6 Amazing Days Solo in Guatemala Itinerary: What to Do, Stay and Eat

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One word for Guatemala for me was…fantastic. Spending time solo in Guatemala this year really altered my whole brain chemistry, and you will see why if you continue reading this six-day solo in Guatemala itinerary travel guide.

I didn’t tell a huge number of people that I was going to Guatemala for fear of judgment from people. I’ve got to that stage in my life that I no longer tell people where I am going (just a few close individuals) or take advice from people on things they have never done themselves.

So what did I do? I did the thing I almost always do and decided to go solo. I booked my flights months before, and as I write this out to you.. I don’t think I could have ever imagined that my 6 days in Guatemala would be sooo life-changing, transformative, adventurous and allow me to somewhat connect with my heritage deeply. The food was something that blew my mind. The similarities between their food and Nigerian food were so similar. The people were so kind and beautiful, so welcoming.

Now I know 6 days in Guatemala may feel short, but there’s actually a lot you can do in this beautiful country. As someone who has a very intensive career, I knew that 6 days would work for me and not make me feel burnt out once I returned to back to work. But if you are considering going or doing 6 days in Guatemala, then here is your Guatemala itinerary guide with everything I did, what I ate and where I stayed.

About Guatemala

Guatemala is a country in Central America, and my very first Central American country. I felt that it was a very layered country filled with colonial history, culture and so much culture.

Guatemala is known even to this day for its strong Indigenous heritage, vibrant textiles, colourful towns and dramatic landscapes. But beyond the Instagram photos, Guatemala has a complex history shaped by Mayan civilisation, Spanish colonialism and a 36-year civil war that only ended in 1996. That history is still felt today in the culture, language and economic contrasts across the country.

One of the things that stood out to me most was how proudly Indigenous identity is still preserved. Around 40% of the population identifies as Indigenous, with over 20 different Mayan languages still spoken today.

Geography

Guatemala borders Mexico to the north and west, Belize to the northeast, Honduras to the east and El Salvador to the southeast. It has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, which already make it a geographically diverse country. But what really defines Guatemala is its landscape.

There are 33 volcanoes across the country, several of which are still active! Antigua itself is surrounded by dramatic volcanic backdrops, including Volcán de Agua, Volcán de Fuego and Acatenango. Beyond the volcanoes, Guatemala has colourful towns filled with paintings on streets and walls. Mountainous highlands and Lake Atitlán are often described as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. And after seeing it myself with my own eyes, I can honestly say that it has to be the most beautiful lake I’ve seen in my life.

And for 6 days solo in Guatemala as a trip? It worked perfectly.

Quick things to know about Guatemala

They use the two pin plugs sometimes type A & B (two flat pins). You can purchase yours here.

The local currency in Guatemala is Quetzals (GTQ) which can be obtained by exchanging money or going to an ATM. For the 6 days in Guatemala I only took out £150 equivalent and still had some small change left. Things are affordable and the majority of hotels and sit down restaurants accept card payments.

You can use Airalo & Holafly as they work well. You can purchase both here.

Official language is Spanish, tour guides and some people in the city centre speak some English. I was able to get round fine without fluent Spanish.

Tours with GetYourGuide and Viator are booked online and will also accept credit cards, but you may wish to have some cash on hand for tips after the tours.

If you are travelling from the UK, you will see that there are direct flights to Guatemala. You usually have to make a stop, as I did in Canada for an hour.

Travel Insurance can be purchased here via Safety Wing.

Entry Requirements for Guatemala

British, American and Canadian passport holders can enter Guatemala visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry, and you may be asked to show proof of onward travel and accommodation. Guatemala is part of the CA-4 agreement (with Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua), meaning the 90-day limit applies across those four countries combined.

Nigerian passport holders require a visa to enter Guatemala. However, if you hold a valid multiple-entry visa or residence permit for the UK, US, Canada or a Schengen country, you may be permitted entry without applying for a separate Guatemalan visa; this should always be confirmed with the Guatemalan embassy before travelling. You can find out more via iVisa here.

How to Get Around Guatemala?

I arrived pretty late because my flight was severely delayed, but it was fine because I had already booked my transfers via Booking.com. I would always recommend that if you are travelling solo and arriving in a new country, you pre-book your transport, self-drive or even have a driver. These are the different modes of transport and what I used.

Uber

I used Uber everywhere and would say it was the easiest transportation when going around Antigua. You will be able to use Uber in Guatemala City and Antigua. However, Ubers are not as common in other cities and towns, so you may not be able to find an Uber back to Guatemala City or Antigua.

It’s worth noting that you should have cash when using Uber in Guatemala, as they do not accept cards, and they do tend to ask for the PIN before continuing their drive.

Chicken Buses

This is the cheapest form of transport in Guatemala. They are converted US school buses used as public transport. I didn’t personally take them myself, but I did love seeing them because they are so colourful and have such cool designs on them.

The name chicken buses comes from people bringing anything and everything onto the buses, including live chickens! I’m sure they would be an experience, but they are often very crowded and uncomfortable.

Shared Shuttles

Shared shuttles are common between the main destinations in the country. They are used most commonly by tourists. Several different companies offer shuttles, so you can compare times and prices. Companies I looked into included GuateGo and Guatemala Transportation.

Private Transportation

You can also travel in a vehicle, leave when you want, and have more control over where you go with a private driver. The companies linked above for shared shuttles also offer private shuttles. You can also ask locals for personal recommendations of drivers or ask your hotel.

Rental Car/ Self Drive

The last transportation option is self-driving by renting a car. Now, this is only if you don’t mind driving. Before renting a car in Guatemala City, you should consider whether this is going to work if you are travelling solo in Guatemala. Either way, you have the most flexibility if you self-drive.

Is it Safe to Travel to Guatemala Solo?

Short answer: absolutely. Longer answer, I would say so, yes. For me, as a Black woman in Guatemala, I would say that Guatemala is incredibly safe. And I will always say most of the time, when you travel, places are usually safe for the most part. As an experienced solo traveller, I will always say that you should be mindful not to stay out too late at night, and you should rely heavily on tour guides when and where you can. The locals in Guatemala are incredibly friendly. I felt so welcomed by people.

6 Days in Guatemala Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Settle In – Depending on your arrival time, use this day to rest and explore Antigua’s cobblestone streets.
Day 2: Cooking Class & Street Food Tour – I took a Guatemalan cooking class and later explored the local food scene by myself. Book the same cooking class here.
Day 3: Pacaya Volcano – One of the highlights is trekking an active volcano and roasting marshmallows using volcanic heat. Book the exact same tour here.
Day 4: Lake Atitlán – I did a day trip and visited Lake Atitlán, Panjachel, San Pedro, Santiago Atitlan and the colourful town of San Juan La Laguna. Book the same tour here.
Day 5: Antigua & Cerro de la Cruz – Explored Antigua properly and visited Cerro de la Cruz for panoramic views. Book here.
Day 6: Departure & Goodbyes- Slow morning before heading to the airport.

Where to Stay in Guatemala

Accommodation in Antigua books up quickly, especially during high season. I went during February, and all the popular hotels like Good Hotel Antigua and Lush Atitlán were booked. I managed to get a night at Good Hotel Antigua, but most of the time I stayed at Hotel y Jardines Casa Búho, which was very boutique and just as nice; the views and the beautiful peacocks were stunning. Regardless, I would recommend staying centrally when you are in Antigua, so you can walk to restaurants and tour meeting points. And doing a night in Lake Atilán also.

It is worth noting that there is accommodation for everybody, from hostels to high-end chain hotels. I usually book via Expedia, Booking.com, or Hostels. I have shared an illustrative map below for ease:

What to Eat in Guatemala

Oh my gosh, the food in Guatemala is just too good. The food surprised me in a very good way. The flavours were layered, comforting and in many ways familiar to me. As someone with Nigerian roots, the food was very similar to West African food. Here’s everything I cooked during my 6 days in Guatemala solo.

Samikín Stew – This was one of my favourites. Thick, flavourful and beautifully seasoned, it had that slow-built depth that I associate with Nigerian stews.
Rellenitos (Fried Plantain with Chocolate or Beans) – Mashed plantain stuffed with sweetened black beans or chocolate, rolled and lightly fried. Soft on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside. If you love plantain, this is a must.

And then I did a mini street food tour on my own, and I tried these truly superb things:

Tostadas – Crispy tortillas topped with guacamole, shredded meat, tomato, herbs, onions and queso. Light but packed with flavour. I found the best ones around Parque Central in Antigua.
Fried Tacos – Slightly crisp on the outside with warm, savoury filling inside. Salty, crunchy and perfect street food.
Elote (Corn on the Cob) – Boiled corn served warm with lime and salt. Simple, fresh, and so good in the heat.
Fresh Market Juices – Limón and other fresh fruit juices served in plastic cups from market stalls.
Mango with Salt – Freshly sliced mango sprinkled with salt is a 10/10 street snack.

For a sit-down, traditional meals:

I ate at El Adobe in Antigua, known for authentic Guatemalan dishes in a beautiful colonial setting. If you want something traditional but elevated, it’s a great option. I ordered the Pepián / Traditional Turkey Soup. It’s a rich, slow-cooked stew often made with turkey, vegetables and a deep, spiced broth.
I ate at Restaurante Bella Vista and had Guatemalan Breakfast with eggs, tomatoes and onions, black beans, fried plantain, fresh cheese, avocado and tortillas.
For lunch, I also ate at Restaurante Café Luna Azul, where I had the Pescado al Limon. A lemon stew fish (tilapia) with rice, avocado and toritias.

What to Do in Guatemala

1. Cerro de la Cruz has one of the best panoramic views of Antigua. It’s a short uphill walk and gives you that postcard view of the city with Volcán de Agua in the background. Go in the morning for clearer skies and fewer crowds. If you go by Uber, you will need to do a bit of walking up and down to get your Uber. You can book here.

Book Cerro de la Cruz Tour

2. A Guatemalan Cooking Class, where I learned about the cultural roots behind the food I cooked, such as traditional dishes like stews and rellenitos. You can book the same one I did here.

Book a Guatemalan Cooking Class

3. Antigua City Walking Tour helps you understand the colonial architecture, the history of earthquakes, and how the city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can book the same one I did here.

Book Antigua City Walking Tour

4. Lake Atilián is breathtaking and great for an overnight stay or a day tour. I visited Panajachel, San Pedro, Santiago Atitlán and the colourful town of San Juan La Laguna. The lake is surrounded by volcanoes, and the towns each have their own personality. Even as a day trip, it’s worth it. You can book the same one here.

Book Lake Atilán

5. Pacaya Volcano was truly an amazing tour for me because, as always, I really challenged myself to walk up to the top. It was such a good experience, but it was a little challenging, I will admit. There are horses that can take you to the top, but I would say it’s more fun walking up. You can roast marshmallows and cook Pizza with volcanic heat. I don’t really like Pizza, so I just did the marshmallows. Worth noting that you will need to pre-book the Pizza here.

Here is what to pack for Pacaya Volcano if you take the day tour:

Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat, Gloves, Wipes and Hand Sanitiser
Leggings or sports pants don’t wear jeans, you need to be comfortable!
Reusable Water Bottle
Trainers (sneakers) or a pair of hiking boots. I wore my New Balance trainers.
Socks (1 pair to hike with and one to wear at night)
Snacks such as protein bars or even a burger that can be eaten on the top!
Zippered Bag or Backpack – take a look at these backpacks for travellers!
Poncho, if it’s forecasted to rain
Power Bank (I use INIU power banks, as they are super long-lasting and affordable too)
Tripod (to get still pictures of the eruptions and stars)

Book Pacaya Volcano

Other Travel Tools & Resources

My Instagram and TikTok have quick reels and specifics of my visit to Guatemala.
Always carry some cash, for smaller businesses, to tip, and for markets, just be sure to have XE to know the daily exchange rates.
Before going to any of these countries, I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
In terms of taxis, they mainly use Uber, and share their location with friends for extra security.
Book with Viator or GetYourGuide if you want specific tours for Guatemala. Please read the reviews before booking!
I used Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279.
Check out my solo travel hub for tips on how to travel – Solo Travel Tips & Inspiration.

Final Views on Guatemala

And there you have it, 6 days in Guatemala solo. I loved Guatemala so so much. The country has my whole heart. The locals were so welcoming; every single one smiled at me as I walked around by myself, which made me feel so welcome in the country.

I will definitely be going back to Guatemala, because what a beautiful country it is indeed. Spending time in Guatemala was the right choice for my first Central American trip, and I wish I could do it all over again. It was life-changing, where I learnt about the real history, raw and deeply cultural for me all in one.

What about you? Would you spend some time in Guatemala? Have you been before? Let me know in the comments below. I will be sharing more on the traditional foods you must eat in Guatemala, so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing.

And apologies, I will be back on the monthly newsletters shortly.

Thanks,

Adebola MBV x

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