Only Have 4 Days? Here’s How to See the Best of Guatemala within that time and on a Budget. If you’re short on time but big on adventure, Guatemala is the one of the best places to visit. I squeezed in paragliding over Lake Atitlán, and hiking the iconic Acatenango volcano, all in just four days. Guatemala in 4 days is possible with a balanced mix of fast-paced, bucket list and relaxing moments. I had just enough time to get a taste of this central American country ‘s culture and landscapes.

This itinerary is ideal for adventure lovers looking to get the most out of a long weekend or quick getaway. There are direct flights from several major cities in the U.S and once you’re there, Guatemala is incredibly affordable. Everything I did fit comfortably within a $800 budget, including flights, food, tours, and transport. That kind of value is hard to beat and I’ve included a full cost breakdown below so you can plan your own trip without guessing.

Whether you’re a solo traveler or planning a short escape with friends, this guide will help you make the most of four days in one of the most beautiful and adventure-packed countries in Central America.

Where to Stay

In Lake Antitlan, I recommend staying in Panajachel near all the action so it’s easier to explore during a short stay. There are tons of towns to choose from but Panajachel is the main one and serves as an entry point to all of the others.

Budget-Friendly Stays (Under $25/night)

• Dreamboat Hostel– Dreamboat is favorite among travelers, it has dorms, private rooms, a pool, rooftop terrace, and a fun, social party vibe. I stayed here during my stay and had a good experience.

• Socialtel Atitlan– This hostel has a modern vibe with a garden, restaurant, and bar, offering both dormitory and private rooms.

Mid-Range Hotels ($50–$100/night)

• Hotel Del Mundos Panajachel– This place is right near the main street, so you’re close to all the shops and food spots, but it still feels super chill. The garden and pool are great if you just wanna relax after a day out by the lake. It’s comfy, cute, and in a really good spot.

• Hotel Utz Jay– Just a short walk from the lake, this hotel is quiet and cozy with a cool garden vibe. They’ve got a sauna too, which is pretty fun if you’re into that. It’s simple but has everything you need for a nice stay.

Luxury Options ($100+/night)

• Hotel Antilan– This place is right on the lake and the views are unreal. The gardens look like something out of a movie, and there’s a pool and hot tub too.

• Porta Hotel Del Lago– If you want something fancy but still close to everything, this is it. The rooms are huge, the lake views are insane, and there’s a pool, sauna, and gym. It’s a great spot to stay if you wanna explore but also have a comfy place to crash.

Day 1: Flying into Guatemala and Kicking Off the Trip at Lake Atitlán

The adventure started early with a 2:55 am red-eye flight from New York to Guatemala City with Avianca airlines. If you’re flying overnight like I did, sleep on the plane so you’re not totally wiped when you land. I touched down at 6:50 am at La Aurora International Airport, and surprisingly, getting through immigration was a breeze. Quick tip: Before your trip, fill out the Guatemala entry form online. It’s a simple form that saves you from having to fill anything out at the airport. It also helps you move through immigration much faster. Definitely worth doing ahead of time.

After exiting the airport, hop on a   shuttle to take you straight to Lake Atitlán. You can use a private or shared shuttle service, which is budget-friendly and easy to arrange. The drive from Guatemala City to Panajachel, one of the main towns on the lake, took about 4 hours. I ended up napping most of the way. 

The roads on the way to the lake get pretty narrow and windy, especially as you get closer to Panajachel. I was totally fine, but if you’re prone to car sickness, I highly recommend taking motion sickness medication before the ride or bringing ginger chews just in case. 

I arrived in Panajachel around noon. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and settle in before heading out to do some light exploring around town. I stayed at  Dreamboat Hostel. It’s located close to the main street and has a super friendly vibe. If you’re traveling solo or want to meet other backpackers, it’s a great place to stay. After checking in and dropping off my bags, I went for a leisurely walk along the main road “Calle Santander”. I stopped at a Restaurante Parrillada Santander for lunch. It was so affordable, costing only 50 quetzales (about $6 USD). 

Exploring Calle Santander and Lake Towns

Next, explore the local markets along “Calle Santander”.  The artisan stalls are full of colorful textiles, handmade jewelry, leather bags, and souvenirs. Even if you’re not planning to buy anything right away, it’s worth walking through just to take it all in. Take a short walk through the market and at the end, you’ll find a stunning view point of the lake “Mirador Ventana Del Mundo” that will leave you speechless. Lake Antitlan is considered the deepest lake in central America and it has the most stunning volcano backdrops. Make sure to stop here to admire the most beautiful lake views-it’s the perfect place for some photo ops.

At 2:00 pm, go on an ATV sunset tour. It’s a fun way to see more of the area beyond Panajachel with a local guide. The tour takes you on the main road, through some unpaved roads and dirt roads. Make sure to dress appropriately to protect yourself from the sun and dust. We rode through a few nearby small towns like Santa Carina, passed some scenic viewpoints, and then made our way up to a lookout spot just in time for sunset.

The main stop in Santa Carina was cafe Tuk where I tried some of the best coffee I have ever tasted. Since only my brother and I were the only ones on the tour, the guide gave us the option to go to a restaurant ( the typical itinerary) to see the sunset or to go to another town, San Antonio Palopo. We went with San Antonio Palopo and had no regrets. The view right at the entrance of town for sunset was absolutely magical.

By the time the tour wrapped up at around 6:00 pm, I was ready to crash after such a long travel day. I went back out on the main road and had street food for dinner. After this you can call it a night, but if you still have energy, you can enjoy a night out at one of the many bars in town like Tipzy goat.  The hostel I stayed at, Dreamboat has a pub crawl that can be a super fun way to socialize and meet other travelers. If you’re flying in early like I did, this first day is a great mix of activity that help you day the most of it. You will get a taste of the lake, settle in, and end with something memorable without overdoing it on day one.

Day 2: Paragliding Over Lake Atitlán and a Day at Casa del Mundo

Start the next morning with breakfast on the main road Calle Santander in Panajachel. There are tons of spots to choose from, and most open early. I chose a random restaurant and had a simple but delicious breakfast before heading to the paragliding office.

The paragliding tour, at a cost of $100 was hands down one of the best things I did the entire trip. The booking office was right on Calle Santander which made things super easy. After checking in, you’ll hop into a van for a 30 minute ride that takes you to the launch site. The launch site had a small store with drinks, snacks and bathrooms.

The guides were really professional and made everyone feel safe. If you’ve never paraglided before and feel nervous, don’t stress too much. It’s surprisingly calming once you’re up in the air. I added the go-pro option to my flight but really didn’t need it. You can totally record with your cell phone once you’re in the air.  Floating above Lake Atitlán on a clear day with volcanoes in the background felt surreal. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments you won’t forget. 

After the flight and a short break back at the accommodation to change. Head to the ferry terminal to catch a boat to Casa del Mundo, a lakeside eco hotel that’s become an Instagram favorite. The boat ride from Panajachel to Casa del Mundo took about 20 minutes and cost around Q25 ($3 USD) each way. Boats run every 30 minutes, make sure to tell the captain you’re getting off at Casa Del Mundo when you get on. Brace yourself, it’s a rough and fun ride on the lake although the water may look calm.

Casa del Mundo is usually booked for overnight stays, but they offer a $6 USD day pass for visitors. That gives you access to the property, the gardens, and the swimming area. Even if you’re not staying overnight, it’s totally worth the visit. The property is built right into the hillside with the most stunning lake views, colorful tile work, and tons of cozy corners to relax in.It’s a beautiful place to unwind after an epic activity like paragliding. I spent the rest of the afternoon laying in a hammock, walking the paths around the hotel, and just taking in the views.

They also have a nice restaurant on-site, where you can grab lunch there before winding down.  I didn’t end up jumping into the lake because the water was pretty cold, although the weather was warm.  However, a few people were swimming or taking turns jumping off the platform. If you’re braver than I am, definitely bring your swimsuit.

Make sure to catch the last boat back to Panajachel at 5:00 pm. The return ride was short, about 15 minutes and the water was a little less rough than it was in the early afternoon. If you get seasick easily, sit toward the back of the boat or keep your eyes on the horizon.

Once back in town, you can grab dinner to wrap up the day at one of the many restaurants.  I grabbed some street food for dinner and called it an early night. This day had the perfect mix of thrill and relaxation. It will give you a deeper appreciation for just how beautiful this part of Guatemala is. Go to bed early, we have an early morning the next day.

Day 3: Hike Acatenango Volcano and Camp Above the Clouds

Set your alarm early because you’ll want to catch the 5:00 AM shuttle from Lake Atitlán to the next destination, Antigua, for the acatenango hike. Antigua Guatemala is a charming small city known for its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and laid-back vibe. The overnight Acatenango volcano trek is challenging, with steep inclines and high altitude, but the views and experience are unforgettable.

If you’re not up for an overnight hike, you can opt to hike the Pacaya volcano, which is a great option for an easy day hike. The Pacaya volcano hike still gives you a taste of Guatemala’s volcanic landscape. There are several tour operators to choose from for the acatenango hike, but I went with CA Travelers who organized the shuttle for me and made the whole process super smooth. We arrived in Antigua around 7:30 AM, and it was just a short walk to the CA Travelers office.

At check-in for the tour, they served breakfast and gave a quick rundown of the day ahead. There were 5 meals to choose from including vegan and gluten free options. After breakfast, you’ll hop on a bus that takes you to the company’s warehouse. This is where you get geared up with your backpack, sleeping bag, jacket, hat, gloves, and anything else you might need. If you didn’t bring warm layers, don’t worry—they’ll provide what you need. They will provide a pretty extensive list of what you need to bring and what they’ll provide so you’re well prepared.

From there, it’s about an hour drive to the Acatenango trailhead. You can hire a porter to bring your bag which I highly recommend, unless you’re a seasoned hiker who is used to carrying heavy bags. The porters have to be paid in cash, 300 quetzales. Also, don’t skip out on renting hiking sticks or poles, trust me. The hike starts right away, and I’m not going to lie, it’s tough. The altitude, the steep incline, and the changing terrain definitely pushed me. The group took frequent breaks, and our guide kept the vibe encouraging and positive. If you’re prone to altitude sickness, take your meds ahead of time. It makes a big difference. If you’re having a hard time with the hike, you can hire a horse for 400 quetzales in cash. 

Water was included in the tour, but be sure to bring snacks, sunscreen, toothpaste, baby wipes and a portable charger. Layers are key since the weather shifts a lot as you climb. You’ll also want small coins (quetzales) for bathroom stops along the trail, some are paid and don’t offer change.

We reached base camp around 5:00 PM, completely wiped out. I took a quick nap to recover while others rested or geared up for the optional sunset hike to Fuego, the nearby active volcano. I didn’t attempt the Fuego hike myself, but if you’re up for the challenge, it’s an intense but epic add-on especially if the volcano is erupting. If you want to hike Fuego, you have to pay the guides an additional 200 quetzales in cash.  Be warned, it’s even harder than the hike to Acatenango, and it gets very cold once the sun drops.

The sunset hike from base camp is much easier and only about 30 minutes roundtrip. That one I did, and it was 100% worth it. Watching the sun dip below a sea of clouds was one of the most surreal moments of the trip.

After sunset, we headed back to camp for a hot dinner of pasta and tea, then called it a night. The temps dropped fast, so you’ll be glad you layered up. The cabins are basic but the views make up for any discomfort. Just a heads-up, your body will be sore, and the altitude is no joke, but the whole experience is unforgettable. The Fuego volcano started erupting at around 2:00 am unexpectedly, after not erupting for weeks. It was one of my favorite things to witness and I got super lucky !

Day 4: From Base Camp to the Airport

Day 4 kicked off early with the optional 4:00 am sunrise hike to the summit of Acatenango. I decided to skip it and stayed back at base camp instead and took the extra time to sleep in. Honestly, I still had a front-row seat to a gorgeous sunrise. Watching the sky light up over the clouds with Fuego in the distance was surreal. So if you’re not up for another steep climb, staying at camp is still  worth it.

After breakfast, we started the hike back down. It’s a lot quicker than the way up, but it’s steep, dusty, and slippery in spots. I highly recommend using trekking poles if you have them and wearing shoes with good grip. We made it to the bottom by around noon, then hopped on the bus back to the CA Travelers office in Antigua where we returned our gear.

They had smoothies waiting for us at the office which was such a refreshing touch. If your flight isn’t until later in the evening, you could totally treat yourself to a spa session in Antigua. Trust me, your body will thank you for it after that hike. There are some great massage spots in town to help you unwind like Y’Spa relaxation and wellbeing and El Descanso Spa.  Since my flight was at 6:00 pm, I played it safe and headed straight to the airport from the tour office. I took a shared shuttle from Antigua to Guatemala City and it took about 2 hours. I got there early, chilled for a bit, and wrapped up what was a packed but unforgettable trip.

Safety Tips/Things to Know

The dry season in Guatemala runs from November to April. This is the best time to visit. If you’re planning your trip, December to February is especially popular, so book in advance if you’re traveling during those months. You’ll want to avoid the rainy season if you’re planning to do outdoor activities like hiking, camping, exploring local markets,  paragliding, and visiting historical sites. Guatemala is generally safe for travelers, but like anywhere, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings especially if you’re solo. Stick to well-traveled areas, avoid walking alone at night, and keep valuables out of sight. In popular tourist spots like Antigua and Lake Atitlán, I felt completely fine, but it’s still smart to use basic street smarts. 

For transport, use trusted tourist shuttles or book through your hotel or tour provider. Shuttle services are pretty consistent and reliable across the country and have well established routes. I also used the tuk tuks to get around in Panajachel. It’s helpful to ask your hotel receptionist how much you should be paying. Don’t ask tuk tuk drivers how much a ride is ahead of time, just get in and pay after the ride is over. You should not pay more than about 15 quetzales per ride, generally.  ATMs are available, but bring cash since most places won’t take credit card. Learn a few basic Spanish phrases too, English isn’t widely spoken outside of the main tourist zones. And don’t drink the tap water; stick to bottled or filtered. Lastly, if you’re doing activities like volcano hikes or paragliding, make sure you’re booking through reputable operators with good reviews. 

Final Thoughts

Guatemala is one of those places that surprises you in the best way. I was able to fit in a ton of adventure, it’s affordable, beautiful, and full of unforgettable moments. This itinerary is perfect for a long weekend if you’re coming from the U.S. and want something different from the usual beach trip I will say the hike was hard on my body. I was sore days after, but it was so worth it. There’s still so much more to see, like Semuc Champey, Tikal, and other archeological sites, but this trip gave me a solid taste of what Guatemala has to offer. If you don’t have much time to spare, I encourage you to explore Guatemala in 4 days and make the most of this vibrant, adventure-filled destination.Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or in a group, you’ll leave with some great memories.

Explore with Milca is a reader supported website. I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you when you buy through links on my website.