3 week, Guatemala itinerary

This itinerary well take you from through a classic "backpacker" route. Crossing the bored from Mexico, through some of Guatemalas best, till you cross the bored into El Salvador. 

It aims towards backpackers, is budget friendly and promises to give you some of the best destinations and things to do while backpacking Guatemala.

I will list hostels I stayed at and recommend, tours I did with prices, activities and sites to see and my overall experience travelling through Guatemala

Guatemala

Lanqúin, Guatemala

Tikal, Guatemala

Semuc champey, Las Pozas, Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Flores, Guatemala

Acatenango, Guatemala

El Paredon, Guatemala

Guatemala, 3 week itinerary 

Guatemala is THE most underrated country. It ranks in my top 3 favorite countries of all time and is a MUST if traveling through Central America. This list includes all of the best activities, restaurants, beaches, and bars so you won't miss out on a thing.  

Best of The Best: Guatemala 

I spent two months traveling around Guatemala so I've put together this list of all the best hostels and budget hotels to stay in! I give a few recommendations per tourist hot spot so you can choose the right fit for you. 

Where to Stay: Guatemala

Embark on a 16-day journey through Belize and Guatemala, where you’ll explore Belize’s coastal waters and lush rainforests before crossing into Guatemala. Discover the ancient temples of Tikal, experience the vibrant city of Antigua, and hike the stunning volcanoes. End your trip at Lake Atitlán, taking in the breathtaking views and local culture. This itinerary offers a blend of history, adventure, and natural beauty, with detailed recommendations to guide you through every step of your trip.

What you'll find inside


Guatemala City, Guatemala

San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala

Tikal National Park, Tikal, Guatemala

San Ignacio, Belize, Belize

Belize City, Belize

Belize

Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala

Rio Dulce, Guatemala

Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Caye Caulker, Belize

Belize & Guatemala: 16 Day Itinerary

In Guatemala, every day is a new adventure. Picture yourself working from a cozy café in the colonial city of Antigua, surrounded by cobblestone streets and colorful facades. On weekends, you could be hiking up active volcanoes, exploring chaotic local markets, or diving into crystal-clear waters. The country’s diverse landscapes—from rain forests and serene lakes to rugged mountains and black beaches—offer endless opportunities for exploration and inspiration. 

This guide is a 1-month itinerary for digital nomads, taking you from Xela, to Lake Atitlán, to El Paredón, and Antigua where you can hike the volcano Acatenango, then pursue your journey north to Semuc Champey and Flores.

I did this trip in May 2023 and would recommend it to everyone. Just an insight in how I build this guide. It is based on my experience, I was traveling with my partner. We were working from Monday to Thursday and would travel in the weekends. I will add the following sign 🏠, to the places we stayed but I will also add a cheaper option and a more expensive option, that I found either on hostelworld, booking.com or Airbnb with good reviews. 

Legend:

❤️- Highly recommend (the more hearts the more I loved it)

🏠 - The places I stayed

💻 - Restaurant you can work from

💵= Budget 
💵💵 Mid-Budget
💵💵💵High Budget

If you have any question do not hesitate to book a consultancy or send me a DM through instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anywherewithanea/ 

Also, if you book through the links I added I will earn some commission this will not add costs to you but will give me some extra earnings. Thank you in advance and I hope you will enjoy Guatemala as much as I did. 


Semuc Champey, San Agustín Lanquín, Guatemala

Xela, Guatemala

Guatemala as a Digital Nomad

My guide to backpacking Central America is finally here! This guide is based on hundreds of hours of research, my own 4 month long trip, and some extras that I wasn't able to get to but would still highly recommend based on reviews from trusted friends! This guide serves as an essential list of the best attractions in each country and what not to miss! The route in the guide is laid out North to South, starting in Belize and ending in Panama, but it can also be used in reverse. 

The guide includes information for how to get between locations; however not in great detail as the schedules and prices change frequently and let's be honest, the busses are never on time in Central America! The best way to get between places depends on your timeline and budget of your trip: if you have months to explore, take the local "chicken busses" for a more affordable and immersive experience; if you only have weeks, take the more direct shuttles; and if you're tight on time, take the more direct and upscale coaches. Whichever option you choose, the locals are always willing to help with chicken busses, and shuttle busses and coaches are very easy to book throughout Central America at your hostel, any tour operator, or online. 

Where possible, I included accommodation recommendations for places that I personally stayed at and can vouch for, or know someone who did. In addition, there are links for booking hostels in each region! 

I hope this guide provides some help and inspiration to backpack Central America, it's one of my absolute favourite places on Earth!

Need a custom trip planned for Central America? Reach out, I can help you!

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Honduras

Central America

Nicaragua

Panama

A Complete Backpacker's Guide to Central America.

Los Amigos Hostel

They have rooms to suit every budget from cheaper dorms or more upscale private rooms with AC. 

I loved my stay here, it was such a fun hostel, centrally located with a beautiful social courtyard for meeting other travellers and an overall great energy.  

Popular hostel with a huge restaurant menu. Lots of yummy options in a cool space. 

Los Amigos Hostel

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