Lake Atitlán and Antigua Six-Day Guatemala Itinerary
Planning a trip to Guatemala? This itinerary takes you from the magical shores of Lake Atitlán to the colonial charm of Antigua. This trip is a great mix of outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and stunning landscapes and architecture — read on for a day-by-day breakdown of a carefully crafted itinerary that makes the most of your time on an unforgettable six-night journey!
Itinerary Note: We pre-arranged our lodging and transfers and then booked activities through our lodge and agencies along the way. This itinerary is packed with experiences, though my teenage boys opted to skip a few here and there for a little R&R. Be sure to adjust based on your travel style — whether it means slowing down to soak it all in or packing in every adventure (like me!).
These are my honest opinions and recommendations — I do not receive any compensation or discounts during our travel. This story does include some affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please click the links to support my blog.
Six Night Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Guatemala & Transfer to Lake Atitlán
Arrive in Guatemala City early enough to transfer to Lake Atitlán before the last public boat (lancha) — unless you’re staying in or around Panajachel, the main hub. Check with your lodging for the exact schedule; when we visited, the last boat was at 7:30 PM. Our plan was to stop for lunch along the way and make a quick detour to the Iximché ruins, but we ran out of time. And, an accident turned the 3–4 hour transfer into nearly six. A good reminder that flexibility is key. While I had read that the lake water can get rough in the evening, we had no issues.
I compared prices for private transfers through agencies and our accommodations in Lake Atitlán and Antigua, ultimately saving over $150 round trip.
Upon arrival at your lodge, be prepared to pay in cash — quite common in Guatemala. I recommend withdrawing cash at a bank-owned ATM at the airport in case you’re short on time to catch the boat in Panajachel. Check out my article on international money transactions for tips on handling currency abroad. Finalize any excursions you still need to book. Our lodge, Maya Moon recommended Luis and he was wonderful. Tours Rostro Maya Luis WhatsApp. +50258881258
Day 2: Nariz Rostro Maya Hike & Exploring the Villages
Although you can do this hike during the day, the early wake-up (5 AM!) for the The Nariz Rostro Maya (Indian Nose) hike is worth it for the spectacular sunrise of Lake Atitlan. For safety, you’ll want to hire a local guide + they’ll arrange your transportation to and from the hike. Warm clothes and a flashlight are essential. We paid about $20 per person + tip.
You still have the whole day ahead of you to go out on your own to explore several villages by boat. The boat costs add up for a family, so you may also consider a private lancha. But, all-in-all it will be less than the cost of a tour:
- San Pedro – A “backpacker” town full of hostels and tour agencies. Enjoy the walk through town to the other dock.
- Santiago – Home to the shrine of Maximón; bring a tie as an offering (instead of booze or cigarettes) if traveling with kids. We paid a little more to take photos. Continue exploring the area in the tuk-tuk.
- San Juan – An “artsy” village known for its weaving co-ops and local artists. Visiting earlier in the day is best, as many shops closed by late afternoon.
- San Marcos – A “hippy” village with a lot of yoga vibes. Explore the upper town too.
Watch the timing so that you don’t miss the last boat back to your lodge!
Day 3: Hiking, Cliff Jumping & Moving to Panajachel
Start the day with sunrise yoga on a deck or dock as you watch a lancha on the horizon and volcanos erupting in the distance. Your lodge may also offer SUPs or kayaks, or rentals may be available nearby. You want to soak it all in and this is a very peaceful beginning to your day.
Then, embark on the Three Villages hike (Tzununa, Jaibalito, and Santa Cruz) around 10 AM — a great way to explore more of the lakeshore. For safety, hike this with a guide. Finish your hike with a lancha to San Marcos for a well-deserved ice cream and walk over to the Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve. There may be more to this reserve, but we were there to hike up the hill and jump off an 8-meter cliff into the lake!
We then moved on to Panajachel where we had an Airbnb for the next two nights.
Day 4: Sololá Market & Atitlán Nature Reserve
Here’s an off-the-beaten-path experience: take a chicken bus to the Sololá Market. The town’s church and main square are also worth a quick visit. Back in Panajachel, take a tuk-tuk to the Atitlán Nature Reserve for zip lines, hanging bridges, waterfalls, and a butterfly garden. We’ve done all of this in Costa Rica so I pondered the experience, but I’m so glad that we didn’t skip it. Zip lining with views of Lake Atitlan was amazing and overall it was a nice excursion.
In the afternoon, jump in the back of a pick-up truck taxi to explore Santa Catarina Palopó, a beautiful town known for its painted houses. We lucked out and there was a local festival going on. I wanted to go in the hot springs, but they looked very dirty.
Note: Textile and souvenir shops along Calle Santander in Panajachel were less expensive than in Antigua.
Day 5: Transfer to Antigua & Pacaya Volcano Hike
Leave time to explore! Before leaving Lake Atitlán, we took a morning walk along Lake Atitlan to the cemetery where we stumbled upon some local gatherings. At 11 AM, we met a private driver for the 3-hour transfer to Antigua. In chatting with our driver, he set up our Papaya Volcano tour and it was less expensive than prices I had seen online.
You can do the Pacaya Volcano hike anytime, but the sunset hike fit into our itinerary and it was incredible. It added more driving to our day, but that’s ok! Be sure to bring a flashlight—the descent can be tricky without one as everyone’s phone batteries were dying. There is also an overnight Acatenago hike but my family doesn’t like to camp and it seemed too cold for comfort in November.
Day 6: Exploring Colonial Antigua
It is so delightful to walk around Antigua’s cobblestone streets. We tried doing a self-guided walking tour of Antigua, but in retrospect I wish we had hired a guide to provide deeper insights. Highlights include:
- Parque Central – The heart of Antigua, bustling with shoeshine boys and lively street vendors.
- Capuchinas Ruins & Iglesia del Carmen – Beautiful historic sites worth visiting.
- San Francisco Church – A must-see for its history and religious significance.
- Dona Luisa Bakery – known for its delicious banana bread.
- Cerro de la Cruz – A fantastic overlook of the city.
I love biking, so we booked a mountain biking tour that ended up being a flop due to a translation issue. We weren’t mountain biking, but instead we biked up a mountain along a main street.
Wrap up the day with street food and a rooftop bar experience for a perfect end to your day. We really liked Antigua Brewing Company.
FITZ BITS TIP: Take photos of the arch in both directions.
Day 7: Departure
I had wanted to visit Caoba Farms for breakfast before heading to the airport, however we decided to take a slow morning and enjoyed more walking around town. It’s an easy transfer to the Guatemala City Airport, but do allow extra time because the traffic can be really bad.
Final Thoughts
Guatemala offers an incredible mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation. To make the most of your trip:
- Carry cash (ATMs can run out of money!).
- Hire local guides for hikes and cultural experiences.
- Stay flexible—unexpected surprises can be part of the adventure!
Visited in November 2019
