Guatemala is a country, that you can explore for weeks. There are colonial cities, where you can stroll around for days. Indigenous villages and markets where people walk around in colorful traditional costumes. But also fascinating Maya cities, located deep in the jungle, breathtaking lakes and many active volcanoes! But what if you only have 3 weeks in Guatemala? What should you include in your itinerary? This is my Guatemala itinerary for 3 weeks. Including a special section if you are coming or continuing your journey to Honduras or Mexico.
Guatemala itinerary 3 weeks
Covid 19 – update march 2021: Guatemala is open for tourists. To enter the country you must show a negative PCR test or antigen test with a maximum of 96 hours. This will be requested during check-in and when you arrive and go through customs. You also have to complete a health statement. In Guatemala it is mandatory to wear facemasks everywhere. Your temperature is also measured when you enter a store, hotel or restaurant. But rules and measurements change on a daily base. It is very important to check with your government, embassy and airline before traveling.
Antigua – (4 nights)
Antigua city
Start your journey in Antigua, the former capital of Guatemala and the most beautiful city in the country. It’s a city where you can easily spend days and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere. Stroll through the colonial streets, visit the ruins of former churches and convents and have a look in the many colonial buildings, where a new world opens behind every door. You will also find plenty of nice boutique stores, fancy restaurants and lunchrooms, with amazing views of the surrounding volcanoes. You often see smoke coming out of the volcano and at times you even see the orange and red lava flowing. Pretty incredible! Also, the surrounding area is worth exploring, with coffee plantations, viewpoints and organic farms.
Curious about what to do in Antigua? Check out my ultimate cityguide for Antigua and surroundings with many things to do, cultural activities, restaurants, fancy boutique stores and hotels.
Volcano hikes
As Antigua is your starting point for one of the most exciting volcano trips, make sure you include one of these hikes in your Guatemala 3 week itinerary. Therefore, I would recommend to schedule at least three days in Antigua. One or two days to explore the center, and 1 or two days to go on a volcano hike, depending on your interest of hiking.
The Pacaya hike you can do in one morning or afternoon. The hike to the Acatenango takes two days, as you want to spend the night in a tent, listening and looking at the active Fuego Volcano, right in front of you. Yes, these hikes are challenging but so worth it! Just make sure you are used to the altitude before going on this hike.
Want to know more about the Acatenango volcano hike, how to prepare and what to bring? Read everything you want to know about hiking the Acatenango volcano in the next article.
Lake Atitlán ( 3 nights)
From Antigua, travel to the most beautiful lake in Guatemala: Lake Atitlan. Make sure you schedule this journey on a Thursday or Sunday, so you can make a stop at the colorful market of Chichicastenango. Not only a shopping paradise but also a great way to observe local life.
Lake Atitlan is a mighty lake is surrounded by three volcanoes and many little villages. Every village has its own vibe and characteristics. And in some of the villages, people still live according to ancient Mayan traditions and customs. The light and view of the lake and surrounding volcanoes are breathtaking, from just every single corner. Make sure you spend at least one day navigating the lake and exploring villages such as Santiago de Atitlán, San Marcos, and San Juan la Laguna. You will learn more about indigenous art and meet local hero Maximón. A wooden statue with a cigar, where people come to do offerings and make their wishes. You can also hike from the village of Santa Cruz to Jaibalito, overlooking the lake during the entire trail. And explore the Cerro Tzankujil, a natural reserve near San Marcos.
The second day you should go on a hike, to enjoy the most amazing views of the lake Atitlan. Climb your way up to the Indian Nose viewpoint (try to do a sunrise!) or hike to the top of the San Pedro Volcano.
Where to stay?
Panajachel is the main city and your starting point for all trips around the lake. You can choose to spend the night in this city, but it’s best to find a beautiful hotel around the lake or in one of the villages. Especially if you want to go on a hike to the Indian Nose or San Pedro volcano, as you need to start early morning. Looking for nice places to stay in Guatemala? Check my guide with the best hotels in Guatemala.
As this is a guide for 3 weeks in Guatemala, I’m focusing on some of the highlights. But you could easily spend a week around Lake Atitlán and sleep in a different village every day. Do you want to know more about Lake Atitlán and all the different things to do? Have a look in my Lake Atitlán travel guide.
The market at Chichicastenango – traveling from Antigua to Panajachel/Lake Atitlan
Travel from Antigua to Panajachel, by uber or shuttle service. It will take about 3 hours. Consider traveling by private transportation, as it gives you the chance to include the market of Chichicastenango in your 3 weeks in Guatemala itinerary.
Qeutzaltenango (3 nights)
Quetzaltenango, aka Xela, is a city that is often skipped during a trip through Guatemala. A shame, because even though this city in Guatemala doesn’t have many spectacular things to do, it is a city to experience the real Guatemala! It is Guatemala’s second city and has a nice mix of students and business people. You can use one day to explore the city, one of the surrounding villages or relax in the hot springs of Fuentes Georginas. The second day make sure you go on another spectacular volcano hike, such as the active Santa Maria volcano (elevation of 3,772 meters) or Santiaguito (elevation of 2,790 meters). Both are day trips.
Traveling from Panajachel/Lake Atitlan to Quetzaltenango
It will take you about 2 hours to get from Panajachel to Quetzaltenango. You can travel by shuttle service or private transportation. You can find an uber to get to Lake Atitlan but it will be harder to find an uber around Lake Atitlan bringing you somewehere else.
Lanquin (3 nights)
Lanquin area also offers some unique caves. You can visit an adventurous water cave, where you enter with your bathing suit on and a candle in your hands. This is not for everyone, as it is humid, dark and you only see the light of the burning candles. Or a cave where you are able to see rock formationa and thousands of bats flying out during sunset. If you feel like doing something more relaxing, you can spend spend an afternoon tubing on the river.
Interested in visiting Lanquin? This is my travel guide with different things to do in Lanquin, including caving, tubing, canopy tours and tips for best traveling time, hotels and transportation.
Traveling from Quetzaltenango to Lanquin
From Quetzaltenango, there are shuttle services to Lanquin. You will be traveling at least 9 hours and maybe even more. Just schedule the entire day for it and make sure you are mentally prepared. The last part of the journey is beautiful, as you will be driving through the mountains.
Flores (3 nights)
After Lanquin, it’s time for Flores. Your starting point for the mysterious Maya ruins, such as Tikal and Yaxhá, located deep in the jungle. Without a doubt, a highlight during your Guatemala 3 week itinerary. I recommend that you travel straight to Tikal this day, and spend the night in one of the three hotels, located inside the National Park itself. This way you are able to wake up very early the next day and see the sunrise from the famous temple number 4. After your visit, travel to the town of Flores and spend the night there.
Tikal
Tikal is arguably one of the most visited destinations in Guatemala. Because of its mysterious atmosphere, and location in the dense jungle, I think it is one of the most impressive archaeological Maya sites. You’ll be able to observe an ancient Maya city, with ruins of pyramids and palaces in a beautiful jungle environment, while being surrounded by countless monkeys, coatis, butterflies and birds. Tikal is best to be explored with a professional guide, making sure you get the maximum out of your trip. Interested in reading more about a day tour to Tikal? Read the full article about Tikal Guatemala here.
Yaxhá
If you feel like doing something more off the beaten track, it is worth to add Yaxhá to your travel itinerary as well. You could do this on the second day. Yaxhá is less visited than Tikal but also a beautiful archaeological Maya site, located at the Laguna Yaxhá, in the jungle. It is recommended to watch the sunset here from the 30 meterhigh temple (structure 216 or temple or the hands). You can spend the night before your visit in Flores and the night after near the National Park Yaxhá, at el Sombrero. This way you can continue to enjoy the jungle vibes after the sunset moment.
Flores
Flores is a small town/island, located at the Petén Itzá lake, connected to the mainland by a bridge. There are so many colorful houses and doors, what makes it a picture heaven! Flores used to be an old maya city called Tayasal. It was one of the last independent cities during the Spanish conquest but was unfortunately destroyed completely afterwards. Nowadays you can discover the colonial town (built by the spanish on the former Maya city) and enjoy the boulevard with many rooftop restaurants and shops.
Traveling from Lanquin to Flores
There are public buses that can take you from the town of Lanquin to Coban and to Flores. Also consider private transportation, of course depending on your budget. Due to the bumpy road, it’s another full daytrip.
Río Dulce and Livingston (3 nights)
This day you will be traveling to the Caribbean side of Guatemala: Río Dulce. From this town, you can take one of the most beautiful boat trips in Central America. A trip of 1.5 to 2 hours brings you through a conservation area with an incredible amount of birds, water lilies, mangroves, steep rock walls, to the Caribbean coast.
Livingston
Here you can visit Livingston, a messy but nice town, only accessible by boat. This area will show you a completely different side during your three weeks in Guatemala itinerary, because of the unique mix of people living here. The Garifuna’s, (who are descended from the Caribbean Arawak Indians and African slaves) and the indigenous Maya people are living here together. You can explore the village, enjoy the many pelicans in the harbor and have a chat with the many welcoming Rastafarian characters. You can spend the night in Livingston or find a place around the Rio Dulce river and make a daytrip to Livingston.
Make sure you also try the local dish tapado. A delicious soup consisting of coconut milk, including lobster, shrimp, crab, shellfish and fresh white fish.
Want to know more about this Caribbean area of Guatemala? In the next article, you’ll find lots of tips and information about Río Dulce and Livingston.
Traveling from Flores to Rio Dulce
There are different shuttle services that take you from Flores to the town of Río Dulce. It is also possible to travel by private transportation. The journey will take you approximately 4 hours.
Guatemala city –(2 nights) last days of your Guatemala itinerary 3 weeks
Travel back to Guatemala city. It is nice to spend at least one day in Guatemala city to explore the colonial center and spend some time in the Museo the Antropologia – Munae. Also make sure you visit, zona 4, the nicest neighborhood, with many cool restaurants and bars. If you are up for a real gastronomic experience: make a reservation at restaurant Flor de Lis, by a former Noma Denmark alumni. A 6 or 8 course tasting menu takes you on a journey through Guatemala, with local ingredients and corresponding stories. It’s not cheap but believe me, it’s so worth it and a great way to finish your 3 weeks in Guatemala.
Traveling from Rio Dulce to Guatemala City
You can travel by public bus in about 6 to 8 hours to Guatemala City. If you are planning to travel by private transportation, make sure you add a stop in Quirigua, a few kilometers of the main road between Guatemala City and Río Dulce. Here you will find beautiful stelae. Stelae are Maya monuments with amazing sculptures and hieroglyphics. They are located in a green tropical valley, between banana plantations. In the following article I’m guiding you through the Quirigua archaeological national park.
Visit Copan in Honduras during your Guatemala itinerary 3 weeks
Copan
From Rio Dulce it’s nice to travel to the south and make a quick stop in Honduras, by visiting the lovely mountain town Copán, close to the Guatemalan border. It is one of the most beautiful places in Honduras and your starting point for a visit to the former Copán Empire: Copan Ruinas. Copán town, is situated at an altitude of 670 meters and has a few thousand inhabitants. The little streets, colonial buildings and friendly people give the town its own characteristics and make it super atmospheric.
Because Copán has not yet been discovered by large tourist crowds, it is a great destination for one or two days. You can enjoy the town, visit the archaeological site of Copán and observe tropical birds in the Macaw Mountain bird Sanctuary.
Have a look in my guide for what to do in Copán town and the Maya ruins of Copan if you are interested in visiting Hodnuras.
Border crossing Guatemala – Honduras
Border crossing over land, is super easy at la frontera El Florido. If you are planning to return to Guatemala you’ll get a special ticket, meaning you don’t have to do migration and passport stamping on your way back. Or just continue your journey in Honduras!
Coming from Mexico | Guatemala itinerary 3 weeks
If you are traveling from Mexico to Guatemala, it is best to start your Guatemala itinerary for 3 weeks in Flores and travel all the way down over land without using a plane.
- Arrival Flores (3 nights)
- Río Dulce – (3 nights)
- Lanquin – (3 nights)
- Quetzaltenango (3 nights)
- Lake Atitlan (3 nights)
- Antigua (4 nights)
- Guatemala City (2 nights)
- Travel to Guatemala City – end of three weeks in Guatemala itinerary
It is also possible to travel from San Cristobal in Mexico and use the La Mesilla border to enter Guatemala. This way you can start your journey in Quetzaltenango.
- Quetzaltenango (3 nights)
- Lake Atitlan– (3 nights)
- Antigua (4 nights)
- Lanquin – (3 nights)
- Río Dulce (3 nights)
- Flores (3 nights)
- Travel to Guatemala City by plane –(2 nights) end of three weeks in Guatemala itinerary
Guatemala itinerary 3 weeks | traveling to Mexico
If you are planning to continue your journey to Chiapas in Mexico, after your three weeks in Guatemala itinerary. Then it’s best to finish your Guatemala trip in Flores and use the border Frontera Corozal. From Flores, it will take you 4 hours to reach the Guatemalan border town Bethel (it’s a bumpy road). Here you’ll cross the Usumacinta river by boat to the town of Corozal. Also your gateway to the archaeological site Yaxchilán. Read more about Yaxchilán and how to get there, in the next article.
Planning to travel to Yucatán in Mexico? Then it’s also best to finish you Guatemala journey in Flores and travel through Belize to Chetumal. It will take you a full day, as you need to cross two borders! Update March 2021: keep in mind that land borders with Belize are still closed until further notice, because of the pandemic.
- Arrival in Guatemala City (2 nights)
- Antigua(4 nights)
- Lake Atitlan (3 nights)
- Quetzaltenango (3 nights)
- Lanquin – (3 nights)
- Río Dulce – (3 nights)
- Arrival Flores (3 nights)
Other Guatemala itineraries
Did you enjoy reading this three weeks in Guatemala itinerary? Have a look at the other Guatemala travel itineraries such as:
Or check out things to do in Guatemala | 20 travel tips
More about Guatemala
Do you want to read more about this amazing country? In this article you’ll find the 20 best things to do in Guatemala, including off the beaten path destinations, best time to travel, itineraries and information about safety in Guatemala. Have a look in the Guatemala archive for a cityguide for Antigua and travel guides about Lake Atitlan, Lanquin, the famous market of Chichicastenango, the Acatenango volcano hike, a boat trip on the Rio Dulce to Caribbean Livingston and a Guatemala hotel guide. In this article I’m taking you to the Maya ruins of Tikal and Quiriguá, a smaller and less visited Maya site with beautiful Maya stelae.
