2 Weeks In Guatemala: Perfect Itinerary For 2023
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Looking for the best 2 weeks in Guatemala itinerary? You’re in the right place! After spending nearly six weeks exploring this wonderful country, it’s somewhere that will always hold a special place in our heart.
Friendly locals, incredible landscapes, unique wildlife, delicious food, bucket list experiences, social backpacker hostels, culture, history and ancient Mayan Ruins – you can’t really ask for a lot more! Guatemala is simply beautiful, and if it isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be.
Two weeks in Guatemala is the perfect amount of time to really get a ‘feel’ for the country and dip your toes in. Whilst you’ll need to spend a fair amount of time on shuttles or buses, it’s enough time to visit at least 4 different places in the country.
So, where do you start when visiting Guatemala for two weeks? Where do you stay? What do you do in all of these new and unknown places?!
All of your burning Guatemala questions are answered in this post – or in one of my many other Guatemala posts that are beginning to dominate my blog. Yep, that’s how much I love it!
But, as always – if there’s something I haven’t answered, be sure to DM me on Instagram and I’ll try my best to get back to you as soon as possible. As for now, let’s plan our 2 week trip to one of the best countries in the world!
🇬🇹 Other Guatemalan posts:
- Is Tikal Worth Visiting? COMPLETE Tikal Guide
- 15 BEST Day Trips From Antigua, Guatemala
- 3 Days in Antigua Guatemala: The Perfect Itinerary
- Backpacking Guatemala: COMPLETE Guide + ROUTES
- Pacaya VS Acatenango: Which Volcano Hike Is Best?
2 Weeks In Guatemala Itinerary: A Summary of the Routes
The following three Guatemala routes are good starting points and guidelines for travelling around the country. The way you do the itineraries really depend on your starting point and where you are coming from.
If you only have 2 weeks in Guatemala, you don’t want to spend half of your time on transport. Although I have included Semuc Champey (which is really a 24-hour round trip), do your research and check that you really want to visit each place.
If you’d prefer to spend a little longer in locations like Antigua and Lake Atitlan, I recommend removing either Semuc Champey or El Paredon and following the second route.
Visiting Guatemala during the month of September? Check out the Guatemala Independence Day festivities!
Route 1: 2 weeks in Guatemala seeing all of the major sights
Experiencing the highlights of Guatemala, but with a lot of shuttle buses and moving around quickly. This is still a doable route for 2 weeks in Guatemala.
| Route 1 – 2 weeks in Guatemala | Transport | Stay | Do |
| Day 1-5: Antigua | Shuttle from Guatemala Airport (1 hour) | Hostel: Somos Hotel: Barbara’s Boutique | Volcano hiking, coffee tours, chocolate-making workshops, hiking, local markets, street food, bars and restaurants Check: 3 Days in Antigua for the best things to do! |
| Day 5-7: Lake Atitlan | Shuttle from Antigua (2 hours) | Hostel: Free Cerveza Hotel: Atitlan Sunset Lodge | Take a lancha boat across the lake, visit the small villages, swim, kayak, hike and more! |
| Day 8-10: El Paredon | Shuttle from Lake Atitlan (2 hours) | Hostel: Mellow Hotel: Swell | Surfing, beaches, swimming, relaxing, drinking |
| Day 10-12: Semuc Champey | Shuttle from El Paredon (10 hours) | Hostel: Greengo’s Hotel: Utopia Eco Lodge | Hike to the iconic waterfalls, swim, stay in a destination hostel, walk, experience local culture |
| Day 12-14: Flores and Tikal | Shuttle from Semuc Champey (10 hours) | Hostel: Los Amigos Hotel: Isla De Flores | Visiting the ancient Tikal ruins, rooftop bars, rope swings and more |
Route 2: 2 weeks in Guatemala at a slower pace
Seeing fewer places in Guatemala, travelling a little slower but not having as many shuttle journeys. It’s still an incredible 2 weeks in Guatemala with some great locations.
| Route 2 – 2 weeks in Guatemala | Transport | Stay | Do |
| Day 1-3: Flores and Tikal | Shuttle from San Ignacio Belize (6 hours) or fly from Guatemala City (>1 hour) | Hostel: Los Amigos Hotel: Isla De Flores | Visiting the ancient Tikal ruins, rooftop bars, rope swings and more |
| Day 4-9: Antigua | Shuttle from Flores (10 hours) | Hostel: Somos Hotel: Barbara’s Boutique | Volcano hiking, coffee tours, chocolate-making workshops, hiking, local markets, street food, bars and restaurants Check: 3 Days in Antigua for the best things to do! |
| Day 10-14: Lake Atitlan | Shuttle from Antigua (2 hours) | Hostel: Free Cerveza Hotel: Atitlan Sunset Lodge | Take a lancha boat across the lake, visit the small villages, swim, kayak, hike and more! |
Route 3: North to South (travelling to Guatemala from Belize)
This is the best route if you are starting from the north of Guatemala, due to you crossing the border from Belize. This is similar to the route we did in Guatemala, although we spent a little longer in each location.
| Route 3 – 2 weeks in Guatemala | Transport | Stay | Do |
| Day 1-4: Flores and Tikal | Shuttle from San Ignacio Belize (6 hours) or fly from Guatemala City (>1 hour) | Hostel: Los Amigos Hotel: Isla De Flores | Visiting the ancient Tikal ruins, rooftop bars, rope swings and more |
| Day 4-7: Semuc Champey | Shuttle from Flores (10 hours) | Hostel: Greengo’s Hotel: Utopia Eco Lodge | Hike to the iconic waterfalls, swim, stay in a destination hostel, walk, experience local culture |
| Day 7-10: Antigua | Shuttle from Semuc Champey/Lanquin (6 hours) | Hostel: Somos Hotel: Barbara’s Boutique | Volcano hiking, coffee tours, chocolate-making workshops, hiking, local markets, street food, bars and restaurants Check: 3 Days in Antigua for the best things to do! |
| Day 10-14: Lake Atitlan | Shuttle from Antigua (2 hours) | Hostel: Free Cerveza Hotel: Atitlan Sunset Lodge | Take a lancha boat across the lake, visit the small villages, swim, kayak, hike and more! |
As I continue to explain the 2-week Guatemala itineraries below, I will be focusing on Route 1, simply as it has more stops. You can alter and change this around however you see fit!
Days 1-5: Antigua
Antigua is a ‘must-visit’ location when in Guatemala. It’s truly one of my favourite places in the world – not just Guatemala – and is somewhere we will return to time and time again!
Whilst you may think spending this long in a city might be overkill, when you arrive, you’ll realise why. Not only is there a ton to do here, but the city is one of a kind. It sucks you right up into a little Antigua bubble as soon as you arrive, which quickly becomes hard to pop!
When visiting Antigua, I highly recommend hiking one of the nearby volcanoes. Whether you want to stick to the ‘easier’ Pacaya on a half day trip, or attempt the mammoth fire volcano Acatenango, hiking an active volcano is a true bucket list experience. Not sure which one to hike? Check out my volcano hike comparisons here!
I’m slightly obsessed with Antigua Guatemala, so I have quite a few posts on my blog explaining the best things to do, where to eat, what to see and more. If you need some help planning your time in Antigua, check out this 3 day itinerary for the best of the best.
Related posts: Day Trips from Antigua | 3 Perfect Days in Antigua
Where to stay in Antigua
There are so many amazing hostels to choose from in Antigua that it’s hard to pick the best one! However, after staying in some myself, and talking to other backpackers, we’ve found these are the most popular choices.
Remember: things change quickly when it comes to hostels! Make sure you always read the reviews first.
- Somos: a social hostel with amazing rooftop views
- Hostel Antigueno: another social hostel with a large communal garden
- The Purpose Hostel: beautiful rooftop views of all 3 volcanos
- Barbara’s Boutique Hostel: the most expensive hostel in Antigua, but also one of the most luxurious!
- Casi Casa: a ‘home away from home‘ kind of hostel with comfy beds, a roof terrace and homemade breakfast
- Tropicana: best for solo travellers wanting to party in Antigua!
Antigua is also one of the best locations in Guatemala to learn Spanish. If you’re unsure about what’s included and how the week would work, check out my full guide to Antigua Spanish schools here!
Days 5-7: Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan is another magical place in Guatemala. Often referred to as the most spiritual place in the country, it’s only a 2-hour shuttle from Antigua and is worht visiting for at least 2 nights.
Lake Atitlan is surrounded by traditional Mayan villages, and you will come into contact with indigenous locals from various communities. As well as admiring how beautiful the deepest lake in Central America is, there is plenty to do, lots of amazing accommodations and a whole variety of good food to eat.
There are many towns and villages to choose from around the lake, with our favourites being Santa Cruz and Panajachel. San Marcos is known for its spiritual and ‘hippy’ vibe, San Pedro for its partying and San Juan for its colourful streets.
Santa Cruz (where Free Cerveza, the best Lake Atitlan hostel is) is a small town with great views of the lake. Panajachel is known as the ‘capital’ of Lake Atitlan. It’s the busiest, biggest and most chaotic. It also has the most restaurants, chains like Dominoes, hotels and Airbnbs (and its fair share of crazy nightlife).
Two nights in Lake Atitlan gives you enough time to explore some of the villages by lancha (local speed boat), do some hiking, admire the volcanic views, kayak or swim in the lake and experience some of the magic Lake Atitlan has to offer.
➡ Travelling to Lake Atitlan? Check out my full post on how to travel around the lake via a lancha and visit all of the beautiful lakeside towns!
Not sure how to travel between Antigua and Lake Atitlan? Check out my in-depth Antigua to Lake Atitlan post here!
Related post: Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City | Lake Atitlan To Semuc Champey: Step-By-Step Guide
Learning Spanish in Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan is also home to some of the best Spanish schools in the country. If you have the luxury of time and budget, booking a week in a traditional Mayan homestay whilst learning Spanish is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Most schools even run extracurricular activities, such as movie nights, weekend hikes, day trips and salsa classes!
If you’re unsure about what’s included and how the week would work, check out my full guide to Lake Atitlan Spanish schools here!
Where to stay in Lake Atitlan
If you’re staying in Lake Atitlan for the first time, I recommend the following accommodations:
- Free Cerveza (Santa Cruz): for backpackers wanting to SUP, swim, socialise, be off the grid for a few days and soak in everything the lake has to offer ➡ BOOK NOW! (Check out my full Free Cerveza guide here)
- Dreamboat Hostel (Panajachel): If you want to party in Panajachel ➡ BOOK NOW!
- Mr Mullet’s (San Pedro): for BIG party backpackers and solo travellers (they run their own crazy boat party)➡ BOOK NOW!
- Chirris Hostal (San Juan): For a nice hostel in the middle of San Juan ➡ BOOK NOW!
Related post: Lake Atitlan Boat Schedule: How Do Lanchas Work? | Traditional Homestays and Spanish Schools in Lake Atitlan
Days 8-10: El Paredon
El Paredon is up next on this 2 week Guatemalan itinerary. It’s the perfect paradise for those wanting to take it slow for a few days and experience some of the Guatemalan coast.
El Paredon is a black sandy beach located on the Pacific Coast. It’s also known as one of the best surfing spots in the country. It’s around a 4-hour shuttle from Lake Atitlan, and is a popular option with backpackers.
Depending on the time of year, you can also release baby turtles in El Paredon. If you head to the Driftwood Surfer Hostel, they’ll lead you to watch the baby turtles waddle their way into the ocean and start their new life (unless they get eaten by a seagull first. This happened to us in Puerto Escondido. Serious PTSD).
Related posts: Lake Atitlan To El Paredon: Step-By-Step Guide
Where to stay in El Paredon
Want to spend a few nights in El Paredon? These are some of the best places to stay.
- Mellow Hostel for backpackers in El Paredon.
- Swell hotel for those wanting somewhere to relax and surf.
Days 10-12: Semuc Champey
Semuc Champey is completely off any of the main Guatemalan routes. If you’re visiting, make sure you really want to visit.
What do I mean by this? Well, it’s around a 10-12 hour trip to Semuc Champey from El Paredon, which may have to include an overnight stay in Antigua. Shuttles and timings change, but you will need to check when you are actually visiting. It’s then another 12-hour journey from Semuc Champey to Flores. That’s a lot of shuttle time!
Some bloggers say Semuc Champey isn’t worth the journey. If you want to know what I think, you can check out my honest review of Semuc Champey here.
If you don’t want to do the immense 24-hour journey, I recommend skipping El Paredon. Head to Semuc Champey from Lake Atitlan, Antigua or Flores instead.
Need help getting to Semuc Champey? Check out these related posts: Antigua to Semuc Champey | Flores to Semuc Champey | Lake Atitlan To Semuc Champey
Where to stay in Semuc Champey
There are four main hostels to choose from when visiting Semuc Champey: Greengo’s, Utopia Eco Lodge, Ch’i Bocol and Zephyr Lodge. So, which is better? Well, they’re all off the beaten track, and all have their pros and cons.
- Greengo’s Hostel is just 400m from the Semuc Champey entrance, meaning you can visit the site without a guide. It has its onsite bar and restaurant (with reasonable prices), with nightly backpacker activities such as trivia, bonfires and drinking games. Views of the surrounding mountains are unbeatable. Greengo’s tends to be booked up at least 3-4 weeks in advance, so get booking! ⮕ BOOK GREENGO’S HOSTEL NOW!
- Utopia Eco Lodge: A unique natural lodge-style accommodation around 3.5km from the Semuc Champey entrance. ⮕ BOOK UTOPIA NOW!
- Ch’i Bocol: This is the most ‘off-the-beaten-track’ hostel, which requires a 30 minute uphill hike to reach even after the shuttles have dropped you off. Stay here if you want a true, authentic experience amongst Guatemalan nature! ⮕ BOOK CH’I BOCOL NOW!
- Zephyr Lodge is another popular hostel near Semuc Champey. To reach the Semuc Champey waterfalls, you will need to take a 4×4 for around 45 minutes which can be arranged by the hostel. From other backpackers, I’ve heard it’s another great choice, and the jungle views from the dorm rooms are incredible. ⮕ BOOK ZEPHYR LODGE NOW!
Overall, they’re all great accommodation choices when it comes to staying in Semuc Champey.
We stayed at Greengo’s and had such an amazing time there, but I’m sure all the hostels will give you an incredible experience. But things change quickly when it comes to hostels, so make sure you always read the reviews first!
Related post: Lake Atitlan to Guatemala City | Lake Atitlan To Semuc Champey: Step-By-Step Guide
Days 12-14: Flores and Tikal
On the final few days of your trip, I recommend heading to Flores. Flores is a small island in the north of Guatemala, and is worth visiting if you want to explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal.
Our day trip to Tikal turned out to be one of our favourite days in Guatemala. It’s a unqiue and special experience – even if you’re not into history. I highly recommend booking a tour and visiting when you’re in the area.
Is Flores worth it if you don’t want to visit Tikal? Hmmm, I’m not too sure. It’s a long way to go, and there isn’t much to do apart from eating, drinking and potentially swimming in the lake water. It’s a lovely town, but I’d really only visit for Tikal.
If you’re not sure about whether or not you should visit Flores, you can check out my honest Flores opinions here.
✈️ Want to cut out some travel time? One of the best options when reaching Flores is to fly from Guatemala City. Otherwise, it’s a long 12 hour + shuttle day from either Antigua or Semuc Champey!
Where to stay in Flores
If you’re visiting Flores for the first time, I recommend you stay on the island rather than the mainland to get the full experience. Flores Island in Guatemala is exceptionally small. That means all of the accommodations, hostels and hotels are within walking distance of each other.
Again, my biggest piece of advice is to book hostels in advance! We missed out on so many of the best hostels in Central America as they fill up so quickly – get booking!
- Los Amigos Hostel: This is by far the most popular hostel in Flores, but also the most expensive! A dorm will cost over £20 a night, and a private room up to £120. When we were staying in Flores, there was no availability even 4 weeks in advance, so make sure you book early! ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!
- Hotel Peten Express Tikal: Another popular hostel in Flores with a good location on the water. It has a calmer atmosphere than Los Amigos. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!
⮕ View all other Hostelworld hostels in Flores here, or check out my detailed Flores hostel guide here.
Getting around Guatemala
Before we visited Guatemala, I was worried about getting around the country. Did we need to hire a car? Get chicken buses? Are the buses safe? I heard so much incorrect information about travelling around Guatemala before visiting. I was basically told it’s impossible unless you take the rickety chicken buses that have no A/C or toilets.
But, alas – they were wrong! You absolutely do not need to use public buses if you don’t want to. In fact, the most popular way to travel around Guatemala as a backpacker is via safe, reliable and modern shuttle buses.
If you are visiting Guatemala for the first time and only have 2 weeks, I highly recommend using these shuttle buses to travel around the country. Shuttle buses can be booked via your hostel or at local travel agents, or pre-booked online here!
Shuttles still do not have toilets, but they make frequent stops where you can top up on snacks and use the loo.
Budget for 2 weeks in Guatemala
Guatemala isn’t the cheapest country in Central America, and you will need a good budget to be able to enjoy it properly, especially if you are only there for 2 weeks.
Guatemala has similar expenses to its neighbour Belize, which is again, not known for being the cheapest country! But, as backpackers, we did find both Guatemala and Belize cheaper than being in Mexico, so that’s a plus.
| Accommodation (per night) | Food (per day) | Activities (some activities are free!) | |
| Low-budget backpacker | Shared dorm: £8-15 | £10-30 | £0-50+ |
| Mid-range backpacker | Private room: £40-60 | £30-60 | £0-80+ |
Prices will vary and depend on the time of year that you are visiting Guatemala. My biggest tip when visiting Guatemala, especially if it’s only for 2 weeks, is to book in advance. Both hostels and hotels will get booked up quickly during peak time, and you don’t want to miss out!
TOP TIP: Most places in Guatemala only take cash. But, this is changing, and some now take cards (just expect a 5-10% fee on top). If you do need to withdraw cash, there are ATMs to use in all major towns like Antigua, Panajachel and Flores.
Related post: Everything you need to know about backpacking Guatemala
Where to go AFTER Guatemala
If you aren’t going home after Guatemala (yay!), and are backpacking Central America, here are some of the most popular onward routes:
✈️ Fly out of the country from Guatemala City airport. If you would like to fly to a different country, Guatemala City is a short 60-minute drive from Antigua. You can also save time on a shuttle and fly direct from Guatemala City > Flores.
🇸🇻 El Salvador: backpacking Central America? The most popular option is to travel south and head to Santa Ana in El Salvador. 🫣 Not sure about visiting El Salvador? Check out my honest opinion on safety here!
🇭🇳 Honduras: we had some friends who went directly from Guatemala to Honduras. Again, shuttles can be easily booked from the city centre in Antigua or pre-booked online here.
🇧🇿 Belize: If you are finishing your Guatemalan trip in Flores, you can get a shuttle straight over to San Ignacio in Belize.
Related posts: Backpacking El Salvador | Backpacking Belize
2 Weeks In Guatemala: FAQs
1) Are 2 weeks enough for Guatemala?
Yes, if you are prepared to spend some of your time on shuttles and buses. Two weeks in Guatemala is a good amount of time to see some of the best locations in the country and immerse yourself in some of the local cultures.
2) When is the best time to visit Guatemala?
Guatemala has a warm climate, and averages between 22-32°C/70-90°F throughout the year. The hottest months, March and April, are known for their long, dry and sunny days, making it the most popular time to travel to Guatemala.
The months from May-October are in the ‘wet season’, and are known for being overly humid with a high chance of thunderstorms. The north and east (including places such as Tikal) are likely to have the most rainfall during these months.
- 🌎 Best overall time to visit Guatemala: November – April (Dry Season)
- 💸 Cheapest time to visit Guatemala: May, August, or September (Wet Season)
- ☀️ Hottest time to visit Guatemala: March and April (average 22°C/71°F)
- 🥶 Coldest month in Guatemala: January (average 18°C/65°F)
- ☔️ Rainiest months in Guatemala: September and October
Visiting Guatemala during the month of September? Check out the Guatemala Independence Day festivities!
3) Is Guatemala a cheap place to visit?
Guatemala is a fairly cheap country to visit. As I previously mentioned, it isn’t as cheap as El Salvador or Nicaragua, but it is a little cheaper than Belize or Mexico. You can eat street food for under $5 USD a meal, a restaurant meal for around $10 USD per person (with a drink) and budget accommodation for $10-15 USD per night.
Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America
If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
2 Weeks In Guatemala: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know for the perfect 2 weeks in Guatemala. When you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Guatemala content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
🇬🇹 Where to next?
- Best Time to Visit Guatemala: Complete Guide
- 3 Days in Antigua Guatemala: The Perfect Itinerary
- 15 BEST Day Trips From Antigua, Guatemala
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
