Come join me and discover together the country of eternal spring! This is the ultimate trip for those who want a bit of everything. Make new friends and experience two weeks full of fun between Caribbean beaches, hiking volcanoes, visiting Maya ruins, jungle hikes, waterfalls and a very special homestay in Guatemalan families. 🌞🌿🌋 We will spend 14 days together, starting from Guatemala City and further to the north of the country, Lanquin, exploring impressive caves, water pools and the jungle. The journey continues to Flores, a whole colorful town build on an island that is also just around the corner of Tikal, an antique mayan site - one of the most impressive you will ever see. After experiencing a breathtaking sunrise in this historical place, we will take the plane to get back to the capital and further to Lake Atitlan: you will surely feel the volcanic energy around this area. For sure a highlight: here you will stay one night with a Guatemalan family of a traditional community and get to know and share their way of life. On top of that, we will also make a stop at Chichicastenango, the largest and most vibrant craft market in all of Central America. To end the trip we will enjoy some small city vibes and cute cafés in Antigua. Surrounded by imposing volcanoes and cobblestone streets, it one of the most beautiful colonial cities. Ready to fall in love with volcanoes, jungle, coffee, yummy street food and heartwarming local people? Meet 11 new friends and have the trip of your lifetime? Come join me in Guatemala in November - I am already looking forward to meet you and show you the beauty of this amazing country! Ps.: On top of the program, I have planned some extra activities that you can choose from during the trip (such as hikes, water and sport activities, cultural visits), so you can personalize your experience as you want. Isn't that great? 💸🌎⚡️ The trip cost is 1.665,00€ for a double room and 2.070,00€ for a single room (+Joinmytrip Platform Fee). I need to do a first downpayment (of 439,50€ for a double room & 561,00€ for a single room) for the local collaborators to secure the transport and accommodation. As Joinmytrip only takes a 20% fee, I had to put a higher price for you to secure your spot, but I will deduct it from the final price. Get in touch with me for your preferred option (and questions) and we sort out the payment over the platform. :-)
👋🏻👱🏻♀️✈️ Hey everyone! I am Darja, a 26-year old travel lover from Germany, based in France and with a big love for Central and South America. I am working as a freelancer in photography and communication and try to travel as much as I can (22 countries and counting). My specialty are shorter trips (1-3 weeks) that allow me to discover a country in a slower but still adventure-packed way. For me it is very important to travel responsibly, getting in touch with locals, supporting their businesses and learning about their cultures. As much as I love getting up early to catch a good sunrise, I will also dance until dawn and have fun with freshly met people. I love nature, water and all kind of fun activities.
🏠🛌💤 During the trip, we will stay in standard rooms in hotels, one hostel (with fans and/or air conditioning) and at a families place. You can choose between a single or double room. Note: the single room will be slightly more expensive than a double. The homestay will be 2 – 4 people per family, in double or single occupancy, per room in the same house). They don't have fan or air conditioning but the climate is not that hot and humid, so very bearable. Any questions about the trip? You can let me know in the Q&A section!
What's included?
Private ground transportation
13 nights at mentionned accommodation
Daily continental or American breakfast
Lunch at Tikal Park
Dinner with local families
Local guide
Entrance fees (except optional tours)
Private boat trip on Lake Atitlan
Domestic flight ticket FRS-GUA
Hotel and services taxes
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Let the adventure begin! Right after landing, we will meet at the International Airport La Aurora in Guatemala City where the group will come together for the first time. A shuttle will bring us to our hotel in the city where we check in and get some rest before starting the trip the next day.
2
Cobán
Day 2
Starting the first day early, we will have breakfast at the hotel restaurant and hop on our first transfer (around 4 hours) towards “Las Verapaces “region. After the long ride, we will move a bit with an easy hike through the natural reserve located in the middle of the Quetzal Biotope, known for its tropical rainforest vegetation. It is one of the most important protected areas in Guatemala for the conservation of the quetzal, the great national symbol - maybe we will be lucky enough to spot one ?
3
San Agustín Lanquín
Day 2-4
After lunch, we get to travel some more, until we reach Lanquín, a small town in the Alta Verapaz region of Guatemala. It is surrounded by lush jungle and limestone hills and known for its stunning natural beauty. We will surely be a bit tired from this travel day, so we just check in into our hotel and get some rest. The next day is a free day: breakfast included at the hotel and then you can choose to do optional activities. I would love to explore Semuc Champey with you, hike up to the viewpoint and then jump into the fresh and clear blue water of the natural pools. If you are brave enough, you can also discover the Lanquín Caves!
4
Candelaria
Day 4
After a yummy breakfast at the hotel we hop onto our transfer to the Candelaria Caves, a fascinating system of caverns located near the town of Candelaria, in the department of Baja Verapaz. In addition to their natural beauty, the caves have historical significance, having been used by local communities for centuries. They are also a popular destination for ecotourism and exploration, offering the opportunity to enjoy nature and learn about the region's biodiversity.
5
Rio Dulce
Day 4-5
After lunch, we will continue our road trip to reach the Rio Dulce area, a little river paradise surrounded by tropical forests and breathtaking landscapes. Let's check out the Caribbean side of Guatemala !
6
Flores
Day 5-7
After a fulfilling breakfast at our hotel, enjoy your free morning: some me-time, souvenir shopping or going for an excursion on the Rio Dulce and discovering Livingston. It is up to you and the group ! The whole group meets again for lunch and we continue our roadtrip to reach Flores and the Peten area. Flores, a picturesque island town in Lake Petén Itza, is known for its charming colonial architecture and colorful streets. As the gateway to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, it offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a popular destination in northern Guatemala. We will stay in our hotel in Flores for 2 nights, so the next day is free and up to you to decide on activities. We can check out a fun rope swing, small beaches or just go for a chill stroll around town together. Free days allow some rest, spending quality time together and leave space for spontaneous adventures. :-)
7
Tikal
Day 7
The early bird catches the worm, and we will catch the first rays of sunlight in Tikal National Park. The city of Tikal is considered one of the largest and most powerful of its time, home to thousands of inhabitants as well as royal families and important priests and shamans. Together we will discover the vestiges of the enormous constructions, stelae with hieroglyphs that will take you back in time to the Mayan era. Maybe also have a glimpse on some tarantulas, spider monkeys or coatis (cuteness overload for sure)! To top that experience, we will take a rest with a picnic lunch inside the park.
8
Guatemala City
Day 7-8
Surely a bit tired from the exploring, our bus will take us to Flores Airport where we will board a domestic flight to Guatemala City. By the way, the country may seem small but it would take two travel days by bus to get back to the capital! For the rest of the evening, we will get some rest, maybe go for a little restaurant or drink near the hotel, as the adventure continues the next day!
9
San Juan La Laguna
Day 8-9
After a nourishing breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Lake Atitlan, one of my favorite places in the country and also considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It was formed by the collapse of a volcanic caldera and is surrounded by three impressive volcanoes (San Pedro, Atitlan and Toliman) and 12 Maya-Cakchiquel and Maya-Tz’utuhil villages, each with their respective and characteristic costumes, forming an impressive landscape. We can choose one of the towns around the lake for a traditional Guatemalan lunch and then take the boat to reach the village of San Juan de la Laguna. (By the way, the boat is the main mode of transport around the lake and it normally takes not more than 30-45 min from one side to the other.) The town has a small population of farmers of Tz'utuhil origin, who cultivate coffee, cotton, milpa (corn), avocado and other fruits. The community lives peacefully according to the traditions of their ancestors. The women still wear the traditional costume of the village, a long black skirt and a colorful huipil. I am very excited for this part of the trip, as I told you I love to travel to know local cultures, people and traditions. So we are splitting up into little groups (of 3-4 people) and spending an evening and overnight-stay with a Guatemalan family. They will share their home, way of life and stories - you would never get to know a culture better than by experiencing it on your own!
10
Panajachel
Day 9-11
We enjoy a traditional breakfast at home with the families before saying our goodbyes and hopefully creating friends for a lifetime. Now we have some free time to enjoy around the lake, either learn about the local weaving culture, take a Tuk Tuk to the next town and grab a coffee with lake view or just enjoying some peaceful moments near the water. In the afternoon we hop on the boat again back to Panajachel where we check in to our next hotel. Let's get some street food or fruits at the market and enjoy the sunset together with the beautiful view over the volcanos! The next day is another full free day that we can plan spontaneously how we like. There are so many cool options, so we can decide it together ! Either visiting the energetic hippie town San Marcos and going cliff jumping in a natural parc, hiking up the "Mayan Nose" for an incredible view over the whole lake and all the volcanoes, going kayaking on the lake, riding the bike along some beautiful paths, exploring San Pedro volcano or participate in a workshop to make our own souvenirs. And let's end that beautiful day with a good drink by the water!
11
Chichicastenango
Day 11
Refueled from our resting day in Panajachel, today we spend the morning at one of the most famous and vibrant markets in Central America: Chichicastenango. The town treasures a lot of Mayan culture and is surrounded by valleys with mountains serrating the horizons. When its narrow-cobbled streets and red-tiled roofs are enveloped in mist, it’s downright magical. Twice a week you will find yourself surrounded by every type of handicrafts, fruits and vegetables, flowers and many other goods. Perfect to explore, eat or get some presents for your loved ones at home.
12
Antigua Guatemala
Day 11-14
Afterwards, we will already head to our last stop of the trip: Antigua Guatemala (also known as the old capital of the country). This colonial jewel surrounded by imposing volcanoes and cobblestone streets, is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in America. We check out our beautiful hotel with its rooftop and why not have some party, try a free salsa class or just enjoy a traditional restaurant. The next two days are free, so we can decide following our energy what we are going to do. Maybe hiking up a volcano and grilling marshmallows in the hot ground? Explore cute little cafés, rooftops and thrift shops? Walking around the streets and take some cute photos in the colorful streets? Or maybe just sleep in and have a chill time? It's up to you! I would love to have dinner all together on our last night and take some time to reflect the beautiful memories that we made together!
13
Guatemala City
Day 14
Our last day has started, as we will sadly say goodbye to two weeks filled with laughter, great people, amazing memories and breathtaking experiences. We will share our last breakfast together at the hotel and at the time according to your flight get a transfer to International La Aurora Airport. You will board your flight home with 11 new friends and memories that will last a lifetime! I hope we will stay in touch and go traveling together again very soon!
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Hotel & Other & Hostel
14 days trip
Guatemala City, Cobán & 11 more
Transportation
Car, Plane, Boat
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What's excluded?
International Flights & Airport taxes
Drinks and meals not mentioned
Optional tours
Tips for driver, local guide, bellboys
Travel insurance
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Guatemala
Homestay in a traditional family 
Private ground transportation 
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22 Countries
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