🇬🇹 A comprehensive, tried and tested Guatemala itinerary that shows you how to visit Antigua, Atitlán, and Acatenango on that bougie backpacker budget! I'll share my exact itinerary, costs, and lessons learned to help you confidently plan your trip and get the most out of your time in the beautiful country of Guatemala. 

Panajachel, Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Volcan de Acatenango, Guatemala

One Week in Guatemala | Solo Backpacker Edition

You will arrive in Panajachel around 3-4 hours later due to traffic, roadwork, etc. The shuttle driver will ask where you are staying and will drop you off at your hostel/hotel. You will be dropped off right at the doors of Selina Atitlan.

It is recommended to tip $10-15 USD for a tour of this length. 

With your luggage securely stored, it will be time for breakfast. However, most places in Antigua don't open until 7:30-8:30 AM, so the streets will be nice and quiet. Now is the time to go take your pictures of the very famous Santa Catalina Arch without everyone crowding the streets - only 5 minutes from Selina Antigua!

I booked my walking tour through GuruWalk on my Uber ride from the airport. This tour started at 11:00 AM and lasted about 2.5 hours. The guide showed us the highlights of Antigua through a historical lens. 

Free Walking Tour | Antigua

Guatemala City Airport → Antigua → Panajachel/Lake Atitlán

My #1 piece of advice is to head out on a free (tip-based) walking tour! This is my favorite thing to do as soon as I arrive in any new city. I really believe these walking tours are great introductions to the history and culture of your destination. It's also helpful to get oriented in a safer environment -aka, not looking like a lost tourist.

The walking tour should end around 1:30 PM - lunchtime! The guide on the free walking tour provided a few restaurant recommendations for those seeking authentic Guatemalan food:

I chose to eat at the smaller, less visited restaurant just across the street from Rincón and I am very pleased with my decision. At El Portón, you likely won't have to wait for a table and the lunch menú del día prices should come in around Q35-40. The menú del día included horchata, soup, rice, veggies, homemade tortillas, and a portion of either chicken or beef. 

After a hearty meal like that, I recommend going for a nice meandering walk through the main square of Antigua. Take some photos of the ancient churches, sit on a bench and people watch in the Parque Central (Plaza Mayor), visit one of the many museums in the square, or pop into some of the shops nearby and buy some souvenirs.  The opportunities are endless. Just don't miss your shuttle! 

If you're nervous about eating a meal like this on Day 1 before a shuttle ride through winding roads, feel free to grab a smaller lunch at one of the cafes mentioned above. 

With about an hour remaining, use this time to grab one last coffee and use the restroom before the 3-hour shuttle ride. If you torereturned to the hostel that stored my luggage and waited for the shuttle to Panajachel (pan-uh-ha-chelle).

Welcome to your first morning in Lake Atitlán! You'll start and end your day in Pana, but you'll visit two other towns around Lake Atitlán: San Marcos La Laguna and Santa Catarina Palopó. 

No sleeping in today! You need check out of Maya Papaya and arrive at Wicho & Charlie's shop by 7 AM (this is about a 10 minute walk from the hostel). Bring all of your baggage with you because there is a luggage room at Wicho & Charlie's for you to store your things. 

» Weather: Dry season is November - April and rainy season is May - October. I visited in April and it was pleasantly warm and sunny most days.

» Language: Spanish and many indigenous languages, including Kaqchickel

» Travel documentation: Guatemala recently launched their Electronic Traveler Declaration for visitors entering and leaving the country. 

» Safety information: Backpacking around Guatemala is a very popular activity. I personally had no safety concerns while visiting this country, but do be careful, use your common sense, and be aware of your surroundings. Be especially mindful of your cell phone, cameras, etc. when walking in crowded areas. The primary safety warnings are centered around robberies, especially on hiking trails. It is recommended to always have a guide or tour group when hiking the volcanoes around Lake Atitlán.

Declaración Jurada Del Viajero

Desayuno típico or desayuno chapin: eggs, toast or tortillas, plantains, black beans, & tomato sauce. 

San Marcos is also known for its beautiful nature reserve with hiking trails and some of the cleanest water to swim in around the lake. Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve is very easy to find once you disembark in San Marcos. Just take a left at the first road after leaving the embarcadero. 

Before you head to the boat docks, make sure you grab your swimsuit and packable towel if you want to go swimming in San Marcos.

Once you reach the boats, the captains will get you seated and the boat will leave when there are enough passengers. Just tell them where you are going. You will pay when you disembark; the cost is Q15-Q20 depending on the destination. Try to have exact cash ready.

⚠︎ The purpose of this tour is to see two surrounding villages and purchase souvenirs with the help of a guide. You are not being taken advantage of - you are supporting local artisans. If you have no interest in this type of activity, definitely look into another type of tour. 

Arriving into Guatemala City and Transiting to Antigua

GuateGo Shuttle from Antigua to Panajachel 

Day 1 // GUA Airport → Antigua → Lake Atitlán

Day 2 // Lake Atitlán: Santa Catarina Palopó & San Marcos La Laguna

Day 3 // Lake Atitlán: Jaibalito & Santa Cruz la Laguna

Day 4 // Nature Reserve, Ziplining, & Returning to Antigua

Day 5 // Full Day in Antigua & Nearby Towns

Day 6 // Begin Volcán de Acatenango Hike

Day 7 // Complete the Hike, Return to Antigua, Head to GUA Airport 

You'll land in Guatemala City, transit to Antigua for the day, and then board a shuttle to Panajachel in Lake Atitlán. 

You'll wake up in Panajachel, spend a morning across the lake in San Marcos La Laguna, return to Panajachel and take a tuk-tuk to nearby Santa Catarina Palopó.

You'll start your day with a short board ride over to tiny Jaibalito for some relaxation and then hike your way over to Santa Cruz la Laguna before spending the evening in Pana.

If you're up for adventure, spend the morning at the nature reserve and go extreme ziplining before catching your shared shuttle back to Antigua. 

You'll join a free, guided local craft tour of the villages around Antigua - including San Juan del Obispo and San Pedro Las Huertas. Oh, and you will ride the chicken buses with your local guide! 

Have you ever slept on top of a volcano? If not, you will tonight! With Wicho & Charlie's guides, you're going to have the best hiking and camping experience on Volcán de Acatenango.

Breakfast on the volcano with views of another incredibly active volcano - not the worst way to start a day. You'll make your descent and be back in Antigua by lunchtime. Either stay one more night in Antigua or make your way back to GUA Airport for your late night flight.

Free Local Craft Tour in the Villages around Antigua - GuruWalk

After about a 30 minute boat ride, you should arrive in San Marcos La Laguna. Expect to pay ~Q20. 

Most visitors prioritize crossing the lake to visit the main towns, but there is a small painted village famous for its Kaqchikel (Mayan) culture and textiles that deserves a visit. Santa Catarina Palopó is only a few miles from Panajachel and can be reached via tuk-tuk. 

After dropping your swimsuit and towel off at the hostel, make your way to the busy street of Calle Santander in Panajachel and hail a tuk-tuk off the street. Tell the driver you want to go to Santa Catarina Palopó and try to negotiate a cost of Q15-Q20 per person. Your tuk-tuk driver might ask if you want to visit San Antonio Palopó for an additional cost. We said no, but I do think that town is worth visiting - especially if you are interested in purchasing ceramics.

It's free to enter and you'll get a nice explanation of Mayan culture and history in Guatemala. The Centro Cultural has many levels and is a combination of a museum, artisanal shop, and cafe.

One Week in Guatemala | Solo Backpacker Edition

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