Guatemala's Must See Highlights

Guatemala is compact enough, that its most popular highlights can be easily explored within an eight day timeline. On this itinerary, experience a whirlwind tour of the absolute must-see sights within this charming, beautiful Central American country.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Antigua Arrival

Antigua Arrival
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfer
  • Accommodation: El Meson de Maria

Today, you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. (This service is on a private basis.)

Antigua

Antigua is among the world’s best conserved colonial cities in the Americas. It is a magic and captivating small town that makes you feel time might have stopped 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings; strolling through town on the cobblestone streets, you will experience the splendors of ancient times! A few things you will find are art galleries and exhibits, coffee shops, amazing cuisine, cute little bars and much more.

Day 2: Antigua

Antigua
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour
  • Accommodation: El Meson de Maria
  • Meals: B, L, D

Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour

After breakfast your guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for your tour in Antigua. See colonial architecture, fine arts, terracotta, ceramics, wooden sculptures, a great variety of traditional costumes and weavings. Find out the secrets of Antigua on this walking tour that will show you both architecture and flavor.The tour includes a visit to The Cathedral, San Francisco and La Merced. See breathtaking colonial monuments and find out why this city was the bustling center of the region for the Spaniards. Lunch is held in a local restaurant around Antigua. After lunch enjoy of a free afternoon exploring town on your own.

Day 3: Antigua - Lake Atitlan

Antigua - Lake Atitlan
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Coffee Tour
  • Transportation: Internal Transfer
  • Accommodation: Jardines del Lago
  • Meals: B, L, D

Coffee Tour

Today you will enjoy a coffee tour. After breakfast, your driver will take you to a near by coffee farm to learn everything about the preparation and history of this world famous drink.

After your tour, you will be transferred to your hotel on Lake Atitlan.

Lake Atitlan

With three stunning volcanoes rising out of its emerald surface, Lake Atitlán is for sure the best way to be introduced to the indigenous culture in the highlands of Guatemala. Located 144km west of Guatemala City this lake is characterized by its natural beauty and surrounded by gorgeous views and indigenous villages filled with culture. The famous writer Aldous Huxley considered it ¨the most beautiful lake in the world¨.

Day 4: Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Boat Tour Around The Lake
  • Accommodation: Jardines del Lago
  • Meals: B, L

Boat Tour Around The Lake

After breakfast your guide will take you on a private boat to visit San Juan la Laguna and Santiago Atitlan, two very special and different towns around the Lake. Santiago is home to Maximon, a venerated pagan saint who smokes tobacco and drinks moonshine. He resides in a different house each year. San Juan la Laguna is a bit quieter town, less visited and is home to several textile coops and art galleries. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 5: Lake Atitlan - Guatemala City

Lake Atitlan - Guatemala City
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Chichicastenango Market & Lake Atitlan
  • Accommodation: Biltmore Express
  • Meals: B, L, D

Chichicastenango Market & Lake Atitlan

Chichicastenango is home to what is surely the most colorful traditional market in the Americas. Market days are Sundays and Thursdays, and draw not only the K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala, representing many of Guatemala's linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others, each hawking his or her products in a riotous cacophony of color, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells.

After breakfast, join your guide for a drive to Chichicastenango. Your guide will show you the most important aspects of this buying and selling activity, interesting facts and the beautiful catholic church were several Mayan rituals are held. After the tour your guide will take you to one of the local hotels to enjoy lunch. When you are ready, your driver will transfer you the rest of the way to Guatemala City, where you will spend the night.

Day 6: Guatemala City - Peten

Guatemala City - Peten
Daily Summary
  • Transportation (Air): Domestic Flight
  • Transportation: Airport Transfers
  • Tour: Yaxha Sunset Tour
  • Accommodation: Villa Maya
  • Meals: B, D
Domestic Flight
Guatemala City - Peten
Flight #: TBD
Departs: TBD
Arrives: TBD

Today you will be transferred to the airport in Guatemala City for your short flight to the Peten district of Guatemala.

Upon arrival in Peten, you will be met by a local driver and transferred to your accommodations here.

Yaxha Sunset Tour

After lunch your guide will transfer you to Yaxhá Archaeological site for a beautiful sunset tour. You will have to depart the hotel at 2:00pm to be able to make it in time for sunset.

Yaxhá is an ancient ceremonial center of the Mayan civilization situated in the jungles of northern Guatemala. This site is an unforgettable spot to watch the sunset over the lake from atop of the tallest temple.

After the tour your guide will transfer you back to the hotel for dinner. (This service is on a private basis.)

Peten

The area of Petén is the largest department of Guatemala; it occupies about a third of the country but contains only three percent of its population. This area produces wood, chewing gum, oil, pepper and other agricultural products. Its main income comes from the worldwide known cradle of the Mayan civilization.

Day 7: Peten - Guatemala City

Peten - Guatemala City
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Tikal Tour
  • Transportation (Air): Domestic Flight
  • Transportation: Airport Transfers
  • Accommodation: Biltmore Express
  • Meals: B, L
Domestic Flight
Peten - Guatemala City
Flight #: TBD
Departs: TBD
Arrives: TBD

Tikal Tour

After breakfast your tour guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and transfer you to Tikal National Park (45min). Your guide will show you the layout of the temples, architecture, history, some theories of why they disappeared and if you are lucky a few monkeys, parrots, macaws and toucans will be on site. After the tour enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the middle of the jungle.

City and ceremonial center of the ancient Maya civilization, Tikal became an important ceremonial center with the construction of major pyramids and temples. Its best years were the Late Classic Period (600-900AD). Tikal National Park contains some of the most fascinating archaeological remains of the ancient Maya Civilization. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, Tikal is Guatemala's most famous cultural and natural preserve. (This service is on a private basis.)

After lunch a private transfer will take you to the airport for your local flight back to Guatemala City. A local representative will meet you at Guatemala City Airport for your transfer to your hotel.

Day 8: Guatemala City Departure

Guatemala City Departure
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfer
  • Meals: B

Today, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight. (This service is on a private basis.)

Accommodation

El Meson de Maria

El Meson de Maria

Constructed in harmony with the colonial style and beauty of La Antigua Guatemala, El Meson de Maria was established in a finely restored mansion from the XXII century. This relaxed and refined property is located in the heart of the city, just a few steps from the main street of Calle del Arco, and only 150 meters from the Main Plaza. Listen to the soothing sounds of the fountain and admire the hotel's unique decoration and design, as you walk through the beautiful corridors. On the third floor, you will discover a rooftop terrace with the best view of the Agua, Fuego and Acatenango Volcanoes that surround the valley.

Jardines del Lago

Jardines del Lago

Jardines del Lago hotel is inspired by its vision of responsibility of the environment and social development. Such inspiration generates customer satisfaction and great service. It has 30 simple but cozy bedrooms decorated with Guatemalan elements, wonderful gardens, and traditional Guatemala cuisine. Since 2010 Jardines del Lago is in alliance with Rain Forest Alliance in order to implement great sustainable tourism practices.

Biltmore Express

Biltmore Express

Biltmore Express Hotel in conveniently located only 8 minutes away from La Aurora International Airport in the "Zona Viva", which is the center of the business and commercial part of the city, and very close to museums, restaurants, bars and shopping malls.

Villa Maya

Villa Maya

Just 15 minutes away from Santa Elena International Airport and 45 minutes from Tikal National Park, the hotel is located in a vast natural private reserve, and the shores of Petenchel and Monifata lagoons, where a wide variety of birds inhabit, as well as unique flowers and trees. Hotel Rooms at Villa Maya are arranged in 10 bungalows of 2 or 3 floors each, with 2 rooms per story and 10 individual bungalows; all rooms are reachable by paths and surrounded by beautiful gardens, tropical jungle & overwhelming views of the lagoons.

Pricing and Details

Starting from $ 2,768 per person

*Pricing is based on two persons traveling together, based on availability, subject to change.

Price Includes

  • Full support before, during & after your trip
  • Meals as mentioned
  • Accommodation as mentioned
  • Tours/activities as mentioned
  • Transport as mentioned

Price Excludes

  • International & domestic flights
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Entrance visas when applicable
  • Other services not mentioned
  • Tips and gratuities to guides, drivers
  • Taxes and fees

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