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Introducing Guatemala

When is the best time to visit? 
The weather in Guatemala is generally split between two seasons — dry and rainy. The dry season generally runs from mid-October to late April, with the other half of the year being the rainy season. That being said, tourism is still alive and thriving during the rainy season as we're not dealing with monsoon-type rains, think more afternoon/evening showers. Depending on your goals while visiting Guatemala, each season has its benefits. Overnight camping and long hikes favor the dry season, while birding, morning adventures, and smaller crowds are best during the rainy season. Learn more

Where to go in Guatemala? 
A few of the top sights that most people think of when visiting Guatemala are Antigua, Lake Atitlan, one of the many volcanoes, and the Tikal ruins. When you search Guatemala they will be the top sights, although if you are open to getting a little more off the beaten path, Guatemala has so many wonders to experience including the beautiful hiking trails in the Western Highlands, the rivers and caves in Alta Verapaz, black sand Pacific beaches, mountain biking trails in every corner, and many more. Let us know what types of adventure you're seeking and we'll help recommend the right areas.

How many days do I need?
Although Guatemala is a fairly small country in size, the variety in Mayan culture and drastic landscapes make it huge! At least a week is recommended to get a feel for the different experiences this country has to offer.

Getting Around Guatemala
There are two main airports in Guatemala, La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, and Mundo Maya International Airport in Flores—close to the Tikal ruins. Once in the country, it's best to get around by private transfer or shared tourist shuttle (minibus or coach). Learn more

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days · 16 days

Guatemala Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Volcano views from the streets of Antigua
Map of Best of Guatemala: Antigua, Lake Atitlán & Tikal - 8 Days
Best of Guatemala: Antigua, Lake Atitlán & Tikal - 8 Days

This eight-day trip packs in some of Guatemala's greatest hits, from touring Maya ruins to climbing an active volcano. Hike, bike, and kayak around the country as you explore the picturesque colonial city of Antigua, scale the lava fields of Pacaya, experience the magic of Lake Atitlán, and venture deep into the rainforest to discover the ancient pyramids of Tikal.

Antigua's Santa Catalina Arch
Map of Highlights of Guatemala - 10 Days
Highlights of Guatemala - 10 Days

Experience the rich culture and natural beauty of Guatemala on this 10-day, action-packed itinerary. Stroll the cobbled streets of historic Antigua, tour Lake Atitlán by boat, and hike around Indigenous villages and towering volcanoes. Finally, experience living history as you explore ancient Maya ruins at Iximché and Tikal.

View of Agua volcano from Antigua, Guatemala
Map of Mayan Adventure in Guatemala - 6 Days
Mayan Adventure in Guatemala - 6 Days

This trip to the heart of Central America offers fascinating historical culture, thrilling adventure, and jaw-dropping vistas. You'll fall in love with the charming colonial city of Antigua, learn about ancient Mayan civilization, and hike and bike some of Guatemala's stunning mountain volcanoes.

Sunset over Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Map of Luxury & Maya Culture in Guatemala -  8 Days
Luxury & Maya Culture in Guatemala - 8 Days

Immerse yourself in ancient Maya culture while traveling in style on this eight-day sojourn to Guatemala. Pamper yourself in luxury hotels and see famous sights from above as you travel by helicopter to some of Guatemala's best attractions. Among other highlights, you'll bask in the serene beauty of Lake Atitlán, discover the charming colonial city of Antigua, and participate in a Maya ceremonial ritual.

View of the volcano from Antigua, Guatemala
Map of Best of Guatemala & Copán - 13 Days
Best of Guatemala & Copán - 13 Days

Delve into the endless natural beauty and rich cultures of Guatemala and Honduras on this two-week getaway. Discover Maya ruins, towering volcanoes, and historic cities on outdoor adventures and cultural tours. You'll stroll the cobbled streets of colonial Antigua, kayak on stunning Lake Atitlán, browse the artisan markets in Indigenous towns, and hike up the ancient pyramids at Tikal and Copán.

Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua
Map of Highlights of Guatemala - 5 Days
Highlights of Guatemala - 5 Days

This five-day Guatemala adventure begins with a walking tour and traditional cooking class in the colonial city of Antigua. Then conquer the summit of Pacaya Volcano as you hike along its dried lava fields and dense forests. End the trip on the tranquil shores of Lake Atitlán with visits to humble indigenous villages before venturing into the highlands to discover the ruins of an ancient Maya kingdom at Iximché.

Make the Most of Your Time in Guatemala

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Antigua
How Many Days to Spend in Guatemala

Guatemala's relatively small size allows you to comfortably visit its iconic volcanoes, colonial cities, and Maya ruins in around seven days. But even in as few as five days,...

Guatemala Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest Guatemala Content

See the best of Guatemala and Belize in just over two weeks on this comprehensive tour
Map of Best of Guatemala & Belize - 15 Days
Best of Guatemala & Belize - 15 Days

This 15-day adventure will take you to the most impressive, historic, and awe-inspiring sites in Guatemala and Belize. Start by exploring the historic centers of Guatemala City and Antigua before heading north to hike up the famous Maya pyramids at Tikal. Then hop the border for cultural tours in Belize and continue to Ambergris Caye, where you'll have time to relax, snorkel, and dive to your heart's content.

Take the family on a bike ride in Guatemala's Almolonga Valley
Map of 2 Weeks in Guatemala - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Guatemala - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

With two weeks in Guatemala, you can take the family to visit at least three destinations. First-timers can hit the highlights through cultural, outdoor, and culinary experiences in Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and Flores. El Paredon offers animal encounters, including horseback riding and a visit to a turtle conservation. Active, outdoorsy families can go camping in Acatenango, and those keen on a multicountry trip can experience the markets, hiking, and ruins in Guatemala and then go snorkeling and sunbathing in Belize.

Capture memories with a family portrait in the Guatemalan jungle
Map of Adventurous Family Trip to Guatemala & Belize - 14 Days
Adventurous Family Trip to Guatemala & Belize - 14 Days

Perfect for active families and older children, this two-week Guatemalan adventure begins on Lake Atitlán's glittering shores. Zipline through forest canopies before taking a rugged 4WD tour of the immense Acatenango volcano and joining a tasty chocolate workshop in Antigua. Explore the ancient ruins of Tikal National Park in the company of howler monkeys, hop over the border to snorkel Belize's stunning Barrier Reef, and end your epic trip relaxing with the kids on the pristine, palm-lined sands of Placencia.

Guatemala Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Guatemala map: 7 Days in Guatemala - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
7 Days in Guatemala - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Guatemala map: 2 Weeks in Guatemala - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Guatemala - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Guatemala map: 10 Days in Guatemala - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Guatemala - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Guatemala
Travel specialist Eduardo Celada
active 12 hours ago

Eduardo Celada

My passion for showing the beauty of Guatemala began when I was traveling in Guatemala as a tourist in my own country. After working in several hotels and other tourism related businesses, I...

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Travel specialist Chris Gwinner
active 1 day ago

Chris Gwinner

I am passionate about adventure travel and feel very lucky to be able to share that passion with others through Old Town Outfitters. I'm originally from Savannah, Georgia but have been living...

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Travel specialist Catherina Tittaferrante
active 12 hours ago

Catherina Tittaferrante

I create personalized tours based on our travelers' passions to show them the real Guatemala. I take care of logistics, organizing and confirming every single detail needed to make your experience...

read more...
Travel specialist Esteban Tittaferrante

Esteban Tittaferrante

I am passionate about travel and I like that every traveler gets the best possible experience that they will never forget in their lives, so I try my best every time, because I do it with love with...

read more...

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Why travelers love kimkim

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Trip Reviews for Guatemala

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Guatemala: Semana Santa and So Much More
Guatemala | Apr 3 - Apr 10, 2023

Theresa
Theresa G.
Marietta, GA | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2023

My husband and I booked our trip to Guatemala for Holy Week. We specifically chose this week to view the processions and street carpets that are present during Holy Week. Our itinerary began with a trip to Tikal National Park. We visited the Mayan Temples and learned a great deal about the ancient Mayan civilization. We climbed a few of the temples , walked the complex , and connected with many facets of nature. Our guide, Oliverio was knowledgeable and very personable. He explained... read more

My husband and I booked our trip to Guatemala for Holy Week. We specifically chose this week to view the processions and street carpets that are present during Holy Week. Our itinerary began with a trip to Tikal National Park. We visited the Mayan Temples and learned a great deal about the ancient Mayan civilization. We climbed a few of the temples , walked the complex , and connected with many facets of nature. Our guide, Oliverio was knowledgeable and very personable. He explained ancient customs, sacred rites, and ceremonies. From there we traveled to Lake Atitlan to get a better view of the volcanoes. We participated in the village tours, shopped at the local markets, and witnessed the religious preparations being made for Easter Sunday. The remainder of our trip was spent in Antigua. We watched many of the processions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Holy Week. We walked through many of the streets and watched as many of the local Guatemalans prepared the colorful street carpets. One of the highlights of our stay in Antigua was the Antigua Walking Tour. Our guide, Maribel was delightful. She was informative, humorous, and very pleasant. We explored the historic landmarks and churches. Maribel explained many of the Mayan customs and traditions. We also visited a jade factory where we learned about the mining and colors of jade. Later that evening, we participated in a Guatemalan Cooking Class. There were 12 adults in the group and each of us were assigned a different task in preparing the meal. This group effort allowed us to engage in conversation and fellowship throughout the cooking process. At the end of the class, we sat down on the roof top to enjoy the meal. The sunset and the volcanoes provided the perfect backdrop for this meal. On our last full day in Antigua, we made the most of the day by participating in a bike tour around Almolonga Valley. We rode through suburban villages and stopped to visit churches, colonial ruins, a chocolate factory and a wine factory. Willy was our guide and he was most patient when we needed to take a break. There are a few hills on this scenic ride and at the midway point of this ride, we needed to walk our bike and take a few minutes to recoup. Willy provided clear safety protocols for the operation of the bike and remaining safe on the road. Willy answered all of our questions and shared many interesting details. It was fun to spend three hours with Willy on this tour. The Casa Antigua Hotel was centrally located and the courtyard was quaint. The staff was friendly and helpful. However, the rooms were very outdated. The décor was old and the rooms needed painting. There were no screens on the windows, and the towels were dingy and frayed. If I had seen the inside of the rooms prior to the trip, I would have opted for another hotel. We enjoyed our stay at Jungle Lodge Tikal and San Buenaventura Hotel. My husband and I enjoyed this trip and am glad that we decided to visit Guatemala. Eduardo did a great job with the logistics and we were moved from point to point without any difficulty. The final itinerary met our expectations and the activities did not disappoint. Eduardo provided great suggestions for activities and we were able to travel around different parts of Guatemala in our week long stay.

Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Apr 21, 2023

Thank you very much for your comment! We are glad that you enjoyed our Journey in Guatemala" program, it is one of the favorites of our clients!
we invite you to text me on your next visit to Guatemala to show you other beautiful places in our land of beautiful people.

Thank you for had taken this tour and providing value to our service!

Sincerely,
Eduardo

Wow, what an incredible trip!!
Guatemala | Mar 30 - Apr 6, 2023

Kelly
Kelly C.
South Jordan, UT | Reviewed on Apr 14, 2023

Wow, what an incredible trip!! Eduardo was so wonderful to work with, very knowledgable and easy to communicate with. We absolutely loved our itinerary, he picked really fun places to visit and things to do. Everything went smoothly, from our transportation to accommodations to tours. I never felt nervous or anxious, and that's saying a lot coming from me. I loved our personal driver, personal tour guide, and even a private boat for the lake tour. Incredible!
We LOVED our tour guide,... read more

Wow, what an incredible trip!! Eduardo was so wonderful to work with, very knowledgable and easy to communicate with. We absolutely loved our itinerary, he picked really fun places to visit and things to do. Everything went smoothly, from our transportation to accommodations to tours. I never felt nervous or anxious, and that's saying a lot coming from me. I loved our personal driver, personal tour guide, and even a private boat for the lake tour. Incredible!
We LOVED our tour guide, Esmerelda, who was above and beyond our expectations. She was professional, knowledgeable, kind and polite, and so much fun! We felt like she was our new best friend. Esme knew all the best places to eat and visit. I was never confused as to what we were doing or where we were going too. She was always ready to help us out of boats, take photos, show us how to pay, or point out cool landmarks. I was impressed with her ability to switch between Spanish and English easily. At the end of trip, we were so sorry to have to say goodbye.
I was also especially impressed by our driver, Antonio, who also became a good friend. He was friendly, a safe and reliable driver, and very concerned for our wellbeing. He kept us laughing with his jokes and stories. We felt spoiled that we had our own personal driver for the whole trip, and someone who was so respectful and helped us with our big, heavy bags, too. Esmerelda and Antonio are truly special people. We're so lucky to have had them for our trip.
I've never had such a well-planned, easy international trip. I felt relaxed and at ease the entire time, loved all the places we visited, was obsessed with our hotel in Lake Atitlan, and fell in love with Guatemalan and all the people we met. I can't wait to visit again!

Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Replied on Apr 17, 2023

thank you for all your words. Hope you can spread th word about your experience in Guatemala!!

Incredible trip to Guatemala during Holy Week!
Guatemala | Apr 1 - Apr 8, 2023

Rebecca
Rebecca H.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on Apr 12, 2023

I can't say enough good things about this trip and experience! Catherina did a wonderful job planning a week in Guatemala with an itinerary that was customized for our needs. We were traveling with our 5-year-old daughter, so we needed to plan a lot of interactive activities that would keep a kindergartener engaged. Catherina went above and beyond. Every day we had something exciting on the agenda - hiking an active volcano, ziplining through the jungle, making chocolate by hand, visiting a... read more

I can't say enough good things about this trip and experience! Catherina did a wonderful job planning a week in Guatemala with an itinerary that was customized for our needs. We were traveling with our 5-year-old daughter, so we needed to plan a lot of interactive activities that would keep a kindergartener engaged. Catherina went above and beyond. Every day we had something exciting on the agenda - hiking an active volcano, ziplining through the jungle, making chocolate by hand, visiting a goat farm and eating cheese with the owner of the farm... The highlight was getting to participate in creating an alfombra (Holy Week sawdust "carpet" for religious processions) with Catherina, her family, and members of the community, which was an opportunity that Catherina created especially for us. That was so special and something we will always remember! We also need to talk about how incredible our guide Esteban (Catherina's brother) was. Esteban was with us all week and made sure our entire stay in Guatemala was fun, easy, and smooth. Esteban is simply the nicest guy and we had a ton of fun with him. He was so great with our daughter and was a blast to talk to, answering all my questions about Guatemala and helping us work on our Spanish. I would 100% recommend Kimkim, Catherina, and Esteban to anyone considering a trip to Guatemala!!!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo
Antigua

One of the most unique and gorgeous hotels I've ever stayed in. The architecture of the hotel, built into the ruins of a 500 year old monastery, is jaw-dropping. Wonderful service, great breakfasts, and a fabulous pool. Can't recommend highly enough.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Atitlán
Panajachel

Stunning location on the shores of Lake Atitlan surrounded by beautiful gardens. Nice pool with an infinity jacuzzi overlooking the lake. The rooms are a little small and dark and feel kind of dated, but otherwise this is a fantastic place to stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Westin Camino Real, Guatemala
Guatemala City

It's fine. It's a big chain hotel so you aren't getting any local character or boutique services. The rooms are exactly what you'd expect. The pool is nice but tends to be very crowded and chaotic. The restaurants are good but overpriced.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Replied on Apr 17, 2023

My lovely Rebecca, we are very happy so blessed with having the opportunity to meet you and create all these surprises as our biggest passion is to print memorable experiences. We are honored knowing that we commited our goal along your stay, we first designed with our hearts to later see your family enjoying and that was simply the best gift ever.

We appreciate so much your accommodation reviews and will definitely keep it in mind as a reference.

Thank you for trusting and choosing us,... read more

My lovely Rebecca, we are very happy so blessed with having the opportunity to meet you and create all these surprises as our biggest passion is to print memorable experiences. We are honored knowing that we commited our goal along your stay, we first designed with our hearts to later see your family enjoying and that was simply the best gift ever.

We appreciate so much your accommodation reviews and will definitely keep it in mind as a reference.

Thank you for trusting and choosing us, you will always have a family in Guatemala and we are more than happy to extend our family experiences throughout Central & South America.

All our love and best wishes to you KEEP ENJOYING, GROWING, LOVING!