Personalized trips to Guatemala
for independent travelers

How it works
Chat with specialist icon Step 1
Tell us what kind of trip you want
Complete our quick travel quiz
Chat icons Step 2
Chat with a local travel specialist
Work out the details together
Credit card icon Step 3
Securely book your trip
100% satisfaction guaranteed

Travelers love kimkim

- ., traveled to in

Introducing Guatemala

When is the best time to visit? 
The weather in Guatemala is generally split between two seasons — dry and rainy. The dry season generally runs from mid-October to late April, with the other half of the year being the rainy season. That being said, tourism is still alive and thriving during the rainy season as we're not dealing with monsoon-type rains, think more afternoon/evening showers. Depending on your goals while visiting Guatemala, each season has its benefits. Overnight camping and long hikes favor the dry season, while birding, morning adventures, and smaller crowds are best during the rainy season. Learn more

Where to go in Guatemala? 
A few of the top sights that most people think of when visiting Guatemala are Antigua, Lake Atitlan, one of the many volcanoes, and the Tikal ruins. When you search Guatemala they will be the top sights, although if you are open to getting a little more off the beaten path, Guatemala has so many wonders to experience including the beautiful hiking trails in the Western Highlands, the rivers and caves in Alta Verapaz, black sand Pacific beaches, mountain biking trails in every corner, and many more. Let us know what types of adventure you're seeking and we'll help recommend the right areas.

How many days do I need?
Although Guatemala is a fairly small country in size, the variety in Mayan culture and drastic landscapes make it huge! At least a week is recommended to get a feel for the different experiences this country has to offer.

Getting Around Guatemala
There are two main airports in Guatemala, La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, and Mundo Maya International Airport in Flores—close to the Tikal ruins. Once in the country, it's best to get around by private transfer or shared tourist shuttle (minibus or coach). Learn more

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 10 days · 14 days · 15 days · 16 days

Guatemala Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Volcano views from the streets of Antigua
Map of Best of Guatemala: Antigua, Lake Atitlán & Tikal - 8 Days
Best of Guatemala: Antigua, Lake Atitlán & Tikal - 8 Days

This eight-day trip packs in some of Guatemala's greatest hits, from touring Maya ruins to climbing an active volcano. Hike, bike, and kayak around the country as you explore the picturesque colonial city of Antigua, scale the lava fields of Pacaya, experience the magic of Lake Atitlán, and venture deep into the rainforest to discover the ancient pyramids of Tikal.

View of Agua volcano from Antigua, Guatemala
Map of Mayan Adventure in Guatemala - 6 Days
Mayan Adventure in Guatemala - 6 Days

This trip to the heart of Central America offers fascinating historical culture, thrilling adventure, and jaw-dropping vistas. You'll fall in love with the charming colonial city of Antigua, learn about ancient Mayan civilization, and hike and bike some of Guatemala's stunning mountain volcanoes.

Antigua's Santa Catalina Arch
Map of Highlights of Guatemala - 10 Days
Highlights of Guatemala - 10 Days

Experience the rich culture and natural beauty of Guatemala on this 10-day, action-packed itinerary. Stroll the cobbled streets of colonial Antigua, tour Lake Atitlán by boat, and hike around indigenous villages and towering volcanoes. Finally, experience living history as you explore ancient Maya ruins at Iximché and Tikal.

Overlooking Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Map of Luxury and Mayan Culture in Guatemala -  8 Days
Luxury and Mayan Culture in Guatemala - 8 Days

Immerse yourself in ancient Mayan culture while traveling in style on this 8-day trip to Guatemala. Pamper yourself in luxury hotels and see the sights from above as you fly by helicopter to some of Guatemala's best attractions. You'll bask in the beauty of magical Lake Atitlan, discover the charming colonial city of Antigua, and participate in a Mayan ceremonial ritual.

View of the volcano from Antigua, Guatemala
Map of Best of Guatemala & Copán - 13 Days
Best of Guatemala & Copán - 13 Days

Delve into the incredible natural beauty and diverse cultures of Guatemala and Honduras on this two-week trip. Discover Maya ruins, towering volcanoes, and vibrant cities through a well-rounded mix of outdoor adventures and cultural encounters. You'll roam around colonial Antigua, kayak on stunning Lake Atitlan, and browse the artisan markets in indigenous Maya towns.

Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua
Map of Highlights of Guatemala - 5 Days
Highlights of Guatemala - 5 Days

This five-day Guatemala adventure begins with a walking tour and traditional cooking class in the colonial city of Antigua. Then conquer the summit of Pacaya Volcano as you hike along its dried lava fields and dense forests. End the trip on the tranquil shores of Lake Atitlán with visits to humble indigenous villages before venturing into the highlands to discover the ruins of an ancient Maya kingdom at Iximché.

Make the Most of Your Time in Guatemala

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Antigua
How Many Days Should You Spend in Guatemala?

Guatemala's relatively small size allows you to comfortably visit its iconic volcanoes, colonial cities, and Mayan ruins in around seven days. But even in as few as five days,...

Guatemala Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest Guatemala Content

Discover the Maya ruins of Belize's Cahal Pech
Map of Maya History in Caribbean Guatemala & Belize - 14 Days
Maya History in Caribbean Guatemala & Belize - 14 Days

Spend 14 days exploring Maya history in Guatemala and Belize, beginning the adventure in Antigua, a former colonial capital surrounded by mighty volcanoes. Then, head to the Caribbean to learn about Afro-Guatemalan culture before visiting Tikal, an important Maya city. Move onto neighboring Belize, where you'll spend days snorkeling around the Belize Barrier Reef and enjoying the Caribbean Sea.

The pyramids of Tikal peeking out of the rainforest
Map of Guatemala Winter Escape: Rainforests, Rivers & Ruins - 6 Days
Guatemala Winter Escape: Rainforests, Rivers & Ruins - 6 Days

With warm days and cool nights, winter is the perfect time to delve into Guatemala's natural and ancient wonders. This six-day adventure kicks off with sightseeing in Guatemala City before flying north to explore the country's most famous archaeological site—the UNESCO-listed temple complex at Tikal. After hiking ancient Maya pyramids, head south to Lago Izabal and take a ride down the jade waters of the Río Dulce.

Sunset at Monterrico
Map of Winter in Guatemala: Maya Ruins, Volcanoes & Beaches  - 6 Days
Winter in Guatemala: Maya Ruins, Volcanoes & Beaches - 6 Days

This whirlwind itinerary introduces you to the highlights of Guatemala's dry season—from archaeological sites to iconic volcanoes and black-sand beaches in just under a week. First, head to Tikal National Park and walk amid ancient Maya pyramids dating to the eighth century. Then, head to the well-preserved colonial city of Antigua for a tour and scenic hike up nearby Pacaya Volcano before finishing the trip on the stunning Pacific Coast just in time for sea turtle hatching season.

Guatemala Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Guatemala map: 7 Days in Guatemala - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
7 Days in Guatemala - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Guatemala map: 2 Weeks in Guatemala - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Guatemala - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article
Guatemala map: 10 Days in Guatemala - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Guatemala - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
View article

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Guatemala
Travel specialist Chris Gwinner
active 7 hours ago

Chris Gwinner

I am passionate about adventure travel and feel very lucky to be able to share that passion with others through Old Town Outfitters. I'm originally from Savannah, Georgia but have been living...

read more...
Travel specialist Eduardo Celada
active 18 hours ago

Eduardo Celada

My passion for showing the beauty of Guatemala began when I was traveling in Guatemala as a tourist in my own country. After working in several hotels and other tourism related businesses, I...

read more...
Travel specialist Catherina Tittaferrante
active 1 day ago

Catherina Tittaferrante

I create personalized tours based on our travelers' passions to show them the real Guatemala. I take care of logistics, organizing and confirming every single detail needed to make your experience...

read more...
Travel specialist Esteban Tittaferrante

Esteban Tittaferrante

I am passionate about travel and I like that every traveler gets the best possible experience that they will never forget in their lives, so I try my best every time, because I do it with love with...

read more...

Related Destinations

Travelers who visit Guatemala also visit these destinations

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan

Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.

100% satisfaction guarantee
Kimkim offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with us, we’ll work with you to make it right.
kimkim trips are 100% climate neutral
A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
BBB A+ rated

Kimkim is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Trip Reviews for Guatemala

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Catherina and her team were very welcoming, h...
Guatemala | Dec 26 - Jan 1, 2023

E
Elena G.
Brandon, FL | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2023

Catherina and her team were very welcoming, helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating. We had a fantastic time and felt completely at ease with their guidance. Every aspect of our trip exceeded our expectations! I would highly recommend Catherina and Columbus Guatemala Travel. They made our vacation run smoothly from transportation to guides, to tours, everything was perfect! read more

Catherina and her team were very welcoming, helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating. We had a fantastic time and felt completely at ease with their guidance. Every aspect of our trip exceeded our expectations! I would highly recommend Catherina and Columbus Guatemala Travel. They made our vacation run smoothly from transportation to guides, to tours, everything was perfect!

Hotel Reviews
Villa Colonial
Antigua
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lomas de Tzununá
Tzununá
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Catherina Tittaferrante
Catherina
Catherina Tittaferrante
Local specialist in Antigua Guatemala | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2023

My dear Elena, we are very grateful for being able to share time with you. We only wish the best for you and your lovely family.
Columbus Guatemala Travel will always be with wide-open arms and I will be more than happy to give you a huge hug again.
Our purpose in life is to make your experience extraordinary and all of our team members are very excited to read your kind words, thank you.

Maya at its best. A Must for everyone.
Guatemala | Nov 16 - Nov 27, 2022

A
Alexander p.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 27, 2022

the trip was very easy to book and very flexible to custom requests. Driving distances were tough especially going to Honduras and back.
the guides provided in every location, but especially Honduras, Tikal and Alex in Antigua were exceptional.
Mayan civilization, which my trip was designed to highlight was a revelation and deeply moving.
read more

the trip was very easy to book and very flexible to custom requests. Driving distances were tough especially going to Honduras and back.
the guides provided in every location, but especially Honduras, Tikal and Alex in Antigua were exceptional.
Mayan civilization, which my trip was designed to highlight was a revelation and deeply moving.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Las Americas
Guatemala City

Very basic hotel, a 3 star at best by western standards. Good bar and food.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Yat B'alam
Copan Ruinas

Superb small hotel, very authentic. The staff were very good . Don't expect Hilton., expect boutique small hotel perfectly located around town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Jungle Lodge Tikal
Peten

An interesting hotel, with pretensions of being 5 star. It's not. Things to keep in mind: Food was good but way overpriced. Strong recommendation, is to eat outside of the resort at local places for half the price if not cheaper. Electricity is only available around breakfast/lunch/dinner time. Wifi was only available at the lobby, zero internet in the rooms. staff at the restaurant were exceptional, staff as reception could have been better. Location inside the archeological site is the only reason to stay there. Keep in mind, that entrance to the site at all times requires different tickets, early morning(great to see the sunrise and starting at 10.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Explore the Copan Ruins
Copan Ruinas

Copan a must for all travelers interested in Mayan culture. Better than Mexico and guatemala.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Quiriguá Mayan Ruins guided
Guatemala

The biggest Stellas in the Mayan world. An absolute must for any lover of Mayan culture. Mexican or Guatemalan sites are not even comparable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Village tour for Iximche Mayan Ruins
Antigua

Absolutely superb. One of the best Mayan sites around and not crowded at all.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Lake Atitlán Village Tour
Guatemala

Great place to visit. Amazing views. the tour should have avoided the largest town on the lake, a complete tourist trap. All stops were designed to bring you to various local shops. largest city, 3rd stop on the tour is to be avoided. I wish more time was spent at the first 2 stops.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Eduardo Celada
Eduardo
Eduardo Celada
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Reviewed on Dec 30, 2022

Hola Alex, very helpfull comment.
We hope you had a great time while you were here in Guatemala. We strive to provide fun, unique, meaningful and quality trips at Old Town. Please help us to spread the good word about your experience to future travelers

My sons and I had a fabulous time in Guatemal...
Guatemala | Dec 12 - Dec 19, 2022

Y
YAEL A.
Santa Monica, CA | Reviewed on Dec 21, 2022

My sons and I had a fabulous time in Guatemala! Chris was very responsive, flexible, and patient during the planning phases of the trip. In addition, he was able to tweak our plans slightly while we were traveling so that everything was perfectly tailored to our needs. I greatly appreciated his knowledge and expertise. Our local guide, Esmerelda, was also a tremendous asset to our trip.
Thank you for a very memorable and smooth trip! read more

My sons and I had a fabulous time in Guatemala! Chris was very responsive, flexible, and patient during the planning phases of the trip. In addition, he was able to tweak our plans slightly while we were traveling so that everything was perfectly tailored to our needs. I greatly appreciated his knowledge and expertise. Our local guide, Esmerelda, was also a tremendous asset to our trip.
Thank you for a very memorable and smooth trip!

Hotel Review
Jungle Lodge Tikal
Peten

Lovely hotel but very limited wifi and electricity is on only at certain times (planned). I thiought the mosquito for the bed was decorative, but it was actually useful!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Chris Gwinner
Chris
Chris Gwinner
Local specialist in Antigua, Guatemala | Reviewed on Dec 21, 2022

Thank you for taking the time to leave us your review Yael! I'm glad your family enjoyed Guatemala and experiencing it with our local team. It was great to meet you all and share some stories. Be sure to spread the word to your friends and family, the more people know about Guatemala the better. Hope to see you back again soon, cheers!