backpacking antigua guatemala
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Backpacking Guatemala Itinerary

Are you thinking of backpacking Guatemala?

Guatemala is a nice vacation destination because it offers everything you need to have a great time.

It’s bursting with history, culture, amazing architecture, natural beauty, and incredible places to visit.

It’s also the Mayan center of Central America, so there are a lot of ancient ruins and historical sites to explore, which is a lot of fun.

Backpacking Guatemala

For travelers starting a backpacking trip in Guatemala it can be difficult to choose exactly which places to visit, but today we’re going to help you out!

Is Guatemala Worth Visiting?

Guatemala in our opinion is one of the ultimate backpacking destinations in the world, let alone just Latin America.

antigua guatemala restaurant

Known for its mysterious ruins, colonial towns and breathtaking nature, Guatemala is perfect for those who want a bit of everything on their trip.

This country is also one of the best places to learn Spanish, with some of the top language schools and homes stays available for your picking!

BLATAM backpacking data:

  • 💰 Currency: Quetzal
  • 🇬🇹 Language: Spanish
  • 🌎 Population Size: 17 Million
  • 📍 Best Secret: San Marcos (Lake Atitlan)
  • 🍴 Eat: Chile Relleno
  • 🥛 Drink: Limonada con Soda
  • 💸 Average Daily Budget: $15-20

Is Guatemala Safe?

We’re not going to sugar-coat it, Guatemala is not the safest destination. It has high crime rates, so both violent and petty crimes are common. However, tourists can have a great time and stay safe by taking a few precautions.

Our basic tips for safety in Guatemala include:

  • Don’t leave your belongings unattended while you’re out.
  • Leave your expensive belongings at home.
  • Avoid rough areas. Talk to locals to learn where to avoid or do your research to make sure you stay in areas that are tourist friendly.
  • Don’t flaunt your mobile devices and avoid wearing jewelry in public. If you need to use your phone, always go inside.

The greatest risk for tourists is petty crime, especially pickpockets, which are a daily occurrence. Later on, we’ll provide more tips to help you stay safe during your trip.

Safety facts about Guatemala

  • The best way to evaluate safety is by looking at the 2020 Global Peace Index. This measures the state of peace of each country in comparison with the rest of the World, by evaluating both tangible and qualitative indicators.
  • Guatemala ranked as 115th out of the 163 nations measured, which is similar to that of Algeria and Thailand. For comparison, The United States ranked as 121st.
  • Most of the touristic destinations such as Lake Atitlan and Antigua are usually quite safe with little violence occurring. Theft and petty crimes will be more likely, so be sure to keep valuables at home, and also to avoid wearing too many flashy accessories.
  • Guatemala City, on the other hand, is a different kettle of fish. The capital is a lot more dangerous with violence more common, which is common with most of the Central American capitals.
  • Most usually head straight out of the capital once they fly in, however, if you plan on staying here, then make sure to do your research on the best areas and how to stay safe.

Guatemala Backpacking Itinerary

Guatemala is home to some of the most interesting locations in the world, so it can be difficult to choose a few. Here are 6 of the best places to visit in the country that will help you make wonderful memories!

Antigua

Antigua is another one of the most popular places to visit in Guatemala because it’s an old colonial town with tons of wonderful things to discover.

antigua backpacking itinerary

There’s a ton of Spanish architecture from when the city was the capital of the Spanish Empire, so the atmosphere is just lovely.

One way to experience the warmth of Antigua is through a walking tour – where you’ll learn more about its history and culture together with a guide.

There are plenty of sights and activities to enjoy; something as simple as taking a stroll through the city can be magical.

Tikal

The Mayan ruins of Tikal are one of the greatest archaeological sites in Central America, so you can’t miss it.

Templo II, a mayan ruin in Tikal, Guatemala
Templo II, a Mayan ruin in Tikal, Guatemala

It’s a great place to learn about the Mayan culture and there are over 3,000 structures to explore. You’ll visit pyramids, temples, and more, not to mention there’s a ton of interesting wildlife.

The Tikal National Park is definitely a must-visit. Also, expect to meet many monkeys, especially spider monkeys. We recommend heading with this tour where you’ll have all logistics sorted as well as a professional guide show you around the ruins.

Pacaya Volcano

The Pacaya Volcano is near Antigua and it has been active since 1975, which means you’ll have the chance to witness volcanic activity.

Pacaya Volcano
Pacaya Volcano

One interesting thing about this volcano is that lava explosions are constantly changing the way it looks.

We recommend you book a guided day tour where you’ll learn some of the history and have a chance to roast marshmallows over hot spots.

Grutas de Lanquín

The Grutas de Lanquín is a lovely place to visit. These deep limestone caves have an amazing underground river, different lagoons, and rock formations that are truly one of a kind.

A part of Cahabón River which passes through Grutas de Lanquín
A part of Cahabón River which passes through Grutas de Lanquín

A portion of the cave can be explored and it’s a memorable experience, so you should definitely make time for it.

If you go in the late afternoon, you’ll see thousands of bats exiting the caves during sunset.

You can head here with this private tour which also includes a visit to the picturesque site of Semuc Champey. Speaking of which…

Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey offers quite an adventure. To get there, you have to take a 30-minute ride through the jungle and you’ll be able to enjoy the turquoise blue waters of the Cahabon River and visit the natural limestone bridge.

There are many caves under the bridge and some of them can be accessed by swimming underwater, so you’ll have an excellent time visiting.

Lake Atitlán

Lake Atitlán is one of the most beautiful lakes on earth and it’s a popular destination. The lake’s beauty and its surrounding attractions is so ethereal that it is worth a day’s worth of full tour to keep you fully occupied.

Fishermen in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
It’s not only a treat to visit the lake, but you can also visit the small towns and villages that surround the lake so you can get in touch with the culture.

Panajachel is the entry point and you’ll have fun exploring it before you move on to villages such as San Pedro, San Lucas Toliman, and more.

Guatemala Itinerary (2 Weeks)

Now we’ll cover our Guatemala itinerary. As well as keeping an eye on the time, it’s also been designed to keep things fresh and exciting too for you.

Antigua (Days 1-4)

Arriving in Guatemala City, we’ll be heading straight out to Antigua, which is around an hour bus ride. Shuttles and buses leave directly from the airport in the capital too, which makes it pretty convenient.

santa catalina arch

Antigua is, in itself, a really stunning city. Full of colonial architecture and mazed cobblestone streets, simply walking around getting lost is a popular thing to do!

Other top things we recommend doing include hiking up to the Mirador of Cerro de la Cruz and also seeing the insta-worthy Santa Catalina Arch.

When it comes to day trips, there’s nothing better then hiking the fiery volcanoes that loom above the city. Pacaya is a popular one-day choice, which is best for those with less time or are feeling somewhat lazy.

Acatenango is a much higher volcano that has even more stunning views. You’ll need to go with an organized trek though given it’s more remote and difficult.

Lake Atitlan (Days 5-8)

From Antigua we now head to Lake Atitlan, which takes around 3 hours by bus. We’ll first arrive into the gateway city of Panajachel, and from here there’s many different lakeside towns you can choose depending on what you want.

backpacking lake atitlan

Lake Atitlan really is Guatemala’s most prestigious trophy, with this massive lake a bucket list item on any Central American itinerary.

And as such, exploring the lake by boat is a must-do, where you can sail past its many imposing volcanoes. We recommend heading in the early morning for an unforgettable experience.
Those in nearby Antigua can head with this awesome tour which includes a private boat ride around Lake Atitlan, as well as visiting the must-see market of Chichicastenango.

There’s many towns dotted around the shores of Lake Atitlan, however we recommend staying in either San Pedro La Laguna or San Marcos.

San Pedro is much more backpacker-friendly, and as such has many hostels and a more lively nightlife scene. San Marcos is much more bohemian and chilled out, perfect for those looking to relax, do yoga and breathe more of the nature in.

Flores (Days 9-12)

Next up we’re heading into the Guatemalan Jungle, and to the northern town of Flores. It’s quite a trek from Lake Atitlan, taking around 15 hours of travel time (back to the capital and then onwards to Flores). We recommend flying from Guatemala City just to save time if possible.

backpacking lake peten itza

Flores is an awesome town. Located in the middle of Lake Petén, this circular town really is tiny, and can be walked around in just 30 minutes!

The best things you’ll want to do here include heading to Jorge’s Rope Swing, and also to the nearby caves of Actun Kan.

The biggest attraction by far is the nearby ruins of Tikal. Arguably the most important of the Mayan era, Tikal is set within the deep jungle, and features many moss-covered temples and imposing structures.

It takes just 2 hours to arrive from Tikal, and we highly recommend taking a tour so you can learn about the interesting history of this site as well as the Mayan people.

Lanquin (Days 13-15)

Lastly, we head to the town of Lanquin, which is the gateway into the diverse region of the Lanquin National Park. The bus from Flores to here will take around 6 hours in total.

The absolute best thing to see here is Semuc Champey. Home to a series of cascading blue pools, they are some of the most extraordinary and photo-worthy of their kind in Central America. You can easily visit these with a tour from Lanquin, and also go swimming in some nearby pools too!

Lanquin is also one of the best sites to get a feel for the real Mayan culture, and not the touristy shows that are often put on in Antigua and Lake Atitlan. Here you’ll see rituals performed by those who are direct descendants of the Mayans.

And that concludes our two week stint through Guatemala. From here we can fly back to Guatemala City (or take the 8 hour bus if you want to save) for your international flight out. Alternatively, you can head east and start your backpacking Belize adventure next.

And there we have our 2 weeks Guatemala itinerary. Now let’s move on to our most important tips, so you can have the best experience possible here.

Guatemala: Travel + Safety Tips

As stated before, Guatemala is not the safest country to visit, but you can have a safe trip by taking a few precautions and being careful.

⬇️ Below are some EPIC tips to help you out on your travels:

  • We always suggest learning a bit of Latin American Spanish before you arrive in Guatemala as it can really help you out in different situations.
  • Don’t travel or walk alone at night, and avoid using public transport at night as well.
  • If you plan on traveling between cities, use first-class bus services. They are much safer than chicken buses.
  • Whilst we haven’t covered the city, Guatemala City is known as the best party region, with the Zona Viva sector the go-to for nightlife. In Antigua, head to La Sala and Kafka.
  • Guatemala is known for its traditional dishes, which can be literally only pennies if bought on the street from local vendors. Pepián is the classic which must be tried, which consists of meat such as chicken or pork, as well as potato, corn, carrot and other vegetables.
  • Look out for the top rated hostels in Guatemala for the most comfortable rooms and meeting like minded people etc.
  • Use only licensed taxis.
  • Avoid using ATMs outside, go for the ones inside banks or hotels.
  • Carry only the cash you need. Also, if you have more than one card, bring only the one you’ll be using.
  • Lake Atitlan, Tikal Ruins, Antigua, The Volcanoes. See this list of top rated tours in Guatemala.
  • Use the chicken buses (which are safe as long as you dress down and don’t bring valuables) and stay in hostels, and your daily budget can be as lows as $20!
  • Don’t resist if you get mugged. It’s best if you just give them what they ask for.

Following these tips and having a low profile will help you stay safe. Also, pay attention to your intuition and be mindful of your surroundings at all times.

Traveling Around Guatemala

It’s not recommended that you travel Guatemala by bus because bus and train stations are often hubs for criminal activity.

Not to mention chicken buses are not super safe, so accidents and robberies are common, which is why using taxis is safer.

Repurposed buses are common modes of transport in Guatemala
Repurposed buses are common modes of transport in Guatemala

However, if you want an authentic experience and you want to ride on a chicken bus, make sure you remain vigilant at all times throughout the journey.

Chicken buses can be good for short rides and they get everywhere, but if you plan on taking longer trips, it’s best to use first-class buses.

Guatemala itinerary Map

Some of our favourite hostels in Guatemala include:

Ojala (Antigua), Eco-Hostel Mayachik (San Pedro), Hostel San Marcos (San Marcos), Hotel Peten Express Tikal (Flores).

Best time to visit Guatemala

We’ve spoken a lot about the best time to visit Central America on this blog (George is absolutely obsessed with checking the weather when we travel).

Guatemala’s dry season is the most popular time to visit. Running from November until April, there’s a lot less rainfall as well as more stable and comfortable temperatures.

For example, Antigua during the dry season has average temperatures of between 78-81°F (although the nights often get a lot more cooler).

Rainfall is still somewhat high in November and December, with around 80mm falling for each, however this drops significantly at the start of the year to around 20-30mm throughout each month.

The wet season is also a good time to visit depending on your preferences, which run from May into October.

Temperatures will be hotter and if you don’t mind the infrequent showers, then this may be the best time for you with lush green landscapes and cheaper accommodation prices.

Just bear in mind that in the more rural parts of Guatemala, the roads are not so developed which means flooding and inaccessibility are common issues during these times of the year.

What to pack for Guatemala

Guatemala has a range of different micro-climates as we have explored earlier. As most tend to want to visit all the popular areas in one trip, we’ll cover what you will need with this in mind.

You’ll want to pack a range of clothes on your trip to Guatemala. This includes lots of light layers for the hotter areas like Flores and the jungle in the north, as well as on the Pacific Coast.

It’s important to also bring some layers and a waterproof jacket or poncho, as the central highlands and popular destinations such as Lake Atitlan and Antigua can get pretty chilly heading into the night.

As well as these, you’ll want to pack all the essentials which include toiletries, a good pair of hiking boots, toiletries, a document holder, towels, a water bottle as well as a daypack for any excursions you’ll be taking part in.

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Backpacking Guatemala: Final Words

Guatemala is truly an incredible destination with plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure, which is why so many tourists choose it for their vacation.

This guide will help you a lot, so be sure to refer back to it so you don’t miss anything important on your trip. Have fun and stay safe!

Also, you can read this in conjunction with our more popular backpacking Central America travel guide which shows you more place to see in Guatemala.

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.


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