Top Guatemala Culture

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.

Delve into Guatemala’s rich history with a private guided tour to two significant cultural sights: Chichicastenango and Iximche. Start with a walking tour of Chichicastenango’s huge outdoor market and 400-year-old churches, then visit the Iximche archaeological site to learn about the historic Mayan city that became Guatemala’s first Spanish capital. Hotel pickup and private transport are included for a seamless experience.

Antigua Guatemala is a city that once was the capital of Central America. With its cobblestone streets, Catholic churches such as Iglesia de La Merced and convents, unique monuments, and gastronomy, you'll travel back in time to the 15th through the 17th centuries on this all-day guided tour from Guatemala City with hotel pickup included.

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.

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.

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).

Enjoy the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation on this day trip, ascending Pacaya Volcano and then soaking your muscles at a thermal bath resort. Scale the 8,300-foot (2,500-meter) heights of Pacaya, one of the most active volcanoes in Guatemala. At the top you’ll be able to peer down into the boiling lava of the crater and feel the earth’s rumble. Descend back down from the summit to enjoy an included lunch and soak in the thermal waters of Kawilal Hot Springs, featuring 12 soaking pools, 25 steam baths, and three hydrotherapy baths. Your Pacaya day trip also includes entrance fees, a guide, and round-trip hotel transport.

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.

Enjoy an afternoon and sunset tour of Yaxha National Park with hotel pickup included. Connect with nature and explore Yaxha archaeology on this relaxing, fun trip. Visit the Yaxha North Acropolis, Grupo Malher, and the Square of the Columns. Get your camera ready to capture monkeys while walking in the park. Admission fees are not included. This tour provides many camera-worthy photos you don’t want to miss.

Get to know one of the oldest cities in the Americas on this full-day tour from Guatemala City. Take in all the highlights of the colonial-era town, including the Jade Museum, La Merced Church, and the Arch of Santa Catalina, plus enjoy magnificent views from the hilltop Cerro de la Cruz. Along the way, tour a local coffee plantation and taste Guatemalan coffee.

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.

Discover a fantastical world of hobbit houses, amazing nature, panoramic volcano views, and crumbling palaces and churches on this fun-filled day trip to Hobbitenango and Antigua. Combining the natural beauty and inspired architecture of Hobbitenango with the fascinating history and faded grandeur of the old Spanish capital, this private day trip is a great way to maximize your time in Guatemala.

Discover Antigua’s rich history and vibrant culture on this exciting ATV tour through local villages. Visit a textile museum, jade and chocolate factories, and the first cathedral in Central America (built in 1534). Enjoy panoramic views of volcanoes and the city, while connecting with Mayan villagers. Finish the adventure with authentic Guatemalan cuisine at a local restaurant in San Pedro El Panorama.

Take a tour from Guatemala City that showcases the mix of Spanish and Mayan traditions that have influenced this incredible nation. Journey into the Iximche ruins—one of Guatemala’s most famous archeological sites—with a guide for extra insight, and then make your way to the Spanish colonial town of Antigua. Follow your expert guide to all of the highlights without having to navigate, including churches, plazas, and shops.

Gain an in-depth insight into the history, culture, and politics of Guatemala while exploring several Antigua highlights on this half-day walking tour. Food markets can be overwhelming and confusing, so take advantage of your guide’s presence and the small group size to learn about and sample the foodstuffs on offer, something you couldn’t do if visiting alone.

Journey from Antigua to explore the fascinating market at Chichicastenango plus the archaeological sites of Iximché, on this full-day trip. First head to the ancient Mayan town of Iximché to explore the ruins of ceremonial plazas, temples, ball courts, and more. Then, take time to browse the ceramics and woodcrafts at the famous open-air market of Chichicastenango before visiting the city’s religious structures, Iglesia de Santo Tomas and Calvary Church. Your trip also includes a guide and round-trip transportation from your hotel in Antigua.

Take out your camera and get ready to capture iconic pictures in Yaxha. After picking you up from the airport or hotel, the guide will take you on a walking tour from Gate 2 of the Yaxha Mayan Site to Yaxha North Acropolis, where you’ll visit the Minor Astronomical Observatory. Then, you’ll explore Grupo Malher, Yaxhá-Nakum-Naranjo National Park, Cultural Triangle Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park, Yaxha National Park, and Square of the Columns.

Experience one of the ancient world’s most incredible archaeological sites at Tikal, a celebrated Mayan city deep in the Guatemalan jungle, on this 17-hour trip by air from Antigua. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Guatemalan jungle on your flight to this UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mayan site, spending the day exploring this incredible city’s steep temples and beautiful plazas with the help of your guide. Your day trip from Antigua to Tikal also includes round-trip transportation from your Antigua hotel, lunch, and all entrance fees.

Climbing the Pacaya Volcano is a must for many travelers but arriving early is essential and getting there alone can be time-consuming. Skip public transit and save your strength for the hike during this private excursion which includes round-trip transportation. Plus, learn more about the volcano than travelers who tackle the climb alone, thanks to your personal guide.

Experience the Guatemalan highlands like few travelers do: a day that combines imposing nature, living Mayan culture, and postcard-perfect landscapes. We start in the market of Chichicastenango, one of the largest and most colorful indigenous markets in Latin America, active only on Thursdays and Sundays. Here you will walk among stalls of textiles, ceramics, and crafts while getting close to the daily traditions of the K'iche' Maya people — with time dedicated to exploring and buying unique pieces. In the afternoon we arrive in Panajachel, where you will enjoy lunch time (Not included) Panoramic view of Lake Atitlán, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Formed more than 85,000 years ago and surrounded by three majestic volcanoes, Atitlán offers a breathtaking backdrop that few photographs can fully capture.

Take an unexpected excursion through Guatemala City, discovering its unique mid-century architecture, bustling markets and fascinating museums, during this 7-hour excursion. Start with driving tour of city’s main avenues and its National Palace before admiring Guatemala City’s collection of 50s and 60s architecture like the Supreme Court Building and City Hall. During your visit you’ll also get a taste for daily life and shop for souvenirs at the city’s central market and explore Popol Vuh Museum. Your Guatemala City trip includes a guide, entrance fees and round-trip hotel transport.

Navigate Antigua's narrow lanes—inaccessible to large tour buses—on a small-group walking tour covering the city's key plazas, museums, and an artisan market where craftspeople sell handmade goods. A local guide provides context that goes beyond the guidebooks, from the history behind the colonial architecture to the stories of the market's vendors.

Discover the essentials of the capital on a dynamic tour that combines history, culture and architecture. During the tour you will visit Berlin Square, Reforma Avenue, Constitution Square, the National Palace of Culture and the Metropolitan Cathedral, icons that narrate the past and present of the country. You will also walk along iconic avenues such as Sixth Avenue, full of life and color, and you will have a stop at the Central Market, ideal to appreciate local crafts and flavors. The walk concludes with a panoramic view of the city from a nearby viewpoint, perfect for memorable photos.

Sit alongside local women and learn the art of Maya beading with this hands-on workshop in Santa Cruz la Laguna. Not only is this socially responsible tour a great way to learn about the Maya cultures found on Lake Atitlan, but it also directly benefits local communities. Upgrade to include lunch at Lake Atitlan’s top restaurant—also run by a social enterprise—or a community-led tour of the village.