I found a $70 flight from Los Angeles to Guatemala City, that’s how we ended up in Guatemala for a long weekend.
What do you do with 72 hours in Guatemala? Eat like royalty, get massages, wander cobblestone streets, take in volcano views from rooftops.
Our long romantic weekend was short, sweet, and full of indulgence — three days of food, culture, and just enough adventure to make it unforgettable.
Overview of Itinerary
Day 1: Guatemala City — Brunch, Spa, and Sublime Dining
- Parque 10: Our Airbnb Base
- Brunch at San Martín
- Massages at Bless Spa
- Dinner at Sublime
Day 2: Antigua — Colonial Charm Without Staying Overnight
- Buffett Breakfast @ The Market
- Uber from Guatemala City to Antigua
- Exploring Antigua:
- Cobblestone streets & shopping
- Urban hike to Cerro de la Cruz
- Rooftop drink with volcano views @ Aqua Antigua
- Dinner at El Tenedor del Cerro
- Back in Guatemala City:
- Mercado 24 & Casa del Águila Cultural Center
- Late-night tacos
Day 3: Lake Atitlán — Coffee Farms, Textiles & Stunning Views
- Guided tour pickup & Panajachel breakfast
- Boat to San Juan La Laguna
- San Juan highlights:
- Small coffee farm tour
- Textile store visit
- Return to Guatemala City by 6 PM
Mini-Moon Highlights & Takeaways
Day 1: Guatemala City — Brunch, Spa, and Sublime Dining
We started our morning in Parque 10, one of Guatemala City’s quieter neighborhoods. Brunch at San Martín set the tone for the weekend: part casual part luxe.
After brunch, we headed to Bless Spa for 1 hour-long $40 massages.
Dinner that night was at Sublime, where the 13-course tasting menu was nothing short of spectacular. Each dish was a tiny work of art, inventive and tied to Guatemalan history, or land. Each dish came with a lengthy explanation and story.
Day 2: Antigua — Colonial Charm Without Staying Overnight
We love Antigua, but I’ve visited Antigua before – even hiked the Acatenango, and decided a full overnight stay wasn’t necessary. Instead, we took an Uber ($40 each way) and spent about six hours exploring:
- Strolling the cobblestone streets, soaking in the colorful colonial architecture & shopping for souvenirs.
- Climbing Cerro de la Cruz for panoramic city and volcano vistas.
- Having a rooftop drink with volcano views @ Aqua Antigua
Dinner was at El Tenedor del Cerro, a mountaintop spot that doubles as an art gallery and restaurant. The grounds were massive, the food was eclectic like Italian asian fusion – plus the views, and the art? Yes.
Back in Guatemala City, we explored a different side of town at night. Mercado 24 – ranked #49 best restaurant in Latin America, and near the Casa del Águila Cultural Center, offered a lively bar scene. We finished the night with late-night tacos — a casual, fun contrast to our day of rooftops and cobblestones.
Day 3: Lake Atitlán — Coffee Farms, Textiles & Stunning Views
On our final day, we joined a guided tour to Lake Atitlán. Pickup was right at our Airbnb in Guatemala City. We drove to Panajachel for a light breakfast before boarding a boat to San Juan La Laguna.
In San Juan:
- We toured a small coffee farm, learning about local cultivation and roasting processes.
- Visited a textile store, where we learned about natural dyes, fabrics and artisanal crafts by Casa Flor Ixcac
- Lunch was included on the tour but honestly wasn’t memorable — still, it was part of the full experience.
By 6 PM, we were back in Guatemala City, tired but completely fulfilled.
Mini-Moon Highlights & Takeaways
- Food: Brunch at San Martín, buffet breakfast at The Market, and tasting menu at Sublime were all memorable — especially the buffet at The Market, which remains one of our highlights.
- Antigua Efficiency: A same-day trip worked perfectly for us. Overnight stays are optional if you’ve visited before.
- Cultural & Scenic Immersion: Lake Atitlán, even on a day trip, provides volcano views, artisan markets, and coffee farm insights.
- Late-Night Fun: Mercado 24 and late-night tacos added a playful, local nightlife touch to our trip.
Three days, three cities, incredible food, and volcano vistas — it was the perfect mini-moon. No regrets.