in a treehouse, watching volcanoes erupt, and enjoying delicious locally grown food each day. This is just a glimpse into what a stay at Earth Lodge Antigua includes. Located in the tropical mountains 15 minutes above Antigua, Earth Lodge is an eco hotel hideaway that is the perfect place for a wellness focused stay during your 2 weeks in Guatemala.
Earth Lodge is situated in the mountains, allowing guests to overlook the entire city of Antigua. This eco lodge offers everything from a daily yoga practice in a treehouse, to a sauna and cold plunge combo, to a full service spa with the most relaxing massages.
Even if you don’t stay at Earth Lodge, we recommend taking the daily shuttle up from Antigua. For example, if you want to be located in the city but still have the chance to experience the views from the mountains, grab the Earth Lodge shuttle at 8 am. You can visit the property for 9 am yoga. Afterward, enjoy a delicious farm to table breakfast at the onsite restaurant and walk the grounds of the hotel and avocado farm. The shuttle down leaves at 12 pm, making this the perfect half day activity.
Volcano Hike
Chances are, if you’re visiting Antigua, you’ve heard about the amazing Acatenango Volcano Overnight Hike. This hike is made for adventurous travelers who want to get up close and personal with the Fuego Volcano as it erupts. Arguably the best part of this hike is the up close nighttime views of flowing lava (which we were also able to see from a distance at Earth Lodge). Check out the below tours if you’re planning your trip to Guatemala specifically to see these amazing volcanic eruptions.
Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua, Guatemala
Central America Travel
If you know you want to travel to Central America, but you aren’t sure which country is your perfect match, we’re here to help. We’ve visited Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Belize. Below, we’ve listed a few key differences between these countries to help you decide which one is most your type.
Guatemala vs. Costa Rica
Pros of Costa Rica: On the other hand, Costa Rica had more rich biodiversity. The wildlife sightings that we had in this country were truly special, and the combination of lush jungle and vibrant beach towns made this country feel like paradise.
There is more surf culture in Costa Rica than Guatemala, and the surf towns themselves are more developed in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is busier with tourists than Guatemala, which offers increased safety but at the cost of feeling a bit more..well, touristy.
For more on Costa Rica: One Month In Costa Rica Travel Itinerary
Pros of Guatemala: To start, Guatemala is more affordable than Costa Rica. Because this country is less popular for tourists, the prices for food and accommodation were lower than Costa Rica.
While both countries have volcanoes, we found the experience of watching active volcanoes erupt in Guatemala to be more special and unique than the volcanoes we saw in Costa Rica.
Lastly, the city of Antigua was incredibly beautiful, colorful, and unique. If you’re looking to travel to an amazing city destination, we recommend Antigua, Guatemala hands down.
Antigua, Guatemala
Montezuma, Costa Rica
Guatemala vs. Belize
Pros of Belize: Of these 3 countries, Belize has the most unique marine life. With the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world, this is a diver’s paradise. If you want to swim in crystal clear water, snorkel, dive, and enjoy a tropical getaway, Belize is the country for you. Ultimately, Belize is perfect if you like island vacation destinations, with many different cayes to choose from.
For more on Belize: The Best Belize Travel Itinerary | Explore The Cayes
Pros of Guatemala: Guatemala is more affordable than Belize. These two countries also border one another, so if you have time you could hit both in one trip. Guatemala and Belize are no bigger than US states, so it’s not difficult to visit both countries if you want to experience the unique qualities of each one.
Lake Atitlan is the truly special body of water in Guatemala, which offers unmatched views of the volcanoes set behind the water. If your dream trip includes being on the water but not always in it, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala is your perfect match. You can take boats between the 11 towns on the lake and focus on embracing Guatemalan culture.
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Wrap It Up
There you have it, our full 2 weeks in Guatemala travel itinerary, including everything from the destinations we chose, to the best hotel stays, to how much money we spent. If you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, hopefully this travel itinerary can help you find the perfect place to stay, or decide which destinations you plan to explore in the country. Other popular destinations that we didn’t get to explore include Tikal and Semuc Champey. Let us know if you have any questions about visiting this country below!
If you want to know more about Guatemala, check out our videos on TikTok that depict our experience traveling in this country. Ultimately, Guatemala is one of the most unique and off the beaten path travel destinations that we’re so happy we chose to explore.
