Guatemala
February 17 - 21 (5D4N): A country with so much to offer! I booked the flight without doing much research ahead of time, thinking we’d be spending the entire time in the capital - Guatemala City (GC). We ended up picking 4 cities to visit in just 5 days! I’d recommend spending no more than one night in GC for the first-timers. Then budget for at least 2 days in Antigua Guatemala, and finish with another 2 days in Lake Atitlan.
*Highly Recommended
Day 1 (Guatemala City)
Late-night arrival in GUA via JFK (direct via JetBlue)
Uber to Westin Camino Real (Great gym/pool, but the rooms were a bit dated; alternatively, you can consider Hyatt Centric GC or Hilton Garden Inn GC)
Tacos @ El Changarrito 21*
Day 2 (Guatemala City/Monterrico)
Breakfast @ hotel
Swim/workout @ hotel
Pick-up rental @ Hertz (Inside the Westin)
Historic Zona 1:
Drive to Monterrico (6 hrs)
Lunch @ El Pinche
Check-in @ Cafe del Sol (Do not recommend, it wasn’t very clean)
Ceviche & beer @ Cafe del Sol
Grilled meat/street food
Day 3 (Monterrico/Antigua Guatemala)
Playa Monterrico
Breakfast @ Patch Coffee*
Swim @ Hotel Pool
Drive to Antigua Guatemala (~2.5 hrs)
Late lunch @ El Tenedor del Cerro* (Outdoor museum/garden; amazing view, good food)
Chocolate Antigua* (Free chocolate-making tour; 9 AM-6 PM)
Check-in @ Hotel Boutique Los Pasos*
Cocktails @ Ulew Cocktail Bar* (A speakeasy tucked inside a brewery, look for the phone booth)
Dance @ La Sala
Day 4 (Antigua/Lake Atitlan)
Breakfast @ hotel
9:30 AM-2 PM: Essential Free Tour to discover Antigua de Guatemala*:
Ruinas de Catedral (20GTQ)
Convento Santa Clara (20GTQ)
Casa Popenoe (pic only)
Museo Mesoamericano del Jade (A comprehensive free jade-making tour)
San Domingo Museum Complex
Chocolarti
Lunch @ La Cuevita De Los Urquizu*
Ingelsia de la Merced (20GTQ)
Hotel Convento Santa Catalina (To read about the history of the arch and the clock)
Starbucks Antigua (Check out the beautiful courtyard)
McDonald’s (This courtyard has Ronald McDonald sitting on a bench)
Drive to Panajachel (~2.5 hrs)
Check-in @ Posada de Los Volcanes* (We opted to stay at the Panajachel for the ease of transportation, but if you have more time, look to stay @ Eco Hotel Uzlabil Atitlan in San Juan)
Sunset @ Lago Atitlan*
Drinks @ Resturante Atitlan (Amazing sunset views; average drinks)
Walk along Calle Santander for some food adventure:
Tapas @ Pintxos Y Tintos*
Pupusa @ Rinconcito Salvadoreno*
Tacos & Panini @ The Little Spoon*
Day 5 (Lake Atitlan/Guatemala City)
Morning walk along the lake/Playa Publica Panajachel
Private boat trip to see San Juan and San Pedro (800GTQ for the entire day; arranged by the hotel):
San Juan La Laguna:
Mirador Cerro Kaqasiiwaan* (Short hike to the observation deck for a 360-degree view of the villages/lake; 30GTQ; cash only)
Coffee @ Cafe Las Marias* (Nice view; cash only)
Gelato by the dock
San Pedro La Laguna:
Drinks @ The Alegre Pub* Rooftop
Dinner @ Sababa Restaurant* (Beautiful views; cash only)
Drive to Guatemala City (~2.5 hrs)
Dinner @ Hacienda Real* (Amazing steak)
Return car @ Hertz (Airport location)
Red-eye back to JFK
Other points of interest & food:
Antigua:
Coffee @ Cafe Condesa
Lunch @ Finca Filadelfia (A coffee plantation that also offers coffee tasting)
Dinner @ Posada de Don Rodrigo or Angie Angie CafeArte
Tacos @ Fridas
Sunset drinks @ Cafe Sky
Lake Atitlan:
Sunrise hike @ Rostro Maya - Indian Nose
Reserva Natural de Atitlan (Zip lines, butterflies, hiking trails; GTQ280 or GTQ410)
Dinner @ Guajimbo’s
Street food @ Humo en tus ojos
Tips:
Don’t underestimate the driving time in Guatemala. Due to major traffic jams and construction work, it took us 5 hours to get to Monterrico from Guatemala City.
Most toll booths and restaurants would take major credit cards, but do prepare to have some small changes for the toll bridge to Monterrico and street food.
US debit cards only worked at the 5B ATM. However, fees are higher with 5B, so conserve your cash and withdraw the max limit.
Propina (service charge) of 10% is often included on the bill, be sure to double check
Given that the rental car cost was reasonable, I’d recommend renting a car for a more flexible schedule.
It is advised to only drink from bottled water. But I did not get sick after having few cocktails/drinks with ice at the restaurants.
