{"id":3284,"date":"2026-03-25T23:44:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:44:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/?p=3284"},"modified":"2026-03-25T23:55:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:55:10","slug":"my-honest-guatemala-itinerary-10-to-12-days-of-culture-beaches-lake-atitlan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/my-honest-guatemala-itinerary-10-to-12-days-of-culture-beaches-lake-atitlan\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spend 10 to 12 Days in Guatemala (Without Backpacking It)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3284\" class=\"elementor elementor-3284\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb929f1 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"cb929f1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2b539e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b2b539e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Banniere-Guatemala-Itinerary--1024x256.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3287\" alt=\"Bannie\u0301re Guatemala Itinerary\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Banniere-Guatemala-Itinerary--1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Banniere-Guatemala-Itinerary--300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Banniere-Guatemala-Itinerary--768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Banniere-Guatemala-Itinerary--18x5.png 18w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Banniere-Guatemala-Itinerary-.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ee265b e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4ee265b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5887ee8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5887ee8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re planning a trip to Guatemala and looking for an itinerary that feels <\/span><b>easy, beautiful, and a little more comfortable than the classic backpacking route<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this is the one I\u2019d recommend.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I did this trip over about <\/span><b>12 days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and it ended up being the perfect mix of everything that makes Guatemala so special: <\/span><b>colonial charm, volcano views, black sand beaches, slow coastal days, and colorful villages around Lake Atitl\u00e1n.<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">This wasn\u2019t a \u201chostels and chicken buses\u201d kind of trip. I traveled with my parents, so we naturally chose a few more comfortable options along the way : private transfers when needed, charming stays, and a slower pace that made the whole trip feel much smoother. <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And honestly? Guatemala works <\/span><b>really well<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that way too.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So if you\u2019re looking for a <\/span><b>realistic Guatemala itinerary<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that feels a little more relaxed, a little more comfortable, but still full of unforgettable places, this guide is for you.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><i>Some links in this article are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. It helps support my work and allows me to keep sharing honest, on-the-ground travel tips.<\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5bc300 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e5bc300\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e676fa1 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e676fa1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d438d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5d438d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-25-at-13.58.42-500x500.png\" class=\"attachment-wprm-metadata-1_1 size-wprm-metadata-1_1 wp-image-3288\" alt=\"Guatemala-map\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-25-at-13.58.42-500x500.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-25-at-13.58.42-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-25-at-13.58.42-13x12.png 13w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db480a9 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"db480a9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb517c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fb517c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">My Guatemala Itinerary at a Glance\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f13171b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f13171b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Here\u2019s the exact route I followed :<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Days 1\u20132 :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Antigua<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Days 3\u20135 :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> El Pared\u00f3n<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Days 6\u20138 :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Monterrico<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Day 9 :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Antigua<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Days 10\u201312 :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Lake Atitl\u00e1n<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Final day:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Antigua<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p data-section-id=\"17e3fza\" data-start=\"1486\" data-end=\"1508\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span role=\"text\"><strong data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1508\">Optional add-on : <\/strong><\/span>If you have a little more time, I highly recommend adding the <strong data-start=\"1571\" data-end=\"1600\">Acatenango overnight hike<\/strong> to your Guatemala itinerary. It\u2019s one of the most unforgettable experiences in the country, and I shared everything you need to know in my full guide : <a href=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/hiking-acatenango-volcano-in-guatemala-the-ultimate-overnight-adventure\/\"><strong data-start=\"1755\" data-end=\"1825\">Hiking Acatenango in Guatemala: The Ultimate Overnight Adventure.<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This itinerary is ideal if you want a trip that combines\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">culture, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">beaches, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">beautiful scenery, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">good food, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a little adventure <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and enough downtime to actually enjoy it.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f16064a e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f16064a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64cff5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"64cff5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-by-drone-la-merced-1024x256.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3290\" alt=\"guatemala-antigua-by-drone-la-merced\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-by-drone-la-merced-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-by-drone-la-merced-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-by-drone-la-merced-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-by-drone-la-merced-18x5.png 18w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-by-drone-la-merced.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13ff373 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"13ff373\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2f09ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d2f09ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Days 1\u20132 : Antigua\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c6127d e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5c6127d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00998d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"00998d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I started my trip in <\/span><b>Antigua<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is honestly one of the best places to begin any Guatemala itinerary. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">It\u2019s beautiful, compact, easy to explore on foot, and the perfect first stop after landing in Guatemala City. It immediately gives you that feeling of being somewhere special, with its colorful facades, cobbled streets, rooftop terraces, and volcano views in the distance.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2eebb4e e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2eebb4e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72e2b73 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"72e2b73\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4b56cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e4b56cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3291\" alt=\"Guatemala-how-to-get-to-antigua\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b092cdb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b092cdb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Get to Antigua<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bcd187 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0bcd187\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I booked a <\/span><b>private transfer from Guatemala City Airport<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through my hotel, which made arrival super easy :<\/span><\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Drive time:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> around 1 hour<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Price:<\/b> <b>$50 USD for 3 people<\/b><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">If you\u2019re arriving with luggage or simply want a stress-free start to the trip, I\u2019d say this is 100% worth it. (Shuttles available at the airport for 150GTQ)<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d167a1 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1d167a1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f0ca73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0f0ca73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-antigua.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3294\" alt=\"Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-antigua\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-antigua.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-antigua-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-antigua-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-antigua-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60e9725 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"60e9725\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where to Stay in Antigua<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-709a527 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"709a527\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I stayed at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/booking.tpo.mx\/J7PHg1vY\"><b>Don Valentino<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> first, and later at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/booking.tpo.mx\/SDDRjPjJ\"><b>Dionisio Inn<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which I personally preferred.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both were <\/span><b>well located and had really kind staff<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and while neither is a luxury stay, they both worked really well for a short stay in Antigua.<\/span><\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/booking.tpo.mx\/J7PHg1vY\"><b>Don Valentino <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: around <\/span><b>$90 USD for 2 nights<\/b><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/booking.tpo.mx\/SDDRjPjJ\"><b>Dionisio Inn <\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: around <\/span><b>$100 USD for 2 nights<\/b><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If I went back, I\u2019d probably book <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/booking.tpo.mx\/SDDRjPjJ\"><b>Dionisio Inn<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> again.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb73a9b e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cb73a9b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2b2de4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a2b2de4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-what-to-do-in-antigua.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3292\" alt=\"Guatemala-what-to-do-in-antigua\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-what-to-do-in-antigua.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-what-to-do-in-antigua-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-what-to-do-in-antigua-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-what-to-do-in-antigua-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afce28f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"afce28f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What to Do in Antigua\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c4208a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1c4208a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antigua is one of those cities where you don\u2019t need to over-plan. The best way to enjoy it is honestly to just wander. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few things I\u2019d recommend :<\/span><\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">stroll through the historic center<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visit <\/span><b>La Merced Church<\/b><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spend time around the <\/span><b>main square<\/b><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">enjoy a rooftop drink with volcano views<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">take things slow and soak in the atmosphere<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">It\u2019s a very easy city to love, especially for a first stop.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e950248 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e950248\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c0ade1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3c0ade1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-antigua.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3293\" alt=\"Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-antigua\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-antigua.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-antigua-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-antigua-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-antigua-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93bc6f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"93bc6f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where to Eat in Antigua<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e85a2c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e85a2c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">A few places I enjoyed :<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tripadvisor.tpo.mx\/L5iVvlBu\"><b>Cielito\u2019s<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : casual Mexican lunch<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tripadvisor.tpo.mx\/pdBImRdT\"><b>Caf\u00e9 Sky<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : great for drinks and volcano views<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tripadvisor.tpo.mx\/d9OClag6\"><b>Hector\u2019s Bistro<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : one of my favorite dinners in Antigua<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tripadvisor.tpo.mx\/CK4QSeZr\"><b>Caf\u00e9 Condesa<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : very good breakfast or lunch spot<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have <\/span><b>2 full days in Antigua<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, that\u2019s enough to enjoy it without rushing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffe8835 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ffe8835\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8991e65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8991e65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-elparedon-by-drone-1024x256.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3295\" alt=\"guatemala-elparedon-by-drone\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-elparedon-by-drone-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-elparedon-by-drone-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-elparedon-by-drone-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-elparedon-by-drone-18x5.png 18w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-elparedon-by-drone.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12e5886 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"12e5886\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45169eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"45169eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Days 3\u20135 : El Pared\u00f3n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82e3779 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"82e3779\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de13aa9 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"de13aa9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d58684 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7d58684\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-elparedon.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3296\" alt=\"Guatemala-how-to-get-to-elparedon\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-elparedon.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-elparedon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-elparedon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-elparedon-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d20f65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d20f65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Get to El Pared\u00f3n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5949ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c5949ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I took a <\/span><b>shared shuttle from Antigua<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which took about :<\/span><\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>3 hours (for 150GTQ per person)<\/b><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">It was a very easy and straightforward transfer.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2261a27 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2261a27\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5611241 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5611241\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-elparedon.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3299\" alt=\"Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-elparedon\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-elparedon.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-elparedon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-elparedon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-elparedon-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ad49bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2ad49bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where to Stay in El Pared\u00f3n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b42350 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b42350\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I stayed at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.airbnb.com.hn\/rooms\/573262765795355459?source_impression_id=p3_1774473346_P35m_bZrt7Ph4C3t\"><b>Azura Bungalows<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, booked through Airbnb. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was one of the cutest stays of the trip and had that perfect beachy, relaxed aesthetic.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Why I liked it ?\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">lovely decor<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">peaceful atmosphere<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">small plunge pool<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">great for relaxing<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019d say it\u2019s especially well suited for <\/span><b>2 people<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but overall it was a really nice stay.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a64f173 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a64f173\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2dbddcb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2dbddcb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-what-to-do-in-elparedon.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3297\" alt=\"Guatemala-what-to-do-in-elparedon\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-what-to-do-in-elparedon.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-what-to-do-in-elparedon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-what-to-do-in-elparedon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-what-to-do-in-elparedon-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8645520 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8645520\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What to Do in El Pared\u00f3n\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02b9ea8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02b9ea8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Pared\u00f3n is less about sightseeing and more about enjoying the rhythm of the place. <\/span>Things I\u2019d recommend :<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">spend a full day on the beach<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">rent a surfboard or try a lesson<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">watch the sunset every evening<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">enjoy slow mornings and long lunches<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My dad rented a surfboard for <\/span><b>2 hours for $15 USD<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00e0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/booking.tpo.mx\/nTeBdJxQ\"><b>Green Belly Surf Hostel<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which was a really good casual option if you want to try surfing without overcommitting.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-221545d e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"221545d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cbaba3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4cbaba3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-elparedon.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3298\" alt=\"Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-elparedon\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-elparedon.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-elparedon-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-elparedon-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-eat-in-elparedon-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b21f97d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b21f97d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where to Eat in El Pared\u00f3n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78d9841 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"78d9841\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Pared\u00f3n actually had some of my favorite food of the whole trip. <\/span>Places I\u2019d recommend :<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lapatisserieelparedon\/\"><b>La P\u00e2tisserie<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : ideal for takeaway breakfast and coffee<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/yolis-local-cuisine.goto-where.com\/\"><b>Yoli\u2019s Local Cuisine<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : local, simple, and affordable<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=Delicias+del+Mar+el+paredon&amp;rlz=1C5CHFA_enFR899FR899&amp;oq=Delicias+del+Mar+el+paredon&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCQgAEEUYORiABDIHCAEQABjvBTIHCAIQABjvBTIHCAMQABjvBdIBCDcyMzBqMGo0qAIAsAIA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8#lrd=0x8588c981d7fe0527:0xd643feb686523771,1,,,,\"><b>Delicias del Mar<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : great lunch option<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wanderboutiquehotel.com\/restaurant-bar\"><b>Wander Southern Restaurant<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : nice dinner spot<\/span><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/la.pecerita\/\"><b>La Pecerita<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> : my favorite meal in El Pared\u00f3n<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you go, definitely don\u2019t skip <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/la.pecerita\/\"><b>La Pecerita<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7daad1 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c7daad1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ad1249 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6ad1249\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-by-drone-1024x256.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3300\" alt=\"guatemala-monterrico-by-drone\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-by-drone-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-by-drone-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-by-drone-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-by-drone-18x5.png 18w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-by-drone.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a9bf74 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2a9bf74\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fd9df3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8fd9df3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Days 6\u20138 : Monterrico<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cbcd60 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2cbcd60\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-801b203 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"801b203\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From El Pared\u00f3n, I continued to <\/span><b>Monterrico<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which felt completely different in vibe. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While El Pared\u00f3n is more social and surf-oriented, <\/span><b>Monterrico feels quieter, more isolated, and much more about fully disconnecting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08e60f9 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"08e60f9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8e27c6 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f8e27c6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbe5055 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cbe5055\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-How-to-Get-to-Monterrico.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3301\" alt=\"Guatemala How to Get to Monterrico\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-How-to-Get-to-Monterrico.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-How-to-Get-to-Monterrico-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-How-to-Get-to-Monterrico-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-How-to-Get-to-Monterrico-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44d2a0d e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"44d2a0d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc5077f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dc5077f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Get to Monterrico<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d4766f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d4766f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I arranged a <\/span><b>private taxi<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through my Airbnb host, which was by far the easiest option.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">If you\u2019re traveling with luggage or just want to keep things smooth, I\u2019d definitely recommend organizing transport in advance for this part of the trip.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3e9ee3 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c3e9ee3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-daa30ab e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"daa30ab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70b874b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"70b874b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Why-Add-Monterrico-to-Your-Guatemala-Itinerary.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3302\" alt=\"Guatemala Why Add Monterrico to Your Guatemala Itinerary\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Why-Add-Monterrico-to-Your-Guatemala-Itinerary.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Why-Add-Monterrico-to-Your-Guatemala-Itinerary-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Why-Add-Monterrico-to-Your-Guatemala-Itinerary-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Why-Add-Monterrico-to-Your-Guatemala-Itinerary-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b98077c e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b98077c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f93dde elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4f93dde\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Add Monterrico to Your Guatemala Itinerary?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-800d9de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"800d9de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Monterrico is <strong>not<\/strong> the kind of destination I\u2019d recommend if you\u2019re looking for a packed itinerary or lots of restaurants and activities. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">But if you want <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">rest, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">privacy, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">beach house vibes and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">a real digital detox <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">\u2026it can be such a special stop.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">I stayed in a beach house directly on the coast, and it ended up being one of the most peaceful parts of the trip. <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Best for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">long beach days, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">quiet mornings, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">slow travel &amp; <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">a complete reset.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re choosing between the two, I\u2019d say <\/span><b>El Pared\u00f3n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is better for atmosphere and food &amp; <\/span><b>Monterrico<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is better for privacy and total disconnection.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be85ed9 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"be85ed9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bcbe24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6bcbe24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-volcano-by-drone-1024x256.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3303\" alt=\"guatemala-antigua-volcano-by-drone\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-volcano-by-drone-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-volcano-by-drone-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-volcano-by-drone-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-volcano-by-drone-18x5.png 18w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-antigua-volcano-by-drone.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3bc87b e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b3bc87b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59cea19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"59cea19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Day 9 : Back to Antigua<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c25b72 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3c25b72\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bca3a03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bca3a03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After Monterrico, I returned to <\/span><b>Antigua<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for one night before heading to Lake Atitl\u00e1n. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was actually a really good way to break up the trip and avoid doing too much transport in one go. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That evening, I had dinner at : <\/span><b><a href=\"https:\/\/tripadvisor.tpo.mx\/F7eFc68n\">Las 3 Amigas<\/a>. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was good, but if I\u2019m being honest, I still preferred <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/tripadvisor.tpo.mx\/d9OClag6\"><b>Hector\u2019s Bistro<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> overall.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e77b71 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3e77b71\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3066804 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3066804\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-panorama-1024x256.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3308\" alt=\"guatemala-atitlan-panorama\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-panorama-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-panorama-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-panorama-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-panorama-18x5.png 18w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-panorama.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c71522a e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c71522a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d1d90a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5d1d90a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Days 10\u201312 : Lake Atitl\u00e1n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c845b5b e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c845b5b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb53bdd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eb53bdd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If I had to choose the most visually stunning stop on this itinerary, it would probably be <\/span><b>Lake Atitl\u00e1n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s the kind of place that instantly feels magical. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lake is surrounded by volcanoes, every boat ride feels scenic, and each village has its own very distinct personality. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s one of those destinations where you could easily spend <\/span><b>much longer than planned<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And if you\u2019re building a Guatemala itinerary, I really do think <\/span><b>Lake Atitl\u00e1n deserves at least 3 days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f96781 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3f96781\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bef26da e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bef26da\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0363847 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0363847\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3309\" alt=\"Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan-1.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-how-to-get-to-atitlan-1-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a77e9e6 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a77e9e6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c1fbea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2c1fbea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Get to Lake Atitl\u00e1n\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67a8514 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67a8514\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because we were traveling with a lot of luggage, I booked a <\/span><b>private transfer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> instead of taking a shared shuttle.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My driver was called <\/span><b>David<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and I\u2019d genuinely recommend him.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Price :\u00a0<\/b><b>850 quetzales one way \/ <\/b><b>850 quetzales return.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">This is obviously more expensive than a shared shuttle, but for a more comfortable trip, it made everything much easier.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c28c394 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c28c394\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d97ad6 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3d97ad6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e20e65f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e20e65f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-atitlan.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3310\" alt=\"Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-atitlan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-atitlan.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-atitlan-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-atitlan-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-where-to-stay-in-atitlan-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d48698 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3d48698\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb8e155 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fb8e155\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where to Stay at Lake Atitl\u00e1n\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b21572 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b21572\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I stayed at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/booking.tpo.mx\/TsCX2NbY\"><b>Hotel Ariana<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which worked really well as a base for exploring the lake area.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Depending on the kind of trip you want, choosing the right village here really matters because each one feels completely different.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b61572c e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b61572c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c468c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4c468c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-from-above-1024x256.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3311\" alt=\"guatemala-atitlan-from-above\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-from-above-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-from-above-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-from-above-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-from-above-18x5.png 18w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-atitlan-from-above.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dfc1350 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dfc1350\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-931eb61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"931eb61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Which Villages Should You Visit at Lake Atitl\u00e1n?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f887e2 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0f887e2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0569537 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0569537\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the things I loved most about Lake Atitl\u00e1n is that <\/span><b>every village has its own vibe<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some feel lively and social, others are peaceful and spiritual, and some are more practical than charming. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I visited:<\/span><\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>San Pedro La Laguna<\/b><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>San Juan La Laguna<\/b><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Panajachel<\/b><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>San Marcos La Laguna<\/b><\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And honestly, that mix gave me a really good feel for the lake. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you only have a couple of days, I\u2019d really recommend exploring <\/span><b>at least 2 or 3 villages<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> instead of staying in just one the entire time.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a96c20e e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a96c20e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cca4ffa e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cca4ffa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5dbc109 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5dbc109\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-pedro-de-la-laguna.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3315\" alt=\"Guatemala-San-pedro-de-la-laguna\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-pedro-de-la-laguna.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-pedro-de-la-laguna-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-pedro-de-la-laguna-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-pedro-de-la-laguna-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec012bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ec012bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">San Pedro La Laguna\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b8ebff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8b8ebff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I stayed around San Pedro La Laguna, which worked really well as a base for exploring the lake. It felt lively, easy to navigate, and a little more practical than some of the other villages, with plenty of restaurants and little streets to wander through. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">One of the things I loved most there was the area near the lake, which gave the village such a beautiful and local atmosphere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c04c8b3 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c04c8b3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70046c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"70046c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-Juan-de-la-laguna.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3313\" alt=\"Guatemala-San-Juan-de-la-laguna\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-Juan-de-la-laguna.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-Juan-de-la-laguna-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-Juan-de-la-laguna-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-Juan-de-la-laguna-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee9b426 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ee9b426\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">San Juan La Laguna\n<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-331a148 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"331a148\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Out of all the villages I visited around Lake Atitl\u00e1n, San Juan was my favorite by far. It felt colorful, charming, and full of personality, with a really lovely atmosphere for simply walking around and taking it all in. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The painted street was definitely the highlight for me, and overall it was one of the prettiest and most memorable stops around the lake.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1257b76 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1257b76\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17ecd34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"17ecd34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Panajachel.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3312\" alt=\"Guatemala-Panajachel\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Panajachel.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Panajachel-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Panajachel-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Panajachel-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41dc358 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"41dc358\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Panajachel<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1216335 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1216335\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Panajachel felt much busier and more commercial than the other villages, but it was still worth visiting for a different side of Lake Atitl\u00e1n. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\u2019s a good place if you want to do a bit of shopping or pick up souvenirs, and while I didn\u2019t find it as charming as the smaller villages, I did really enjoy the viewpoint there.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8f54a2 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a8f54a2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd17e79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dd17e79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-Marcos.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3314\" alt=\"Guatemala-San-Marcos\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-Marcos.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-Marcos-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-Marcos-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-San-Marcos-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2af6d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f2af6d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">San Marcos La Laguna<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f796ee4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f796ee4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">San Marcos had a completely different energy from the rest of the lake. It felt calmer, more spiritual, and much more focused on nature and slow living. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The main highlight there was definitely the nature reserve, which is a really fun stop if you want to swim, relax, or do the famous cliff jump. I also had a very good lunch at Il Giardino, which I\u2019d happily recommend after exploring the village.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81bea42 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"81bea42\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5378016 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5378016\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Explore Lake Atitl\u00e1n ?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d012c39 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d012c39\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1eda198 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1eda198\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1382\" data-end=\"1489\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">One of the best things about <strong data-start=\"1411\" data-end=\"1427\">Lake Atitl\u00e1n<\/strong> is how easy it is to move between villages by <strong data-start=\"1474\" data-end=\"1488\">local boat<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p><p data-start=\"1491\" data-end=\"1651\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The boat rides are short, beautiful, and honestly part of the charm. It makes exploring the lake feel really easy and relaxed, even if you only have a few days. <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you\u2019re staying for around <strong data-start=\"1682\" data-end=\"1692\">3 days<\/strong>, I\u2019d recommend choosing one village as your base and then visiting a few others depending on the kind of atmosphere you\u2019re looking for.<\/span><\/p><p data-start=\"1830\" data-end=\"2055\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong data-start=\"1830\" data-end=\"1846\">Lake Atitl\u00e1n<\/strong> was easily one of my favorite stops in Guatemala, and each village had such a different personality. I\u2019ll be sharing a full guide soon with my honest thoughts on <strong data-start=\"2009\" data-end=\"2054\">which villages to visit and where to stay<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4219a0d e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4219a0d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1061a0 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d1061a0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5098d05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5098d05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Acatenango-3.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3316\" alt=\"Acatenango-eruption\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Acatenango-3.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Acatenango-3-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Acatenango-3-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Acatenango-3-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f97d0ab e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f97d0ab\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-597acde elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"597acde\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Should You Add Acatenango to This Guatemala Itinerary?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a5f22f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5a5f22f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have more time and want to include one unforgettable adventure, then yes : <\/span><b>Acatenango is absolutely worth adding. <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I did the <\/span><b>Acatenango overnight hike<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on a previous trip to Guatemala, and it remains one of the most incredible experiences I\u2019ve had in Central America. <\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watching <\/span><b>Fuego Volcano erupt at night<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from camp is one of those moments that genuinely stays with you. <\/span><\/span><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">If you want the full breakdown, I already wrote a full guide : <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/hiking-acatenango-volcano-in-guatemala-the-ultimate-overnight-adventure\/\">Hiking Acatenango in Guatemala : The Ultimate Overnight Adventure<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f21fb1 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6f21fb1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b038ca5 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b038ca5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c61aab2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c61aab2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Getting-around.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3317\" alt=\"Guatemala-Getting-around\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Getting-around.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Getting-around-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Getting-around-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Getting-around-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c75b82d e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c75b82d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-694d2c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"694d2c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Getting Around Guatemala<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd79ac6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cd79ac6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"471\" data-end=\"571\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">One thing I really liked about this trip is that <strong data-start=\"520\" data-end=\"570\">Guatemala was actually very easy to get around<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p><p data-start=\"573\" data-end=\"735\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">We used a mix of <strong data-start=\"590\" data-end=\"645\">private transfers, shared shuttles, and local boats<\/strong>, and it made the whole itinerary feel smooth and easy to follow without being too tiring.<\/span><\/p><p data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"896\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you\u2019re traveling with <strong data-start=\"762\" data-end=\"821\">family, luggage, or simply want a more comfortable trip<\/strong>, I do think it\u2019s worth spending a little more on transport here and there.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce0d2b7 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ce0d2b7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-802a00c e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"802a00c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a91a0c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a91a0c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Getting-around.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3317\" alt=\"Guatemala-Getting-around\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Getting-around.png 500w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Getting-around-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Getting-around-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Guatemala-Getting-around-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0ed425 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f0ed425\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7d6cb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d7d6cb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Much Does a Trip Like This Cost?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b918097 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b918097\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This wasn\u2019t a backpacker-budget trip, but it also didn\u2019t feel over the top. <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I\u2019d describe it as a mid-range Guatemala itinerary : more comfortable than the classic hostel-and-shuttle route, but still very doable. <\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A few real costs from my trip (for 3 people) :<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Private airport transfer to Antigua: $50 USD<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Antigua accommodation: around $90\u2013100 USD for 2 nights<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Private transfer to Lake Atitl\u00e1n: 850Q each way<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Surfboard rental in El Pared\u00f3n: $15 USD for 2 hours<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, you could absolutely do Guatemala for less, but this version of the trip felt easy, comfortable, and really enjoyable when you travelling as a group.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45fb4c3 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"45fb4c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-caa509c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"caa509c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-from-above-1024x256.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3319\" alt=\"guatemala-monterrico-from-above\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-from-above-1024x256.png 1024w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-from-above-300x75.png 300w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-from-above-768x192.png 768w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-from-above-18x5.png 18w, https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/guatemala-monterrico-from-above.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6684ce1 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6684ce1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9016402 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9016402\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u2728 A Tip from Shiny Expatrie Frenchie \u2728<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0b9ae2 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f0b9ae2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f49891 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6f49891\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking for a Guatemala itinerary that feels <\/span><b>beautiful, varied, and easy to do<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this is such a good route. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It gives you a little bit of everything : <\/span><b>colonial charm, black sand beaches, colorful villages, great food, and a really nice balance between exploring and slowing down. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If I did it again, I\u2019d probably just spend <\/span><b>a little longer on the coast<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0because that was easily one of the best parts of the trip.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If I could give one tip, it would be this : <\/span><b>don\u2019t try to overfill your Guatemala itinerary.<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best part of this trip wasn\u2019t rushing from one place to another, it was actually having time to enjoy the places properly. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A slower breakfast, one more sunset, one more beach day\u2026 that\u2019s really what made this trip feel special.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Save This Guatemala Itinerary for Later : <\/b><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re planning a trip to Guatemala and want an itinerary that feels <\/span>realistic, beautiful, and easy to follow, save this one for later. And if you\u2019ve already been to Guatemala, I\u2019d love to know : would you start with Antigua, the coast, or Lake Atitl\u00e1n?<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">BISOUS<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re planning a trip to Guatemala and looking for an itinerary that feels easy, beautiful, and a little more comfortable than the classic backpacking route, this is the one I\u2019d recommend. I did this trip over about 12 days, and it ended up being the perfect mix of everything that makes Guatemala so special: colonial charm, volcano views, black sand beaches, slow coastal days, and colorful villages around Lake Atitl\u00e1n. This wasn\u2019t a \u201chostels and chicken buses\u201d kind of trip. I traveled with my parents, so we naturally chose a few more comfortable options along the way : private transfers when needed, charming stays, and a slower pace that made the whole trip feel much smoother. And honestly? Guatemala works really well that way too. So if you\u2019re looking for a realistic Guatemala itinerary that feels a little more relaxed, a little more comfortable, but still full of unforgettable places, this guide is for you. Some links in this article are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. It helps support my work and allows me to keep sharing honest, on-the-ground travel tips. My Guatemala Itinerary at a Glance Here\u2019s the exact route I followed : Days 1\u20132 : Antigua Days 3\u20135 : El Pared\u00f3n Days 6\u20138 : Monterrico Day 9 : Antigua Days 10\u201312 : Lake Atitl\u00e1n Final day: Antigua Optional add-on : If you have a little more time, I highly recommend adding the Acatenango overnight hike to your Guatemala itinerary. It\u2019s one of the most unforgettable experiences in the country, and I shared everything you need to know in my full guide : Hiking Acatenango in Guatemala: The Ultimate Overnight Adventure. This itinerary is ideal if you want a trip that combines\u00a0culture, beaches, beautiful scenery, good food, a little adventure and enough downtime to actually enjoy it.\u00a0 Days 1\u20132 : Antigua I started my trip in Antigua, which is honestly one of the best places to begin any Guatemala itinerary. It\u2019s beautiful, compact, easy to explore on foot, and the perfect first stop after landing in Guatemala City. It immediately gives you that feeling of being somewhere special, with its colorful facades, cobbled streets, rooftop terraces, and volcano views in the distance. How to Get to Antigua I booked a private transfer from Guatemala City Airport through my hotel, which made arrival super easy : Drive time: around 1 hour Price: $50 USD for 3 people If you\u2019re arriving with luggage or simply want a stress-free start to the trip, I\u2019d say this is 100% worth it. (Shuttles available at the airport for 150GTQ) Where to Stay in Antigua I stayed at Don Valentino first, and later at Dionisio Inn, which I personally preferred. Both were well located and had really kind staff, and while neither is a luxury stay, they both worked really well for a short stay in Antigua. Don Valentino : around $90 USD for 2 nights Dionisio Inn : around $100 USD for 2 nights If I went back, I\u2019d probably book Dionisio Inn again. What to Do in Antigua Antigua is one of those cities where you don\u2019t need to over-plan. The best way to enjoy it is honestly to just wander. A few things I\u2019d recommend : stroll through the historic center visit La Merced Church spend time around the main square enjoy a rooftop drink with volcano views take things slow and soak in the atmosphere It\u2019s a very easy city to love, especially for a first stop. Where to Eat in Antigua A few places I enjoyed : Cielito\u2019s : casual Mexican lunch Caf\u00e9 Sky : great for drinks and volcano views Hector\u2019s Bistro : one of my favorite dinners in Antigua Caf\u00e9 Condesa : very good breakfast or lunch spot If you have 2 full days in Antigua, that\u2019s enough to enjoy it without rushing. Days 3\u20135 : El Pared\u00f3n How to Get to El Pared\u00f3n I took a shared shuttle from Antigua, which took about : 3 hours (for 150GTQ per person) It was a very easy and straightforward transfer. Where to Stay in El Pared\u00f3n I stayed at Azura Bungalows, booked through Airbnb. It was one of the cutest stays of the trip and had that perfect beachy, relaxed aesthetic. Why I liked it ?\u00a0 lovely decor peaceful atmosphere small plunge pool great for relaxing I\u2019d say it\u2019s especially well suited for 2 people, but overall it was a really nice stay. What to Do in El Pared\u00f3n El Pared\u00f3n is less about sightseeing and more about enjoying the rhythm of the place. Things I\u2019d recommend : spend a full day on the beach rent a surfboard or try a lesson watch the sunset every evening enjoy slow mornings and long lunches My dad rented a surfboard for 2 hours for $15 USD at Green Belly Surf Hostel, which was a really good casual option if you want to try surfing without overcommitting. Where to Eat in El Pared\u00f3n El Pared\u00f3n actually had some of my favorite food of the whole trip. Places I\u2019d recommend : La P\u00e2tisserie : ideal for takeaway breakfast and coffee Yoli\u2019s Local Cuisine : local, simple, and affordable Delicias del Mar : great lunch option Wander Southern Restaurant : nice dinner spot La Pecerita : my favorite meal in El Pared\u00f3n If you go, definitely don\u2019t skip La Pecerita. Days 6\u20138 : Monterrico From El Pared\u00f3n, I continued to Monterrico, which felt completely different in vibe. While El Pared\u00f3n is more social and surf-oriented, Monterrico feels quieter, more isolated, and much more about fully disconnecting. How to Get to Monterrico I arranged a private taxi through my Airbnb host, which was by far the easiest option. If you\u2019re traveling with luggage or just want to keep things smooth, I\u2019d definitely recommend organizing transport in advance for this part of the trip. Why Add Monterrico to Your Guatemala Itinerary? Monterrico is not the kind of destination<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3285,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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you\u2019re planning a trip to Guatemala and looking for an itinerary that feels easy, beautiful, and a little more comfortable than the classic backpacking route, this is the one I\u2019d recommend. I did this trip over about 12 days, and it ended up being the perfect mix of everything that makes Guatemala so special:\u2026","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3284"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3284\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3324,"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3284\/revisions\/3324"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3285"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shinyexpatriefrenchie.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}