9-day Trip to Guatemala
Guatemala, is all you need.
While a 9-day trip to Guatemala may not be enough to fully explore this stunning country, we’ll certainly give it our best shot. Your tour of the Land of Eternal Spring will include a variety of activities to keep you fascinated with the stunning country.
You’ll enjoy visiting Lake Atitlan, one of the most stunning lakes in Central America, exploring the Mayan ruins at Tikal, and hiking through the lush rainforests of Coban. From caves to ruins and everything in between, you’ll see the best places in Guatemala. Get ready for adventure and learning, because there’s plenty to see and do with your nine days in the country.
Lake Atitlan
The world’s most stunning lake
Crater Azul
A natural paradise
Semuc Champey
Limestone bridge
Tikal
Mayan ruins in the jungle
Highlights
Your 9-day trip to Guatemala includes plenty of stunning views, historical sites, and new, cultural experiences. If you’ve ever wondered how coffee gets from the bush to your cup, you’ll find out firsthand. Try making chocolate from the cacao beans and experience the benefits of macadamia nuts.
You’ll also swim in the crystalline pools at Semuc Champey, climb the ancient temple at Tikal, hike through the jungle in Coban, and go spelunking in Lanquin. Indulge your adventurous side with a hike up an active volcano, then relax in a natural hot springs. From strolling the cobbled streets of Antigua to paddling a kayak around Lake Atitlan, you’re bound to enjoy the sights and experiences this trip brings you.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City, you’ll be greeted by our driver. You’ll head directly to Lake Atitlan, the deepest lake in Central America, as well as one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world.
Lake Atitlan is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is surrounded by three volcanoes and 12 indigenous villages. This beautiful lake is nestled down in a crater formed by a volcano tens of thousands of years ago and you’ll have some pretty incredible views as you drive down to it.
- Two nights in Lake Atitlan.
Your time at Lake Atitlan will give you a better appreciation for the area’s natural beauty and today you have a choice between a boat tour and a more active hiking and kayaking tour.
For the kayaking option, you’ll paddle along the northern coast of the lake to enjoy the stunning forests and cliffs that jut over the water. Next, you’ll head to San Juan La Laguna, which boasts a population of roughly 10,000 people. Most inhabitants are Tz´utujil and their culture is quite evident here in the weaving, pottery, and other traditional arts. This is the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs to take home. You’ll also want to get some shots of the nearby Indian Nose mountain, which looks like a man staring up at the sky.
We’ll hike up the Indian Nose, about a 2-hour hike through corn fields and coffee farms. The view from the summit is breathtaking, giving you a full view of the lake and all three volcanoes. Head back down to the lake to cool off in the refreshing water and do some last-minute shopping.
Prefer the boat tour? You’ll visit three beautiful towns on the lake, all accessible from the water.
Santa Catarina Palopo: From this town, you get truly amazing views of the lake and its volcanoes, but the real attraction lies within the town’s borders. Homeowners here have the option to take part in the painting project that has transformed plain walls into stunning works of Mayan art. In exchange for free murals, the homeowners must keep the area around their homes free of trash and send their children to the local school.
San Juan La Laguna: In this town, perched above the lake, we’ll visit a women-run weaving cooperative where you can see how the beautiful Guatemalan textiles are painstakingly created using backstrap looms. We’ll also visit several local artists and a coffee plantation for coffee tasting.
San Marcos/San Pedro: These two towns are some of the most popular on Lake Atitlan and each has its own vibe. San Pedro is a tourist mecca and a great place to find souvenirs of your time at the lake. San Marcos tends to be more laid-back, but with a more authentic local culture.
Today begins with a visit to the Atitlan Nature Reserve, where you have several activity options. For the more adventurous, the reserve offers the most extensive zipline canopy tour in Central America. If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, check out the butterfly garden, wander along the hiking trails, and enjoy the waterfalls. You may spot some of the local wildlife, including kinkajous, spider monkeys, and coatis.
Next, we’ll head to Antigua Guatemala, a colonial town that will be our base for the next few days. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason, with its cobblestone streets and picturesque buildings painted in vivid colors. It’s also surrounded by unique towns that we will visit.
Santa Maria de Jesus is a sprawling town in the foothills of Agua Volcano that is still very much indigenous. Here, you’ll find women wearing their traditional Mayan clothing, engaged in weaving and other handicrafts. This is a great place to see amazing views of Antigua. Down the mountain from Santa Maria, we’ll visit San Pedro Las Huertas where you’ll tour a coffee plantation and learn exactly how coffee is grown and processed. From the pulp and fermentation to drying and roasting, it all culminates in a cup of the freshest Guatemalan coffee you’ve ever had.
We’ll also visit Cuidad Vieja where you’ll see beautiful Guatemalan textiles and locals selling their wares on the streets. You can spot the puffing Fuego Volcano from the town, too.
Finally, you’ll leave the coffee beans behind and trade them for cacao beans at a chocolate workshop. Learn the history of cacao and its importance in Guatemala before you try your hand at roasting and grinding cacao beans to make and taste a traditional Mayan drink. Once you know everything you need to know about cacao, it’s time to make chocolate bars, elaborated with fresh, local ingredients.
- Two nights in Antigua Guatemala.
It’s time to get up close and personal with a volcano. Pacaya is the most active volcano in Guatemala, but it’s safe enough to climb across the hardened rock from previous lava flows. It’s a relatively simple hike to the lava field where you’ll roast marshmallows over a lava chamber.
Next, we’ll take a short drive to Kawilal Hot Springs so you can soak your tired muscles in the steam bath. The soothing waters with a lush tropical background give you a chance to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
We’ll finish up the day at the Valhalla Macadamia farm, a beautiful farm near Antigua. During the tour, you’ll learn about the health benefits of macadamia nuts, their role in providing food security and improving social development, and how these nuts contribute to environmental preservation. You can enjoy samples of macadamia nut products, receive a facial massage with the oil, and taste Valhalla’s famous macadamia pancakes.
Today, we depart from Antigua and make our way to Coban in the central highlands of Guatemala. Once there, we’ll take the opportunity to stop at Orquigonia, a beautiful private reserve in Alta Verapaz that focuses on orchids. Since 2007, Orquigonia has worked to rescue and conserve many of the unique species of orchids native to Guatemala. You’ll find nearly 800 species of orchids here, among medicinal herbs and epiphytes or air plants.
The lush surroundings also make it an ideal spot for birdwatchers, with everything from toucans and hummingbirds to the national bird, the quetzal. We’ll take some time to explore the jungle, view the orchids, and check out the lookout tower before continuing on to Coban.
- Two nights in Coban.
Traveling down the winding road to Semuc Champey will give you an impressive view of the valley and the Cahabón River that runs through it. This same river is what makes Semuc Champey such a beautiful place, as the river runs below a limestone bridge. Atop the bridge are turquoise pools that cascade into each other, creating a stunning place to swim and relax. The refreshing water and surrounding jungle make this place the perfect natural swimming spot.
Surrounding the pools are hiking trails, including one that takes visitors up to the lookout, where you can get a birds-eye view of the pools. Another path will lead you down beside the roaring river, with several smaller lookouts below the pools.
On our way back to Coban, we’ll stop at the Lanquin Caves for a little spelunking. The cave system covers about 10 miles, with an underground river running through it. Your guide will take you through a section of the cave, pointing out the unique formations that look like animals, including a frog, a brain, and a monkey. You’ll see the place where rituals were held, the cave roof black with soot from the fires and candles over the years. It’s a fascinating trek into the history of this area and well worth visiting.
On our way to Tikal today, we’ll stop at Sayaxche for a 90-minute boat tour. It’s the perfect way to see the area, as we travel past varied landscapes including forests and fields en route to Crater Azul or Blue Crater.
Despite the name, Crater Azul isn’t a crater, but a deep (up to 23 feet) section of the Arroyo El Pucté River. It’s boat access only and is remote enough that you won’t have a lot of company on the way. The clear, azure water is refreshing on a hot day. Don’t be surprised if you spot a few turtles swimming alongside the variety of fish in the river. The nearby jungle often houses howler monkeys and plenty of colorful birds.
- Overnight in Tikal.
You can’t travel to Guatemala without seeing one of the most famous sites of all time, the Tikal ruins. Located in the middle of the jungle-filled Tikal National Park, this UNESCO World Heritage site was once a bustling Mayan city. More than 3,000 structures, from temples and palaces to ceremonial platforms and stelae fill the ruins.
One of the most famous parts of the city is the Temple IV, which towers over the jungle at 230 feet tall. The site has been recovered from the overgrowth that once covered it and the hidden structures restored so visitors can enjoy strolling through the past. When you walk the ancient roads between massive stone temples, it’s easy to see what it must have been like back in 900 BC when it was the center of the Mayan civilization.
We’ll spend the day exploring the ruins and learning more about this historical place before returning to Guatemala City via airplane.
- Overnight in Guatemala City.
It’s the end of your adventurous 9-day trip to Guatemala and we’ll drop you off at the airport to head home. If you haven’t had enough and would like to enjoy more of what Guatemala has to offer, we have several trip extensions to choose from below.
map, expenses & price
9-day Trip to Guatemala
Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Eight nights of hotel accommodations.
-Domestic flights.
-Professional local guides.
-Tours and activities as listed.
-All park entrance fees.
-Daily breakfast.
Extensions
8-day trip to guatemala
Rio Dulce, or Sweet River, is an experience all on its own, but we’ll take a boat trip to Livingston. From the boat, you’ll spot plenty of birds hanging out on the tiny islands that spot the river and in the jungle and mangroves that line it. The jungle eventually gives way to limestone cliffs before you reach the Caribbean Sea and land at Livingston, which is boat access only.
While in Livingston, we’ll take another boat trip to Playa Blanca, or White Beach, to enjoy swimming in the calm waters of the Caribbean or sunbathe on the soft, white sand under a palm tree. Near Playa Blanca is Siete Altares, a stunning waterfall just a short hike through the jungle. Water cascades into seven pools that are perfect for swimming in.
You can also visit Finca El Paraiso, near Lake Izabal. Here, you can experience a bizarre natural phenomenon where hot springs pour over the stone, creating a warm waterfall you can duck under. The water below it is cold, which creates a unique hot-cold swimming experience.
9-day trip to guatemala
Need more Mayan ruins in your life? We’ll visit Aguateca and Ceibal on this extension. Aguateca was settled in 300 BC and served as an important city center for many years. The city includes defensive walls stretching over 3 miles, designed to help protect the city, which eventually fell to enemies.
Since Aguateca was abandoned suddenly, its people left behind many of their belongings, providing useful insights into the Mayan lifestyle. Aguateca is one of Guatemala’s best-preserved Maya ruins, as it is so remote.
Ceibal overlooks the River La Pasion and is a unique blend of traditional Maya architecture and Mexican-style architecture. It features one of the first ceremonial complexes aligned with solar events, which were important to the Maya. Here, you’ll find an abundance of carefully carved stelae depicting the area’s history. It’s a boat access-only site, nestled in the jungle and often overlooked.
9-day trip to guatemala
We also offer a trip to nearby Belize’s cayes. These beautiful islands feature a fun culture and plenty of snorkeling opportunities, thanks to being located on the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world. You can choose from several options.
Caye Caulker: This car-free island is a good spot to hang out if you’re looking for a laid-back atmosphere. You can swim at the Split, a channel that splits the island in half, or snorkel in Shark Ray Alley, just a short distance away, with nurse sharks and stingrays.
San Pedro/Ambergris Caye: As Belize’s largest island at 25 miles long, Ambergris Caye is found in the northern part of the Belize Barrier Reef. The Maya originally inhabited the island in 200 BC. Today, it’s a popular tourist spot, known for its white sand beaches and stunning turquoise waters. Snorkeling is unparalleled just a short distance from the island, but the town of San Pedro is full of cafes and bars if that’s more your style.
South Water Caye: This island is part of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, which protects the biodiversity here. It’s a popular area for bird-watching, with pelicans, brown boobies, and frigatebirds in abundance. You will also find some great snorkeling opportunities here, as the area is untouched by fishing and industrial activity.
