10-Day Guatemala Adventure: Lakes, Volcanoes, and Unforgettable People
By Sebastian & Sebastian
Sebastian & Sebastian
Day 1: Arrival in Antigua – Rainy Night Strolls & Street Food Feasts
The adventure began with a full day of travel to Guatemala, and by nightfall, we found ourselves in the cobblestone streets of Antigua, staying at What If hostel. Antigua welcomed us with a drizzle, but that didn’t stop us from exploring. The rain made the city's old-world charm even more magical as we wandered through its streets, captivated by the colonial architecture. After some walking, we stumbled upon a cozy bar with live music – nothing beats an impromptu band on your first night! Our dinner? Street food, of course. We slurped up some simple but hearty white rice soup, which was perfect for the cool, rainy evening.
Day 2: Transfer to Lake Atitlán – Boats, Mountains, and a Coffee Break
We started the day with a transfer from Antigua to Panajachel for about $30 USD. Lake Atitlán came into view, and trust me, no postcard can do it justice. The mountains shot straight out of the water like giant green spikes, making the boat ride over to San Pedro La Laguna nothing short of breathtaking. On the boat, we met Emmanuel, a fellow adventurer who joined us for the day.
After finding a hostel, we decided to walk to the next town, San Juan La Laguna. San Juan was beautiful, with vibrant umbrellas hanging above the streets and colorful paintings displayed by local vendors. On our return to San Pedro, we found iCoffee, a gem of a shop run by a sweet local man. He showed us the art of coffee-making, and we sipped fresh brews from his rooftop, taking in the views of the lake.
That evening, we hit Mr. Mullet’s for their legendary beer pong tournament. Ryan (my beer pong partner) and I? Completely wrecked. But that didn’t kill the vibe. We spent the rest of the night talking with travelers from all over, and we met the unstoppable John from Canada, who made sure we never had an empty glass of tequila.
Day 3: San Marcos & Kayaks – Cliff Jumping and Calm Waters
Still feeling the aftermath of the night before, we boarded an early boat to San Marcos, a smaller town with an artsy vibe. The highlight of the day was Cerro Tzankujil Nature Reserve, where there’s a 12-meter platform perfect for cliff jumping. Staring down from the edge of the jump was enough to freak me out, but after watching Emmanuel go first, I had no choice but to leap. The jump was exhilarating! The reserve has jumps ranging from 1-3 meters as well, and there’s a small entrance fee of 20Q.
Back in San Pedro, we rented kayaks for 25Q per hour and paddled across the still waters of Lake Atitlán. It was a perfect way to wind down after all the action, gliding across the lake with the sun on our backs. That evening, instead of the wild bar crawl, we opted for a quiet dive bar, where we made some local friends and shared drinks under the stars.
Day 4: Sunrise Hike – El Nariz Del Indio & Epic Falls
The 3:30 AM wake-up call hit hard, but we were soon on our way to hike El Nariz Del Indio, a peak overlooking Lake Atitlán. The hike wasn’t difficult, but the view at the top? Pure magic. As the sun rose, the sky transformed into shades of soft oranges and yellows, with the lake and mountains bathed in early morning light. We took an epic group photo with the Guatemalan flag and soaked in every second.
The rest of the day was spent chilling, as we needed to recover from the early start. But San Pedro had one more surprise—a huge rainstorm. As we navigated the flooded streets, Sebastian took a heroic fall, losing his flip-flops as they floated toward the lake. Classic.
Day 5: Back to Antigua – Rooftops and Speakeasies
The next leg of the trip took us back to Antigua for our next big adventure: climbing Volcán Acatenango. After a two-hour transfer, we made our way to the Antigua Brewing Company (ABC). The rooftop there is a prime spot to chill, with beers in hand, soaking up the sunshine and people-watching. We spent the evening exploring city markets before returning to ABC with a friend we’d met at Mr. Mullet’s. Pro tip: There’s a red phone booth on the first floor that leads to an underground speakeasy. Not to be missed!
Day 6: Volcán Acatenango – Hardest Hike Ever
The day we’d been waiting for arrived—our ascent up Volcán Acatenango. We started with a group that included an older man from Brazil and two women from Spain. It was tough—harder than expected—but the changing biomes and stunning scenery kept us going. Six hours later, we arrived at base camp, utterly exhausted.
After a short rest, we pushed ourselves to hike across to Volcán Fuego, which is famous for spewing lava. This "short hike" was a five-hour battle, but we made it, though Fuego’s peak was covered in clouds. On the way back, exhaustion hit hard, and the climb back to camp was brutal. But later that night, as we sat by the fire with hot chocolate, watching Fuego erupt, it was all worth it.
Day 7: Summit Acatenango – Sunrise Victory
With morale low after the previous day, our group decided to skip the final summit of Acatenango, except for Pollo (our guide) and me. We powered through, sprinting up the loose volcanic gravel. Reaching the summit in 50 minutes, we were rewarded with the most incredible sunrise over the valley. A cute dog even ran up and sat in my lap for warmth! The run down the volcano was pure joy—a bit like sliding on sand.
Back in Antigua, we celebrated with beers at ABC (again) and shared stories with new friends.
Day 8 & 9: Beach Break in Monterrico
After all that hiking, we needed a break. So we hopped on a chicken bus (revamped American school buses) to the coastal town of Monterrico. The black sand beaches and Pacific Ocean were the perfect spot to unwind. We spent the next two days beachside, drinking beers, swimming in the ocean, and soaking up the sun.
Our final adventure came when we missed the bus back to Guatemala City, forcing us to grab a $40 taxi ride—totally worth it for a stress-free ride to the airport.
Overall: Guatemala, You Stole Our Hearts
This trip was everything we hoped for and more. Guatemala’s beauty is off the charts, from the magical Lake Atitlán to the jaw-dropping volcanoes. Between the friendly locals, epic hikes, and relaxing beach days, this is one place we’ll definitely return to. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a mix of adventure, culture, and laid-back vibes!
