Explore & Restore: A 12-Day Getaway in Guatemala

A private shuttle will collect you from the airport in Guatemala City and drive you down winding roads and through sloping landscapes to Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage town, rich in history and frozen in time. The town is walkable and super photogenic. The cobblestone roads, the historic establishments with hidden interior plazas and terrazas, the volcanoes looming over the town—it all turns every walk into a marvelous journey. On your first day, simply take in the sights and visit any of the bars, shops, or restaurants that catch your eye. My favorite place for the first drink is Barrio ("neighborhood" in Spanish), a two-story complex with five different bars and restaurants connected by a plaza in the middle.

Originally an ancient Mayan city, Antigua eventually became the Spanish colonial capital of the entire region before a cataclysmic volcanic eruption put the town on an entirely different trajectory. When I'm visiting a new place with such a rich past and culture, I love starting off with a walking tour. Particularly in a small town like Antigua, the tour will infuse everything around you with meaning as well as reveal some charming cafés, bars, or restaurants that you can come back to later. While in Antigua, you have to eat at Rincón Típico to get the local flavors.

Go back to your hotel for your mid-afternoon siesta. In the evening, get your night started right by going to a drop-in dance class at New Sensations Dance Studio or Las Palmas, then head over to the best bar in town: Café No Sé. This is my all-time favorite bar in the world.

My two favorite cafes are Fat Cat Coffee, right by the central park, and Y Tu Piña También at the north end of the city. After a fresh smoothie and coffee, there is one walk—too short to be called a hike—that must be done: the climb up Cerro de la Cruz. This gives you a stunning view overlooking Antigua. You can take a short tuk-tuk ride to the entrance or get there in 20 minutes by foot from the Central Plaza. For your afternoon, have the hotel arrange a ride to the Viñedo Château DeFay, a former coffee plantation turned vineyard estate nestled on a beautiful piece of land in the countryside. When you return, stop in at one of Antigua’s small, boutique museums or art galleries. Enjoy a Guatemalan chocolate, coffee, or jade experience, or check out local art at Casa Para Las Artes. All great locations for buying gifts. By this point, you’ve seen the town and probably have a list of spots you still want to check out with your last evening.

Enjoy a big breakfast and take your coffee to go, so you enjoy it while you take in the stunning 3.5-hour drive to Lake Atitlán. The last hour, as you ascend into the Guatemalan Highlands, is the best part. The first view of the lake is epic! Your driver will drop you off at the docks at Panajachel, where a private boat will pick you up and deliver you to the hotel. My favorite place to be in Atitlán is on a boat on the lake.

Similar to Antigua, Lake Atitlán is situated near several volcanoes—three to be exact—that make for a breathtaking vista in every direction. If I had to pick one to summit in a day, it would be Volcán Atitlán. A private boat will pick you up and take you to The Bambu, a restaurant with an exquisite view of Santiago where you can fuel up on coffee and a delicious, locally sourced breakfast. The guide will meet you there, and you will begin your four-hour ascent. The cloud forest and views over the lake will stay with you forever!

My favorite day in Atitlán is the boat tour around the lake. Rent a private boat and visit San Marcos, San Antonio, San Pedro, and Santiago. Each town has its own unique character. San Marcos is a spiritual and mindfulness hot spot that attracts free spirits from around the world. San Pedro is the old party town with a bunch of fun, friendly hostels where you can have a drink and meet fellow travelers. San Antonio has the best craft market and amazing street art, while Santiago has Maximón—the famous local idol that residents from around the lake visit for spiritual guidance.

Go for an early-morning kayak ride and catch the sunrise. After breakfast, take a boat across to Santiago to visit an impressive coffee finca (farm), where you will see a diverse array of coffee plants growing. Now the trip moves into restore mode. Take the afternoon to soak up the sun and say goodbye to the volcanoes!

A private shuttle will collect you after an early breakfast, and so begins your four-and-a-half-hour descent from the highlands to Monterrico—a secluded town on the Pacific coast. The change in topography, vegetation, and temperature is remarkable. You will arrive at the hotel around noon, and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy by the pool. The sunset along the black-sand beach cannot be missed.

Now for some fun in the surf! There are many surf schools along the coast with some variation in difficulty of waves. The instructor will pick you up from the hotel and bring you to a suitable spot based on your skill level. When you’re done surfing, relax on the beach. You can choose to have lunch there or head back to the hotel for an afternoon siesta.

The most enchanting part of the Guatemalan coast is the natural reserve featuring an intricate network of rivers weaving through dense mangroves. Your tour guide will pick you up before dawn, so you are on the river as the sun rises. This is the best time to catch the incredible diversity of birds that attract avian enthusiasts from around the world.

The trip would not be complete without a spa experience. Enjoy your final day with a massage!

It is a four-hour drive back to Guatemala City. The shuttle can be arranged through the hotel.