Cities, volcanoes and R&R at the lake. If you only have a week, you can still experience Guatemala! Includes recommendations for:

- Where to stay, eat and play in Antigua
- The best volcano hikes + operators
- The most beautiful hotel on Lake Atitlan

Panajachel, Guatemala

Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala

Guatemala: One Week

Dive into Guatemala with this guide to Antigua! In this guide, I'll share some of my favorite restaurants, activities, cafes to work from, shops, and more.

This is from my perspective as a digital nomad living in and exploring Guatemala. In addition to the classic restaurants and activities, I love finding places to shop local artisans, unique wellness experiences, and veggie-friendly eats. You can find all of that and more in the guide below! 

Also included are a couple hotels that I've stayed in myself or friends stayed in and highly recommend. I hope this helps you plan an epic trip to Antigua!

FREE guide to Antigua, Guatemala 

Thinking about spending some time in Guatemala? Let this guide convince you with an exciting mix of adventure and relaxation. 

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

Volcan de Acatenango, Guatemala

One Week in Guatemala

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 

Welcome to Antigua, Guatemala! ✨ Get ready to slow down — quite literally with these cobblestones — and enjoy the friendly locals, sunny mornings, and beautiful sights. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to this quaint little town, I'm sharing all my favorite spots I've discovered during my 1.5 months here.

Antigua’s Must-Visit Spots: From Cocktails to Food and Wellness

Destinations:
Antigua and Lake Atitlán

I've included tips and recommendations for transportation around Antigua, places to eat & drink, places to remote work (with wifi speeds), places to shop, places to get health & beauty services, and places to explore. I've also included a few recommendations for Lake Atitlán as well. There are 68 recommendations included with an interactive map to help you plan your adventure.

These are mostly personal recommendations from my 1.5-month stay.

Updated June 2024

Antigua, Guatemala — Digital Nomad Travel Guide

Chiapas and Guatemala are ideal destinations for adventure-seeking travelers who want to explore nature, ancient Mayan ruins, and charming Spanish colonial towns. Waterfalls, canyons, lakes, and jungle await!

This guide is perfect for those seeking to explore these destinations in an affordable way, and is particularly tailored for backpackers who will be using public transportation to get around. 

It highlights an ideal route through Chiapas and Guatemala that takes at about two and a half weeks, though it is completely flexible and can be altered to suit specific needs. It predominantly focuses on the most exciting nature adventures and gives a full tour of both the state of Chiapas in Mexico and the country of Guatemala. 

With this guide, you’ll ensure an epic trip full of exciting adventures without missing any of the incredible sites that these underrated places hold!

This guide is perfect for you if:
•you want to explore all the most beautiful and iconic places in Chiapas and Guatemala
•you don’t want to miss any of the amazing nature spots
•you’re traveling on a budget

Included is:
•an ideal 2.5 week route to see all the best locations in a logical order
•nature spots, restaurants, and where to stay
•notes on each location and activity with personal tips based on my experience 

To see some pictures of my recommended spots visit my Instagram @texmexplore

Happy Exploring!

The Backpacker’s Guide to Chiapas & Guatemala

Guatemala deserves a lot more recognition than it actually gets! From the amazing indigenous people to unspoilt landscapes unlike anywhere else in the world. Surfing along black sand beaches after hiking up an active volcan? Check! I'm sharing all my favorite places from the Pacific Coast to the Caribbean. 

Tikal, Guatemala

Semuc Champey, Lanquín, Guatemala

Río Dulce, Guatemala

Flores, Guatemala

Acatenango, Guatemala

El Paredon, Guatemala

Soak up the Culture and Nature in Guatemala!

Guatemala, a gem in Central America, invites travelers with its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. From the breathtaking ruins of ancient Mayan cities like Tikal to the vibrant markets of Chichicastenango, each corner of Guatemala tells a story steeped in history and tradition. The country is home to beautiful lakes, such as Lake Atitlán, and majestic volcanoes that offer both adventure and tranquility. Whether you're drawn by the allure of its stunning natural beauty, the vibrant colors of its textiles, or the delicious flavors of its cuisine, Guatemala promises an unforgettable journey that immerses you in the heart of its diverse and captivating culture.

Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Central America

Hobbitenango

Hobbitenango is based on the Shire from Lord of the Rings and was a fun little day trip from Antigua. It’s pretty cheesy but we ended up having a great time doing archery, exploring little houses, and doing a really fun swing. It’s not very expensive to just get tickets, but the food was really pricey. We ended up packing our own lunch for that reason, and just took a cab there and back. 

Deff just made for tourists but its still fun! Play some games, eat, and enjoy the views. There is an office in town where you can buy a ticket and they will provide the transportation. 

*This is where they have the famous picture standing on a giant hand overlooking the scenery*

A recreated hobbit town in Antigua? Yes. Yes, it is. I was equally as surprised but this LOTR fan-man just decided to build it because life's short and why the f not. Channel your inner Elijah, bring your camera, and get ready to take your new Tinder profile pic.

A great day adventure! Just about 30 minutes from Antigua, Hobbitenango is a unique experience. Visit some hobbit house, try your hand at archery, and best of all get INCREDIBLE views of the 2 volcanos. Spend the day exploring the grounds and snapping pics. 

This is a theme park that's a bit outside of Antigua. We didn't have time to do this, but it was on our list of places to go. There's an iconic hand statue here.

If your a hobbit fan this is a place where you have to go. It’s so much fun! Itnot the original town from the movie but they rebuild it very good.

A popular tourist attraction close to Antigua, with plentiful ATV tours available here.

Hobbitenango

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