Stay : The must-sees of Guatemala
Overflowing with diversity, Guatemala would deserve that one takes the time to spend at least three weeks there. Nevertheless, the small size of the country - which represents one fifth of France's - allows to have a quick overview in ten days, through its great classics. This implies to organize oneself in advance and to adopt a sustained travel rhythm.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
10 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : The must-sees of Guatemala - 10 days
Day 1: Arrival and visit to Antigua
Steps: Antigua
Landing at Guatemala Ciudad airport, transfer to Antigua, a charming Unesco World Heritage city located 1 hour from the capital. Stroll through its colorful streets, stopping for a break in one of its pretty patios, then visit its most spectacular churches and ruins, such as the Convento de Santa Clara. Dinner and overnight stay.
CONVENTO DE SANTA CLARA
Day 2: Pana, Santa Catarina, San Antonio and Santa Cruz
Steps: Panajachel, Santa Catarina Palopó, San Antonio Palopó, Santa Cruz La Laguna
Shuttle to Panajachel, on the shores of Lake Atitlán. Breakfast in town, luggage drop-off at restaurant, then tuk-tuk to Santa Catarina Palopó. Explore the village and tuk-tuk to San Antonio Palopó. Lunch and tour of the weaving and ceramics workshops. Return to Panajachel, collect your luggage and take the lancha to Santa Cruz La Laguna. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: San Marcos la Laguna and San Pedro La Laguna
Steps: San Marcos La Laguna, San Pedro La Laguna
Breakfast facing the lake, then departure for San Marcos La Laguna. A quiet walk in the village to soak up its hippie and relaxed atmosphere. Lunch and tour of the nature reserve. View the sunset from the pier or from a table on the terrace of a nearby bar. Lancha to the town of San Pedro La Laguna, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: Nariz del Indio and route to Lanquín
Steps: San Pedro La Laguna, Lanquín
Depart with an agency at 4 a.m. to watch the sun rise over Lake Atitlán from the Nariz del Indio. Return in the morning, in time to catch a shuttle to Lanquín, in the Alta Verapaz region. After a long day on the road, relax in a charming hotel or youth hostel high above the city. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: K'anba caves and Semuc Champey waterfalls
Steps: Semuc Champey
Breakfast and departure in organized tour. First step: exploration of the caves of K'anba, in which you will evolve while being half immersed, by lighting you with the candle. Swing in the Cahabón river, lunch, then short hike to the beautiful natural pools of Semuc Champey. Swimming and return to Lanquín before sunset. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Journey to Flores and city tour
Steps: Flores
Early breakfast, then a long - and demanding - shuttle ride to Flores, capital of the vast Petén department. Arrive late afternoon and drop off your luggage. First glimpse of the city, set on a small island linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Dinner in one of its fine restaurants, on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá. Early night.
Day 7: Visit of Tikal and transfer to Rio Dulce
Steps: Flores, Tikal, Río Dulce
Departure at 4:30 am in organized tour for Tikal. After a guided tour of the place and the discovery of the ruins of the Mayan city, return to Flores around 10:30-11:00 am. Shuttle for the city of Rio Dulce. Arrival at 3 pm. Transfer by lancha to a hotel or a youth hostel on the banks of the river, then relaxation - well deserved - in a timeless environment. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Diving into the atmosphere of Livingston
Steps: Livingston
Quiet wake up, no fixed time. Breakfast and lancha to Livingston. Walk in the city, discover the atmosphere of the Caribbean and meet the Garifunas, a people who knew how to impregnate the coast with its so particular culture. Drink in front of the sunset, then taste a delicious tapado, the local specialty, at the table of a good restaurant. Night on the spot.
Day 9: Excursion to the Livingston area
Steps: Livingston
Visit of the surroundings of Livingston. There are two options: discover them on your own or use an agency. If the surrounding nature offers many possibilities, the most popular formula consists of a tour to the Siete Altares waterfalls followed by an afternoon at Playa Blanca, a beautiful stretch of fine sand. Return to the city at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 10: Quick visit of Guatemala City and end of the stay
Steps: Guatemala Ciudad, Puerto Barrios
Morninglancha to Puerto Barrios, then tuk-tuk or cab to the airport and transfer by plane to Guatemala City. Depending on the time of your flight back to France, walk through the streets of zone 1, which houses the historical center of the capital. Interesting alternative: visit the excellent Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología, next to the airport. See you soon!
MUSEO NACIONAL DE ARQUEOLOGÍA Y ETNOLOGÍA
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