Trip highlights
- 1Pacaya Volcano hike
- 2Lake Atitlán day trip
- 3Coffee finca tour
- 4Colonial ruins and Santa Catalina Arch
- 5Mercado Central and Guatemalan cuisine
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
Photos: Unsplash
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Colonial Antigua
Sunday, January 10
Est. spend
$110
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrive La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City
La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City
Antigua has no airport of its own; transfers run about 45 minutes from Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport through winding mountain roads.
Pre-book a shuttle or private transfer rather than arranging a taxi at arrivals — shuttles to Antigua are a well-established, cheap, and safe option.
☀️ Afternoon
Santa Catalina Arch and colonial walking tour
Santa Catalina Arch, Antigua Guatemala
Antigua's iconic yellow archway spanning a cobblestone street, with Volcán de Agua framed perfectly behind it — the symbol of this UNESCO World Heritage colonial city.
The best photo of the arch with the volcano behind it is from 5th Avenue Norte looking south, especially in late afternoon light.
🌙 Evening
Parque Central evening
Parque Central, Antigua Guatemala
Antigua's lively main square, ringed by the ruined Cathedral of San José and colonial buildings, busy with street vendors and local life after dark.
🍽️ Meals
Airport snack
International · $6
Rincón Tipico
Guatemalan · $10 · Grilled meats and traditional sides in a courtyard setting.
Café Sky
Guatemalan/International · $16 · Rooftop dining with views over Antigua's red-tiled roofs.
Pacaya Volcano Hike
Monday, January 11
Est. spend
$100
per person
🌅 Morning
Pacaya Volcano guided hike
Pacaya Volcano National Park, near Antigua
A 2-3 hour ascent through pine forest and volcanic ash fields to the slopes of Pacaya, one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, where guides lead groups to roast marshmallows over heat radiating from recent lava flows.
Bring sturdy shoes — the volcanic ash and loose rock terrain is tiring even though the hike isn't technically difficult.
☀️ Afternoon
Return to Antigua and rest
Antigua Guatemala
An easy afternoon back in town after the morning hike, recovering with a coffee at one of Antigua's many courtyard cafés.
🌙 Evening
Hobbitenango sunset (optional add-on)
Hobbitenango, near Antigua
A quirky hillside attraction modeled on hobbit-hole architecture with sweeping valley views, popular for sunset drinks above Antigua.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Guatemalan/Continental · $8
Trail snacks (packed)
Guatemalan · $6 · Usually included or easily bought near the trailhead.
Hobbitenango restaurant
Guatemalan/International · $20
Lake Atitlán Day Trip
Tuesday, January 12
Est. spend
$130
per person
🌅 Morning
Drive to Lake Atitlán
Lake Atitlán, Sololá
A roughly 2.5-hour drive through Guatemala's central highlands to Lake Atitlán, a vast volcanic crater lake ringed by three volcanoes and a string of distinct indigenous Maya villages.
Each lakeside village has a different character — Panajachel is the tourist hub, Santiago Atitlán is more traditional, San Juan La Laguna is known for textile cooperatives.
☀️ Afternoon
Boat tour of Lake Atitlán villages
Lake Atitlán boat docks, Panajachel
A boat hop between Panajachel, San Juan La Laguna's weaving cooperatives, and Santiago Atitlán's market, with the volcanoes Tolimán, Atitlán, and San Pedro framing the lake throughout.
Buy textiles directly from the weaving cooperatives in San Juan La Laguna — proceeds go straight to the artisans.
🌙 Evening
Return drive to Antigua
Antigua Guatemala
An evening drive back through the highlands, with mountain views as the light fades.
🍽️ Meals
Lakeside restaurant, Panajachel
Guatemalan/Lake fish · $14 · Try the pescado blanco, a small whitefish native to the lake.
El Sabor del Tiempo, Antigua
Guatemalan · $16
Coffee Finca & Departure
Wednesday, January 13
Est. spend
$100
per person
🌅 Morning
Coffee finca tour
Finca Filadelfia, near Antigua
Guatemala's volcanic soil and altitude produce some of the world's best coffee — a guided tour of a working finca near Antigua covers the full process from bean to cup, ending with a tasting.
Buy beans directly at the finca — fresher and cheaper than airport or hotel gift shops.
☀️ Afternoon
Mercado Central and last souvenir shopping
Mercado Central, Antigua Guatemala
Antigua's main market for textiles, leather goods, and jade — Guatemala is one of the few places in the world where jade is mined, making it a distinctive local souvenir.
🍽️ Meals
Hotel breakfast
Guatemalan/Continental · $8
Finca café
Guatemalan · $12 · Often included with the finca tour.
Airport snack, Guatemala City
International · $10
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
November–April: dry season, mild highland temperatures (18-26°C). May–October is the rainy season with frequent afternoon showers.
🛂 Visas
Visa-free entry for up to 90 days for US, UK, EU, and Canadian citizens with a valid passport; Guatemala is part of the CA-4 border agreement allowing free movement with El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
💱 Currency
Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ). USD is accepted at some tourist businesses but quetzales are needed for markets, local food, and transport — ATMs are widely available in Antigua.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 110
ambulance: 123
fire: 122
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Antigua sits at 1,500m altitude — evenings are cool year-round, bring a light jacket.
- Pacaya Volcano activity levels vary; tour operators monitor conditions daily and will adjust the route if the volcano is more active than usual.
- Three volcanoes overlook Antigua: Agua, Fuego (frequently active, visible smoking from town), and Acatenango — Fuego's activity is a normal, photogenic feature of the skyline.
- Lake Atitlán's villages each specialize in different crafts — ask your boat guide which village does textiles versus pottery versus jade before deciding where to shop.
- Tipping 10% is appreciated in restaurants and is not usually included automatically.
One thing worth not skipping
A 4-day trip to Antigua, Guatemala without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
Comprehensive cover for 150+ adventure activities, medical evacuation, trip cancellation, and baggage. Recommended for most travellers.
Subscription-based travel medical insurance. Best for longer trips, digital nomads, or frequent travellers. Renews weekly or monthly.
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