Classic Guatemala
Example Itinerary
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Overview
A stunning combination of natural beauty, Central American culture and Mayan history, Guatemala provides the rich backdrop to this ‘classic’ journey across the country’s must-see attractions and destinations.
A stunning combination of natural beauty, Central American culture and Mayan history, Guatemala provides the rich backdrop to this ‘classic’ journey across the country’s must-see attractions and destinations.
Soon after arriving to the capital, you’ll head off for a road trip to explore the country’s underdeveloped East, beginning with some time at the small but thriving Garifuna community, after a stop enroute at one of the country’s four UNESCO World Heritage sites. Reminiscent of a lazy Caribbean coastal town rather than part of the Latin American mainland, the Garifuna port of Livingston is accessible by boat down the Rio Dulce. The journey through the country’s distant eastern territories then sees you head to the steamy rainforests of the Petén department. Spend a couple of nights here touring the iconic Guatemalan landmark, the Mayan ruins of Tikal, and the nearby, lesser-known Yaxhá ruins to learn about these neighbouring ancient cities once home to Mayan empires.
A flight back over to the west of the country brings you to scenic Lake Atitlan surrounded by volcanoes, where you’ll explore the lake’s indigenous villages, crafts and culture. There’ll also be a stop at the famous indigenous market at Chichicastenango on the way to your final destination, the colonial town of Antigua. End the trip with a cycling tour around one of Guatemala’s renowned coffee farms and a walking tour around the picturesque, cobblestone town of Antigua.
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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.
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At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.
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Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Arrive Guatemala City
After a warm, hearty welcome at the airport by your private guide and driver, you’ll be taken straight to your hotel in one of the city’s upmarket, residential areas nearby. Take the rest of the day to rest and settle in after your flight.
Day 2 Guatemala City – Livingston: Quirigua Ruins & Down the Rio Dulce
Reuniting with your guide and driver this morning, you’ll set off from the capital to the country’s short east coast, home to the distinct Garifuna community that settled here in the 1800s. The drive across the country and boat ride down the Rio Dulce (Sweet River) to the main port town of Livingston are broken up with a stop at the remote Mayan ruins of Quirigüa, one of only four UNESCO World Heritage sites found in the country. Spend the rest of the afternoon and evening in the colourful, dusty seaside town of Livingston, sampling the regional cuisine and relaxing into the Caribbean atmosphere.
Day 3 Livingston: Boat Tour
Today you’ll explore the area around the town by boat. Crossing ‘El Golfete’, the river’s mouth, and navigating up the Río Dulce, you will pass the dramatic canyon cliffs of limestone covered with verdant jungle forest. Stops at various points of interest, such as the Chocon Machaca National Park and floating gardens and a local cooperative assisting villagers with educational and medical needs, offers some insight into life in this quiet corner of the country. End at a local restaurant for some Caribbean-influenced grub before heading back to your seaside hotel for an afternoon at leisure.
Day 4 Livingston – Tikal National Park: Mayan Ruins Sunset
The adventure then takes you deep into Guatemala’s remote northeastern rainforests. The day’s journey should see you arriving to the forest teeming with ancient Mayan history in time to enjoy a mystical sunset from atop the main pyramid at Yaxhá ruins. The warm blanket of orange and red tones covering the dense forest canopy and glistening lagoons below before plunging the area into darkness is a sight to behold. Retire to your comfy Jungle Lodge for dinner.
Day 5 Tikal National Park – Flores: UNESCO World Heritage Ruins
A very early start provides the opportunity to head to the national treasure of Tikal, the UNESCO World Heritage ruins, and to climb up one of its temples for a prime sunrise spot. After watching the sun light up the sprawling, ancient city below, head back down for breakfast to prepare you for the day’s sightseeing. A full day with the training and knowledge of your guide is invaluable in uncovering the intricate social structures, successes and troubles faced by the empire that built this marvel - at one point the largest Mayan city in the Americas. From the Great Plaza you’ll learn about its architectural ingenuity whilst looking out for cheeky howler monkeys and the eye-catching resplendent quetzal amongst the overgrown trees. There should also be time to do an optional canopy tour through the forest trees via a series of cables (if of interest) before lunch and a transfer to your next hotel in the small lakeside town of Flores.
Day 6 Guatemala City – Lake Atitlan: Fly to the West
A flight from the nearby airport brings you back to the capital for a tour of the country’s western highlights over the next few days, beginning with the mountainous Lake Atitlán sitting at just over 1,500m. Described by the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt as “the most beautiful lake in the world”, it is characterised by three volcanoes on its southern flank and strong indigenous cultures and communities that dominate the area. Check into your hotel and make use of its enticing infinity pool overlooking the lake against a backdrop of volcanic peaks.
Day 7 Lake Atitlan: Lakeside Villages Tour
Collecting you from the hotel, you’ll hop on a boat taxi with your guide zigzagging across Atitlán this morning to explore some of the other villages around the lake. First, stop at San Juan La Laguna village for a tour of its impressive naïf art galleries, town murals and naturally dyed textiles. Then head over to San Antonio Palopó, now known and recognised for their trademark ceramics, to visit a workshop and work on a ceramic masterpiece of your own. The afternoon can be spent exploring the trendy village around your hotel or unwinding back at the pool.
Day 8 Lake Atitlan – Chichicastenango – Antigua: Indigenous Market
Drive over Guatemala’s highlands today stopping at the town of Chichicastenango, famous across the country for its indigenous market (the largest in the country). Everything can be found here - local produce, handmade textiles and indigenous, artisan products - making it a good place to pick up some souvenirs. After touring the market, a walk over to the town’s St. Tomas Church is well worth it for the chance to witness an interesting fusion of indigenous and Christian beliefs. A curiosity found in a few places across Latin America, the local communities come to perform Mayan rituals passed on by their ancestors at the catholic church here. After some lunch, continue on to the final destination of the trip, the undeniably attractive town of Antigua.
Day 9 Antigua: Coffee & Colonial Architecture
Ready and waiting outside with your bikes this morning, you and your guide will cycle through the coffee farms just outside of town to meet a small-scale coffee cooperative being empowered to produce and sell their goods for export. After taking you on a tour of the farm, sat in the foothills of Agua Volcano, and learning about the community’s coffee processing techniques, you’ll be invited back to one of the farmer’s homes for lunch. Cycling back to town, you’ll then switch from two wheels to two feet for a private walking tour of the colonial city to learn the history behind the churches, convents and cathedrals lining its cobblestone streets. We recommend enjoying one of Antigua’s many excellent dining options for your final evening.
Day 10 Antigua – Guatemala City
Depending on your departure flight, you may have a bit of leisure time in the morning before being taken back to the capital’s international airport, where your tour of this Central American gem comes to a close.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Jardines del Lago, Lake Atitlan
This lakefront hotel boasts lovely views over Lake Atitlan and out towards the encircling volcanoes. Rooms are all of a similar style, offering either double, twin or triple bed arrangements, with some looking out to the gardens and others offering lake views. Their simple, pretty decor is enhanced with elegant touches of colour on the walls and fabrics. The gardens and outdoor pool can be enjoyed for some downtime amongst incredible views of the lake. Although within reach of other dining options in the village, the Vaqueros restaurant is conveniently available within the hotel grounds, as are spa services. An all-round great mid-range hotel offering a simple yet stylish way to enjoy Lake Atitlan.
La Inmaculada, Guatemala City
La Inmaculada was voted one of the “Top 20 Small Hotels in Guatemala” and provides a bit of luxury when staying in the bustling capital. Dedicated to coffee, the country's most famous export, rooms are named after types of coffee and guests are welcome to enjoy a coffee tasting with the in-house barista. The contemporary interior of the rooms complements the spacious and airy atmosphere seen throughout the hotel. There is a wonderful courtyard and cosy restaurant to relax in before or after a flight, and those with a bit more time in Guatemala City could explore the surrounding, fashionable district of Zona Viva.
Villa Maya, Flores
About 20 minutes from the entry town of Flores, Villa Maya is a four-star hotel sat on a quiet lake protected by the surrounding rainforests. Its location offers a similar jungle experience to the lodges found deeper in the forests, whilst providing easy access to both the airport in Flores and the area’s exquisite Mayan ruins. The extensive grounds are styled with local wood - the exposed beams create a rustic charm - and Guatemalan textiles, and include facilities such as inside and outside dining, a bar and a small, outdoor pool. The outdoor terraces provide splendid spots to catch the sunrise or sunset over the lake.
Villa Caribe, Livingston
Located at the mouth of the Rio Dulce river, Villa Caribe occupies a prime spot next to the merging of the Rio Dulce and the Caribbean Sea, offering a great seat from which to catch the Caribbean sun setting. The hotel has standard rooms and a few more upscale bungalows, approximately 45 standard rooms and 6 junior suites, putting it on the larger side for the small town. All rooms come with air conditioning and are simply styled with fresh, light décor. Wi-Fi is available in public areas of the hotel and there’s a large outdoor pool on site, a restaurant with sea views and a bar serving cocktails. Arguably the best hotel option in the remote port town of Livingston, Villa Caribe also boasts private beach access.
Jungle Lodge, Tikal
Jungle Lodge is a superbly located lodge within the national park close to Tikal ruins. Built on the site of the first scientific camp housing archaeologists exploring the ruins, the site dates back 63 years. Now offering 49 rooms and suites, the hotel pays homage to its surroundings and beginnings with designs influenced by the surrounding forests and previous archaeological explorers. Its open-air restaurant brings you closer to the tropical rainforest and flavours of Guatemala. With very few accommodation options as close to the ruins as Jungle Lodge, it makes it the preferred place to stay for early sunrise tours.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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TRANSPORT
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EXPERT TEAM
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WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
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Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
24-HOUR SUPPORT
Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Richard
Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640
OTHER ITINERARIES IN GUATEMALA
Check out our group tours in Guatemala
As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Guatemala. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.
View Group Tours in Guatemala