The Perfect 4 Day Antigua Guatemala Itinerary (2026 Guide)
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Antigua Guatemala Itinerary
On my flight home from Antigua, Guatemala, I sank into my seat, completely exhausted yet happy. I had filled four days in Antigua Guatemala with almost everything I wanted to do, from volcano hikes to hands-on lessons in cooking authentic Guatemalan dishes to sipping on colorful cocktails in hidden speakeasies tucked behind beautiful colonial doors.
Somewhere between takeoff and landing, I realized something: Antigua is the perfect extended weekend trip from the US. It is a mix of adventure, relaxation, and breathtaking views that make you feel like you spent more than 4 days away!
If you are short on PTO and still craving something exciting and memorable, this 4-day Antigua Guatemala itinerary will show you exactly how to spend your time, from hiking and food experiences to where to catch the most stunning city views and the practical tips to make your trip smooth from start to finish.
What to know before visiting Antigua, Guatemala?
Before you even get to Antigua, make sure you fill out the declaration form. You will need the QR code when collecting your bag because they will ask for it.
ATMs are available inside the airport before you exit baggage claim, but once you are out, there are none until you reach Antigua, Guatemala. When withdrawing cash, always choose to be charged in local currency and let the bank handle the conversion (you will get a much better rate).
Most merchants take credit cards, including vendors near the Arco De Santa Catalina (Antigua’s Iconic yellow arch), but American Express is not widely accepted. I would highly recommend having cash. I used cash when visiting Hobbitenango, Altamira, La Merced, Antigua Boreal, and Rinconcita Antigua (which is cash only), so make sure you have some quetzales on hand. If you are using USD, the bills must be nearly perfect; otherwise, they may be refused.
When is the best time to visit Antigua, Guatemala?
The best time to visit Antigua, Guatemala, is during the dry season, from November to April. We visited in late January, and temperatures were comfortable, in the mid-70s during the day and dropping to the mid-50s at night. Pack a light jacket for early mornings and evenings, especially if you are hiking or exploring after dark.
If you are interested in seeing how they celebrate Holy Week, plan your trip around Easter (Semana Santa). The city comes alive with elaborate, colorful processions unlike anything you have seen before. We caught one during our visit, and it was a highlight of the trip.
May through October is the rainy season. Our driver noted that the rain is usually short but heavy, more of an afternoon downpour than an all-day event. It is still a beautiful time to visit, just pack a small umbrella and plan outdoor activities for the morning.
Where to stay in Antigua Guatemala?
I would highly recommend staying in the city center. You will be within walking distance of everything, and it is much easier to catch a tuk-tuk or join a tour right from your doorstep.
We stayed just outside the city and needed to take an Uber or tuk-tuk every time we wanted to head out. It was about a 25-minute walk from where we stayed to Central Park, which added up quickly. Learn from our mistake and book something central!
One thing to know: Antigua has very few chain hotels. Currently, the Selina Hotel Brand has a property there, but you won’t find Hyatt, Hilton, or Marriott brands there. This is due to strict UNESCO World Heritage regulations banning modern high-rise and standardized developments. The city’s colonial character is preserved through boutique hotels and guesthouses, which makes Antigua Guatemala even more special. Airbnbs are widely available and a great option.
Pro Tip: If you are booking an Airbnb, use the Delta Airbnb link to earn 500 Delta points on your booking.
What is the Best way to get to Antigua, Guatemala?
Getting from Guatemala City Airport (GUA) to Antigua, Guatemala, can take 45 minutes to an hour, but I would budget up to two hours if you hit traffic, which is common during peak hours. Our Trip back to the airport, Monday morning at 8:30, took us a little over two hours, due to traffic.
There are a few ways to make the journey:
- Private Shuttle: This is ideal for groups or anyone who wants a hassle-free, door-to-door experience. We booked our trip through Viator, and it was seamless and definitely worth the extra cost for the convenience. We paid about $125 each way, and our driver stopped for snacks and for us to get cash at an ATM on the way.
- Uber: A great budget-friendly option for solo travelers or couples. Uber operates reliably at the airport; just make sure to request your ride once you have cleared baggage claim.
- Shared Shuttle: The most affordable option and easy to book through Viator. You will share the ride with other travelers heading to Antigua, so expect a few stops along the way.
- Chicken Bus: The local bus experience is an adventure in itself and the cheapest way to get here, but it is not the most comfortable option. Budget travelers swear by it.
Is Antigua, Guatemala, safe?
I felt extremely safe during my time in Antigua, Guatemala. The locals were very friendly and always helpful whenever I had questions or needed directions. That being said, I would follow a few common-sense precautions similar to what I would do anywhere. I keep my phone tucked away in crowded areas, avoid wearing flashy jewelry, taking a tuk-tuk or Uber at night instead of walking alone, especially on quieter streets.
If you are a solo female traveler, Antigua, Guatemala, is very welcoming. I met a few solo travelers at a free Salsa Dancing class we took on Friday night, and they spoke about how much they loved the city and how comfortable they felt exploring on their own.
Do I need to know Spanish to explore Antigua, Guatemala?
You do not need to speak Spanish fluently to enjoy Antigua Guatemala. In tourist-heavy areas, restaurants, hotels, and tour operators, you will find that many locals speak at least basic English. That said, knowing a few phrases goes a long way, and locals genuinely appreciate the efforts.
Simple phrases like “¿ ¿Cuánto cuesta?” (How much does it cost?), and Gracias (thank you) or even “Donde esta el bano?” (Where is the bathroom?) will make your trip even easier.
I speak conversational Spanish, so I was able to translate most things for my group, but for the times I needed additional support, like when we were looking for very specific camera batteries, I relied on Google Translate to support. Make sure to download it before you go and enable offline support.
4-Day Antigua, Guatemala Itinerary
This is not your typical itinerary; it is adventure-filled, jam-packed, with little time for naps. However, it is great for anyone who wants to see as much as they can in a few days, yet not the most adventurous cause we are not doing an overnight hike. So if you want to repeat this, make sure to add in some downtime, or you will be sleeping on your flight back and trying to recover for a few days.
Day 1 Antigua, Guatemala Itinerary
Here is how to spend your first day in Antigua, Guatemala.
After landing in Guatemala City, head to your transportation to Antigua. If you arrive in Antigua early, I would see if your accommodations can hold your luggage so that you can explore until check-in.
Cafe Sky Bar
Once we checked in, we headed to Cafe Sky Bar to grab food. Cafe Sky bar has some of the most amazing views of Fuego Volcano, Agua Volcano, and Acatanango Volcano from their rooftop. This is the perfect spot to start your trip, and the food there was so good!
I wanted to return every day, but I had a list of restaurants I wanted to try out!
We spent about $20 a person here.
Walking Tour Antigua Guatemala
After finishing up, we decided to explore the city. We headed to the Arco de Santa Catalina. Afterward, we walked to the We Love Antigua sign located outside of the La Merced before heading to the market. The we love antigua sign is a great photo op!
The market literally has everything you can think of, from food, clothing, paints, postcards, bags, and all the trinkets you might want to buy to bring home.
Cooking and Salsa Classes
Once we left the market, we went back to change and get ready for our cooking class at La Tortilla Cooking School. The class cost $50 USD and included dinner and unlimited white or red wine. We learned how to make a main dish with three sides, and the food was so good, I am literally still thinking about the chicken that we made!
Following dinner, we learned about Salsa at Frank Arango Studio, where there are free classes year-round at 8 pm on Fridays. Classes are about an hour, and you learn to dance salsa with a partner before the class turns into a party.
If you still have the energy, as we did, we headed out and grabbed a drink at Ulew, a speakeasy, not too far away, where they don’t have a menu. You describe what you like, and they make you a surprise drink!
Day 2 Antigua Guatemala Itinerary
This is the only day we kind of slept in late. We hired the driver who drove us from the airport to take us on our day trip out to Hobbitenango, Altamira, and Antigua Boreal. If you do not want to hire a driver, you could book this through Viator or take an Uber. Hobbitenango and Altamira are within walking distance of each other, and then you would need to take an Uber to Antigua Boreal.
Hiring our driver cost us $150 USD + Tip, but he stayed and waited for us at all of the attractions.
Hobbitenango Antigua Guatemala
For this day, we started around 9 am and had breakfast when we got to Hobbitenango.
Getting to Hobbitenango is a little bumpy, so be prepared to hold on. Once inside, you can explore the grounds at your leisure. We were there for about 2.5 hours and did archery, explored the Hobbit houses, and took a ton of pictures. Most of our time was spent waiting to take pictures on the giant hand you see on the left! While there, you can also do a swing, play mini golf, and shop! To enter Hobbitenango, it costs 55 quetzales.
Altamira Antigua Guatemala
Once we finished all of our photos at Hobbitenango, we made the approximately 15-minute walk to Altamira and paid 25 quetzals to get in.
Altamira has the bicicable, golden hands, and many other photo opportunities. They had a mini gym, a rock climbing wall, a trampoline, and you could even get drone footage of yourself on one of the hands.
I ended up doing the bicicables with a friend, costing us 200 quetzales. I literally still cannot believe I did it. It was something I knew I wanted to do, but once you are up there and looking down, it did make me panic just a little.
We spent about an hour here just walking around and exploring. If you want to check out the mini gym, rock climbing wall, and other photo ops, you have to take the stairs down, and they are a little steep.
Antigua Boreal Antigua Guatemala
After Altamira, we headed to Antigua Boreal, which, as most might not know, is where the colorful slide is in Guatemala.
A friend and I purchased 5 rides, and it was so much fun. It does take a few minutes to get to the top, but gliding down the slide is so much fun. Honestly, I thought I was going to fly out of it, but it really was safe.
We ate lunch here because they are known for their deep-dish pizza. Before heading back to Antigua, we stopped at Cerro de La Cruz, a hilltop lookout that offers some of the most breathtaking views of Antigua Guatemala and the surrounding volcanoes. Best of all, it is completely free and only takes about 15 minutes to walk up. Luckily, our driver dropped us off at the top, and we only had to walk down.
This day ended with dinner followed by drinks at Wisdom, a speakeasy hidden behind a wig store. We had to head home a little early because our next day started around 5 am!
Day 3 Antigua Guatemala Itinerary
This day started super early with us needing to meet our tour guide at 6 am at a nearby hostel.
Hiking Pacaya Volcano, Antigua Guatemala
Day 3 started before sunrise with a hike up Pacaya Volcano, one of the most unforgettable experiences of the entire trip. I have a full guide dedicated to everything you need to know about hiking Pacaya, including what to wear, how to book, and what to expect.
It takes a little over an hour to get to the volcano, and they do not stop for food, so make sure you grab some snacks the day before. We hiked; the round trip took us about 2.5 hours, and halfway through, we stopped to “roast” marshmallows.
You have the option of doing the hike on foot or even renting a horse to take you up. They do stop about every 15 minutes to help you catch your breath. For me, it was medium difficulty, but I would say that I am out of shape.
This cost us $23 a person.
Rinconcito Antigua Guatemala
After the hike, we headed back to the city. The drive back to the city is the perfect time to nap! Instead of getting dropped off at the hostel, we got off a little early and headed to Rinconcito Antigua, a cash-only restaurant where you can see them hand-making tortillas when you walk in. Get the half chicken, it is so good!
After lunch, we spent some time checking out the shops nearby before grabbing drinks at Frieda’s and chatting about the trip. Frieda has some of the most amazing corn cakes that you must try if you visit.
Aqua Antigua Restaurant, Guatemala
We ended our trip with a private final dinner at Aqua Antigua with a decorated room and a hilarious recap of our trip. If you want to book with them, message them on WhatsApp to reserve a private room.
After dinner, we checked out our final speakeasy, Charleston, before calling it a night so that we could all pack.
Day 4 Antigua Guatemala Itinerary
Today we headed back to the airport. We had our Airbnb hire us a driver, and it took us about 2 hours to get to the airport. If you are leaving later in the evening, I would stay in Antigua a little longer and check out one of the many coffee shops!
You could also head to Guatemala City, and use resport pass to visit a hotel closer to the airport to relax at. One of my friends got a day pass to the Hilton in Guatemala City because her flight was much later.
At the airport, we waited in the Priority Pass Lounge, which I got access to via my American Express Platinum, until it was time to go to our gate and head back to NYC!
Antigua Guatemala Itinerary
Antigua Guatemala is one of those destinations that leaves you with wonderful memories that you will think about for years to come. In just four days, you can hike volcanoes, take cooking classes, explore ruins, ride a bicicable and still have time for a speakeasy cocktail at night.
Whether you are planning your first trip or looking for the perfect long weekend getaway from the US, this Antigua Guatemala itinerary gives you everything you need to make the most of your time.
Now all that is left is booking your flight!
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