2 weeks in Guatemala

Day 1 - Arrival in Antigua

Arriving with an international flight you will land at the international airport located in Guatemala City, capital of Guatemala.

From the airport, if you want to avoid Guatemala City, you will have the possibility, without any problem, to go directly in the small colonial town from Antigua situated at about 40 km from the airport.

For this, you just need to take a shuttle that you will find directly at the exit of the airport, a taxi or maybe your hotel can provide you with the airport transport to Antigua. 

The journey between the airport and Antigua may take between 35 minutes and 2 hours if you get right in the middle of traffic jams.

For my part, my flight arrived around 16 pm and I found myself in the traffic jams of Guatemala City, resulting in it taking more than two hours to reach Antigua.

Day 2 - Visit Antigua

Antigua (Antilles), colonial city of Guatemala, is theancient capital from the country. However, following numerous earthquakes, the capital was moved to Guatemala City.

However Antigua still keeps its colonial charm with its colorful houses and facades, the cobbled streets as well as with all volcanoes surrounding it. 

To visit the city of Antigua I recommend that you walk and get lost in the streets of the city, but don't forget to check out the following places as well:

• The Plaza Major: it is the main square of the city, it is the historic heart of the city. From this square, you will have the opportunity to admire in particular the town hall.
• El Cerro de la Cruz: perched on the heights of Antigua, you will have the opportunity to have a nice view of Antigua and the volcanoes around Cerro de la Cruz. You can walk there from the city center without any problem.
• Santa Catalina Arch : it is a flagship and unmissable place if you are visiting Antigua.
• El Tanque la Union: small typical square of the city with its palm trees offering a view of the volcanoes
• The Santa Clara Convent 
• The Basilica of San Pedro 
• Convent of La Merced 
• The Mercado: Antigua market where you will have the opportunity to find everything. It's a good insight into local life

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Day 3 or 3 and 4: Ascent of the Pacaya or Acatenango volcano

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Le Guatemala matters 37 volcanoes throughout the country. Among these volcanoes, three are still active (Fuego, Agua and Pacaya). For the more athletic among you, do not hesitate to to climb one of these many volcanoes.

Mainly, the two climbs the most popular from Antigua are:

• The Acatenango volcano : this ascent is done over two days spending the night on the volcano to enjoy a breathtaking view of the eruptions of the Fuego volcano.
• Pacaya volcano : this ascent is done during the day and allows you to have a nice view of the Pacaya volcano. Obviously, it is not possible to climb to the top of the volcano, it is still active.

Day 4 (or 5) to 6: Lake Atitlan and its small villages

I advise you to go then a few days around Lake Atitlan, which is, according to some, the most beautiful lake in the world. 

To reach Lake Atitlan from Antigua, you will need to take a shuttle, a taxi or a chicken bus for the more adventurous. The trip lasts between 2 and 5 hours depending on the means of transport chosen and the village you want to go to.

This lake is at the bottom of a crater and all around the lake are 12 small local villages which it is strongly recommended to visit. 

Among the villages to visit, there are especially :

• San Pedro
• San Marcos
• Santa Cruz
• Panajachel
• San Juan
• etc.

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I advise you to stay at least two days around the lake in order to have time to visit some villages. 

The lake is also the perfect place to stroll and rest a little. For example, I took the opportunity to rent a paddle and walk around while sunbathing on my paddle board for an afternoon.

Also, you have the possibility to make the ascent of the San Pedro volcano or even from the Indian Nose in order to attend a majestic sunrise on the lake.

 

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You can go from one village to another by taking the municipal boats who make connections between each village throughout the day.

Day 7: Chichicastenango market

If you are lucky enough to be around the lake or Chichicastenango a Thursday or a Sunday, so feel free to go take a walk in the Chichicastenango market.

It's about largest market in the country. You will absolutely find of all : food, fruits, flowers, clothes, decoration, souvenirs etc. 

This colorful market is an opportunity to mingle with the rhythm of the life of the locals while doing some shopping.

To reach Chichicastenango, you will have the possibility to do outward journey during the day from one of the villages around the lake or even from Antigua or Guatemala City. Allow a whole day to make the round trip and have time to enjoy the market on site.

 

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Day 8 and 9: Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey is located at middle of the jungle in central Guatemala. Departing from Lake Atitlan, the journey will take you all day to join Semuc Champey. 

So prepare for a bus day between 9 a.m. and 14 p.m. hours depending on your driver. 

 

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Once you arrive in Lanquin, you will have the possibility of sleep in Lanquin or to get closer to Semuc Champey going to sleep in the valley.

The next day, get up early to be one of the first to enjoy Semuc Champey.

A Semuc Champey you will be able to witness magnificent landscapes with natural swimming pools with turquoise waters lost in the middle of the jungle.

 

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A half a day in the park is enough to enjoy the swimming pools and swim in them and also walk to the viewpoint in order to benefit from an exceptional view.

For continuation of the day, you will be able in particular go down the river on a buoy or visit the Kanba caves in the dark with a small candle.

Some prefer to take an extra day in the region in order to make the most of it.

However, if your time is tight, a day on site is sufficient. 

I spent a day at Semuc Champey and that seemed sufficient to me.

Day 10 to 12: Rio Dulce and Livingston

For the next day, I propose you to get to Rio Dulce. 

It will take a buses leaving from Lanquin around 8 am to reach Rio Dulce. You will arrive at Rio Dulce around 14 p.m..

From there, you either decide to stay in Rio Dulce, or you take a small boat that will bring you to Livingston on the Caribbean coast.

 

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By opting for Livingston, about 2 hours by boat await you before arriving at the small village of Livingston. During this crossing, you will have time to admire the river and observe the many birds found there.

You can pass two days in Livingston in order to enjoy a little rest but also to visit the surroundings. 

You can easily spend a first day at visit Livingston and surrounding beaches by walking for example to the natural swimming pools of Seven Altars.

 

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During second day, you can enjoy the beach or even rent a canoe in order to go for a walk in the various canals of the rio dulce.

Day 13 to 15: Flores, Tikal & Yaxha 

Le 13th day in the morning take the boat to Rio Dulce. From there, in the early afternoon you can take a bus which will bring you to Flowers. This trip will take you all day because you arrive in Flores in the early evening.

 

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La 14th day start early with the visit of the island of Flores and its surroundings going to the beach through the viewpoint Del Rey Canek offering a beautiful view of the small island of Flores.

Le second part of the day can be done by going to visit the Mayan site of Yaxha. Much less well known than Tikal, Yaxha nevertheless deserves your attention for a day.

 

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You will also take the opportunity to admire a magnificent sunset from the top of magnificent Mayan remains in the middle of the jungle with howler monkeys. 

For last day, I suggest you devote your day to visit of the unmissable Mayan site of Tikal. 

 

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You will have the option of visiting Tikal with or without a guide. Also, you can watch the sunrise or the sunset inside the park by paying a supplement.

Day 16: Return flight 

La last day is devoted to the return flight. You will have the option of taking an internal flight from Flores to Guatemala City airport, or you can take an overnight bus that will take you to Guatemala City before flying home.

For my part, following my trip to Guatemala, I went to visit Costa Rica.