5 day itineraries in Guatemala
From Ancient Temples to Colonial Charm
Just have a short vacation? Our 5-day itineraries in Guatemala are exactly what you need. We’ve set everything up so you can see the best of the country in just a few short days, so all you need to do is show up. From the bustling tourist town of Antigua to the peaceful villages surrounding Lake Atitlan, there’s so much to see here.
You’ll have two options for destinations; one takes you to Tikal and Yaxha, the Mayan ruins that Guatemala is so well known for. The other option lets you relax at the lake and explore the villages that surround it. Both are wonderful options for you and you can spend your five days in peace, knowing we’ve got everything organized.
Guatemala
A journey to the soul
Antigua Guatemala
A colorful colonial gem
Yaxha
Getaway to the Mayan jungle
Lake Atitlan
Where beauty runs deep
Highlights
Depending on which of our 5-day itineraries in Guatemala you choose, you could find yourself walking where the Mayans walked through the plazas at Tikal. Or, you may end up admiring the stunning colonial church in Santiago on the lake and walking through the colorful streets of Santa Catarina Palopo. From the fun, colonial vibe of Antigua Guatemala to the relaxed pueblos around the country, you’re bound to enjoy the time you have here.
Our guides ensure everyone has a great time while you travel from Guatemala City to Antigua, Tikal, or Lake Atitlan. This beautiful country has a lot to offer, even if you’re only here for a few days. Who knows? You may discover you enjoy visiting Guatemala so much that you come back for a longer trip sometime.
Itineraries
When you land in Guatemala City’s international airport, you’ll be greeted by our driver and taken to your hotel in Antigua. The trip takes you through the mountains, lush green forests, and a couple of towns before you arrive in the colonial city of Antigua.
Antigua was the third capital city of Guatemala before a massive earthquake in 1773 sent the residents fleeing to the current capital site. It was originally founded by the Spanish in 1543 and it still represents the country with Spanish colonial buildings and cobbled streets. The unique architecture draws people from around the world. With plenty of sights to see and a mild climate, Antigua is the perfect place to start your trip in Guatemala.
Once you arrive in Antigua, you’ll have the rest of the day to rest up and explore if you like.
- Two nights in Antigua.
Wake up refreshed after a solid night’s sleep and have a traditional breakfast before we head out on a half-day tour of Antigua. Your guide can give you facts on each place you stop, but it’s handy to know a little before you head out.
You’ll travel to the Cerro de la Cruz or the Hill of the Cross to get a stunning look at the entire city of Antigua. The valley is surrounded by volcanoes, Agua to the south and Fuego and Acatenango to the west. They’re all visible from this viewpoint.
We’ll also stop at Palacio del Ayuntamiento, which was built in the 18th century to house the Spanish colonial government. Now, it’s a town office with a book museum where you can see some very rare and ancient manuscripts.
Up next is the Palace of the Captain’s General. The Guatemala Institute of Tourism is housed here, but it used to be home to Spanish governors. They lived in the heart of the city they ruled back in colonial days. Then, it’s off to Casa Santo Domingo. This luxury hotel and museum is actually built around the ruins and is interesting to walk through. You’ll find pieces of the original convent here, including a spiral staircase leading underground. Beautiful stone arches, blooming flowers and lots of wide corridors with ancient flooring await you here.
We’ll also visit La Merced Church. This bright yellow church is one of the most famous churches in the city. Inside, the artwork is stunning, so make sure to look up. Also, take a closer look at the mosaics on the pillars inside . . . they are not what they seem.
We’ll also visit some of the ruined churches in Antigua, which were destroyed during the 1773 earthquake. Then it’s off to a cooking class in the afternoon where you’ll learn to prepare local dishes and enjoy the flavors of Guatemala with your classmates and teacher.
Hopefully, you slept well last night, because today is a big day! We’ll leave for the capital city as soon as you’ve finished breakfast, to hop on a short flight to Flores Island. Then, we’ll get into a vehicle to travel to Yaxha, a fascinating archeological site in Peten, Guatemala.
Yaxha is perched above Lake Yaxha in Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park. The Mayan city was the third largest Mayan city in Guatemala (Tikal and El Mirador were larger) and was actively occupied from around 500 BC until 600 AD. It had roughly 40,000 inhabitants during its peak, which is reflected in the many, many structures found here. While the area isn’t entirely excavated, there are more than 500 structures, including 2 ball courts, 9 temple pyramids, and several sacbeob or raised highways leading to other cities.
You’ll have a chance to see some of the 40 stelae carved with scenes from the boast and that keep track of the local goings on, and admire the incredible planning that went into building Yaxha. Aside from the architecture, there are entire complexes here designed to mark solstices and equinoxes. You’ll also enjoy the tranquility in Yaxha, since it’s not as popular as Tikal.
- Overnight on Flores Island.
Tikal is the Mayan city that everyone knows about. Its temples were featured in the original Star Wars movie and every history magazine has done a story on it. Today, you get to live the experience for yourself. This UNESCO World Heritage Site requires walking through the jungle, surrounded by spider monkeys, howler monkeys, and parrots. When you reach the site, you will be in awe of the architecture as you walk the plazas and look up at the massive pyramid temples.
Tikal began as a small village somewhere between 900-600 BC but grew into one of the largest Mayan cities over several centuries. Between 600-900 CE, the Mayan city was at its peak with around 75,000 inhabitants and well over 3,000 buildings in the city proper. Much of Tikal is still hidden under the jungle, but LIDAR has shown that many other buildings formed the outskirts of the city. There is still so much history to be found in the area. However, you can currently see the main plazas and several stunning pyramids. If you’re up for it, you can climb to the top of the one pyramid that is 144 feet tall, giving you a view to die for.
We’ll head back to Guatemala City on a short flight and should arrive in time for a farewell dinner at a traditional Guatemalan restaurant. Then it’s off to the hotel to rest.
- One night in Guatemala City.
Today, your driver will take you to the airport for your return flight. It’s time to say goodbye to Guatemala. We hope you enjoyed your adventure and will want to return!
Today, you’ll arrive in Guatemala where our driver will pick you up and drive directly to Panajachel. Your hotel on Lake Atitlan is the perfect place to relax for the night. Rest up, because tomorrow, the adventure begins!
- Two nights in Lake Atitlan
You’ll have a chance to explore some of the more interesting villages around the lake today. First, you’ll have a hearty breakfast, then hop into a boat to visit the villages. Many towns around the lake are difficult to access by road, so the quickest route is to take a boat over the water. We will visit:
Santa Catarina Palopo – Like many villages on the lake, Santa Catarina Palopo is steep, with houses perched on the hillside all the way up from the lake. The town is famous for its Paint the Change movement, where local homes are painted in bright colors with traditional Mayan textile designs. Not only does this help draw attention to the town for tourism, it also provides the people with a boost, as they are expected to keep the area around their home clear of trash and to send their children to school in exchange for the home decoration.
Santiago Atitlan – This sprawling town is the largest Tz’utujil Maya community in Guatemala. It also feels like a regular town, so you won’t get such a touristy experience. Head to the church and check out the Maximon with Jesus tiles behind the altar. You can also pay a tuktuk driver to take you to see Maximon, the statue of a Mayan deity here. The area is also known for its intricate weaving and beautiful textiles, so you can expect to find plenty of souvenirs in textiles to bring home.
San Juan La Laguna – Brightly colored murals and stunning textiles are what you’ll find in San Juan. The town is quaint and really plays up the colorful aspects of the Mayan culture. There’s no shortage of pretty things to see and the friendly locals offer fresh coffee and hot chocolate in little cafes that abound here.
After you’ve seen the lake, it’s time to get some dinner back in Panajachel.
If you want to really get a good feel for the culture in Guatemala, you need to visit a market. There’s no better and bigger market than the one in Chichicastenango. While there is definitely an area for tourists in the market, it’s largely composed of regular stalls catering to the locals.
You’ll find fresh vegetables and vibrant fruit for sale, as well as clothing and household items. In the more tourist oriented section of the market, there’s everything you could want to take home, from wood carvings and woven bead jewelry to silver and jade. Chichicastenango is best known for the many beautiful textiles sold here. Make sure to take some time and look over the stalls where they sell embroidered bags and soft scarves, as you may catch some of the women weaving on their backstrap looms.
Once you’ve explored the market, we’ll head to Antigua Guatemala, where you can explore on your own for the rest of the afternoon or evening.
- Two nights in Antigua Guatemala
You haven’t truly visited Guatemala until you’ve seen Antigua Guatemala. This beautiful colonial town was originally settled by the Spanish and they left their mark in terms of architecture. Peaceful, cobbled streets and friendly locals make this the perfect spot to finish up your trip. You can choose between two excursions, touring local colonial towns or taking a trip up Volcan Pacaya.
This was the third Guatemalan capital city until the earthquake destroyed much of the city in 1773. Later, much of the city was restored and it is now a beautiful place to visit. The city has a variety of restaurants ranging from traditional Guatemalan to more exotic Thai and Italian places. It’s also home to tiny markets and shops tucked into little spaces between buildings that make it fascinating to explore.
If you want to visit the colonial towns, your guide will take you around to some of the local towns where you can watch women weaving with traditional backstrap looms. You may taste local coffee, freshly harvested, or sample some nispero wine before you leave.
Alternatively, you can leave early in the morning to hike up Pacaya, an active volcano where you’ll actually be able to roast a marshmallow over a volcanic vent. If you’re not interested in the hike, you can take a horse much of the way up. You’ll have time in the afternoon to rest and enjoy the town of Antigua.
Your driver will take you to Guatemala City today, to drop you off in time for your flight home. We hope you’ll return soon to see more of this amazing country.
map, expenses & price
5 days in Guatemala
Expenses included:
-Private transportation.
-Four nights of hotel accommodations.
-Domestic flights.
-Professional local guides.
-All park entrance fees.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-Daily breakfasts.
