Travel Itinerary

Hello and welcome to Guatemala!

Guatemala, though not a very large country, is a country rich in culture and history. Throughout our trip, we will be visiting eight different sites, located in three different cities in Guatemala, which will range from historical art museums, to the beautiful Lake Atitlan, to what used to be the main governmental building in Guatemala. Are you ready? Then let’s go!

Before we hit our first site, I would like to introduce you to your hotel for the first night! In northeastern Guatemala, near our first city of Tikal, there are many popular hotels but one of the best would have to be Hotel Camino Real Tikal in San Jose Petan, Petan. At a rate of $99 a night, it is fairly cheap for a three star hotel at a beautiful location and is sure to be enjoyed even if you are only staying in it for one night. So go check in and then we will proceed to our first stop!

For our first stop, we will be visiting the city of Tikal. Tikal is located in northeastern Guatemala and is home to one of the largest archaeological sites known to man…

DAY 1 Tikal National Park

The Mayans are an ancient civilization that existed in Central America and parts of Mexico between 1500 BC and 1467 AD. Tikal was one of the centers of Mayan civilization, and because of this many temples and monuments were built there. Tikal National Park captures these temples and monuments, now Mayan ruins, in a way that very accurately displays Mayan architecture. The many gigantic temples housed in this national park will amaze and stupefy you and will definitely make your visit to Tikal National Park memorable.

Now that we have seen Tikal, we're going to move on to our second hotel located in central Guatemala near the city of Antigua. At a rate of $140 a night, Porta Hotel Antigua is a colonial style four star hotel with a fabulous restaurant and a newly opened spa. Porta Hotel Antigua will be sure to satisfy you for the four days that we will be here in Antigua. Once you check in, we will be visiting our next site.

For our second stop, we will be traveling to the city of Antigua, which is located in southwestern Guatemala. Antigua is a very large city rich in museums, history, and activities that will make anyone’s vacation to Guatemala worthwhile.

DAY 2 Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan is one of the largest and most breathtakingly beautiful lakes in all of Central America. The lake gets its name from the Mayan word “Atitlan”, meaning “the place where the rainbow gets its color.” The surface of Lake Atitlan is approximately 217 square miles (130 square kilometers) and about 1,115 feet deep at its deepest point. On the borders of Lake Atitlan are several dormant volcanoes, magnificent views, and many public beaches that are easily accessed from the city of Antigua.

Click here for a view of Lake Atitlan from Google Earth

DAY 3 Palacio de los Capitanes Generales

The Captain General’s Palace was built in 1558 and resembles the architecture from the Renaissance period. This palace was the main governmental building for Guatemala for several centuries until most of the building was destroyed in an earthquake that occurred in the year of 1717. Today, the building is mostly restored and is often visited by tourists in Guatemala in the same way that tourists in America visit the White House. However, there are only a few historic rooms and areas that you can visit because the rest of the building is currently being used by the local police of Antigua.

Click here for a view of the Captain General's Palace

DAY 4 The Sierra de las Minas Biosphere

Located near Antigua, the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere is one of several biospheres in the country of Guatemala. This biosphere showcases over 2,000 species of plant life and close to 885 different species of animals including the country’s endangered national bird, the quetzal and the extremely rare harpy eagle that is only found in parts of Central America and northern South America. While visiting this biosphere, one must be accompanied by an experienced tour guide that is provided by the reserve.

Click here for a view of the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere

DAY 5 Volcano Pacaya

Volcano Pacaya is a frequently visited active volcano located just outside Guatemala City. The volcano stands at an altitude of about 2,443 feet, or about half a mile. The most popular aspect of Volcano Pacaya is the fact that you can hike it and be given the opportunity to look down its cone into the very heart of the famous volcano. Though the trails are safe and fairly easy to climb alone, it would be best to climb it while accompanied by an experienced tour guide, many of whom can be found in Antigua itself. At the peak, there are several craters made from previous eruptions which you can stand and walk around in, as well as a view down the cone and the entire city. Since the volcano is still active, there may be certain times when the volcano is not able to be climbed because of a recent eruption, but generally the volcano is safe and open to climb. Volcano Pacaya, because of its popularity, was recently made into a National Park and for good reason. The climb usually takes 2-3 hours, but the views from on top are magnificent and well worth it.

Click here for a view of Volcano Pacaya

In central Guatemala there are many popular hotels but one of the finest is Hotel la Reunion which just happens to be near our next city, Guatemala City. At a rate of $320 a night, it is rather on the expensive side but includes two outdoor swimming pools, one spa, and two restaurants, one indoor and one outdoor. Also, this fabulous hotel is located near two active volcanos which provide quite a view. Now, go check in and then we will hit our next stop.

Now that we have visited the lovely city of Antigua and the several fascinating locations found near Antigua, let’s move on to the nation’s capital, Guatemala City.

DAY 6 Popol Vuh Museum of Mayan Art and Costumes

One of the most interesting things about Guatemala is the fact that the ancient civilization known as the Mayans centralized their culture in this marvelous country. Because of the Mayan’s past presence, many artifacts regarding the Mayan’s culture have been uncovered in many different locations throughout Guatemala. The Popol Vuh Museum displays over 100 paintings, masks, and full-body costumes from the Mayan age. Though there are multiple museums that revolve around the same aspect of Mayan culture, the Popol Vuh Museum is regarded as one of the best.

Click here for a view of the Popol Vuh Museum from Google Earth

DAY 7 Chichicastenango Market

An hour outside Guatemala City is one of the most colorful markets in Central America, perhaps even all the Americas. Teeming with life, spirit, and culture, this market draws not only Guatemalans of the surrounding region, but also attracts merchants from all over Guatemala, Guatemala City and beyond. On market day, the small town overflows with salesmen, each and every one attempting to shout over the man next to him and that man is shouting over the next man until all of this raucous comes together in an uproar that is heard around the world and that is known to be the sound of Guatemala and its people. Whether you have money to spend or not, a visit to the Chichicastenango Market will engulf you in Guatemala itself, an experience not likely to be forgotten.

Click here for a view of the Chichicastenango Market from Google Earth

DAY 8 La Candelaria

For our last day, we will travel to La Candelaria, a cave system that is found beneath Guatemala City, but is only seen when the waters of Sebol River, which runs through it, are low. When the waters are low, you are allowed to descend into La Candelaria aboard a white river raft, and travel downstream to the next station down the river. Though not a place historically significant to Guatemala, La Candelaria is sure to be fun for the whole family.

Click here for a view of La Candelaria from Google Earth

Well it seems that our last day and last site have come to a close. Throughout this week we have been to three cities and eight sites ranging from a museum on Mayan art to a guided tour through a biosphere. I truly hope you enjoyed learning about Guatemala, its people, and its culture, and were satisfied enough to always remember the magnificent and unique nation of Guatemala. Thank you, and please come again!