2~3 weeks itinerary for Guatemala + El Salvador or Belize

Thorn Tree forumCountry forumsCentral America
Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
28
…
Send as an e-mail
Send as an e-mail
Explore mentioned cities

Antigua

Guatemala
Antigua
Show moreShow less
qlrthf91
qlrthf91

I'm planning on doing 2~3 weeks trip to Guatemala and El Salvador from mid August to first week of September. I like doing activities and enjoy doing outdoor stuff in nature.

My current plan is to spend about 2 weeks in Guatemala hitting up Antigua, Atitlan, Tikal (maybe I will hike one of the mountains) then go down to El Salvador (I assume you can take a bus from Guatemala to El Salvador) for surfing. I will likely go to El Tunco as it is closer to Guatemala as I would probably have to return for my flight.

My questions are :

  1. Is 2~3 weeks enough time to do what I plan on doing?
  2. Is El Salvador safe to travel? I'm going to El Salvador just to surf so I won't really be exploring anywhere else other than El Tunco.
  3. I'm still a beginner in terms of surfing. I'm not sure how the wave is like in August.
  4. I know that it's the raining season for both countries. Is it viable to travel during this time?
View last reply
Report
1
mstep
mstep

Is 2~3 weeks enough time to do what I plan on doing?

Yes. The shuttles from Antigua to El Tunco only take 4-5 hours time, so no problem with your plan. But 2 weeks sounds unrealistic for the whole thing, so think closer to 3 weeks.

Is El Salvador safe to travel? I'm going to El Salvador just to surf so I won't really be exploring anywhere else other than El Tunco.

Yes, it's safe. Most crime in El Salvador is gang related, and the gangs aren't interested in the tourists. Specifically El Tunco is very safe.

I know that it's the raining season for both countries. Is it viable to travel during this time?

There will be some thunderstorms and heavy rain in the afternoons. Unless there is a big weather event you should still have mostly sunny mornings, and a chance for a nice rain free sunset.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
2
hopefulist
hopefulist

I can't help with El Salvador/surfing but I've enjoyed dozens of visits to Central America during the summer months and find it to be a good time to visit. In our experience, rain has fallen almost exclusively at night in low-lying areas. In highland areas the mornings are generally gorgeous and it rains some days starting in the afternoon or evening.

I would want 2 weeks for Guatemala, especially if you're interested in some trekking, Belize would be easy to get to from Tikal and is also an awesome place to visit, but there's pretty much no surfing because of the barrier reef. Have a great trip, whatever you decide!

My photos w/ blog & travelogue links on the main page of each collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
3
hermosajoe
hermosajoe

Yeah, a total of 3 weeks is needed to enjoy your trip.

Consider heading to Tikal first then back to Lake Atitlan and onto Antigua. Then take the easy shuttle to El Tunco, cool safe fun town and then return to Antigua for a night before you fly out from GC. Nice trip.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
4
Thorn Tree

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

This topic has been locked by a moderator.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner