Epic Guatemala Adventure: Antigua to the Caribbean

Welcome to Guatemala, one of the most diverse countries in Central America! Once you land at the Guatemala City Airport one of our representatives will greet you and provide all the necessary information and recommendations to make the most of your travels. A private transfer will take you to the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala (approx. 1.5 hours). Free evening to relax after your flight and explore the town. 

Optional Activities:  3 course private welcome dinner and cacao tasting. 

Accommodation: Casa del Parque  (3 star hotel) or Hotel San Jorge (2 star hotel)

Wake up to a delicious cup of Guatemalan coffee and  enjoy a day of exploring the cobblestone streets of Antigua Guatemala.  Your local guide will meet you at your hotel and will be showing you the colorful cobblestone streets, the history of this UNESCO World Heritage site, you will visit markets, the most emblematic ruins and major highlights of the city along with the majestic views of surrounding volcanoes. Enjoy a free evening or take one of the optional activities in one of the lovely towns outside Antigua. 

Included activities: 3 hour guided walk with highlights of the city.

Optional afternoon activities: Panoramic trek with volcano views or immersive coffee experience in San Miguel Escobar. 

Accommodation: Casa del Parque  (3 star hotel) or Hotel San Jorge (2 star hotel) 

Wake up to a delicious traditional Guatemalan breakfast and enjoy Antigua at your own pace! Late afternoon you will head to the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes on the outskirts of Antigua, where you will be sharing a special homestay experience with a local family. The family will share their traditions and culture with you as they welcome you into their home.

Optional activity:  Worry doll making workshop with artisans or local cooking class with your homestay family in San Antonio Aguas Calientes.

Accommodation: Homestay experience

Say goodbye to your new home away from home, as you make your way through the highlands to beautiful Lake Atitlán (approx. 2.5 hours). En route you will stop at Iximché Cultural Monument, capital of the Kaqchiqueles and one of the first Maya cities to be conquered by the Spaniards in the highlands. Explore the many structures of this sacred site of great cultural importance and if lucky observe a Maya ceremony.  Once you arrive at Lake Atitlán you may spend the afternoon in the beautiful gardens of your hotel and observe the unique views of the lake. Free evening.  

Optional activities: Ceramic workshop at San Antonio Palopó or Urban art walk in Santa Catarina Palopó.

Accommodation: Hotel Jardines del Lago (3 star hotel) or Villa Santa Catarina (3 star hotel).  

Wake up to admire the many beautiful views of Lake Atitlán and the surrounding volcanoes! After having breakfast your local guide will pick you up at your hotel to take you to San Juan la Laguna (approx. 30 mins). You will take a private boat transfer to get there from the hotel dock. Surrounded by primitive art, beautiful textiles and majestic views, San Juan will give you a warm welcome and the opportunity to interact and learn the way of life and customs of its T’zutujil villagers. You will be taking a guided visit to local cooperatives and associations to learn the process of natural dyeing and textiles, the use of medicinal plants, cacao production and the background and evolution of naif art. After the tour feel free to explore the town on your own before heading back to your hotel for the evevning.

Included activity: Guided boat trip and visit to San Juan la Laguna, includes lunch and artisan demonstrations.

Optional activity: Medicinal plants workshop with healers or art class with naif artists. 

Accommodation: Hotel Jardines del Lago (3 star hotel) or Villa Santa Catarina (3 star hotel). 

Enjoy a morning zip lining adventure hidden in the forest canopy above Lake Atitlan while exploring hanging bridges, trails and the nature reserve's butterfly dome. At noon, you will transfer to the Guatemala City airport (approx. 3 hours) and fly to the Maya Biosphere Reserve in northern Guatemala (approx. 45 mins). A transfer will be waiting for you at the Mundo Maya airport to take you to your hotel on Flores Island. Enjoy your free evening on the colorful island. 

Included activities: Zip-lining at Lake Atitlán Nature Reserve

Accommodation: Isla de Flores (4 star hotel) or Hotel Casona de la Isla (3 star hotel)

Enjoy breakfast on the shores of Lake Peten Itzá and then meet your local guide and get ready to head to Yahxá Nakum Naranjo National Park (approx. 1.5 hours). Prepare to immerse yourself in some off the beaten path jungle trails. First you will take the boat to Topoxté Island, a small site in the park and then you will go through the vast jungle and structures of Yahxá site. This national park is located between two impressive lagoons and is one of the most biodiverse wetlands of Guatemala. Enjoy lunch and then head out to Tikal National Park (approx. 1.5 hours) where you will spend the evening.

Included activity: Guided visit to Yaxhá and Topoxté. 

Accommodation: Jungle Lodge Tikal  (3 star jungle lodge) or Jaguar Inn (2 star jungle lodge and camping). 

Begin your day with the sounds of howler monkeys as you get ready for an excursion to explore the ancient Maya kingdom of Tikal before it opens. You will be able to explore the park in the dark and walk to the tallest temple to watch the sunrise. This is a magical experience. Tikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for both its cultural and natural significance. Keep your eyes open for wildlife when you explore the ancient Maya trails. After a unique expedition you will continue your journey to Río Dulce (approx. 4 hours). Enjoy your first taste of Caribbean cuisine for lunch and get ready to take a boat to your eco-hotel hidden amongst the canals of the river. 

Included activity: Sunrise guided visit to Tikal National Park. 

Accommodation: Tortugal Marina (2 star eco-hotel) or Finca Tatín (2 star eco hotel).

Take the boat to the colorful town of Livingston, home of the Garífuna, descendants of the African population that came to Guatemala a long time ago. Your local guide will teach you about Garífuna culture and history while admiring the murals and urban art in town. You will also visit La Casa del Casabe where you will learn the artisan process of preparing Casabe bread with Garífuna women and taste it together.  

Included activity: Guided visit to Livingston and Casabe workshop with Garífuna women. 

Optional activity: Artisan fishing experience or caving at "La Cueva del Tigre". 

Accommodation: Tortugal Marina (2 star eco-hotel) or Finca Tatín (2 star eco hotel). 

Go for a morning kayak adventure or simply enjoy the sounds of birds in the area. We couldn't think of a better way to finish your trip other than with a relaxing morning in this beautiful place. Enjoy lunch and make your way back by boat to the mainland, from there you will be driven to the Puerto Barrios Airport so you can catch a short afternoon flight (approx. 45 mins) to Guatemala City. Enjoy your last evening in the city center.

Optional activity: Morning excursion to a natural sauna and thermal waters or 3 course Guatemalan fusion farewell dinner.

Accommodation: La Inmaculada Boutique Hotel (3 star hotel) or In & Out Bed & Breakfast (2 star hotel) 

Indulge in one last cup of exceptional coffee and say goodbye to beautiful Guatemala before you transfer to the airport for your departure flight. We hope you had an amazing trip and come back to visit again soon!   

END OF SERVICES.

Accommodation

Lodging each night is included in your choice of hotels. Recommendations are included in the day-by-day itinerary.

Tours and activities

Unique experiences available daily. See the day-by-day itinerary for recommended tours and additional options available.

Local guides

English speaking local & specialized guides during activities.

Airport transfers

Shuttles and taxis arranged to get you to/from the airport.

Ground transportation

Private/shared shuttles will take you between destinations.

Food

Included meals are noted in the itinerary: BB=Boxed Breakfast, B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner

Boat transfers

Taxi boats within Lake Atitlán villages.

24/7 assistance

In country assistance during the whole trip

Domestic Flights

Guatemala City-Flores & Puerto Barrios-Guatemala City

• Optional activities

• Alcoholic drinks

• Not specified meals

• Travel Insurance

• Tips and gratuities

• International flights

In order to cancel a package for which you have made a booking, please email us stating your order reference and “Cancellation” in the title of the email. You may telephone us to discuss your desire to cancel the package but cancellation will only be effective when we have received from the person who purchased the package a written confirmation of his or her decision to cancel the package. An email to us stating that you desire to cancel a package is an irrevocable notice and you cannot subsequently change your mind even if we have not yet acknowledged the cancellation in writing.

If you cancel your tour:

We will apply the airline’s cancellation policy to any flights in your package and reimburse your ground arrangements in accordance with the penalty timeline.

For cancellation of ground-only arrangements:

(a) 90 days or more prior to the stated departure date, we will retain an administrative fee of $100 per traveler and reimburse the remaining amount;

(b) Between 30 and 89 days prior to the stated departure date, we will retain 50% of the total booking cost and reimburse the remaining amount;

(c) Less than 30 days prior to departure, we will retain 100% of the price paid by you for the package.

If you leave a trip for any reason after it has started, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services.

We may cancel a package at any time prior to departure by giving you notice by email, letter or (if very close to departure) by telephoning you, if, due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events it is not viable or safe for our local partner to operate the planned itinerary. If we cancel a package prior to departure, in your sole and absolute discretion you may choose between (i) us applying the amounts paid towards an alternative trip, or (ii) receiving a full refund. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking such as visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights.

AMENDMENTS TO BOOKED PACKAGES

If you wish to change the date of one trip there is a fee of

(a)         $100 per traveler if done at least 90 days prior to the scheduled date of departure, subject to availability; and

(b)         $300 per traveler if done between 30 and 89 days prior to the scheduled date of departure, subject to availability.

If you wish to change the name of one or several travelers of the trip, there is a fee of $100 per passenger if done at least 90 days prior to the scheduled date of departure. No name changes are permitted within 89 days prior to the scheduled date of departure.

No amendments are permitted to your booking within 29 days of departure.