10-Day Guatemala Tour Packages
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Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Guatemala tour itineraries
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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.
10 Day Central America Itinerary, incl. Guatemala City and Antigua
Guatemala unfolds across 15 destinations, from Tikal's pyramids to Antigua's colonial streets. The route leads through Chichicastenango market, across Lake Atitlán, and into San Juan La Laguna's artisan workshops. Daily breakfast, English-speaking guides, and comfortable transport included.
- Day 1
Guatemala City
Arrive in Guatemala City to start your 10-day journey. The tour only runs on Mondays and Fridays. Airport transfers to your hotel take 30-45 minutes. Book afternoon flights to avoid the city's heavy traffic during rush hour.
- Day 2
El Salvador Exploration
Leave early for a 270km trip to El Salvador. Visit Joya de Cerén, a UNESCO site known as the "Pompeii of the Americas." The archaeological site has little shade, so bring water and sunscreen. Stay overnight in San Salvador. Border crossings usually take 1-2 hours. Bring small USD bills for entry fees.
- Day 3
Santa Ana to Copán
Tour Santa Ana in the morning before heading to Honduras. The trip to Copán takes about 3 hours with border stops. Visit the Copán ruins in the afternoon. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven. The site's ancient stelae and glyphs look best in late afternoon light.
- Day 4
Quiriguá to Río Dulce
See Quiriguá Archaeological Park, featuring the Mayan world's tallest stelae at 10.6 meters. The grounds get muddy during wet season from May to October, so wear appropriate shoes. Travel to tropical Río Dulce for the night.
- Day 5
Livingston and Flores
Take a boat to Livingston, a Garifuna town. Get there early to try the local coconut bread before it sells out. The river canyon boat ride offers great bird watching opportunities if you bring binoculars. End your day in Flores, your starting point for Tikal.
- Days 6-7
Tikal and Lake Region
Start early at Tikal. Pack breakfast since restaurants aren't open when the site opens. Watch sunrise from Temple IV if you're ready for a steep climb. Later, fly to Guatemala City and continue to Lake Atitlán. Pack warm clothes for cool nights.
- Day 8
Chichicastenango Market
Visit the market in Chichicastenango, open only Thursdays and Sundays. Get there before 9 AM to beat the crowds. The market specializes in textiles and crafts. Be ready to bargain. Continue to Panajachel on Lake Atitlán for views of the volcanoes.
- Day 9
San Juan La Laguna and Antigua
Take an 8 AM boat to San Juan La Laguna. Visit local groups to see chocolate making and natural textile dyeing. The afternoon drive to Antigua takes about 2.5 hours on mountain roads. Bring motion sickness medicine if needed.
- Day 10
Antigua and Departure
Explore Antigua's colonial streets in the morning. The city sits at 5,000 feet, so take your time to adjust to the altitude. Book a late afternoon flight from Guatemala City. Allow 3 hours for transfer and airport procedures.
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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)
Melanie from Guidecuador is very efficient and passionate in what she does. She helped us with every detail of booking and planning our holiday to Guatemala. She didn't mind going the extra mile and even assisted us after hours. We are so thankful to guidecuador and would recommend them anytime.
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
