Guatemala was never a country I expected to be so interesting as much as I did. I knew it had volcanoes, ancient Mayan ruins, and beautiful lakes, but I didn’t realize how much variety this small country packed in. All for a very cheap price.
In just one week, I went from exploring misty mountain towns surrounded by coffee plantations, to kayaking in a volcano lake, to walking through a Lord of the Rings themed park in Antigua.
I’ll be honest, seven days was not enough time because I didn’t get to see everything. There were places I did not explore enough, especially Tikal and Semuc Champey’s caves, but this itinerary covers how I personally spent my week in Guatemala and the places I think are worth prioritizing if you only about 7 days in Guatemala.
In my opinion, Guatemala is a naturally beautiful country with vibrant culture especially in the towns of Lake Atitlan. I wasn’t amazed by the food in Guatemala though. It just didn’t stand out from the rest of Central America and compared to where I’m from, not even close. But, at least it was very cheap.
In this guide I am putting together a 7 day Guatemala itinerary, based on all my highlights and experiences traveling through this amazing country. I’ll cover my favorite things to do, where I stayed, where to eat and some of my personal tips and opinions about the whole thing.
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Why I love this 7 day Guatemala itinerary
When I planned this Guatemala trip, I knew I didn’t just want to stay in one place too long or just check attractions off my list. I wanted to experience different sides of the country fully.
Cobán showed me Guatemala’s cooler mountain landscapes, Antigua brought the history and culture, and Lake Atitlán was the place where I finally slowed down and integrated with local people a little. Most people won’t ever visit Coban I think, but I’m glad I did.
Looking back, the only thing I would change is adding more time. I wish I had been able to visit Tikal and spend more time around Semuc Champey. But for one week, this itinerary gave me a really good first taste of Guatemala.
How long to Visit Guatemala
Even though this itinerary is for one week in Guatemala, if you want to max out this country you should go for 10 to 14 days. Especially if you want to visit the UNESCO world heritage site Tikal or Semuc Champey. But, 7 days is a great way to experience Guatemala and most of what this country has to offer. If you follow this itinerary at all, everything should be smooth.
7 Day Guatemala Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala City and head to Coban
We will come back to Guatemala City, don’t worry. The first thing we did after landing in Guatemala was something I usually never usually do: trusting a random taxi driver outside the airport.
But after a few minutes of Google Translate conversations, we met Edwin. He became our unofficial driver for the entire trip. I jokingly called him Alex because he reminded me of Chloe’s uncle, and somehow this random airport pickup turned into one of the best decisions we made during our week in Guatemala. This was so much better than having to rely on public transport. It wasn’t expensive either because it’s 4 of splitting this cost.
When you’re in a new country, everything is always interesting because it’s so different. Because we hired a private taxi we would ask the driver Edwin, to stop at stores and gas stations so we could buy things to snack on and drink.
After a long scenic drive, you’ll finally arrive in Coban. Coban is a very attractive place up inside the lush mountains of Guatemala. I honestly think that every time I visit Latin America I always stay in the mountains for some reason. Coban was a Mayan settlement before it’s modern setting. There’s lot’s of coffee plantations and botanical gardens to explore as well.
Most of the places to stay in Coban are small eco-lodges that really makes you feel immersed in the Guatemalan setting. Rent any one of these that you like. I stayed in Posada Montaña del Quetzal. This place has a swimming pool, restaurant, entertainment game room and a tennis court. These tiled brick, moss covered rooftops of these mountain cabins made me feel cozy. To make things better, it rained and we had a fire place. This hotel costs $28 USD per night. It’s so Cheap!
If you want to wander away from your hotel and explore, you’ll find several attractions within close proximity. Parque Nacional Las Victorias is one of the best things to do in Coban. The park is beautiful and large enough that you can pay 30 Quetzal to camp her. You can also do guided hikes.
Head back at night and prepare for the morning adventure to Semuc Champey.
Day 2: Semuc Champey Adventure
Semuc Champey was one of the places I was most excited to visit before coming to Guatemala. I had seen photos of those bright turquoise pools online and honestly assumed the pictures were heavily edited. They weren’t. Seeing them in person was one of those rare travel moments where reality actually looked better than the photos.
Located deep in the Guatemalan jungle near the town of Lanquín, Semuc Champey feels surprisingly remote. Even getting there is part of the adventure. From Cobán, the journey takes around two hours in a 4×4 vehicle along winding roads through the mountains and countryside. I remember looking out the window for most of the drive because the scenery was so different from anything back home.
If you’re staying in Cobán like I did, I’d recommend booking a guided tour. Most tours leave around 7 am and return in the evening. Based on what the staff at the hotel told me, if you take public transport from Coban, you’d have to get up at 3 am. The nice thing about these tours is that they handle all the transport and logistics, which makes visiting Semuc Champey much easier.
One thing I still regret is not exploring the Kamba Caves. Almost everyone I spoke to afterward said it was one of the highlights of their day. The caves are partially flooded, so you’ll be swimming and wading through water while exploring by candlelight. It sounded like exactly the kind of adventure I normally love, but unfortunately I didn’t get the chance. If you’re visiting, do me a favor and experience it for both of us.
The main viewpoint, El Mirador, was probably my favorite part of the entire visit. The hike up is steep and can be muddy, especially if it has rained recently, but the view at the top is worth every step. Looking down at the series of turquoise pools winding through the jungle was one of the most impressive sights I saw during my week in Guatemala.
After the viewpoint, you can spend time swimming in the pools themselves. The water is cool and refreshing, which feels amazing after the hike. What surprised me most was just how peaceful the area felt despite being one of Guatemala’s most famous attractions.
After a full day of exploring, head back to Cobán and get some rest. Trust me, you’ll probably be tired. Tomorrow we’ll make the long journey to Antigua, one of my favorite places in Guatemala.
Day 3: Coban to Antigua
Slept well? When I stayed in Coban it was very cold, luckily they had a fire place. When I turned on the shower it came out hot so the cold air and hot water just filled the cottage with steam. Anyway, now we depart for Antigua. Coban to Antigua is a long trip, about a 7 hour drive. You’ll arrive at Antigua in the afternoon where you can check into your accommodation.
Antigua is a special place for many Guatemalans and tourists alike. If you just look around, you can instantly tell this place is shrouded in history and is now a UNESCO world heritage site. The cobblestone streets creates a frame for the brightly colored colonial Spanish architectural buildings.
You can explore this city to your heart’s content. There’s lots to see and do here. Depending on the time of year you travel to Guatemala, it most likely will have lot’s of tourists. How everything looks, including the people, made me feel fully immersed in my travels. Antigua is thriving with art, music and traditional crafts depicting Mayan culture and religious notes.
The Antiguan market is full of things you will want to see, I’m sure of it. From fresh produce to traditional textiles, handmade crafts, and souvenirs. The colorful woven textiles, pottery, and jewelry sold here are a reflection of Guatemala’s indigenous culture and craftsmanship. Just take a stroll through these streets and explore whatever catches your eye basically.
I spent an embarrassing amount of time thinking about food during this trip. But, as I mentioned before, I thought that the food was mediocre. I remember walking through Antigua looking for something new to try every day, from street vendors selling fresh tortillas to restaurants serving traditional dishes like Pepián.
Really try to explore Antigua at your own pace. The streets seem small and would make you have a sense of relaxation and being a local. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and head to your hotel.
Day 4: Antigua and Hobbitenango
Call an Uber and tell them you want to go to Hobbitenango. You’ll be dropped at the base of the hill where trucks pass every 15 minutes or so to transport people to and from Hobbitenango. This is a half day tour, you really need about 6 hours here. There’s a $10 USD entrance fee per person. Our Uber actually couldn’t make it all the way up the hill and we didn’t know anything about getting here before hand. We ended up walking from the car park area, all the way up to Hobbitenango.
When I arrived at Hobbitenango, I was blown away by how cool everything looked. This was one of the only places we visited that had a good bit of tourist crowds going. It felt really cold up here in the mountains. The entire place was shrouded in mist which gave it a more mysterious feeling and added to my immersion.
Spend the rest of the day exploring everything in this whimsical Lord of the Rings themed park. Make sure to walk all over and go exploring! There’s a decent amount of things to see and do here for about an hour or so until you get tired. There’s even rooms and restaurants for people to stay overnight if they wish. You can see my detailed guide on visiting Hobbitenango Guatemala for more pictures and information.
There wasn’t really anything I disliked about this place except that I wish it had more things to do that involved the hobbit or Lord of the Rings, like an actual theme park.
In the afternoon, you’d return to Antigua. Now, you have some options. You can hike up to Cerro de la Cruz for a sunset over the city, visit the ruins of the San Francisco church, or do both, up to you if you have the energy. Rest again at your hotel in Antigua for the night. Tomorrow we go to Lake Atitlan. My favorite place in Guatemala.
Day 5: Antigua to Lake Atitlan
It’s finally time to head to Lake Atitlán, one of the places I was most excited to visit in Guatemala. You can get there by shuttle, Uber, private transfer, or even a chicken bus if you’re traveling on a tighter budget. The drive from Antigua to Panajachel takes around three hours, though traffic can sometimes make it a bit longer.
I’ll never forget my first view of Lake Atitlán. As we got closer, the landscape suddenly opened up and there it was: a massive lake surrounded by volcanoes and small villages scattered along the shoreline. The streets leading up to our hotel in Panajachel were super bustling with life and things going on. The photos I’d seen before the trip looked beautiful, but seeing it in person was something else. The scale of the lake surprised me more than anything.
Out of everywhere I visited in Guatemala, Lake Atitlán was probably the place where I slowed down the most. Antigua kept me busy exploring, but Atitlán felt different. It felt like somewhere you could spend your mornings drinking coffee by the water and your afternoons wandering through lakeside towns without any real plan.
Honestly, the best thing about Lake Atitlan is not the lake itself, but the many different and unique villages around the lake. Towns like San Pedro, San Marcos and Santiago are all great and shine in their own way.
For my stay, I chose Hotel y Centro de Convenciones Jardines del Lago in Panajachel, and I’d happily stay there again. What I loved most was the location. The hotel sits right on the edge of the lake, so every morning I could walk outside and immediately enjoy the views. There were restaurants, coffee shops, kayaking, jet skiing, and plenty of places to sit and relax without ever needing to go far. I really getting hot chocolate in the evening when they sky is almost dark and just site and watch the lake.
Looking back, staying directly on the lake made the experience so much better. Waking up to calm water, volcano views, and cool mountain air was easily one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. If you’re planning your own visit, I have a complete guide on where to stay in Lake Atitlán that breaks down the different towns and who each area is best suited for.
If you want an easy to follow and already planned for you travel guide, check out my 3 day Lake Atitlan itinerary.
Explore the town of Panajachel. There’s a large abundance of things to see, unlimited shops and restaurants line every inch of the streets. You can also take a boat tout around the lake to explore the other towns on Lake Atitlan. Visit villages San Juan La Laguna (known for its art and weaving) and Santiago Atitlán (rich in culture and history).
Another one of the best things to do in Lake Atitlan is going on a hike. There are volcanoes here that you can hike. You need to wake up super early, take a lake ferry to the meeting point and off you go. Some of the best hikes in Lake Atitlan are Indian Nose trail and San Pedro volcano hike.
Day 6: Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City
In the morning the wind is very calm and allows for some nice outdoor activities on the lake. Kayaking, hiking, jet skiing, paddle boarding and hiking.
After partaking in some of these, it’s time to head back to Guatemala city. Take a shuttle or hire a private taxi service. It would take about 4 hours from Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City. When you arrive in the Guatemala City, explore Explore the historic center, including the Plaza de la Constitución and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Stay in a hotel. I recommend hotel San Carlos in Guatemala City. You can also walk around Guatemala City and try different foods. Please be cautious and not expose valuables. Guatemala City isn’t very safe for tourists to walk around by themselves.
Day 7: Guatemala City
This is the final day of your Guatemala Adventure my friend! Before you depart lets explore the city some more. You can visit the national museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. You’ll be intrigues by these ancient Mayan artifacts, jade jewels and tools. take some time to explore the historic center of Guatemala City, especially the Plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Square), which is surrounded by significant landmarks such as the National Palace of Culture and the Metropolitan Cathedral.
have lunch at a nearby restaurant. There’s loads of restaurants in the City. The restaurant I visited was called La estancia Steak House. It was dark, decorated with green plants, cozy and looked expensive and fancy. But, it was actually really cheap compared to what I pay for a nice dinner at home.
After this, depending on your flight, you can do some last minute shopping at the Mercado Central. This bustling market is a great place to pick up local handicrafts, such as handwoven textiles, colorful ceramics, and unique wooden carvings, all made by local artisans. If you’re a coffee lover like three of us in this group, you can relax at the zona viva. You can get a cup of Guatemala’s world-renowned coffee.
As it nears time to leave Guatemala, head to your hotel, gather all your stuff and take an Uber to the Guatemala City Airport. Remember to arrive 2-3 hours before departure time.
Final Thoughts
Looking back at my week in Guatemala, what surprised me most was how different every destination felt. In one trip, I experienced mountain villages, jungle adventures, colonial architecture, and one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen.
Seven days went by quickly, and if I could do it again, I would slow down and add more time. But even with only a week, Guatemala gave me some of my favorite travel memories.
If you’re looking for a country that combines adventure, culture, nature, all for a very low price, Guatemala deserves a spot on your list.
Nicely covered
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