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Things to do in Guatemala City

Our most recommended things to do in Guatemala City

Guatemala City: Tikal Full-Day Tour by Air

1. Guatemala City: Tikal Full-Day Tour by Air

Travel from Guatemala City to Tikal on a full-day tour. Enjoy an early morning flight from Guatemala International Airport to Mundo Maya Airport in Flores, at which point you will then be transferred to Tikal archaeological site. While in Tikal National Park, you will have the opportunity to walk through the jungle and admire the many species of local flora and fauna. The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes untamed nature, as well as many main temples, plazas, and altars. As you tour the site, your guide will share with you the history of the site and share insights about the Mayan culture. At the end of the tour a traditional lunch will be served. In the afternoon, return to the airport for your flight back to Guatemala City. Upon arrival in Guatemala City, you will then be transferred back to your hotel.

From Guatemala City or Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Day Tour

2. From Guatemala City or Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Day Tour

Come and see the Pacaya Volcano: the most active volcano in Guatemala at 2,500 meters (more than 8,000 feet). Witness spectacular views of the lagoon of Calderas and three other volcanoes: Agua, Fuego and Acatenango. The surrounding area is an experience unto itself, composed in large part of humid forest and rocks. After a walk through volcanic sand paths, with great views of the volcanoes and unique vegetation, you´ll arrive at the plateau where you can see the main crater of the volcano. Today, you can't visit the crater of the volcano for security reasons, but you will see the lava (if active) and some steam baths created by the heat of the Pacaya Volcano. At the volcano, you'll have the opportunity to get an up-close look at the volcano. After a thrilling day of exploration and dramatic views, you will arrive back at your hotel.

Guatemala or Antigua Guatemala: Lake Atitlán Boat Cruise

3. Guatemala or Antigua Guatemala: Lake Atitlán Boat Cruise

Start the day with a trip from Antigua or Guatemala City to the Maya town of Panajachel. During the drive there will be a brief stop in Katok, a very famous restaurant where you can indulge in a hot drink. Once at Panajachel, it's time for a boat trip to cross Lake Atitlán and visit the Tzutuhil Village of Santiago de Atitlán. In this village you will visit the confraternity of the local saint named Maximon or Ri Laj Mam, visited by people all over the world who come to ask for health and prosperity in their lives. The lake itself owes its grandeur to its enormous size and spectacular volcanic setting. Three large volcanoes, Atitlán Tolimán and San Pedro, rise gracefully from its southern shore, creating breathtaking views around the area. You will experience these views and the traditional practices still carried out by the Maya-Tzutujil and Cakchiquel women who live around the lake. After a short transfer, we will have lunch at one of the most exquisite restaurants of Panajachel. While in town, guestes will also Santander Street and experience its vast, bustling handicraft market.

From Antigua or Guatemala : Coffee & Culture Full-Day Tour

4. From Antigua or Guatemala : Coffee & Culture Full-Day Tour

Enjoy a day discovering the sights and sounds of Antigua. This program is part of Guatemala’s Traditional One Day Tours. You will have the chance to see some of the most important cultural and historic sights of Antigua on this full-day tour. The tour can begin from Antigua Guatemala or Guatemala City depending on where you are staying. You will begin your day with a visit to el Cerro de La Cruz where you will experience magnificent views of Antigua. Next you can enjoy Guatemala's rich culture by visiting some Antigua's cultural highlights. You will travel to the Plaza Central to see The Cathedral, San Francisco Church, La Merced, Calle del Arco, Museo del Jade, and Casa Santo Domingo. In the afternoon you will get the chance to see the coffeemaking process of one of the best coffee plantations in the world and even have the opportunity to taste this world renowned coffee. Detailed Itinerary 08:00: Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala. 09:00: Upon arrival, visit Cerro de la Cruz, where you can appreciate the beauty of this colonial city. Transfer to the main plaza of Antigua Guatemala. 10:15: Visit the most important and significant attractions of the city including Antigua’s most beautiful churches, monasteries and important monuments. 13:00: Have lunch in one of the exquisite restaurants of the city. 14:15: Coffee Tour where guests can learn about coffee processing and taste a cup of Guatemalan coffee. 17:00: Transfers back to your Hotel in Antigua or Guatemala City.

Antigua Guatemala: Morning Tour from Guatemala City

5. Antigua Guatemala: Morning Tour from Guatemala City

Antigua Guatemala, once the third largest city in all of Spanish Colonial America and for 200 years the capital of Guatemala, is today a peaceful, beautiful, and partially restored colonial city. Cobblestone streets wind through the city of majestic churches and monasteries. After pickup in Guatemala City, transfer to Antigua Guatemala to meet your local guide and begin your gentle 3-hour walking tour. Visit the Jade Factory and Museum to admire ancient Guatemalan carving traditions. Continue to the ruins of El Carmen church and browse for souvenirs at the craft market beside the ruined building. You will see La Merced Church of Guatemalan, which features an ultra-baroque style, as well as two bell towers. On the facade of the church in its upper part is a sculpture of San Pedro Nolasco, founder of the Mercedarian Order. You will also see Santa Catalina Arch, built to connect the nuns between cloisters to avoid being seen. After the earthquakes of 1773, the arch became important due to the alterations that were made. These alterations included the construction of a turret and the inclusion of a Lamy Amp Lacroix clock of French origin. You will then see Central Park, which is situated in the traditional grid pattern used frequently in urban planning in the Spanish colonies. The park is surrounded by the Palace of the General Captains, the Town Hall, the Cathedral of San Jose, and the Trade Portal. Here in the park, you will also find the Las Sirenas fountain. This fountain has a traditional folk story where the Count of La Gomera ordered the fountain to be built in memory of his daughters, who after giving birth, did not want to breastfeed their children. The count then ordered his daughters to be tied to a trunk in the center of a waterhole, where they died of thirst and hunger. Continue your way you will visit the La Unión tank, which is one of the most iconic laundries in this city (only the big houses had proper washing facilities). For this reason, most of the inhabitants (housewives) went to public laundries. This was inaugurated on February 3, 1853. At the end of the tour you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Guatemala City.

Semuc Champey Park & Kanba cave Tour from Lanquin

6. Semuc Champey Park & Kanba cave Tour from Lanquin

In the morning after meeting in Lanquin village, you will then head out by safety truck on this full-day adventure to Kanba Cave and Semuc Champey Park. At Kanba your guide will take you inside the underground river caves for around 1,000 meters. You’ll scramble over rocks, wade through pools, climb up waterfalls, and swim through narrow channels. Next you’ll go on a half-hour tubing experience on the Kahabon River. Afterwards, you’ll go on a walk in Semuc Champey National Park. The monument comprises a natural stone bridge that’s 300 meters long. Natural pools of different sizes have formed above the bridge, where you can relax and soak in the turquoise pools.

Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour

7. Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour

Visit Guatemala City (its official name is La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción), the cultural, religious, and business center of Guatemala. On this day you will appreciate the panoramic view of the colonial architecture combined with modern buildings, important museums, and historical monuments. You will be picked up in your hotel in Guatemala City by your tour guide to start your sightseeing through the city. Below a brief summary of what to expect on your way. Start at Las Americas Avenue, named after the reform that led to the formation of the Organization of American States in 1948. Continue to Berlin Plaza for a view of part of the city and the landscape of the Pacaya volcano. You will also see La Reforma. This was inspired by the avenues of France and for this reason, various statues carved in stone, bronze, and marble were brought from Italy. You will also see Yurrita Church, which is a private chapel of mixed Baroque style, with Romanesque and Byzantine elements. The church was built as a votive offering by Felipe Yurrita, a native of Arevalo, Castilla, Spain, to the Virgin of Our Lady of Sorrows (patron of that town). This was in return for favors received — in particular, for the saving of her life during the eruption of the volcano Santa Maria. Continue onwards to the city's civic center, a mishmash of state buildings constructed in the middle of the 20th century, including the Supreme Court, City Hall, and the Bank of Guatemala; decorated with impressive high relief murals by Dagoberto Vasquez which detail's the country's history. You will then arrive at the Major Plaza of the Constitution, surrounded by important monuments such as the beautiful National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and Centenarian Park. Nearby is the abstractly adorned National Library and the General Archive of Central America. Finally, you will visit the Central Market, which is located behind the Metropolitan Cathedral, in the basement of the Tabernacle Plaza. At the end of this sightseeing tour you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Gastronomic, Cultural and Traditional Antigua Guatemala

8. Gastronomic, Cultural and Traditional Antigua Guatemala

Your tour will start with a transfer from your Guatemala City hotel to Antigua, where you will meet your guide specialized in Guatemalan gastronomy. Your tour will start with an introduction to the gastronomic history of Guatemala and the city's architecture. Then, walk to the Antigua Guatemala Market, where you will learn about the history of Mesoamerican food, such as corn, beans, squash, cacao, and chili. As well as discovering the past, learn how to make corn tortillas from locals. At the end of your visit to the market, you will visit the central park just a few blocks away in the heart of the city and surrounded by the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (Captain General Palace), City Hall, the church of San José (formerly the Cathedral of Guatemala), the Archbishop’s Palace and the Portal of Commerce. Discover the Mermaid's Fountain, built by the Count of Gomera (a rubber plantation) in remembrance of a popular legend, which tells the story of a King and his daughters' children. Hear the stories and immerse yourself in the history of the city.  Next, you will have the opportunity to learn about the most important dishes of Guatemalan gastronomy. These creations of culinary art were born during the 16th century and represent the fusion of pre-Columbian cuisine with ingredients of Hispanic-Arabic origin. You will also visit an iconic restaurant, well known for its variety of local dishes, and learn what kitchens were like in ancient times. Taste delicious Guatemalan desserts made with local ingredients while appreciating the landscape from the terrace, with a view of the Santa Catalina Arch, La Merced Church, and other important buildings in Antigua Guatemala. Continue the walking tour and listen to the history of the Santa Catalina Arch. You will also the Capuchinas convent, where you can see where many of the native recipes of Guatemala originated. Finally, visit a typical Guatemalan candy shop, learn about its history, and see how these traditional delicacies are made by hand with local ingredients. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

From Guatemala City: Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan

9. From Guatemala City: Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan

Explore the Western Highlands, the region of Guatemala that most travelers familiar with Guatemala think about when daydreaming about a trip to this country. The region is home to quaint and colorful mountain villages, highland lakes, pine forests, and the majority of Guatemala’s indigenous peoples. Arrive at Chichicastenango Market and begin your walking tour inside the market. It is the center of the town and heart of commercial life for the maxeños. The merchants go down to the central plaza every Thursday and Sunday to sell their products in this impressive indigenous market that has changed very little throughout the centuries. Explore the pathways of the market and view the colorful handicrafts and produce offered by the local people of the region. In Chichicastenango, we will also visit Santo Tomás Church, built in 1540 over the base of an archaeological pre-Hispanic temple. This church is a splendid example of colonial architecture, as the Mayan and Latino influence is mixed throughout both the interior and exterior of the building. You will have some free time for lunch (not included). Then, continue to the town of Panajachel, which sits on Lake Atitlan, where you will have time to explore. Visit Santander Street and enjoy a spectacular view of Lake Atitlan, considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Three spectacular volcanoes, Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro form the natural frame of the lake itself. It has a surface of 125 square kilometers and sits 1,560 meters above sea level.

Copan Ruins Day Tour From Guatemala City

10. Copan Ruins Day Tour From Guatemala City

Visit Copán, Honduras, an archeological site of the Mayans and UNESCO World Heritage Site on a full-day trip from Guatemala City. After an early departure from Guatemala City in the morning, you'll have time to have breakfast en route (included). Then, arrive in Copán and meet up with the local guide. Then enjoy a guided tour through the city, learning about its special connection with the Guatemalan site of Quirigua and the dynasty that ruled the area between the 5th and 9th centuries. Find out how the Mayan culture, one of the most important in America, flourished in the western part of Honduras, leaving many different costumes and traditions behind as evidence of its past. When you have explored the site in full, you will have time to have lunch in Copan Ruinas town. After this, you then begin the return trip to Guatemala City.

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Antigua Guatemala

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What people are saying about Guatemala City

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 168 reviews

Amazing experience. Hike was a bit challenging which I loved. Hiking shoes a must! Surprisingly it was very cold and very windy at the top, so pack a hoodie at least. Also pack a protein bar and water. Horses were available for those who couldn't trek it. Tour guide was very nice and informative. Highly recommend for adventure seekers who do not want to do the overnight hike .

Bad experience. Won't do it again and won't recommend

We got to the place really early but lines were extremely long already. Just when we got closer to the entrance (5 hours into the wonderful experience of standing in the sun) the line stopped advancing so we left. People in charge at the entrance wouldn't give us any explanation. Extremely rude considering we just needed information. Not asking for any special treatment.

Our guides, Ramiro and Urbano, were terrific! Both were very knowledgeable, patient, and kind. It's an extremely long day but a good value and a great activity.

The tour guide Edgar Alberto was excellent!!! He knew a lot of history and took us to many amazing places. I recommend this tour 100% with Edgar Alberto

Great driver Henry - so informative and kind! Our guide Luis up the mountain was fun and kind too. Great communication for everything!