10-Day Guatemala Tour Packages
Ready for Guatemala's remarkable mix of Mayan culture and natural beauty? Go to Tikal's temples that rise up from the jungle, colonial Antigua with a volcano in the background, and Lake Atitlán, which is surrounded by villages. Don’t miss Chichicastenango's market for textiles, and Semuc Champey's turquoise pools, along with Pacaya volcano for lava viewing. Guatemala's got complex recent history, but the culture, landscapes, and ruins are captivating.
Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Guatemala tour itineraries
Compiled by
SteffGuatemala travel expert at TourRadar
10 Days in Guatemala, incl. Antigua and Tikal
Seven Guatemalan cities reveal their secrets from Guatemala City to Livingston. Notable activities include Pacaya Volcano hiking, Lake Atitlan boat touring with visits to San Juan and Santiago Atitlan, UNESCO Tikal ruins, and Rio Dulce's waterways.
- Day 1
Guatemala City to Antigua
Arrive at La Aurora International Airport and take a 1-hour private transfer to Antigua. Use your afternoon to explore Parque Central and get familiar with the colonial city. Try to book a morning flight since Guatemala City traffic becomes difficult after 3 PM.
- Day 2
Antigua and Pacaya Volcano
Take an early morning 2-hour hike up Pacaya Volcano. You'll need sturdy shoes with good grip for the volcanic gravel. After exploring the steam vents and lava fields, catch an afternoon shuttle to Panajachel on Lake Atitlan (3 hours). Pick accommodation near Calle Santander for convenient access to food and the lake.
- Days 3-4
Lake Atitlan
Visit three unique lakeside villages by boat. Start with traditional textile workshops in San Juan La Laguna, move on to San Pedro with its backpacker vibe, and end in Santiago Atitlan to visit Maximon, the fascinating Mayan folk saint. Book morning boat tours when the lake is most calm.
- Days 5-6
Lanquin and Semuc Champey
Take the 9-hour shuttle to Lanquin. Bring motion sickness pills for the winding roads. Spend the next day at the beautiful turquoise pools of Semuc Champey. Pack water shoes and a dry bag to protect your electronics. The viewpoint involves a steep climb but offers amazing photo opportunities.
- Day 7
Flores and Tikal
Take an 8-hour morning transfer to Flores. Spend your evening walking around this pretty island town in Lake Petén Itzá. The waterfront restaurants serve great local food after 6 PM when temperatures cool down.
- Day 8
Tikal Archaeological Site
Pick between a 4:30 AM sunrise tour or 8 AM regular tour of Tikal. Going early helps you avoid crowds and heat. Pack plenty of water since the site is large with minimal shade. Keep an eye out for toucans and howler monkeys in the trees.
- Day 9
Rio Dulce and Livingston
Take a 4-hour bus to Rio Dulce, followed by a boat ride to Livingston, a Garifuna town. Sit on the right side of the boat for the best views of the river canyon. This route shows off Guatemala's variety, from dense jungle to Caribbean culture.
- Day 10
Return to Guatemala City
Take the five-hour bus back to Guatemala City. Book an evening flight as the road from Rio Dulce can be unpredictable during rainy season.
10 Day Belize & Guatemala Itinerary, incl. Caye Caulker and Antigua
Ten remarkable destinations showcase Guatemala's diversity, from Tikal's UNESCO ruins to Semuc Champey's natural pools. The itinerary features Mayan homestays, Pacaya Volcano treks, and colonial Antigua's charms.
- Day 1
Belize City to Caye Caulker
Take a water taxi from Belize City Airport to Caye Caulker. The ride takes about 45 minutes. "The sites were exotic and the people were friendly and helpful." Important: Book a flight that lands early enough to catch the last ferry at 5:30 PM or you'll need to stay in Belize City overnight.
- Day 2
Caye Caulker
Spend the day exploring this peaceful car-free island. Most snorkeling tours to Hol Chan Marine Reserve start around 10 AM. Book through Vista del Mar or your guesthouse for $70-90 USD. Remember to pack reef-safe sunscreen it's required here.
- Day 3
Caye Caulker to Flores
Take the 7 AM boat back to Belize City followed by a 6-hour van ride to Flores Guatemala. You'll need $20 USD in cash for border fees. The roads get rough after crossing into Guatemala so consider taking motion sickness medication.
- Day 4
Tikal Ruins
Start at 4:30 AM to experience Tikal before the crowds and heat arrive. You'll need good walking shoes for the temple stairs. Bring your own breakfast since food isn't available until later in the day.
- Day 5
Flores to Lanquin
An 8-hour drive takes you to Lanquin village. The final hour winds through mountain roads so try to get a front seat if you get carsick. You'll reach your accommodation like El Oasis in time for dinner.
- Day 6
Semuc Champey
Take a truck to the beautiful turquoise pools of Semuc Champey. Start the lookout hike early to avoid the hot sun. Optional cave tours involve swimming with candles through dark spaces. Wear water shoes and quick-drying clothes.
- Day 7
Lanquin to Panajachel
The 9-hour journey to Lake Atitlan improves after Guatemala City. Watch for stunning views as you descend toward the lake in the evening.
- Day 8
Lake Atitlan
Visit San Juan La Laguna and Santiago Atitlan by boat. You can stay with a local Mayan family. The rooms are basic but the cultural experience is incredible. Leave your main bags at your Panajachel hotel.
- Day 9
Panajachel to Antigua
Spend your morning in Panajachel before taking an afternoon shuttle to Antigua. Buy textiles at the Panajachel market they're cheaper than in Antigua.
- Day 10
Antigua & Pacaya Volcano
Finish your trip with a Pacaya Volcano hike. It takes 2 hours each way. Bring warm layers for the windy summit. The entrance fee is $7 USD extra. Local kids rent walking sticks for 5Q if you want extra stability on the volcanic terrain.
10 Day Central America Itinerary, incl. Guatemala City and Antigua
Guatemala unfolds across 15 destinations, from Tikal's pyramids to Antigua's colonial streets. The route leads through Chichicastenango market, across Lake Atitlán, and into San Juan La Laguna's artisan workshops. Daily breakfast, English-speaking guides, and comfortable transport included.
- Day 1
Guatemala City
Arrive in Guatemala City to start your 10-day journey. The tour only runs on Mondays and Fridays. Airport transfers to your hotel take 30-45 minutes. Book afternoon flights to avoid the city's heavy traffic during rush hour.
- Day 2
El Salvador Exploration
Leave early for a 270km trip to El Salvador. Visit Joya de Cerén, a UNESCO site known as the "Pompeii of the Americas." The archaeological site has little shade, so bring water and sunscreen. Stay overnight in San Salvador. Border crossings usually take 1-2 hours. Bring small USD bills for entry fees.
- Day 3
Santa Ana to Copán
Tour Santa Ana in the morning before heading to Honduras. The trip to Copán takes about 3 hours with border stops. Visit the Copán ruins in the afternoon. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven. The site's ancient stelae and glyphs look best in late afternoon light.
- Day 4
Quiriguá to Río Dulce
See Quiriguá Archaeological Park, featuring the Mayan world's tallest stelae at 10.6 meters. The grounds get muddy during wet season from May to October, so wear appropriate shoes. Travel to tropical Río Dulce for the night.
- Day 5
Livingston and Flores
Take a boat to Livingston, a Garifuna town. Get there early to try the local coconut bread before it sells out. The river canyon boat ride offers great bird watching opportunities if you bring binoculars. End your day in Flores, your starting point for Tikal.
- Days 6-7
Tikal and Lake Region
Start early at Tikal. Pack breakfast since restaurants aren't open when the site opens. Watch sunrise from Temple IV if you're ready for a steep climb. Later, fly to Guatemala City and continue to Lake Atitlán. Pack warm clothes for cool nights.
- Day 8
Chichicastenango Market
Visit the market in Chichicastenango, open only Thursdays and Sundays. Get there before 9 AM to beat the crowds. The market specializes in textiles and crafts. Be ready to bargain. Continue to Panajachel on Lake Atitlán for views of the volcanoes.
- Day 9
San Juan La Laguna and Antigua
Take an 8 AM boat to San Juan La Laguna. Visit local groups to see chocolate making and natural textile dyeing. The afternoon drive to Antigua takes about 2.5 hours on mountain roads. Bring motion sickness medicine if needed.
- Day 10
Antigua and Departure
Explore Antigua's colonial streets in the morning. The city sits at 5,000 feet, so take your time to adjust to the altitude. Book a late afternoon flight from Guatemala City. Allow 3 hours for transfer and airport procedures.
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Best of Guatemala 8 Days Tour (PRIVATE)
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What people love about 10-day Guatemala tours
Overall, the tour was well organized. We asked for a shortened, custom itinerary, and we got one! Being on a private tour was a true bonus. The parts done by Guidequidor were very good. Their guide Abraham was on time, organized, and knowledgeable. The parts with the second operator (can’t remember their name) was on time, but pretty disorganized. They did not know our itinerary at all. I had to show them where we would go and when. The highlights were definitely just that. Very happy to have seen all that we did in such a short time. The accommodations were all very nice. Two different places in Antigua were both amazing. My biggest complaint was that a flight was involved. Due to a change in that flight’s time we left Antigua, around the halfway point of our trip, earlier than expected to overnight in Guatemala City. The Antigua hotel that we stayed in, San Rafael (beautiful), charged us for two nights. We should have been offered the opportunity to check-out and save ourselves the price of that accommodation. When the client is sent their itinerary, it doesn’t contain enough facts, and therefore it was impossible to know that we were booked for two nights… until we arrived at the hotel. I don’t think I needed to pay for the extra night to simply check-out 4 hours later. Knowing what I know now about Guatemala, I would say that this tour was on the pricey side. However, I did get a private tour, with excellent accommodations along the way, and saw some very cool places.
Best of Guatemala 8 Days Tour (PRIVATE)
- Tailor-Made 8 Days Best Guatemala Tour with 4-star Hotels, Daily Depart (Private Guide)
Transfers were very smooth, very enjoyable trip.
- Guatemala Mayan Explorer
We really enjoyed this trip and we really loved Guatemala! Thank you Olivia for everything!
