Guatemala 7-Day Adventure Guide
Antigua Guatemala
Day 1
Start by taking a car or bus from the airport (GUA) to Antigua. Explore the city and see the famous Arco de Santa Catalina.
Check out La Iglesia de La Merced and accompanying park just down the street.
Before going any further, 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨, if you haven't already. This is the main attraction in Antigua and is a hiking trip where you camp on the side of Acatenango volcano in order to watch Fuego volcano 'erupt' at night. You return to Antigua the next day.
We booked through Tropicana Hostel and I would recommend them as some hiking equipment is included and some is available to rent for cheap. You can also book very similar experiences through other hostels or online, but best to do some quick research on the tour company first.
Day 2
Start Day 2 with a hike to help you acclimate to the elevation and prepare for your Acatenango hike. We hiked through the Corazón de Auga Ecological Park. You will need to uber or taxi to the trailhead but be prepared to walk the last few blocks because it gets very hilly on the roads. The trailhead is below:
The hike is beginner difficulty and you're rewarded with great views
Explore the little town of Magdalena Milpas Altas after you're finished with the hike and then taxi back to Antigua. If you're there on a Sunday like us, you may have trouble finding a taxi and may need to use the Chicken bus. Chicken buses are the local buses in Guatemala and it's a short trip back to Antigua. Be sure to ask the driver if the bus is going to Antigua and bring a few Quetzales for payment.
Back in Antigua, use the rest of the day to visit the viewpoint Cerro de La Cruz.
Day 3
Day 3 starts with your Acatenango Volcano hike to see Fuego Volcano. The hike will start early so you can arrive at basecamp around 2 or 3 pm, depending on your tour. Be sure to inquire about hiking up to Fuego Volcano which may or may not be included in your tour. This additional hike involves hiking from Acatenango base camp down and then back up towards Fuego. This is as close as you can get to the lava that spews out of Fuego and the guides usually have some wine you can drink while admiring the small eruptions.
Day 4
Day 4 begins at Acatenango volcano base camp. Weather permitting, you'll wake up early to summit to the top of Acatenango. Our group did not get to summit due to bad weather but the view is supposed to be amazing if it's not cloudy.
After a quick breakfast back at base camp, you'll pack your things and head back down the volcano and should be back in Antigua by mid to late afternoon. We spent the rest of the day relaxing, eating and drinking after the long overnight hike.
Lake Atitlán
Day 5
Lake Atitlán is surrounded by small towns where you can stay. We stayed in San Pedro La Laguna, but we met others staying in Santiago Atitlán and Panajachel also.
Spend the rest of the day getting to know town where you're staying. If you're staying in San Pedro, be sure to check out what seemed to be the only bar open most days, Bar Sublime. There's a terrace with a view, pool table and the vibe that the entire town is there on any given night.
Day 6
Use day 6 to explore around the lake. All the major towns are connected by boat. Head to the public pier to embark and bring cash to pay, as there wasn't a way to book in advance or with a card.
No matter what city you're in, I definitely recommend taking at least a morning or afternoon to go to San Marcos, which is just across the way from San Pedro. It's known for a 12 meter 'cliff' jump where you can jump straight in to the lake from a wooden platform.
After you've cliff jumped, walk less than 5 minutes back to the San Marcos main street to check out small shops and restaurants.
If you have time, continue on to Panajachel. Keep in mind the boat ride is a bit longer than to San Marcos (from San Pedro). We did not make it over to Panajachel but met many others who enjoyed it. After all, it is known to be the most popular town on Lake Atitlán for backpackers.
Day 7
For those with just 7 days available, the last day entails heading back to Guatemala City airport to catch a flight. We booked a private car to take us direct to the airport through a tour company in San Pedro, but other options are available depending on budget and time.
If you have an extra day, I would definitely recommend staying in Atitlán longer, like we did. A popular sunrise hike is La Nariz del Indio which can be done with a quick ~30 minute hike or longer 2-3 hour hike. Either way, it's recommended to have a guide for the hike. We booked a tour which included transportation from San Pedro to Santa Clara and a guide.
You can also spend extra days doing a multitude of activities like horseback riding, paragliding, hiking, relaxing by a pool or exploring other cities along the lake's shores.
From here, the rest is up to you! If you have more time, head to the pacific coast for beach access or head inland to Flores to see the Mayan ruins at Tikal!
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