Antigua, Chichicastenango, Atitlan and Tikal

The Central American country of Guatemala is a fascinating place to visit. It has a strong Mayan and subsequent colonial past which has left a strong mark on the country. The destinations on this tour are very different as you travel across the country, from the lovely colonial city of Antigua to the Mayan jungle ruins of Tikal, these visits will leave you astounded. This a true cross section of Guatemala for those wanting to really understand the different people and geography in one tour.

Day 1 - Welcome to Guatemala

Today you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel in Antigua: a beautiful, colonial city where you will stay at either the Casa Santa Domingo (superior) or the Villa Colonial (standard).

Day 2 - Antigua Guatemala

Today you will visit the gorgeous city of Antigua. Antigua is considered one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Central America and the minute one steps foot on its cobbled streets you will understand why UNESCO declared it a ¨Cultural Heritage of Humankind¨.  The region is surrounded by three volcanoes (Agua, Fuego and Acatenango) and the urban areas are dotted with bougainvillea plants that climb out of crumbling buildings, terracotta tile roofs and plenty of parks for you to sit in and unwind. We will begin our walking tour of the city in Antigua´s historic center where we will start from the main plaza and stop along away to visit the important national and local monuments.

Day 3 - Antigua and Lake Atitlan

Today you will visit what is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. In the town of Panajachel, take time out to enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery of the region or take a stroll through the main streets where handicrafts and textiles are a local specialty. In the evening, you will be taken to your hotel of choice: Hotel Atitlan (superior) or Villa Santa Catarina (standard).

Day 4 - Santiago Atitlan

After a delicious breakfast we will make our way to Santiago Atitlan, one of the 12 villages that surround Lake Atitlan. In order to get there, we will board a boat to the Maya-Tzutuhil village of Santiago Atitlan which is renowned for its naïf paintings, textiles and woodcarvings, as well as the character ´Maximon´ who is worshipped by the villagers of Santiago. You will then have the evening to spend at your leisure.

Day 5 - Chichicastenango

Today we will make our way to one of the region´s most famous outdoor markets in Chichicastenango where locals come from around the area to buy and sell everything from fruit to grains, animals and handicrafts. We will then continue our journey back to Guatemala City where you can stay at either the Barceló Guatemala City Hotel (superior) or the Best Western-Stofella (standard).

Day 6 - Copan (Honduras)

Today we head out to one of the most remarkable Mayan sites: Copan. It´s a five hour drive from Guatemala City but the variation in the landscape as we make our way there is truly sensational. One can see everything from semi-arid regions to tropical forests and upon arrival at Copan (also a World Heritage Site) the impressive architectural method and stone carving will take your breath away. After a tour of the site´s plazas and monuments we head back to your hotel which will either be the Hotel Marina Copan (superior) or the Posada Real de Copan (standard).

Day 7 - Quirigua/Puerto Barrios/Livingston

Today we make our way to Puerto Barrios but not before making a stop at the ¨Cultural Heritage of Humankind¨: Quirigua. This unique archaeological site is surrounded by Central America´s largest banana plantation and interestingly, is famous for having the tallest stone-carved stelae in the Maya World. After a tour of the site we continue towards Puerto Barrios where we will then take a boat to the town of Livingston. That evening you stay at the Hotel Villa Caribe.

Day 8 - Playa Blanca

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel we will make our way to Playa Blanca via a 30 minute boat ride from Livingston. Enjoy the sand, sun and sea as you have the afternoon to spend at your leisure before heading back to the hotel.

Day 9 - Rio Dulce (Castillo de San Felipe)

Today we make our way through the Rio Dulce by taking a 45 minute boat ride. This will give you the opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the astounding natural environment, the hundreds of birds which inhabit the area, as well as the striking Rio Dulce Canyon. We will then visit the fortress of Castillo de San Felipe which was built to protect traded goods between Spain and Guatemala from pirates who took control of the Gulf of Mexico. After this, we continue to Flores where you will spend the night in either Villa Maya (superior) or Maya International (standard).

Day 10 - Yaxha

Today we head to the northern region of Guatemala and the birthplace of the Mayan civilization: Yaxha (Turquoise Water). Yaxha is considered one of the Mayans most important civic and ceremonial sites during the Classic Period and evidence has shown that the site had an important relationship with Tikal as a ¨satellite¨.  The site is perfectly located on a hill which overlooks the gorgeous Laguna de Yaxha and Laguna Sacnab. Interestingly, Yaxha (except for Tikal) is the only site to have a ¨Twin Pyramid Complex¨.

Day 11 - Tikal

After breakfast we head out to one of the largest and most important of the Mayan archaeological sites: the Tikal National Park. The park, which was declared a ¨Cultural Heritage of Humankind¨ by UNESCO, is filled with ancient temples, plazas and complexes and is nestled in tropical forest where hundreds of exotic birds and wildlife can be witnessed.

Day 12 - Guatemala City

Spend the morning at your leisure either lounging by the pool or taking a kayak ride before we head back to the airport for your airport transfer back to Guatemala City. Once there you will stay at either the Barcelo Guatemala City (superior) or the Best Western-Stofella (standard).

Day 13 - Guatemala City

Today you can take in the sights and sounds of Guatemala City on this city tour which features the National Palace of Culture, Main Square, Civic Center, the Cathedral and a few Residential Zones. Spend the night at the Barcelo Guatemala City (superior) or the Best Western-Stofella (standard).

Day 14 - Tour ends

Enjoy your last day in Guatemala before heading to the airport to catch your flight back home or join one of our other tours.

Remember: All of our vacations are custom-made, if you feel you are moving too quickly with this itinerary and would like to add more days here and there, no problem! Ask us for advice, we know the country and its sites well.

To see our range of Guatemala tours please CLICK HERE.