We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

7 night itinerary help needed

Pocahontas, Arkansas
Level Contributor
106 posts
4 reviews
1 helpful vote
7 night itinerary help needed
Save

We are going to be visiting Guatemala over Christmas and I need some help on transportation times in the country. As of right now we are planning to hire a personal driver and car and below is a rough itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive into Guatemala City at 9pm and spend night in Antigua

Day 2: Tour Antigua and then drive on to Lake atitlan. Spend night on lake

Day 3: Tour lake area, spend night in same hotel

Day 4: Drive up to Coban area and spend night

Day 5: Drive over to Livingston area and spend two nights

Day 6: Tour area on coast

Day 7: Travel back to Guatemala City and spend night for flight out next morning.

Does this sound like a feasible schedule? Does anyone know travel times between these destinations? I am not sure if it is worth heading over to Livingston/Lake Izabel area or not. Suggestions please.

The Dalles, Oregon
Destination Expert
for Guatemala, Belize
Level Contributor
18,119 posts
322 reviews
278 helpful votes
1. Re: 7 night itinerary help needed
Save

In my opinion that's way too many stops and too much time on the road for a 7 night trip. That's 5 different places to sleep. I figure it takes 2 nights to = 1 day to explore. The transition days (even with a private driver) are surprisingly long and tiring in the part of the world and I'm counting 5 long travel days (some of them 6 or 8 hours) out of 6 full days. Are you sure that's how you want to spend your vacation?

I believe in packing every day full but I do it from bases so the days are full of adventure, culture, and blessed relaxation instead of time sitting on my behind. If I had a week I'd split the time between Antigua and the lake with plenty of time for things like hiking, kayaking, ziplines or skywalks, and indigenous villages. For what it's worth Livingston isn't my favorite part of Guatemala and would require a boat trip down or across the Rio Dulce.

My photos, blogs, and travelogues are below if you're interested. Happy trails!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

Bethesda, MD
Level Contributor
4,013 posts
38 reviews
24 helpful votes
2. Re: 7 night itinerary help needed
Save

Agreed, it's too much. It will take 8 hours (at least) just to get to Coban. And for what? Just to say you've been? I'd focus on Antigua and the lake. Leave the rest for another visit when you have more time.

Costa Rica
Level Contributor
25,653 posts
23 reviews
30 helpful votes
3. Re: 7 night itinerary help needed
Save

Totally agree you need to pick and choose. Way too much. For 7 nights, I would pick two locations. Maybe Antigua and Pacific Coast or Antigua and Atitlan. You could skip Antigua and Atitlan and fly to Flores and go to Tikal and then to Rio Dulce or Coban.

Definitely, you will have to make some choices. Check your map again for mileages to these places and think about just how long it will take to get around - probably slower than you think.

Los Angeles...
Level Contributor
146 posts
34 reviews
12 helpful votes
4. Re: 7 night itinerary help needed
Save

Guatemala city to Antigua is about an hour depending on traffic. During rush hour, it took us 1.5 hours to get to the airport from Antigua and we left at 5:30am. Traffic was unbelievable.

Antigua to Lake Atitlan around 2-2.5 hours or so

I was told the drive is more than 6 hours to Coban from Lake Atitlan, we were going to do this but we passed since it was so far.

If I were you, I would fly to Flores and stay in the TIkal park for 1 or 2 nights if you haven't been up there and either end or begin your trip there. 3 nights in Lake Atitlan and 2 in Antigua. You will be able to soak in all the top places in Guatemala and enjoy them.

Sydney
Level Contributor
92 posts
16 reviews
15 helpful votes
5. Re: 7 night itinerary help needed
Save

Agree with all above: too much in 7 days, lots of driving and that can be a very tiring affair even with private car. We spent 15 days in Guatemala last December and spent one week just in Antigua (with a day for volcano Pacaya ascent), around the lake Atitlan (including boat trips around the lake villages and visit of Solola market), Xela, Zunil, San Francisco market, Chichicastenango. One week for visiting this area was just right. Then we did Copan (honduras), Livingstone, Rio Dulce, Tikal for the next 8 days and that was plenty busy. You do not want to be travelling all the time, you want some down time to enjoy. We used private drivers / private boats and everything was organised by a very efficient Antigua travel agent (Sin Fronteras) so we did not waste any time but even that way I believe the itinerary you suggest is far too busy. Good luck!

6. Re: 7 night itinerary help needed

Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guidelines with regards to the participation of business representatives.

What are forum guidelines?
7. Re: 7 night itinerary help needed

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

What are forum guidelines?
© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.