10-Day Guatemala Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Guatemala tour itineraries
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SteffGuatemala travel expert at TourRadar
10 Days in Guatemala, incl. Antigua and Tikal
Seven Guatemalan cities reveal their secrets from Guatemala City to Livingston. Notable activities include Pacaya Volcano hiking, Lake Atitlan boat touring with visits to San Juan and Santiago Atitlan, UNESCO Tikal ruins, and Rio Dulce's waterways.
- Day 1
Guatemala City to Antigua
Arrive at La Aurora International Airport and take a 1-hour private transfer to Antigua. Use your afternoon to explore Parque Central and get familiar with the colonial city. Try to book a morning flight since Guatemala City traffic becomes difficult after 3 PM.
- Day 2
Antigua and Pacaya Volcano
Take an early morning 2-hour hike up Pacaya Volcano. You'll need sturdy shoes with good grip for the volcanic gravel. After exploring the steam vents and lava fields, catch an afternoon shuttle to Panajachel on Lake Atitlan (3 hours). Pick accommodation near Calle Santander for convenient access to food and the lake.
- Days 3-4
Lake Atitlan
Visit three unique lakeside villages by boat. Start with traditional textile workshops in San Juan La Laguna, move on to San Pedro with its backpacker vibe, and end in Santiago Atitlan to visit Maximon, the fascinating Mayan folk saint. Book morning boat tours when the lake is most calm.
- Days 5-6
Lanquin and Semuc Champey
Take the 9-hour shuttle to Lanquin. Bring motion sickness pills for the winding roads. Spend the next day at the beautiful turquoise pools of Semuc Champey. Pack water shoes and a dry bag to protect your electronics. The viewpoint involves a steep climb but offers amazing photo opportunities.
- Day 7
Flores and Tikal
Take an 8-hour morning transfer to Flores. Spend your evening walking around this pretty island town in Lake Petén Itzá. The waterfront restaurants serve great local food after 6 PM when temperatures cool down.
- Day 8
Tikal Archaeological Site
Pick between a 4:30 AM sunrise tour or 8 AM regular tour of Tikal. Going early helps you avoid crowds and heat. Pack plenty of water since the site is large with minimal shade. Keep an eye out for toucans and howler monkeys in the trees.
- Day 9
Rio Dulce and Livingston
Take a 4-hour bus to Rio Dulce, followed by a boat ride to Livingston, a Garifuna town. Sit on the right side of the boat for the best views of the river canyon. This route shows off Guatemala's variety, from dense jungle to Caribbean culture.
- Day 10
Return to Guatemala City
Take the five-hour bus back to Guatemala City. Book an evening flight as the road from Rio Dulce can be unpredictable during rainy season.
10 Day Belize & Guatemala Itinerary, incl. Caye Caulker and Antigua
Ten remarkable destinations showcase Guatemala's diversity, from Tikal's UNESCO ruins to Semuc Champey's natural pools. The itinerary features Mayan homestays, Pacaya Volcano treks, and colonial Antigua's charms.
- Day 1
Belize City to Caye Caulker
Take a water taxi from Belize City Airport to Caye Caulker. The ride takes about 45 minutes. "The sites were exotic and the people were friendly and helpful." Important: Book a flight that lands early enough to catch the last ferry at 5:30 PM or you'll need to stay in Belize City overnight.
- Day 2
Caye Caulker
Spend the day exploring this peaceful car-free island. Most snorkeling tours to Hol Chan Marine Reserve start around 10 AM. Book through Vista del Mar or your guesthouse for $70-90 USD. Remember to pack reef-safe sunscreen it's required here.
- Day 3
Caye Caulker to Flores
Take the 7 AM boat back to Belize City followed by a 6-hour van ride to Flores Guatemala. You'll need $20 USD in cash for border fees. The roads get rough after crossing into Guatemala so consider taking motion sickness medication.
- Day 4
Tikal Ruins
Start at 4:30 AM to experience Tikal before the crowds and heat arrive. You'll need good walking shoes for the temple stairs. Bring your own breakfast since food isn't available until later in the day.
- Day 5
Flores to Lanquin
An 8-hour drive takes you to Lanquin village. The final hour winds through mountain roads so try to get a front seat if you get carsick. You'll reach your accommodation like El Oasis in time for dinner.
- Day 6
Semuc Champey
Take a truck to the beautiful turquoise pools of Semuc Champey. Start the lookout hike early to avoid the hot sun. Optional cave tours involve swimming with candles through dark spaces. Wear water shoes and quick-drying clothes.
- Day 7
Lanquin to Panajachel
The 9-hour journey to Lake Atitlan improves after Guatemala City. Watch for stunning views as you descend toward the lake in the evening.
- Day 8
Lake Atitlan
Visit San Juan La Laguna and Santiago Atitlan by boat. You can stay with a local Mayan family. The rooms are basic but the cultural experience is incredible. Leave your main bags at your Panajachel hotel.
- Day 9
Panajachel to Antigua
Spend your morning in Panajachel before taking an afternoon shuttle to Antigua. Buy textiles at the Panajachel market they're cheaper than in Antigua.
- Day 10
Antigua & Pacaya Volcano
Finish your trip with a Pacaya Volcano hike. It takes 2 hours each way. Bring warm layers for the windy summit. The entrance fee is $7 USD extra. Local kids rent walking sticks for 5Q if you want extra stability on the volcanic terrain.
8 Days in Guatemala, incl. Antigua and Tikal
UNESCO-listed Tikal ruins and colonial Antigua anchor this cultural expedition. The route includes Pacaya Volcano, Lake Atitlan's villages, and Chichicastenango Market, featuring stays at Radisson Guatemala City and Boutique Los Pasos.
- Day 1
Guatemala City Arrival
Fly into La Aurora International Airport and head to your hotel in Zone 10, the most tourist-friendly district. Plan to arrive by late afternoon for the 6 PM briefing. Previous visitors agree: "The location in Zone 10 was perfect - we felt completely safe walking to nearby restaurants and shops in the evening."
- Day 2
Guatemala City to Antigua
Take a morning tour of Guatemala City's main attractions, including Las Américas Avenue and the historic Civic Center. After lunch, make the 2-hour trip to Antigua. Walking is the best way to explore the colonial streets. Pack good shoes since the cobblestones are uneven. Visit the Mermaid Fountain and Santo Domingo Monastery while there's still daylight.
- Day 3
Pacaya Volcano Hike
Drive 90 minutes to Pacaya National Park early in the morning. The volcano hike takes 1-2 hours at your own pace. Good hiking boots are essential because of loose volcanic gravel. If you're not confident about the climb, you can book a horse for $15-20. Consider ending your day at Santa Teresita Hot Springs to relax your muscles.
- Day 4
Lake Atitlán
Take a two-hour drive through the Sierra Madre mountains to reach Lake Atitlán. Hop on a boat to Santa Cruz La Laguna, one of 12 Maya villages around the lake. The afternoon boat trip gives you great views of the three surrounding volcanoes. Panajachel offers the best spots to watch the sunset.
- Day 5
Chichicastenango Market
The largest indigenous market in Central America runs Thursdays and Sundays. Get there by 9 AM to avoid the biggest crowds. Bring cash and be ready to bargain. One TourRadar traveler said: "The market was overwhelming but incredible - I've never seen such vibrant textiles and traditional crafts."
- Day 6
Flores and Tikal
Catch the hour-long morning flight to Flores at 11 AM. You'll have time for a relaxed breakfast first. Spend your afternoon walking around the pretty island town of Flores with its colorful buildings and waterfront restaurants.
- Day 7
Tikal Archaeological Site
Start at 7 AM for the hour-long drive to Tikal before it gets too hot. Wear light, breathable clothes and pack lots of water. The humidity can be strong. The site has 3,000 structures, with Temple IV standing tallest at 70 meters. Having a guide really helps you understand the site's history and importance.
- Day 8
Departure from Guatemala City
Take your return flight to Guatemala City for international connections. Book afternoon flights to give yourself enough time after your domestic flight from Flores.
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What people love about 10-day Guatemala tours
- Start Belize City end Guatemala city
The trip was exciting, the sites were exotic and the people were friendly and helpful, especially the entire team at Casa Amarilla. ??
- Best of Guatemala 8 Days Tour (PRIVATE)
We had an excellent experience seeing Ecuador on the 8 day tour. This tour was a great immersion in the lesser visited cities and communities of the Ecuadorian Andes mountains. The trip was well organized and paced for our comfort and full of culturally meaningful experiences. We felt that our safety and interests were always the top priority. Our guide, Josue, was very experienced, friendly and spoke excellent English. We especially enjoyed Intinan, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Ingapirca, Pumapungo museum. Banos and Cuenca were our favorite cities: beautiful and walkable. We loved trying all the new foods, and I appreciated Josue's help with my Spanish.
Awesome trip! I did this trip with my two 60 year old parents and my 30 year old wife. We loved the diversity of the cities we visited and how super different they all were from each other. I was very pleasantly surprised with the whole trip. Guatemala was absolutely stunning! The itinerary was pretty much spot on. Arrivals left pretty much on time. Just be mindful of the long bus rides, which were a bit longer than described. One of the "8 hour" rides ended up being closer to 12 with only 2 stops along the way at gas stations. If you get motion sickness, it's crucial to sit in the front and take meds. (If it's in your budget, flights are available between Guatemala City and Flores for $150-200 which would nice.) It's also recommended that you speak at least a little Spanish to help get around and make things run smoothly. The accommodations were really great. Very clean and comfortable and in good locations. We always felt safe. The home stay was truly a cultural experience, you will live exactly as they do for an evening (local homemade food, using their home bedrooms and bathrooms, dress in traditional Guatemala attire, and enjoy conversations with the host families in a city off the tourist grid). We visited during Easter timeframe and had many chances to see the processions and festivities which was a huge plus! All in all, the entire trip was a wonderful value for the price and what was offered. The boat trip at Lake Atitlan was really fun too, where we visited 3 different villages that were really laid back and nice. The hike up Pacaya Volcanoe was fantastic too! We were lucky enough to see the flowing lava and roast marsh mellows over the heated rocks which was so wild! The horses were very convenient too for my mother who preferred to ride on the way up. The only minor disappointment was that in Semuc Champey we were not taken to the caves like we were told we would be, and had supposedly paid for. The little pools were pretty though. And the final stop in Flores was super cool! Supposedly Flores is ranked in the top 25 most colorful cities in the world, being a small little island community surrounded by a lake. Visiting Tikal which is about 1 hour away was stunning. Very good experience seeing the ancient ruins and learning the history. All in all we all loved the trip and would highly recommend to other adventurous and flexible travelers who want to experience Guatemala!
Guatemala Mayan Explorer
