Top Guatemala Cultural Tours

Learn how to prepare chocolate desserts in the country that does it best during a 2-hour workshop at the ChocoMuseum in Antigua. Learn all about the chocolate making process from cacao bean to candy bar. Afterwards, with the help of an instructor, prepare your own creations. Take home 120g of your handmade desserts to share with friends or, more likely, devour all on your own.

While so many visitors head straight to Antigua after landing in Guatemala City, stick around and you’ll have the opportunity to see this dazzling capital under the moonlight. Hop into a safari Jeep for this night city photo tour through Guatemala City. You’ll cruise through both the historic district and the more modern neighborhoods with your group, stopping for photos at sites like the Civic Center and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Led by local women, this cultural tour of Santa Cruz la Laguna offers a fascinating insight into Maya life on Lake Atitlan and how the ancient traditions can still be seen in modern Guatemala. Arriving in Santa Cruz by boat, you'll meet the women at the dock and walk up to the town, where you'll visit a home for a cooking class, learn about local handicrafts, and relax with a steam bath in a traditional adobe temazcal.

Skip the stress of making your own way between Lake Atitlan and Antigua with a shared transfer service that lets you avoid public transport and expensive taxi rides. Traveling in a small group limited to only 10 people means you won't have to wait for multiple pickups and drop-offs, while air conditioning ensures you stay cool and relaxed throughout the scenic ride.

No need to rent a car or navigate the roads of Guatemala. Book this private shuttle service and sit back and relax as you travel to Antigua Guatemala, Panajachel (Lake Atitlán), and Guatemala City. The driver will make stops along the way, allowing you to experience the country. Service from the Guatemala City Airport is available.

Take a journey through the traditions of Mayan spirituality as you experience a 2-hour traditional fire-cleansing ceremony with a guide in the Sacred Caves of Lake Atitlan. Step inside these mystical caves, used by local Mayans for many centuries, to observe the performance of this holy and powerful ritual by a local shaman. Listen as your guide explains the history and traditions behind the ritual and provides insight into the Mayan calendar system. Before you leave, you’ll have time to admire the gorgeous views of the lake down below.

If you’ve ever wanted to roast marshmallows on lava, this is the tour for you. Besides experiencing this cooking technique, this private tour takes you on a tour of Guatemala City during the day. Visit places like the San Jose Cathedral, National Palace, and have some time for shopping at the central market. When the sun is about to set, hike up to the volcano and see the glowing lava, with your marshmallows.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tikal comes into its own at sunset, which is also when the site is quietest. On this private tour, learn about Mayan history and culture, as well as the wildlife that still frequents the jungle here, and watch the sunset from the top of the Lost World pyramid. Your package includes hotel transfers, water, entrance fees, and guiding, but excludes lunch and museum entrance tickets.

Discover the beauty and rich cultural heritage of Lake Atitlan on this full-day lake tour from Antigua or Guatemala City. Your adventure starts with a scenic drive out to the lake, stopping at viewpoints along the way. After breakfast in Panajachel, you’ll jump on a boat over to San Juan la Laguna, swing by San Pedro and Santiago Atitlan, and end the day on a sweet note with a hot chocolate in Tecpan.

Travel between Guatemala City or Antigua and Lake Atitlan, in style and comfort with this private transfer. With this one-way service, you'll get door-to-door transportation from your hotel or the airport to wherever you're staying at Panchajel, San Antonio Palopo, or Santa Catarina Palopa in a private vehicle for just you and your party.

Explore the Guatemalan countryside just outside Antigua on a tour that offers a taste of small-village life that's difficult to access on your own. You’ll ascend to the indigenous town of Santa Maria de Jesus at the base of the Volcan de Agua volcano and the tiny village of El Hato, to go beyond the guidebook and learn more about local culture. Plus, exploring on an ATV lets you go where cars can't.

Experience Guatemala City through the eyes of a local on this half-day historic and cultural tour of Guatemala’s capital city. A great way to squeeze plenty of sightseeing into half a day, you'll visit museums, markets, a cathedral, the palace, and the historical center. If you’re really short on time, you can even arrange for your private driver to pick you up or drop you off at Guatemala City La Aurora Airport.

Take a walking tour through Antigua without worrying about being corralled into shops by signing up for this tour. You'll visit and learn about the city's numerous historic landmarks and gain insight into the history of the area since pre-Colombian times. And if you do want to shop, your guide will take you to a shopping area after the tour is over.

See Antigua from above on this half-day mountain adventure. You’ll visit three scenic mountaintops for panoramic views of the colonial city, lush valleys, and nearby volcanoes. From El Cerro de la Cruz—Antigua’s most famous lookout point—to Hobbitenango, a Lord of the Rings–themed eco-park, you’ll explore a whimsical forest, play games, and scenic viewpoints before catching the sunset over the mountains. On the way back down, there’s an optional stop for food and drinks at a local restaurant on the side of the mountain.

The gem of Guatemala, Lake Atitlan is a crater lake surrounded by volcanoes and a living hub of Mayan cultures. Visiting on a day trip from Guatemala City simplifies transportation to this highland destination and lets you see the best of the lake in just a day—a difficult feat to accomplish on your own. This tour includes stops at top Lake Atitlan sites including the busy town of Panajachel and small villages like San Juan.

Travel between Antigua and the Guatemala City Airport in comfort, without the stress of looking for a taxi, by booking a private transfer service. Your driver will pick you up at your hotel in Antigua and take you to the airport in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle for just you and your party.

Immerse yourself in Guatemalan culture and cuisine with a small-group cooking class at Cuscun Cooking School in Antigua. First, visit the local market to shop for fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices, then get hands-on in the kitchen under the guidance of a local chef. Create a variety of typical Guatemalan dishes, such as ‘tamales, ‘pepián’ (meat stew), or chiles rellenos (stuffed chilies).

Once you touch down at La Aurora International Airport (GUA), your driver will meet you outside of the airport’s Cafe Baretto; a perfect place to grab your first cup of Guatemalan coffee. Hop in the car and get sit back while your driver navigates the roadways to Antigua. Although both cities are within 25 miles of each other, the trip can take over an hour due to traffic congestion.

Walk through Guatemala city to see all the sites, and also travel like a local on the public bus, with help from your local guide. Together with your small-group, you’ll visit prominent places like The Constitution Plaza, The Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago of Guatemala, and more, plus stopping at historic houses like Pavon House in San Martin for the chance to purchase a Guatemalan coffee.

Discover the labyrinthine stalls and vibrant culture of Antigua’s local market on this colorful culture and cuisine tour. Learn about the importance of the market to the Guatemalan culture as you wander through the different parts of the market, from local crafts and flowers to food, trying tropical fruit and sweets as you go. You’ll also have the chance to make your own tortillas, before visiting a local lunch spot (at own cost).

In a city surrounded by volcanoes, adventure is hard to resist. Indulge your sense of adventure on this tour around the outskirts of Antigua on an ATV, motorcycle, or scooter, which grants you access to parts of the countryside that traditional tour vehicles can't reach. Take your pick of a vehicle and choose to drive it yourself or ride in the back seat. You'll go far from the beaten path as you visit the mountains around the famous El Cerro de la Cruz, El Hato, the Hobbitenango eco-park inspired by "The Lord of the Rings," and San Juan del Obispo.

Satisfy your appetite for Guatemalan street food during a private half-day tour during which you’ll sample several dishes from stalls and eateries that you might otherwise have missed. Plus, benefit from the undivided attention of your guide throughout to learn more about Guatemalan cuisine and culture than you would independently.

Discover Antigua Guatemala on this half-day guided tour. Known for its Spanish colonial buildings, the city used to be Guatemala’s capital. On this tour, learn about its history and visit sites like Las Capuchinas, an 18th-century convent that’s a popular tourist attraction, and La Merced, which is notable thanks to its baroque style and bright yellow facade. Other stops include the Casa Santo Domingo Museum where you can appreciate the city’s history—from the Mayan culture to modern times.

Discover one of Guatemala’s most important archeological sites at your own pace on a private sunset tour of Yaxha from Flores. Wandering the area at sunset not only lets you see the area bathed in magical light, but it also means you’ll be able explore in cooler temperatures that keep you more comfortable.