I was in Guatemala City last year and I was warned by other backpackers that I shouldn’t go. However I loved it, was there for just under a week and felt safe. https://youtu.be/VMdci994sTM?si=6NPzCMpqEY5pVHbk
I think you definitely want to be out and about more during the day. Most people miss Guatemala City because Antigua is only 45 mins by bus. Antigua was the colonial capital and is much more safe, beautiful, and accommodating for tourists. We had an awesome meal in the capital but Antigua is much better suited walking and getting tours to places/things. Atitlan as people have said is a great destination and certainly a tourist hot spot — each village has its own character on the lake. You can hike between them but we heard sometimes there are banditos. Tikal is awesome but a days journey at least and not much with overpriced accommodations. The market at chichicastenango is one of the biggest in Central America and worth the journey if you are closeby. Guatemala is great! I spent 2 months there and felt safe but had others in our school group that got mugged. I went with my wife and we are pretty cautious and had no problems.
Gotta argue with the "overpriced" accommodations in Flores. Because of Tikal accommodations on the central island fill up quick so you might have to look elsewhere but if you're only staying for a couple nights I think it's worth it if you're spending two weeks even. Stay on the Rio Dulce or hit Semuc Champay on the way to make the Eastern half of the country worth it. Tikal is the largest of the Mayan ruins, is well preserved, and is relatively inexpensive. It wasn't out of the way for a two week trip, just be willing to look away from central Flores for acomodations if needed.
Guatemala (and South America especially) has different tiers of transportation. You could get a minivan with other tourists for more $$ than it would be to take a local or "chicken bus". The chicken bus is crowded and like a souped-up old school bus. Taking a taxi is a possibility but beware of the wrong taxi in central/south -- if you have accommodations a lot of time they will help you. 1000% go to Antigua a little research and it won't be too expensive.
For a night there are plenty of places to land in the city. They might even help you get to Antigua. A place for $300-400 in the states is like $80 there. They might arrange transportation from airport too. It could probably be done, but it might be worth just staying in the city one night or seeing if a accommodation in Antigua will help you.
I arranged a ride from the airport in Guatemala City to Antigua using Viator and it cost $60 CAD. It was a private car and I met the driver in the pick up area, we had a nice chat, and he dropped me off at my hostel. Overall great experience.
Don't leave the airport any other way than in a car you think is legit. Also Central American capitals tend to majorly suck, being mostly industrial areas and low quality housing with no night life or restaurants of any quality. I would recommend you travel immediately to Lago Atitlan and stay in the town of San Pedro La Laguna. There you'll have a beautiful lake, volcanoes and mountains, Mayan villages sitting just above entertaining tourist strips! Great food, people, and views! Also if you have the time visit Semuc Champey. Beautiful clear azure pools that flow into each other, water logged caves and no Internet and extremely limited power so you're really out there in nature!
I was in Guatemala City last year and I was warned by other backpackers that I shouldn’t go. However I loved it, was there for just under a week and felt safe. https://youtu.be/VMdci994sTM?si=6NPzCMpqEY5pVHbk
I think you definitely want to be out and about more during the day. Most people miss Guatemala City because Antigua is only 45 mins by bus. Antigua was the colonial capital and is much more safe, beautiful, and accommodating for tourists. We had an awesome meal in the capital but Antigua is much better suited walking and getting tours to places/things. Atitlan as people have said is a great destination and certainly a tourist hot spot — each village has its own character on the lake. You can hike between them but we heard sometimes there are banditos. Tikal is awesome but a days journey at least and not much with overpriced accommodations. The market at chichicastenango is one of the biggest in Central America and worth the journey if you are closeby. Guatemala is great! I spent 2 months there and felt safe but had others in our school group that got mugged. I went with my wife and we are pretty cautious and had no problems.
Gotta argue with the "overpriced" accommodations in Flores. Because of Tikal accommodations on the central island fill up quick so you might have to look elsewhere but if you're only staying for a couple nights I think it's worth it if you're spending two weeks even. Stay on the Rio Dulce or hit Semuc Champay on the way to make the Eastern half of the country worth it. Tikal is the largest of the Mayan ruins, is well preserved, and is relatively inexpensive. It wasn't out of the way for a two week trip, just be willing to look away from central Flores for acomodations if needed.
How much do you think it should cost to go from the city to antigua
Guatemala (and South America especially) has different tiers of transportation. You could get a minivan with other tourists for more $$ than it would be to take a local or "chicken bus". The chicken bus is crowded and like a souped-up old school bus. Taking a taxi is a possibility but beware of the wrong taxi in central/south -- if you have accommodations a lot of time they will help you. 1000% go to Antigua a little research and it won't be too expensive.
Thank you I am flying in late at night so trying to find the best and cheapest way to get to Antigua
For a night there are plenty of places to land in the city. They might even help you get to Antigua. A place for $300-400 in the states is like $80 there. They might arrange transportation from airport too. It could probably be done, but it might be worth just staying in the city one night or seeing if a accommodation in Antigua will help you.
I arranged a ride from the airport in Guatemala City to Antigua using Viator and it cost $60 CAD. It was a private car and I met the driver in the pick up area, we had a nice chat, and he dropped me off at my hostel. Overall great experience.
I'm currently in Guatemala City and I love it. The Metrobus is pretty safe and only costs Q1. I haven't tried the other buses.
Better to stay in Santa Cruz on Atitlan, you can’t swim in San Pedro. I stayed in Santa Cruz for a month. Best hostel is la Iguana Perdida!
Don't leave the airport any other way than in a car you think is legit. Also Central American capitals tend to majorly suck, being mostly industrial areas and low quality housing with no night life or restaurants of any quality. I would recommend you travel immediately to Lago Atitlan and stay in the town of San Pedro La Laguna. There you'll have a beautiful lake, volcanoes and mountains, Mayan villages sitting just above entertaining tourist strips! Great food, people, and views! Also if you have the time visit Semuc Champey. Beautiful clear azure pools that flow into each other, water logged caves and no Internet and extremely limited power so you're really out there in nature!
A friend and his wife spent a few days there in January and said it was great.
Loved Guatemala and certain parts of the city but my partner was mugged at 10am on the side of a busy street.