Guatemala- Antigua, Tikal, and Lake Atitlan

Great trip with (mostly) beautiful tropical weather!

First day we stayed over at a fancy Westin hotel in Guatemala City and took a morning tour before heading to Tikal.

Spent two days in Tikal exploring the ruins of this vast ancient Mayan city in the jungle.  Stayed at Jungle Lodge located inside Tikal National Park.  The park has many miles of dirt paths that go thru the jungle to many remote spots where you are completely alone with the wild critters, birds, and insects.  Was able to do some great jogs thru the jungle at sunrise & sunset. Awesome jungle sounds (birds, monkeys, and insects) especially in the early morning and evening. Howler monkeys could be used as alarm clocks since they reliably were howling at about 5- 530AM.  Jungle Lodge had a great outdoor dining area for delicious breakfasts and dinners.

Then headed to Flores and Antigua for a quick stopover before heading to Lake Atitlan for R&R.  Antigua is a 15th century colonial Spanish city almost like a time capsule with many churches and ancient ruins along with nice restaurants and views of the volcanos.   Flores in a city near Tikal on a peninsula on a large lake with great views.

We took a 2.5 hour private shuttle to Lake Atitlan and then picked up groceries and headed by private boat to our house in Santa Cruz for a few days on the lake.   Took a hike around Santa Cruz and also a steep jog up a mountain road to the nearby town.  The rest of the time enjoyed the great volcano and lake views.

Finally- we headed back to Guatemala City for one more night before flying home.  Checked out the local Hooter's to see the Guatemala boys & pick up some Buffalo Shrimp & Chicken Wings.

Tired of hiking mountains? How about hiking up a volcano instead or exploring Tikal?  Join me for a one week trip to experience the best of Guatemala.  HIghlights of the trip are 2 day stay in Tikal National Park at Jungle Lodge (which is located within the park).  Tikal has a large archeological site of a ruin of an ancient city in a rainforest in Guatemala and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It also has interesting critters such as Howler Monkeys, Spider Monkeys, toucans, and jaguars!   We will also visit Antigua- a small city surrounded by volcanoes with beautiful Spanish colonial buildings.  Later, we will relax for 2 days at a private villa with smimming pool at Lake Atitlan- a beautiful lake which is located in a volcanic crater in Guatemala's southern highlands.

Day 1- Fly to Guatemala City (Stay overnight at Westin Camino Real Hotel)

Day 2 Fly to Flores & then travel to Tikal National Park. Stay at Jungle Lodge.

Day 3: Explore Tikal National Park

Day 4: Fly to Guatemala City & take Shuttle to Antigua. (Stay overnight in Antigua)

Day 5: Take shuttle to Lake Atitlan (Panajachel) and then boat to a private villa at Santa Cruz (Casa Valdres).

Day 6: Relax at the Villa or Hike a Volcano in the area.

Day 7: Return to Guatemala City (Stay overnight at Westin Camino Real Hotel)

Day 8: Fly back to USA