Guatemala Travel Guide
Guatemala is one of the most popular destinations in Central America, likely second only to Mexico (technically part of North America) and Costa Rica, which has been a favored destination for years.
It is a country rich in culture, colonial architecture, volcanoes, lakes, dense forests, and some of the most impressive Mayan sites in the region, especially Tikal. It can be easily visited in a single trip or even combined with neighboring Mexico and Belize.
I spent a month backpacking around the country, and in this guide, you will find many useful tips and information to help you better plan your trip.
Quick menu
- When to visit Guatemala
- Documents and vaccinations to enter Guatemala
- What to do and see in Guatemala
- Suggested itineraries in Guatemala
- How to get around Guatemala
- Backpacking Guatemala: costs
- Backpacking Guatemala: safety
Tikal.
When to visit Guatemala
For the most part, Guatemala has an excellent climate. In fact, it is often referred to as “the country of eternal spring.” Much of the central and eastern regions enjoy pleasant daytime temperatures and cool nights, mainly due to altitudes between 1,300 and 1,600 meters in many cities and regions, including Guatemala City, Antigua, and Lake Atitlan.
The northern and northeastern parts of the country, however, are hot and humid virtually all year round.
Regarding precipitation, there are two distinct seasons:
The rainy season runs from May to October, during which rainfall is often concentrated in a few hours in the afternoon.
In contrast, the dry season runs from November to April, characterized by sunny days and blue skies.
I visited the country at the turn of August and September, near the peak of the rainy season (September-October). Despite a few afternoon downpours, the situation was always extremely manageable.
Semuc Champey.
Documents and vaccinations to enter Guatemala
Most passport holders receive a 90-day tourist visa once they enter the country.
Note: El Salvador, along with Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, is part of CA-4, an agreement allowing a maximum stay of 90 days within these four countries. For example, if you spend 40 days in Nicaragua, then 20 days in Honduras, and another 20 days in El Salvador before entering Guatemala, you will only be granted a 10-day visa upon entry to Guatemala.
You can renew your visa for an additional 90 days for the entire CA-4 region by crossing the border to Mexico or Belize to the north, or Costa Rica to the south, either by land or by air, even for just a day, performing a “visa run.”
Alternatively, you can renew your visa for another 90 days at an immigration office in one of the four countries. This process can be done only once, and the cost varies by country.
Guatemala officially requires vaccination against yellow fever if you have recently been in an at-risk country (much of South America and Central Africa) within the last 11 days. While this check appears to be discretionary, it is advisable to get the vaccination if you come from one of these countries to avoid any potential issues. Additionally, vaccinations for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are always recommended.
Fuego volcano.
What to do and see in Guatemala
As you can see on the map, the main tourist destinations are all clustered in the south, making travel relatively short, except for Flores in the north.
In this guide, prices are expressed in the local currency. The official currency of Guatemala is the “Quetzal guatemalteco,” abbreviated as “GTQ” or simply “Q.”
At the time of publication, the exchange rate is 1€ = 9 GTQ. For the current exchange rate, I suggest checking this page.
N.b. Several times throughout the guide, you will find links to https://www.alltrails.com/. Upgrade to the pro version if you want offline navigation directly from the Alltrails app. However, you can get around this by downloading the coordinates from the site’s desktop version in “Google Earth KML” format and then uploading them to organic maps, which is by far one of my favourite travel apps.
Guatemala City
Guatemala City became the country’s capital after nearby Antigua was almost completely destroyed in the 1773 earthquake. With a population of about three million, it is now Central America’s largest city.
The city has no particular points of interest so much so that many travelers, once they land, hop on the first bus bound for nearby Antigua. I had to spend a couple of days there to try to fix a problem with my debit card, and I must say that indeed the city is not particularly interesting.
However, if you have a half day to spare, take a walk around the main square. Plaza de la constitución (Google Maps) with the national palace of culture (Google Maps), the catedral metropolitana (Google Maps) and the nearby mercado central (Google Maps) are not bad at all as is the bustling pedestrian street “La Sexta” (Google Maps). Anyway, one day I think is more than enough.
Where to sleep in Guatemala City?
Hostal Amaya, excellent hotels within walking distance of the center, clean environment, extremely friendly staff. There are also a few private rooms.
Guatemala City Cathedral.
Antigua
The city of Antigua Guatemala, now known simply as Antigua-which literally means ancient-takes this name as the country’s old capital. The city is undoubtedly Guatemala’s main tourist destination and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in all of Central America.
What to do and see in Antigua
Obviously you should spend at least a day wandering the streets of this beautiful city. The historic center is really compact and you can easily get around on foot, and to complete the day I recommend climbing Cerro de la Cruz (Google Maps), which is only two kilometers from the center: at the end of a short climb you have a beautiful view of the city with the volcano in the background.
I also recommend visiting the local market (Google Maps) also not far from the center. Now let’s look at some activities to do in the surrounding area.
Acatenango Volcano
The Acatenango volcano offers great views of the frequent eruptions of the nearby Fuego volcano. A particularly popular activity is the two-day excursion that allows you to watch the eruptions at night from the comfort of your base camp, located a few kilometers away. This spectacle is unlike any other in the world and was undoubtedly one of my favorite experiences during my trip to Central America.
Several companies offer a standard tour that starts in the morning with transportation from Antigua to the trailhead, where the ascent to base camp begins. The trail is challenging, with nearly 1,500 meters of elevation gain, but anyone in decent shape should be able to manage it (All Trails).
Trail to the summit.
You spend the night at base camp just below the summit of Acatenango, admiring the frequent small eruptions and lapilli that create a unique spectacle once the sun goes down. The volcano has been particularly active for years, although there may be periods of less activity. Personally, I witnessed dozens of eruptions during the night.
The next morning, you wake up early and climb to the top of the volcano to watch the sunrise before descending back to the valley. The cost ranges from 200 to 300Q, all-inclusive. Some companies have the equipment ready at base camp (tents and sleeping bags), while others require you to carry them in your backpack. The quality of food also varies significantly. I went with this agency, which provided great food and tents already set up at base camp. I highly recommend it.
Note: If you have your own camping equipment, you can do the hike on your own. Getting to the trailhead by bus is not difficult, and you will only need to pay 50Q to access the park. There is also a newly built bivouac at the top of the volcano.
View from Acatenango summit.
Pacaya Volcano
This is a less strenuous and therefore very popular excursion and can easily be done on a day trip from Antigua. The tour usually lasts half a day, with the ascent to the base of the crater (it is no longer possible to go all the way to the top) lasting 1-2 hours, depending on the pace.
Virtually all agencies in Antigua offer the tour, which is cheaper than DIY because you cannot go up without a guide, which costs 200Q plus 50Q at the entrance. You can find the trail described here.
From Antigua it is also possible to visit some coffee plantations nearby, Finca Filadelfia is particularly popular (Google Maps). There are also many Spanish and cooking schools.
Where to sleep in Antigua?
Competition is very high and there are several hostels and hotels at good prices. One of these, although a bit off center, is Central Hostel.
How to reach Antigua?
From Guatemala city airport there are direct shuttle buses that leave frequently until 8 pm at a cost of 100Q, by bus it is only 15 Q but the bus terminal is not really close. You can find a very detailed guide here. From Lake Atitlan I think there is some rare direct connection but via Chimaltenango connections are frequent.
Antigua.
Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan is a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains and as many as three volcanoes. There are many villages along its shores, each with a unique atmosphere and different activities.
I spent a few days in San Pedro, the most popular destination for backpackers. However, all the villages can be easily reached by the many boats that go back and forth.
In San Pedro, most hostels are located along the lakeshore, where there is also a vibrant nightlife. Further north, in the town center and market area, the atmosphere is more quaint, with fewer tourists roaming the streets.
In and around the lake, you can enjoy various outdoor activities such as trekking, climbing volcanoes (San Pedro, Atitlan, and Toliman), renting kayaks, and many others. I basically spent my days at Lake Atitlan just chilling so i can’t really say much about things to do.
To get a feel for the place, I recommend you check out this guide to Lake Atitlan and its 7 villages.
San Pedro.
How to get to Lake Atitlan?
From Panajachel, the most touristy and developed village along the shores of the lake, direct buses leave for Guatemala City about every hour. There is also a daily bus to Antigua. From Panajachel, boats travel to all the other villages, making it the best way to reach the villages on the east shore.
If you are headed toward San Pedro or San Marcos on the western part of the lake, starting from Antigua, follow this route: take a bus from Antigua to Chimaltenango, then get off and take any bus heading toward Quetzaltenango. Get off at kilometer 148 (the junction toward San Pedro), and from there, frequent buses run to the town. From Quetzaltenango, there are a couple of direct buses daily to San Pedro.
Note: These are tips for getting around by public transportation. However, there are also tourist shuttles that cover these routes and can be booked from any agency or accommodation. These shuttles are, of course, much more expensive.
Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango, also known as “Xela,” is the second-largest city in Guatemala and a destination that is still relatively undiscovered. I would definitely recommend visiting. It is a great base for exploring Guatemala’s highlands, including various volcanoes, hot springs, and more.
What to Do and See in Quetzaltenango
The old town is charming, though not spectacular. It is still worth taking a walk around the main square, especially in the evening when it comes alive with stalls selling all kinds of food. Another interesting site to visit in town is the cemetery (Google Maps), which is unusually colorful and generally a fascinating place to see.
Quetzaltenango cemetery.
The Santa Maria Volcano
Santa Maria Volcano is the volcano that dominates the city and can be seen clearly in the distance on a clear day. Reaching the summit will not only give you excellent views of the city and its surroundings but will also allow you to admire its younger brother “Santiaguito,” an extremely active volcano that lies at the foot of Santa Maria Volcano on the opposite slope from the city.
Of course, it is possible to reach the top by participating in a tour. I preferred the DIY: cost of the hike was less than 1€! I recommend leaving early in the morning. The later you get to the summit the more likely it is to be shrouded in clouds.
For this the ideal is to take the 6:00 a.m. bus in front of Iglesia El Calvario bound for Llano de Pinal, journey time about 45 minutes, cost 2Q. Once at your destination follow the road through the village to the end of the village itself in the direction of the volcano. This is where the trail begins, the first part can be difficult to follow as there are a lot of different trails. Download organic maps or ask some locals in the camps for help and you should have no problem. You can find GPS coordinates on All Trails. Count 2-3 hours to go up and one and about 2 hours to go down.
On the trail to Santa Ana volcano.
Las Fuentes Georginas Hot springs These springs not far from town (Google Maps), nestled in the forest with a near-constant mist, are a great way to recover from a hike to the Santa Maria volcano or more generally to spend a relaxing day. Again tours are offered, but as always I preferred the do-it-yourself option. Getting to the hot springs from the center of Quetzaltenango is really easy. Take the direct bus to Zunil at the intersection of Avenida 9 and Calle 10, they run about every 10 minutes, and cost 5Q. Once you get off the bus there will probably already be taxis and tuk tuk ready to offer you a ride to cover the 10 km uphill to the hot springs. Hitchhiking is relatively easy as there is only one road and the hot springs are quite popular – an option I chose on the way back and it was really easy. Anyway, once you get to the springs you will have to pay the entrance fee, which for foreigners is 60Q. I recommend bringing food because the on-site restaurant is expensive. Try to avoid the weekend and I personally recommend the pool just after the entrance on the left, much less crowded than the main one.
Fuentes Georginas.
Tajumulco Volcano
We are talking about the highest peak in Central America: 4202 meters high. It is possible to climb in one day starting from Quetzaltenango (the trail starts at 3000 meters so it is “only” 1200 meters of elevation gain) but the wake-up call will have to be very early if you want to see the sunrise. You can find the trail on All Trails.
Ideally, you should do a two-day hike where you sleep in a base camp just below the summit and go up to see the sunrise the next morning.You could also do it on your own if you have a tent (the trailhead is easily reached by bus) or you can go with a local agency: 800Q for transportation, food, equipment and guide. A well-known nonprofit agency here.
I wanted to do the hike on a day trip using public transport but during the rainy season it didn’t make sense because it would definitely be cloudy in the late morning and not wanting to participate in the tour I gave up but i’m pretty sure it’s a great hike.
Chicabal Volcano
The last volcano on the list, this time with a lake inside the crater. This is a short hike that is best started early in the morning, however, since as always in the late morning clouds arrive.
The microbus leaves at the corner of Avenida 15 and Calle 7 pass regularly starting at 6:00 a.m. Ask to get off at Laguna Chibal, 6Q marked “Chile Verde.” Once you get off at the intersection at San Martin, the trailhead is not far away, it is plotted on organic maps (All Trails). Lagoon entry costs 25Q.
Quetzaltenango parade.
Where to sleep in Quetzaltenango?
Casa Seibel is a nice hostel a short walk from downtown in a beautiful colonial house, with a relaxed atmosphere. The nearby Kasa Kiwi is also really nice, the atmosphere is more lively.
How to reach Quetzaltenango?
Quetzaltenango has direct connections to virtually many other possible destinations to the south: Panajachel, San Marco, Antigua, Guatemala City if, on the other hand, like me you are arriving or want to continue to Semuc Champey by public transportation take a look at this post. I followed the instructions and there were no problems. It can be done in one day but I left too late and had to spend the night in Uspantan.
If you use public transportation be aware that the Quetzaltenango terminal is quite far from the center, by taxi it’s 40Q but if you cross the market, which is on the side, you pop out onto a road with mini buses to the center for 1-2Q.
N.b. As always there are also much more expensive tourist shuttles offering connections to all major destinations.
Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango is renowned for hosting the largest market in all of Central America. The main market days are Thursdays and Sundays, but there are still some vendors present throughout the week.
Many visitors opt for a day trip to Chichicastenango from Antigua or Lake Atitlan. Personally, I haven’t been there (having already experienced plenty of markets!), but if you’re interested, I believe it can be a worthwhile experience.
How to reach Chichicastenango?
By bus from Antigua via Chimaltenango is really easy, from Lake Atitlan you have to go through los Encuentros.
Chichicastenango market.
Lanquin and Semuc Champey
Lanquin serves as a gateway for exploring the nearby Semuc Champey pools (Google Maps).
There are two ways to visit the pools. One option is to take a tour costing 130-150Q, which includes transportation, a guide, and entrance to Semuc Champey and nearby caves. Alternatively, as I did, you can take pickups that depart regularly from the main square, priced at 25Q for foreigners (though locals pay 15Q).
For those choosing the do-it-yourself route, the journey involves a dirt road section. Pickup trucks in the plaza allow passengers to stand in the back, and despite appearances, the trip is relatively safe. After about half an hour, you reach the park entrance.
If you go for the self-guided tour, I recommend starting with the climb to the mirador (about 20 minutes), which offers a breathtaking view (Google Maps). Then, descend to the pools where you can spend the rest of the day. The entrance fee is 50Q. It’s an extraordinary place that should not be missed!
Semuc Champey.
Where to sleep in Lanquin?
I slept at Vista Verde and I recommend it. It is on the top of a hill with great views and there is a pool as well. On the opposite hill instead is Zephyr Lodge, an extremely popular option with a more lively atmosphere.
Both facilities have an on-site restaurant that is not exactly cheap. Downtown is a 15-minute walk.
How to reach Lanquin?
The only frequent connection is with nearby Coban. From Coban there are mini buses to Flores (via Syaxche), Rio Dulce and Guatemala city. As always there are also tourist shuttles to all destinations but obviously much more expensive.
Rio dulce
Rio Dulce is a great place to break up the trip to nearby Livingston but also Flores to the north. The small town is nothing much but there are a couple of interesting places nearby.
What to do and see in Rio Dulce
Castillo De San Felipe
I recommend a quick visit to the fort “Castillo De San Felipe,” (Google Maps) a fort built by the Spanish to defend against pirates, nothing exceptional but it is well restored and is within a well-maintained park.
Mini Buses leave from the area near the market about every half hour, ask for the “castillo,” otherwise you could walk, it’s about 3km from the center. The entrance fee is 20Q.
Castillo De San Felipe.
Finca Paraiso
Finca Paraiso, where the “Cascada con agua caliente” is located (Google Maps), is a truly incredible place, it is located in the middle of the jungle at the end of a short trail, here the thermal waters are born at the top of a waterfall that is therefore hot water, while the water in the stream below is cold.
The mix of temperatures is fantastic, you can even go up the waterfall to the hot spring source. It is full of “clay mud” that some people put on to clean their skin, and one local even showed me small caves under the waterfall itself, really cool!
The entrance fee is 20Q. These mini buses also depart frequently from the same point, costing 15Q, about 45 minutes. Ask to get off at Finca Paraiso.
I visited fort and waterfall the same day, if you decide to do that too, after visiting the fort you can just wait for the minibus here without going back to Rio Dulce, while I was waiting for it a kind truck driver offered me a ride, of course I accepted and then went back by minibus.
Cascada con agua caliente.
Quirigua Ruins
I personally have not been there (Google Maps), as from all accounts, the most interesting and impressive Mayan sites are elsewhere. However, if you are an archaeology buff, you can’t miss it!
To get there, simply take any southbound bus along CA9; the entrance to the ruins is located along the road. The ruins are open daily from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm and admission costs 80Q.
Boat to Livingston and Rio Dulce National Park
This is the “tour” that everyone is trying to sell in town, but rather than a park tour, it is a boat trip on the river to Livingston.
Some describe it as one of the best experiences to have in Guatemala, others simply as a jungle view boat trip. I didn’t do it as Livingston did not appeal to me but if you plan to visit the city then this is the only form of transportation.
The trip costs 125Q one way.
Where to sleep in Rio Dulce?
I arrived late and spent the night at Posada del Rio, 60Q each for a double room. However, there are a couple of hostels, lodges and hotels along the river and deep in the jungle that are really nice, can only be reached by boat and normally have kayaks to explore nearby areas. I spent one night at Hotel Casa Perico and it was really nice.
How to reach Rio Dulce?
As I mentioned above, from Livingston it is 125Q by boat. Buses to and from Flores cost 65Q, about 4 hours. To and from Semuc Champey the fastest method is to take a minibus to Coban and then get off at the intersection of the road leading to Lanquin.
Livingston
Livingston is a rather unique city. In fact, it is the city with the highest concentration of Garifuna, an ethnic group descended from African slaves found mainly along the coasts of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
I have not personally been there, mainly because of the cost of the boat and the limited time available. I preferred to go directly to Flores from Rio Dulce. Livingston has been described to me by many as an interesting place with good nightlife; however, don’t expect spectacular beaches. Other than the atmosphere, the only real attraction around is the Siete Altares Falls (Google Maps), which be reached from town on foot..
Also know that many people pass through Livingston because there are several boats that shuttle to the Key Caulker Islands in Belize, exploring some deserted islands along the way. The route is relatively well known so I think there are fairly frequent departures although I recommend inquiring locally.
Livingstone.
How to reach Livingstone?
In addition to the boats I just mentioned-which come in from the Key Caulker Islands and the two daily departures from Rio Dulce, 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., 125Q-there is a third option, there is a boat that leaves Punta Gorda in Belize every day at 1:00 p.m., plus one at 10:30 a.m. only on Tuesdays and Fridays and in the opposite direction at 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., $30.
Flores
For many the only reason to visit this town is its proximity to the ruins of Tikal, but the town itself is also really pretty, the tourist area is in fact built on a small island in the middle of Lake Peten Itza, really picturesque with lots of colonial buildings and cobblestone streets.
What to do and see in Flores
In addition to the famous ruins that I will discuss shortly, I recommend spending at least a couple of hours wandering around the small island and its streets, which is especially livable in the evening when the sun goes down.
In the evening I recommend eating street food from the stalls clustered along the lakeshore on the north side of the island, with a wide selection and bargain prices.
Also, if you have a free half day you could take a boat to the other side of the lake and go up to mirador del rey (Google Maps) or Jorge’s Rope Swing (Google Maps). The latter is especially popular with younger people, there are platforms to jump from and a rope swing, a really relaxed atmosphere 5 minutes by boat from Flores, 15Q, entry instead costs 10Q. Some arrive by Kayak.
Lake Peten Itza.
Tikal
The Mayan ruins of Tikal (official website) are undoubtedly the most impressive in the country and perhaps in the entire region. The site is very large and if you want to visit all the temples you need at least a couple of hours. Although admission is expensive, if I had to recommend just one Mayan site out of all the ones I have seen in Central America the choice would probably fall on Tikal.
That said, there are a few different options for visiting the ruins on a day trip from Flores. The site can be reached by public transportation, but I recommend relying on the tourist shuttles, which are much faster and only slightly more expensive.
Entrance to the site costs 150Q, the round-trip shuttle price without a guide is 60Q, with a guide 100Q. Particularly popular is the tour to see the sunrise inside the park, in which case you have to pay another 100Q surcharge for entering before 6:00.
I chose transportation only. The only thing I recommend is to visit the site in the morning as early as possible because it is less crowded and also less hot. I took the first one (after the sunrise tour shuttle) at 4:30 with arrival at the entrance around 6:00. However, there are several departures and to return, if I remember correctly, there were at least 3 or 4 options in the afternoon.
Tikal.
El mirador
I was very hesitant about visiting this site. To explore these Mayan ruins, which house the largest discovered temples so far (El Tigre and La Danta), one must embark on a 5-day jungle trek.
Any agency in Flores can arrange this excursion. Prices vary widely depending on group size, but expect to pay at least $150-200. The starting point is the small village of Carmelita. If you have a relatively large group, you could go directly there and rely on a local guide without using an agency in Flores.
The trek involves a lot of walking in hot and humid conditions, but the site is said to be truly incredible and still relatively untouched by mass tourism. Due to the cost and the fact that it’s not recommended during the rainy season (when you could be walking through mud for hours), I decided against it. However, I’ve promised myself that if I ever return to Guatemala, I will visit this site.
You can find a very detailed guide here.
Where to sleep in Flores?
The whole island is plastered with hostels and hotels, I slept in the cheapest one I could find: Hotel Mirador del Lago (it’s more of a hostel than a hotel), however it’s not bad and has a nice terrace overlooking the lake and you can use kayaks for free.
How to reach Flores?
To Coban (Semuc Champey) there are mini buses (via Sayaxche) while to Rio Dulce there are direct buses (4 hours). The bus station is about a 15-minute walk from the island; a tuk tuk should cost no more than 10Q. Of course, as in almost all of Central America, there are also tourist shuttles that go back and forth between the various popular destinations and very good night buses to Guatemala City.
El Mirador.
Crossing the border Guatemala Belize
There are direct connections from Flores to Belize City with several companies, 5-6 hours. The cheapest alternative is to take the bus to the border town (Melchor De Mencos) 2 hours, walk across the border and then take a direct bus to Belize City, 3 1/2 hours. From the capital you can then reach the Key Caulker Islands by ferry, the whole trip can be done in a day as long as you leave early.
Some decide to spend the night in San Ignacio near the border to break the journey and visit nearby caves.
Crossing the border Guatemala Mexico
Flores -> Palenque
Bus from Flores to La Tecnica, about 4 hours. The bus stops at immigration before continuing to the pier where there are boats crossing the river for 15Q.
Once you get to the other side you are officially in Mexico, specifically in Frontera Corozal. Walk to the immigration not far away and get your passport stamped! If you arrive early enough you can find mini buses heading to Palenque, otherwise take a taxi to this intersection where there are mini buses coming from the south and going to Palenque frequently.
Quetzaltenango -> San Cristóbal de las Casas
I have not done this route but you can find it described in detail here.
These are the most common border crossings. If you are interested in crossing the border to Honduras or El Salvador, check out the respective guides.
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Suggested itineraries in Guatemala
Below I list 2, 3 and 4 week itineraries, of course take what follows as inspiration and modify the itinerary to suit your interests/budget!
Two-week itinerary in Guatemala
Two weeks is not a long time, but it is more than enough time to see the highlights of Guatemala.
Antigua (4 nights)
Day 1:
If you arrive in Guatemala City and it’s not late, I recommend going to Antigua right away.
Day 2:
Explore the city, go up to Cerro de la Cruz.
Day 3-4:
I highly recommend the hike to Acatenango Volcano. However, if that doesn’t appeal to you, consider another activity such as visiting Pacaya Volcano.
Lake Atitlan (2 nights)
Day 5:
Transfer to one of the villages on Lake Atitlan, afternoon to relax.
Day 6:
Enjoy the lake and its many villages.
Quetzaltenango (3 nights)
Day 7:
Transfer to Quetzaltenango. Visit the cemetery in the afternoon.
Day 8:
Santa Maria Volcano.
Day 9:
Las Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs.
Semuc Champey (2 nights)
Day 10:
Transfer to Semuc Champey.
Day 11:
Tour to Semuc Champey.
Flores (2 nights)
Day 12:
Transfer to Flores.
Day 13:
Visit Tikal.
Day 14:
Return to Guatemala City.
Three-week itinerary in Guatemala
With three weeks to spare, however, I recommend following the travel itinerary just described by perhaps adding Rio Dulce/Livingston between Semuc Champey and Flores or some other activity along the various stops such as a day trip to the market in Chichicastenango starting from Antigua or Lake Atitlan.
How to get around Guatemala
Buses in Guatemala
As mentioned several times in this guide, there are numerous tourist shuttles that cover all of the country’s most visited major destinations, but by far the cheapest and most fun option are the so-called “chicken buses.”
These buses are former school buses that can sometimes be extremely crowded and not exactly comfortable but in most cases they are not bad at all and most importantly they are extremely cheap.
Usually, in addition to the driver, there is an “ajudante” assigned to collect money and put overly bulky luggage on the roof of the bus. I recommend them but for certain routes, especially if you have time constraints, it may be better to take a shuttle.
For a look at route schedules to major tourist destinations I recommend this site.
Chicken bus.
Taxi in Guatemala
In the city, some taxis use meters, but they are not very common. Therefore, be sure to agree on the fare before you board to avoid any issues. You can also ask your hotel or hostel for the correct price for a particular route. Uber definitely works in Guatemala City.
Domestic Flights in Guatemala
The only regular domestic flights worth considering are those from Guatemala City to Flores and back, operated by Avianca. Obviously, buses are way cheaper.
Hitchhiking in Guatemala
Hitchhiking is considered safe and quite common, especially in rural areas of Guatemala. I hitchhiked three times during my trip, and twice it was not even intentional as people offered me rides while I was waiting for the bus. Generally, you should encounter no problems, but as always, use common sense and caution.
Backpacking Guatemala: costs
How much does a trip to Guatemala cost? Very little. If you travel using public transportation, sleep in hostels (but also cheap hotels) eat where the locals eat, and don’t rely too often on organized tours it is possible to get around easily on a 25-30€ a day budget.
Cost of accommodation in Guatemala
Many hostels offer dorms from 60Q per night and rarely more than 100Q, in short 7-12€ per night. For private rooms in hostels expect to pay from 150Q and up. Cheap family-run hotels are often a good compromise with decent rooms from 250Q per night.
Cost of food in Guatemala
Good meals for 10-15Q can be found at the market, in some “comedor” or simply on the street. In tourist or more upscale restaurants expect to pay at least 50Q.
Tostadas.
Cost of transportation in Guatemala
The “chicken buses,” called “camionetas” by locals, are extremely cheap and generally cost 5-10Q per hour of travel. Sometimes they can cost even less.
On the other hand, tourist shuttles are much more expensive and can cost up to 10 times more.
Backpacking Guatemala: Safety
Is Guatemala safe? In general, yes, although as is the case with almost all Latin American countries, there are still security-related problems especially in some areas of large cities, such as in Guatemala City. I have always used public transportation and walked around cities frequently without encountering any problems. By using common sense and following my tips, you should be just fine.
Are you planning a trip to El Salvador? Check out these posts:
Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on Instagram!
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