# Guatemala backpacking route🇬🇹 This is the backpacking route I took travelling through Guatemala - a country I have absolutely fallen in love with. So much so I’ve actually ended up spending over 3 months there this year! ✨Including recommendations on where to eat, where to stay, and what to do! Canonical: https://www.go-guided.com/en/trips/guatemala-backpacking-route Published: 2025-09-14T08:38:14.594368+00:00 Author: Abbie's Adventures [routeCTA: non-text section] [routePlacesList: non-text section] [routeCTA: non-text section] [spacer: non-text section] ## Itinerary places - **Los Amigos Hostel** (day 1) - **Tikal National Park** (day 2) - **Los Amigos Hostel** (day 2) - **Jorge's Rope Swing** (day 2) - **Zephyr Lodge** (day 3) - **Zephyr Lodge** (day 4) - **Semuc Champey** (day 4) - **The Purpose Hostel** (day 5) - **The Purpose Hostel** (day 6) - **Pita Sabij** (day 10) - **SUP rental** (day 11) - **san Juan La Laguna Guatemala** (day 11) - **El Artesano Queso y Vino** (day 11) - **ROSTRO MAYA - The Nose of the Mayan Face** (day 12) - **Free Cerveza Hostel** (day 12) - **Free Cerveza Hostel** (day 14) - **Tropicana Travel Agency Antigua** (day 7) - **Free Cerveza Hostel** (day 13) - **Socialtel Atitlan** (day 15) - **Socialtel Atitlan** (day 16) - **Delhi 6** (day 15) - **Hobbitenango** (day 6) - **Cerro de La Cruz** (day 6) - **The Little Spoon** (day 16) - **Tropicana Travel Agency Antigua** (day 8) - **Cocori Lodge** (day 16) - **The Purpose Hostel** (day 9) - **Cocori Lodge** (day 17) - **Cocori Lodge** (day 18) - **Antigua Bar Crawl** (day 9) - **La Smash** (day 17) - **Community Spanish School** (day 10) - **La Patisserie** (day 17) ## Day notes ### Day 1 Welcome to Guatemala! I took a shuttle from Belize city through to Flores in Guatemala - you can book this via Bookaway or Get Your Guide. The whole journey took around 7 hours (including immigration!) ### Day 2 Today I’d recommend spending heading to Tikal - sunrise tours are the most popular to make the most of the day. You can book tours online, via a travel shop in Tikal or through your accommodation. If Tikal isn’t for you - then I’d recommend heading to Jorge’s rope swing. This is the perfect place to swim! ### Day 3 Today you want to head to Lanquin/Semuc Champey. I would recommend staying at Zephyr Lodge in Lanquin, this is the most beautiful hostel EVER! However Greengo’s hostel is within walking distance to Semuc Champey. Book Zephyr here - https://hostelworld.tpx.lt/BwaYm1h9 ### Day 4 Zephyr Lodge do a day trip to Semuc Champey which is so much fun - you climb through caves holding a candle as light, and then enjoy the little pools. You can then enjoy the sunset back at Zephyr Lodge. ### Day 5 I booked a shuttle from Zephyr Lodge to Antigua through my hostel. Antigua is one of my favourite cities in Latin America, probably in the world. The whole city is a UNESCO area and every street is beautiful. ### Day 6 There is SO much to do in Antigua - I keep going back time and time again. Here’s a couple suggestions of how to fill a day there ### Day 7 Rise and shine - it’s Acatenango time! I did the volcano hike with Tropicana and can’t recommend them enough. The hike is tough but it is do-able and you’re rewarded with incredible volcano views at the top. This is an overnight hike - if you’re short on time you could opt to hike Pacaya instead. ### Day 9 I’d recommend doing a walking tour of Antigua this day too (if your legs aren’t too sore). You can book them through Guru walk, they are free but it’s heavily suggested to tip. ### Day 10 Take a shuttle through to Lake Atitlan. I recommend starting in San Pedro. I did a two week spanish school here (the school tagged is the one I did) and was living with a local family so I don’t have any recommendations of where to stay here. San Pedro is the biggest town on the lake and there’s lots of good foodie spots here! ### Day 11 Start your day by renting paddle boards on the lake! In the afternoon head over to San Juan (you can tuktuk here from San Pedro) ### Day 12 Rostro Maya/Indian Nose is a popular hike for sunrise on the lake. You can book this through multiple different providers in San Pedro and you’ll get picked up about 4am. In the afternoon take a lancha over to Santa Cruz and stay at Free Cerveza! ### Day 13 Free Cerveza is a destination hostel - with their own dock, paddle boards and family dinner, not to mention the free beer you definitely want to spend at least a full day here! I recommend using this as your main base on the lake ### Day 14 Another day to enjoy the lake at Free Cerveza! ### Day 15 Move to Panajachel today - another hub on the lake! ### Day 16 Have your breakfast and morning coffee at the little spoon then catch an afternoon shuttle through to El Paredon! Check in to Cocori lodge - right on the beach. ### Day 17 Spend a day by the pool, chilling and enjoying the sunshine in El Paredon. I recommend heading to la patisserie for a coffee and pastry ### Day 18 Last day! You can get a shuttle from here through to El Salvador if you’re carrying on your trip or head back to Guatemala city to catch a flight.