TravPa

Guatemala

Colonial Antigua beneath its volcanoes, Lake Atitlán's Maya villages by boat, and the jungle pyramids of Tikal in Petén, reached by a one-hour flight from Guatemala City.

Best timeNov to MarMoneyGuatemalan quetzal (GTQ)Plugs[plug types and voltage]Main airportGuatemala City (GUA)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
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Overview

Most first trips start in Antigua Guatemala, 45 to 60 min from La Aurora airport by shuttle, then cross the highlands to Lake Atitlán, about 2.5 to 3 hours from Antigua. Tikal in Petén is a separate leg: fly from Guatemala City to Flores in about 1 hour, then drive about 1 hour to the park. By road, Flores is 8 to 10 hours from the capital.

The dry season runs from November to April, with clearer volcano views and better trails. May to October is the rainy season, with afternoon showers, greener landscapes and fewer visitors. Antigua sits at about 1,500 m, so mornings and evenings are cool, while Petén stays hot and humid all year.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janBestfebBestmarBestaprMildmayRainyjunRainyjulRainyaugRainysepRainyoctRainynovBestdecBest

Holy Week, in March or April depending on the year, fills Antigua's streets with sawdust carpets and processions. It is one of the busiest weeks of the year, so book rooms and transport early.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Flores]
Flores and Tikal in 2 daysTikal Great Plaza, Temple IV, Lost World, Flores island, Lake Petén Itzá, Yaxhá, Flores lakefrontBalanced pace
[Photo: Antigua Guatemala]
Antigua Guatemala in 3 daysParque Central, Cathedral ruins, Arch of Santa Catalina, Santa Clara, Casa Santo Domingo, Cerro de la Cruz, Iximché, TecpánBalanced pace
[Photo: Guatemala]
Guatemala in 7 daysAntigua Guatemala, Casa Santo Domingo, Cerro de la Cruz, Lake Atitlán, Panajachel, San Juan La Laguna, Flores, TikalBalanced pace

Where to stay

Antigua GuatemalaThe historic center around Parque Central for first visits on foot; the streets near Casa Santo Domingo for museums and a calmer evening; the north edge near Cerro de la Cruz for the viewpoint.Best areas to stay in Antigua GuatemalaHotels in Antigua Guatemala
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FloresFlores island for walks, lake views and dinners on foot; Santa Elena and San Benito on the mainland for the airport and buses; El Remate for a base on the road to Tikal.Best areas to stay in FloresHotels in Flores
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Lake AtitlánPanajachel for services and boats; San Marcos La Laguna for yoga and retreats; San Juan La Laguna for art and textiles; Santa Cruz La Laguna for views, reached by boat.Best areas to stay in Lake AtitlánHotels in Lake Atitlán
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Getting around

  • Tourist shuttles: Shared shuttles with luggage space link Guatemala City, Antigua, Lake Atitlán (Panajachel) and Flores; Antigua to Panajachel takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
  • Flying to Petén: Daily domestic flights connect Guatemala City and Flores in about 1 hour, against 8 to 10 hours by road.
  • Airport to Antigua: La Aurora airport is 45 to 60 min from Antigua; landing before 3 PM avoids the worst traffic out of Guatemala City.
  • Lake Atitlán boats: Public and private boats run from Panajachel to San Marcos, San Juan and Santa Cruz La Laguna and Santiago Atitlán, and timetables vary with the weather.
  • In Antigua and Flores: Both are easy to cross on foot; Antigua has cobbled streets, so wear comfortable shoes, and tuk-tuks cover short rides.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. Volcano hikes such as Acatenango count as adventure activities, so check that cover includes them.
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Phone dataMobile data helps with shuttle pickups, boat times at Lake Atitlán and tickets for Tikal between Antigua, the lake and Flores.How a travel eSIM works
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