Guatemala Classics

Fly into Guatemala City and take a shuttle to Antigua (45 minutes). Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage colonial city surrounded by three volcanoes. Spend the evening exploring the cobblestone streets, baroque churches, and excellent restaurants.

• Fly into Guatemala City (GUA)
• Shuttle to Antigua (45 min, ~US$10)
• Evening: explore Calle del Arco and Parque Central
• Dinner: try pepián or jocon at a local restaurant

Stay: Antigua — hostel or boutique hotel in the centro

A full day in Antigua to explore the ruins of Santiago Cathedral, visit jade and textile markets, and optionally hike Volcán Pacaya (4 hours return, requires a guide). Book your onward shuttle to Flores for the next day.

• Morning: Santiago Cathedral ruins and jade market
• Optional: guided hike up Volcán Pacaya
• Afternoon: Café Sky rooftop views
• Book your Antigua → Flores shuttle for tomorrow

Stay: Antigua

Getting there: Shuttles to Flores (for Tikal) depart at 5 AM — confirm booking the evening before.

Early shuttle from Antigua to Flores (8–10 hours, ~US$30). This long but rewarding journey passes through Guatemala City, climbs into the highlands, and descends into the lowland Petén jungle. Arrive in Flores in the late afternoon and enjoy the island's sunset from a lakeside restaurant.

• 5:00 AM: shuttle departs Antigua
• Arrive Flores late afternoon
• Evening: sunset walk around Flores island
• Book your Tikal early-morning tour for tomorrow

Stay: Flores — hostel or mid-range hotel

Getting there: Pack snacks and water for the long shuttle — stops are limited.

Pre-dawn minibus from Flores (4:30 AM, 1.5 hours) to reach Tikal at sunrise. Tikal is the most spectacular Maya city — Temple IV, the tallest pre-Columbian structure in the Americas, emerges above the jungle canopy as the howler monkeys call at dawn. Spend 5–6 hours exploring with a licensed guide, return to Flores in the afternoon.

• 4:30 AM: minibus to Tikal
• 6:00 AM: arrive at park entrance
• Sunrise at Temple IV — howler monkeys, jungle mist, silence
• Full guided tour: Great Plaza, Temples I–IV, North Acropolis
• Optional: wildlife walk (toucans, spider monkeys, coatis)
• Return to Flores midday
• Afternoon: rest and explore the Petén

Stay: Flores

Getting there: Tikal entrance: ~US$25. Hire a guide at the park entrance — essential for context.

Shuttle from Flores to Copán Ruinas (7–9 hours including the El Florido border crossing). The crossing itself is efficient — usually 30–45 minutes. Arrive in Copán Ruinas in the late afternoon, a charming colonial town a 15-minute walk from the ruins.

• Morning shuttle Flores → El Florido border (4–5 hours)
• Border crossing El Florido (Guatemala → Honduras, ~45 min)
• Continue to Copán Ruinas (1 hour)
• Late afternoon: explore the town's central park

Stay: Copán Ruinas — boutique hotel

Getting there: Bring cash (US dollars accepted at this crossing) for the departure tax (~US$3) and any fees.

Full day at Copán — arguably the most artistically accomplished of all Maya sites. The Hieroglyphic Stairway contains the longest Maya inscription ever found. The stelae in the Great Plaza are carved with extraordinary portrait detail. Visit the Tunnel Tour to see temples buried under later construction. Afternoon at the Copán Sculpture Museum.

• 8:00 AM: walk 1 km to Copán entrance
• Hire a guide for the Great Plaza and Hieroglyphic Stairway
• Visit the Tunnel Tour (access to buried Rosalila temple)
• Afternoon: Copán Regional Sculpture Museum
• Optional: Macaw Mountain Bird Park

Stay: Copán Ruinas

Getting there: Copán entrance: ~US$15. The Tunnel Tour is an additional ~US$15 and well worth it.

Shuttle back from Copán Ruinas to Antigua (6–8 hours, retracing the El Florido border crossing). Arrive in Antigua in the late afternoon. Final dinner in one of the city's excellent restaurants.

• Morning shuttle: Copán Ruinas → Antigua (6–8 hours)
• Re-enter Guatemala at El Florido
• Arrive Antigua late afternoon
• Final evening: farewell dinner in Antigua

Stay: Antigua

Shuttle from Antigua to Guatemala City airport (45 minutes). Allow 3 hours before your flight for the transfer and check-in.

• Shuttle Antigua → Guatemala City airport (45 min)
• Depart

Getting there: Allow plenty of time — Guatemala City traffic can be unpredictable.