Guatemala for first timers
14-day trip
If you’re looking for an adventure, Guatemala is the perfect place to visit. Known as the “Land of Eternal Spring” for its amazing climate, Guatemala has plenty to offer travelers. Whether you’re on your own, traveling as a couple, or with your family and friends, this 14-day Guatemala for first-timers tour will give you a full look at why so many people love this country.
You’ll travel with an expert guide throughout the varied terrain of this beautiful country, exploring jungles and mountains, as well as Mayan ruins and colonial cities. From history to culture, we’ll take you on the adventure of a lifetime with the ultimate Guatemalan vacation package.
Lake Atitlan
Latin America’s most beautiful lake
Antigua Guatemala
Santa Catalina Arch
Flores Island
Lake Peten
Semuc Champey
Natural swimming pools
Highlights
This carefully planned tour will take you to some of the best places in Guatemala. You’ll travel to the indigenous villages around Lake Atitlan, experience the tourist life in the colonial city of Antigua, and hike an active volcano. There is plenty of history here in Guatemala and you’ll have a chance to explore it from the very start. Visiting the Mayan ruins of Tikal and Yaxha, as well as Quirigua, will give you unique insight into how life was lived here thousands of years ago. Then you’ll move on to Spanish history at the San Felipe Castle, all the while enjoying the wild and natural beauty of Guatemala.
GUATEMALA FOR FIRST TIMERS
Guatemala’s rich history has been preserved in many ways. You’ll explore Mayan ruins that are still remarkably well-preserved, visit museums where this heritage is beautifully displayed, and immerse yourself in the local culture.
From the UNESCO site of Antigua to the picturesque Lake Atitlan, there’s something for everyone on this Guatemalan trip. You’ll enjoy local cuisine, stunning flora, and relaxing boat rides on some of the most incredible lakes and rivers in the country.
Itinerary
Shortly after landing in Guatemala City, you’ll join your tour guide on a drive to Lake Atitlan. This turquoise blue lake is well worth some photos, along with the three towering volcanoes that surround it. Upon arrival, you’ll have time to rest up and relax in your hotel.
- Three nights in Lake Atitlan
Wake up to birds chirping in the jungle around you and have a traditional breakfast before you set out to explore the lake. A scenic boat tour of Lake Atitlan will take you to several of the indigenous villages that are set around the lake. These include:
Santa Catarina Palopo – Full of color, this village is considered the prettiest town in Guatemala. The brightly colored houses are painted with traditional Mayan symbols that represent life in this area.
Santiago Atitlan – As one of the larger towns on the lake, Santiago has a vibrant feel to it and plenty of interesting history. It’s the perfect place to find artisanal crafts and art, as well as experience the local culture.
San Juan La Laguna – Often overlooked, this village is best-known for its weaving community. Women use back-strap looms to create intricate designs that can take weeks or even months to complete. You’ll also sample some of the best organic coffee in the country here.
Today, you’ll leave the lake and head to the nearby city of Chichicastenango where you’ll take in the massive market. Chichicastenango is known for its artisanal crafts and textiles sold in the daily market, but there’s far more available here than just tourist trinkets. Locals also shop in the market for spices, fruits and vegetables, etc. making it an experience you can’t miss.
Back at Lake Atitlan, you’ll spend the morning in the Atitlan Reserve, where you can zipline through the cloud forest. Enjoy a fresh fruit smoothie and a hike at the reserve or visit their butterfly garden before we travel to Antigua Guatemala.
Antigua Guatemala is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to the well-maintained colonial look of the city. Here, you can take a walking tour along the cobblestone streets to see the historical buildings that make up Antigua. Don’t forget to try some of the delicious street food before relaxing for the night at your hotel.
- Two nights in Antigua Guatemala
Antigua is surrounded by volcanoes, including Pacaya, which is still active. Before you head up the mountain, though, we’ll take a coffee tour. Not only will you see how coffee is grown in the rich volcanic soil here, you’ll get to sample the freshest coffee ever.
That caffeine rush will come in handy as you begin your easy, yet exciting hike up the volcano. Once you’ve reached the top, you’ll have the chance to roast marshmallows over hardening lava and get some once-in-a-lifetime photos.
Today, we’ll leave the colonial city of Antigua behind and drive to Coban, in the highlands. You’ll have a chance to rest up from your volcanic hike before heading to the next adventure, spelunking!
The fascinating caves of Grutas del Rey Marco are a sight you won’t want to miss. Considered a sacred place, these caves were used for Mayan rituals and were considered to be a doorway to the underworld. However, the natural beauty is just as amazing as the history in the caves and you can get some amazing photos of stalagmites and stalactites on your way through the cave with a local guide.
- Two nights in Coban
Semuc Champey is often skipped over, due to how remote it is, but in our opinion, it’s one of the top sights in Guatemala. On your seventh day here, you’ll venture down to the park, where you’ll find a cascade of stunningly turquoise pools, one after another. Not only can you swim in these pristine lagoons, you can slide from one to the next in some places, thanks to natural waterslides.
For a truly memorable experience, it’s worth climbing up to the lookout, a perch that gives you a birds-eye view of the Semuc Champey’s pools and the river that runs below it.
It’s a travel day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself. Watch as the scenery unfolds around you on your journey to Tikal. Upon arrival, you’ll have time to settle in at your charming jungle lodge before heading out for the sunset tour. This is a limited opportunity, so there won’t be a lot of other people around as you head into the park and experience something very few humans do. The jungle comes to life at night, with the sounds of nocturnal animals surrounding the ruins. You’ll also enjoy seeing how the changing light affects the structures as the sun sets. This is the perfect time to get the best photos you’ll ever take of Tikal’s temples.
The wildlife here is abundant, so don’t be surprised if you spot some monkeys hanging around in the trees or see a parrot or two flying around. This is a great time to do a little birdwatching if you’re into it.
- One night in Tikal.
When you think of Guatemala, chances are, Tikal is one of the first things that comes to mind. Thanks to widespread interest in the ancient Mayan citadel, the ancient city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many of the original temples still stand tall and can be visited or even climbed. The jungle that covered the buildings for over 1,000 years has preserved many of the structures, including the Great Plaza and ball courts.
We’ll leave early, while it’s still dark, for the sunrise tour of Tikal. You’ll walk the jungle trail in the dark, which is a magical feeling, before reaching the ruins. There, you will climb Temple IV, the tallest temple in Tikal at 230 feet. It’s usually too foggy to spot the sun rising, but the glowing light that infuses the jungle is amazing. Gradually, the jungle awakens, with howler monkeys, toucans, parrots, and other birds making plenty of noise with the rising of the sun. Finally, as the clouds shift, you’ll spot the other temples peeking up above the jungle canopy.
We’ll head back to the jungle lodge for breakfast and to relax a little before returning to the ruins for a proper walkthrough in full daylight.
As you take the tour through Tikal, you’ll learn more about the Mayan civilization, while experiencing where they walked and lived. It’s a humbling experience that makes history a reality. Seeing the city even after all these years is awe-inspiring. You’ll also visit the museum where you can learn more about the excavations and see the items that have been collected from the site.
Finally, after a day of archeological exploration, you’ll watch the sun set over this historical site and then drive to your hotel close to the tiny island village of Flores, on Lake Peten Itza.
- Two nights in the Flores Island area.
Most people traveling in Guatemala just pop by Tikal, but our itinerary includes the oft-ignored site of Yaxha. It was once the third largest city in the area and served as a ceremonial center. Perched atop a mountain ridge, the ancient Mayan city overlooks Lake Yaxha. The crystalline blue water of the lake is a sight to see and is actually where the word “yaxha” comes from.
Just under 20 miles from Tikal, Yaxha is just as fascinating to visit. The structures here are in surprisingly great condition and there are fewer visitors. It was a large city even in 1000 BC and continued to thrive until 900 AD. Today, over 500 structures are still standing tall in the middle of the jungle and welcome visitors who want to experience more of the Mayan culture.
Today, you’ll travel to Rio Dulce, a delightfully green river that runs from Lake Izabal to the sea. This area was a commerce center and frequently attacked by pirates coming in from the Caribbean. To combat these attackers, the Spanish built the San Felipe Castle in 1644. Over the years, it served its purpose well and today the castle stands as a unique piece of history that you can visit.
San Felipe may be a sleepy little town now, but the castle is still impressive. The area around it has been developed into a lovely green park where locals picnic and you can watch the boats running up and down the river. Inside the castle, you can explore all three stories, from the dungeons where prisoners were once kept to the towers where cannons still stand, facing the water.
- Two nights in Rio Dulce
Rio Dulce is more than just a conduit for commercial goods, it’s also the best way to get to the town of Livingston, which is exactly what you’ll be doing. The mangroves along the river are home to a wide variety of unique flora, fauna, and some stunning rock formations. The people that live along the river banks are friendly, so expect plenty of waving as you travel past their homes.
Once in Livingston, you’ll have some time to explore the Garifuna village. The culture here is quite different from the rest of Guatemala, thanks to being so remote and settled by the Garifuna and Afro-Caribbean people. It’s well worth trying some of the very fresh seafood dishes here, flavored with unique seasonings you won’t find elsewhere in the country.
A city of trade, Quirigua was an essential part of the Mayan commerce world. It was perfectly positioned on the Motagua River where it could control the traffic of cacao, jade, and obsidian. Unfortunately, the city was buried in silt after a massive flood around the end of the 6th century. Many of these buildings are still buried and the ones you’ll visit are those built after that period.
As you walk through what was once a bustling commercial hub, you’ll see just how impressive this site was. From the Great Plaza and palace to the ball court and a ceremonial center, there’s plenty to see here, even hundreds of years later. One of the most impressive sights, which sets Quirigua apart from other Mayan archeological sites is the giant steles carved from massive blocks of stone. They’re well worth visiting, just to see what Mayans could create.
After your journey back through history, it’s time to return to Guatemala City.
- One night in Guatemala City.
Your journey in Guatemala has come to an end and it’s time to head home. You’ll carry the beauty and culture of this amazing country forever . . . it’s impossible not to be changed by the things you’ve seen.
map, expenses & price
Guatemala for first timers
Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Thirteen nights of hotel accommodations.
-Professional local guides.
-Tours and excursions as listed.
-All park entrance fees.
-Boat transfers.
-Breakfasts and two traditional lunches.
Extensions
extensions
Sometimes, you just need more beach and ocean. Head over to the Cayes of Belize with us on this fun extension where you can choose between two islands, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. On Caye Caulker, you’ll find sandy beaches and plenty of artisanal offerings, but best of all, the snorkeling here is off the charts. Crystal clear water makes it perfect for checking out the myriad of colorful fish in the sea, just off the coral reef. Ambergris Caye is similar but has a more vibrant culture. Spend some time in the town of San Pedro, with its sandy streets and myriad of stores, restaurants, and coffee shops before jumping into the water and getting a closer look at the local wildlife.
extensions
Volcano Fuego (Fire Volcano) is constantly erupting and while you can’t hike that volcano, the one next to it is perfect for observing the fiery blasts of ash and lava. You’ll hike up Acatenango, the next-door neighbor to Fuego, and spend the night high on the slopes. The night is the best time to watch the eruptions from Volcano Fuego, so be prepared to stay awake for a while. In the morning, you’ll watch the sunrise from the perfect vantage point and catch a few more eruptions before heading back down to Antigua.
extensions
On the Pacific coast of Guatemala, you’ll find El Paredon Beach, which attracts surfers year round. The black sand beaches are worth a trip just to experience, but this area has plenty to offer. You can take surf lessons or rent a board and catch some of the constant waves. The temperature here is warm, bordering on very hot, so the water is perfect. Need a break from the surf? Why not take a boat tour through the mangroves at the Sipacate-Naranjo National Park? For those who enjoy wildlife, visiting the turtle preservation center is a definite highlight and if you’re visiting between September and December, there are daily baby turtle releases. Head back to the beach to catch the incredible sunset over the water.
