Day Trips from Antigua Guatemala

Walk for 2 hours to the summit of Pacaya Volcano and enjoy stunning views. Leave from Antigua for a 1-hour bus journey to the volcano's base before immediately starting your 2-hour trek with your local guide. Hike through wonderful pine forests up to the trickier volcanic ash section and finally to the sulfur smoking cone. On occasions you can even see small eruptions and lava flowing, depending on the activity of the volcano. From the summit you can enjoy great views of the nearby volcanoes, Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, the pacific lowlands and all the way to El Salvador. To ensure your safety you won’t be able to visit the crater, but you will get an amazing view of red-hot lava flowing and steam baths created by the heat of Pacaya. Take a break and relax here as you take in more scenic views before hiking back to the base of the volcano, from where you will transfer back to your accommodation. 

Take the road to The Western Highlands region, home to quaint and colorful mountain villages, highland lakes, pine forests, and the majority of Guatemala’s indigenous people. This is the region most travelers familiar with Guatemala think about when daydreaming of a trip to this beautiful country. Upon arrival at Panajachel, take a public boat to cross Lake Atitlan and visit San Juan La Laguna. Enjoy the vibrant colors and local flavor of this village. Santiago is the most popular lakeside settlement outside Panajachel, and many atitecos (as its people are known) cling to a traditional Tz’utujil Mayan lifestyle. Women weave and wear huipiles (tunics) embroidered with brilliantly colored birds and flowers, and the cofradías town’s maintain the ceremonies and rituals of tradition, the syncretic traditions, and practices of Mayan Catholicism. There’s a large art and crafts scene here as well. Back to Panajachel. In Panajachel, you will take a delicious lunch (NOT INCLUDED) Explore the village of Panajachel is a pre-Columbian town of Kakchiquel origin, settled next to the river with the same name and on the lakeside of Atitlán. The town witnessed the final battle between Spaniards and their Kakchiquel allies against the Tzujiles and it also was a settlement point for the Franciscan missionaries who founded a convent nearby. In the afternoon, you’ll be returned to Antigua Guatemala.

Your 10-hour excursion begins with a drive into the western highlands of Guatemala. The region is home to quaint and colorful mountain villages, highland lakes, pine forests and the majority of Guatemala’s indigenous peoples. When you arrive at the Chichicastenango market you’ll begin your walking tour. The market is at the center of the town and is the heart of commercial life for maxeños, the natives of Chichicastenango. Every Thursday and Sunday merchants head to the central plaza to sell their products in this impressive indigenous market that has changed very little over the centuries. Explore the pathways of the market and admire the colorful handicrafts and produce offered by the local people of the region. In Chichicastenango, you’ll also visit Santo Tomás Church, built in 1540 over the base of a pre-Hispanic temple. This church is a splendid example of colonial architecture, and the Mayan and Latino influence is evident in both the interior and exterior of the building. After exploring the market you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch (not included in the tour price). Next you’ll continue to the town of Panajachel, located at the edge of Lake Atitlan. Take a walk along Santander Street and enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Atitlan, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The volcanoes Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro form a natural frame for the lake. Lake Atitlan has a surface of 125 square kilometers and sits 1,560 meters above sea level.

Visit Antigua, Guatemala, a town where time stands still. Once the third largest city in all of Spanish Colonial America and for 200 years the capital of Guatemala, it is today a peaceful, beautiful and partially restored colonial city. Cobblestone streets wind through the city of majestic churches and monasteries. You will be picked up at your hotel in Guatemala City before transferring to Antigua Guatemala to meet your local guide and begin your soft walking of approximately 3 hours. During your tour, visit the La Merced Church of Guatemalan with its ultra-baroque style. This temple has two bell towers and on the facade of the church in its upper part is a sculpture of San Pedro Nolasco, founder of the Mercedarian Order. Here, you will also see the Santa Catalina Arch. This was built to connect the nuns between cloisters to avoid being seen due to the votes that the religious order took. After the earthquakes of 1773, the arch became important due to the alterations that were made. These alterations included the construction of a turret and the inclusion of a Lamy Amp Lacroix clock of French origin. Next up on the tour is Central Park. Situated in the traditional grid pattern used frequently in urban planning in the Spanish colonies. The park is surrounded by the Palace of the General Captains, the Town Hall, the Cathedral of San Jose, and the Trade Portal. Here in the park, you will also find the Las Sirenas fountain. This fountain has a traditional folk story where the Count of La Gomera ordered the fountain to be built in memory of his daughters, who in giving birth did not want to breastfeed their children. The count then ordered his daughters to be tied to a trunk in the center of a waterhole, where they died of thirst and hunger. You will continue your tour with a visit the La Unión tank, which is one of the most iconic laundries in this city (only the big houses possessed laundry facilities). For this reason, most of the inhabitants (housewives) went to public laundries. This was inaugurated on February 3, 1853. You will then be given time for lunch (not included).  Then, you will continue on your tour to visit the surrounding villages, San Antonio, and the town of Aguas Calientes. This town is characterized by its elaborate weavings made in waist looms by women of the community. In your visit to the market you can see how they make these textiles, and you will continue with a visit to Ciudad Vieja to learn about its history. To end your tour, you will visit a Macadamia farm where you will learn about the cultivation of macadamia nuts, their agro-industrial process, and the reforestation project, before relaxing with a facial massage with macadamia oil. At end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Guatemala City

Antigua Guatemala, once the third largest city in all of Spanish Colonial America and for 200 years the capital of Guatemala, is today a peaceful, beautiful, and partially restored colonial city. Cobblestone streets wind through the city of majestic churches and monasteries. After pickup in Guatemala City, transfer to Antigua Guatemala to meet your local guide and begin your gentle 3-hour walking tour. Visit the Jade Factory and Museum to admire ancient Guatemalan carving traditions. Continue to the ruins of El Carmen church and browse for souvenirs at the craft market beside the ruined building. You will see La Merced Church of Guatemalan, which features an ultra-baroque style, as well as two bell towers. On the facade of the church in its upper part is a sculpture of San Pedro Nolasco, founder of the Mercedarian Order. You will also see Santa Catalina Arch, built to connect the nuns between cloisters to avoid being seen. After the earthquakes of 1773, the arch became important due to the alterations that were made. These alterations included the construction of a turret and the inclusion of a Lamy Amp Lacroix clock of French origin. You will then see Central Park, which is situated in the traditional grid pattern used frequently in urban planning in the Spanish colonies. The park is surrounded by the Palace of the General Captains, the Town Hall, the Cathedral of San Jose, and the Trade Portal. Here in the park, you will also find the Las Sirenas fountain. This fountain has a traditional folk story where the Count of La Gomera ordered the fountain to be built in memory of his daughters, who after giving birth, did not want to breastfeed their children. The count then ordered his daughters to be tied to a trunk in the center of a waterhole, where they died of thirst and hunger. Continue your way you will visit the La Unión tank, which is one of the most iconic laundries in this city (only the big houses had proper washing facilities). For this reason, most of the inhabitants (housewives) went to public laundries. This was inaugurated on February 3, 1853. At the end of the tour you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Guatemala City.

After being picked up from your hotel in Guatemala City, transfer to Pacaya Volcano National Park which contains Pacaya Volcano, the most active volcano in Guatemala which reaches 2500 meters above sea-level. Upon arrival at the park, you will be greeted by an expert local guide. Begin the adventure from the San Vicente de Pacaya village and hike for 60 minutes to the top of the volcano along the trails. On the way, appreciate the beautiful landscape and take in the views of the Agua Volcano and the Fuego Volcano. Learn about the local vegetation and animal species that live in the area from your guide. Halfway up the trail, visit the Lava Store, where you can purchase a beautiful handmade souvenir made from volcanic material which supports the work of local artisans in the community. At the top of the volcano, enjoy the opportunity to explore, roast marshmallows on volcanic rocks and take in the incredible views. After the hike, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Guatemala City.

This is a real immersion in the Mayan culture and you will see the lifestyle of the Mayan people. See how ancient technology is used for textile manufacture as you visit three Mayan villages around Lake Atitlan. The departure is from Antigua, with a 2.5-hour drive to Panajachel (Lake Atitlán). Then, visit San Juan la Laguna, San Pedro, and Santiago Atitlan, returning at the end to Panajachel. This is a round trip around Lake Atitlan, and there will be a one-hour stop in every town. Admire the colorful town of San Juan. Visit its attractions down the main streets such as galleries and women's coops, and witness a chocolate and coffee production demo. Then, explore San Pedro. A small town populated by Mayan Tzutujil. Discover its interesting sights and learn about the local culture there. Lastly, make a stop in Santiago Atitlán, where you can make a visit to a deity revered by the locals and visitors. Its market day is very colorful, and you can visit Santiago Apóstol Parish Church, built in the colonial times in the Renaissance style.

You will be picked up at your hotel in Antigua and transfer to National Park Pacaya. Upon arrival at the park, your local guide will be waiting for you and ready to fill you in with everything you need to know. Start hiking from the San Vicente de Pacaya Village and begin the adventure with a 1-hour ascent to the top of the Volcano. Around the middle of the trail, you will find the Lava Store. Here, you can get a beautiful souvenir of volcanic material that's been crafted by a local artisan. As you continue walking on the trails, you will soon leave behind the paths full of vegetation and leafy trees, arriving at a flat, open clearing. This means that you have reached the top of the volcano since, due to the continuous eruptions that the volcano makes, the plants can not bloom in this area. When we get to the top of the volcano, enjoy the experience of roasting marshmallows on volcanic rocks and sharing them with others. After the visit to Pacaya Volcano, the local partner will return you to Antigua and your hotel.

Your tour will start with a transfer from your Guatemala City hotel to Antigua, where you will meet your guide specialized in Guatemalan gastronomy. Your tour will start with an introduction to the gastronomic history of Guatemala and the city's architecture. Then, walk to the Antigua Guatemala Market, where you will learn about the history of Mesoamerican food, such as corn, beans, squash, cacao, and chili. As well as discovering the past, learn how to make corn tortillas from locals. At the end of your visit to the market, you will visit the central park just a few blocks away in the heart of the city and surrounded by the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (Captain General Palace), City Hall, the church of San José (formerly the Cathedral of Guatemala), the Archbishop’s Palace and the Portal of Commerce. Discover the Mermaid's Fountain, built by the Count of Gomera (a rubber plantation) in remembrance of a popular legend, which tells the story of a King and his daughters' children. Hear the stories and immerse yourself in the history of the city.  Next, you will have the opportunity to learn about the most important dishes of Guatemalan gastronomy. These creations of culinary art were born during the 16th century and represent the fusion of pre-Columbian cuisine with ingredients of Hispanic-Arabic origin. You will also visit an iconic restaurant, well known for its variety of local dishes, and learn what kitchens were like in ancient times. Taste delicious Guatemalan desserts made with local ingredients while appreciating the landscape from the terrace, with a view of the Santa Catalina Arch, La Merced Church, and other important buildings in Antigua Guatemala. Continue the walking tour and listen to the history of the Santa Catalina Arch. You will also the Capuchinas convent, where you can see where many of the native recipes of Guatemala originated. Finally, visit a typical Guatemalan candy shop, learn about its history, and see how these traditional delicacies are made by hand with local ingredients. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Antigua Guatemala is the best-preserved colonial city in Latin America. Tourists visit every year from around the world to enjoy its natural beauty and historic monuments. The Spanish Colonial style permeates every part of the town: its houses, churches, squares, parks and ruins, also its traditions and folklore. Antigua is a city of charm and color with an overwhelming variety of attractive, handmade products that honor the traditions of generations of artisans. Start with a 3–hour walking tour with a visit to La Merced Church, one of the most important churches in Antigua. Explore one of the distinguishable landmarks in Antigua Guatemala, Santa Catalina Arch. Built in the 17th century, originally it was connected to the convent of Santa Catalina, allowing the cloistered nuns to pass from one building to the other without going out on the street. Walk through Central Park to appreciate the The Cathedral of San Jose. The original church was built around 1541, but suffered several earthquakes throughout its history, and the first church building was demolished in 1669. The cathedral was rebuilt and consecrated in 1680. By 1743 the cathedral was one of the largest in Central America. Continue to a Jade Factory where you can appreciate the sacred stone of the Mayan civilization. After some free time to buy souvenirs, return to Puerto Quetzal to board your cruise.