Best of Guatemala: Volcanoes, Maya Ruins, Hot Springs & Waterfalls - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Guatemala City, Transfer to Antigua, Chocolate Workshop

Welcome to Guatemala, "The Land of Eternal Spring," where the climate stays pleasant year-round and flowers never stop blooming. Few countries in Central America boast such a diversity of unspoiled ecosystems, as well as ancient Indigenous and Spanish colonial cultures.

Upon arrival at the airport in Guatemala City, a driver will pick you up and transfer you about an hour west to the colonial city of Antigua. The former capital of Guatemala, Antigua, is known for its historic Old Town around its main plaza, Parque Central. Three volcanoes also border it, and the dazzling visual impact of these mountains contrasted with colorful architecture is part of why Antigua has earned UNESCO World Heritage status.

Later in the day, you'll participate in a "bean to bar" chocolate workshop. Besides crops like coffee and bananas, Guatemala also produces cacao (cocoa), the main ingredient in chocolate. Cacao has been cultivated here for thousands of years and was even enjoyed by the ancient Maya civilizations. During the workshop, you'll learn about this history and the process of growing the cacao, harvesting it, and roasting the beans. Naturally, the tour concludes with a delicious tasting. 

Day 2: Antigua Walking Tour, Guatemalan Cooking Class

Meet a local historian and guide to head off on a history-themed walking tour of Antigua. See its colonial streetscapes of pastel facades, and take in the grandeur of some of the restored churches and civic buildings, contrasted with the tumbledown charm of others. You'll visit the City Hall Palace, the Palace of the Captain's General, the Antigua Guatemala Cathedral, and the complex of Paseo de Los Museos (which features six museums and three art galleries).

After, tie your aprons and take part in a cooking class. During this three-hour experience, you'll discover that Guatemalan food is an exotic mixture of traditional colonial Spanish and Indigenous cooking that's both delicious and fun to make. The workshop is taught by chefs who belong to the Sacatepéquez community. Besides the main dishes, you'll also prepare handmade tortillas and a dessert. At the end of the class, you'll sit down with your fellow chefs and tuck into your creations.

Day 3: Day Trip to Earth Lodge & Nature Hike, Free Time in Antigua 

The activities continue today as you leave Antigua's cobblestone streets and hit the nature trails. Your guide will meet you at 9 am and drive you out of the city, winding your way up from the Panchoy Valley toward the mountain village of El Hato. The drive itself is part of the joy of the tour, revealing increasingly epic views of the valley and volcanoes.

Just outside El Hato, you'll stop at Earth Lodge, a quaint hotel and working avocado orchard. After a freshly prepared lunch, you'll have time to relax and enjoy the inspiring verdant setting. The lodge hosts regular yoga classes and workshops, so ask your local guide what's on. Afterward, you'll return to Antigua for a free afternoon to do whatever you please. In the evening, you could graze on the city's delicious street food, such as empanadas, rellenos (stuffed chile pepper), and arepas (cornmeal cakes).

Day 4: Bike Tour to Coffee Plantation

Your guide will pick you up for today's combined mountain bike excursion/coffee tour. You'll pick your bikes up in Antigua and ride to the De la Gente coffee cooperative. On this half-day tour, you'll visit DLG's large-scale production farm. The site is a community on the flank of the Agua volcano, where farmers work together to grow, pick, and process coffee. DLG works with these farmers to help brand their coffee and export it to global markets. 

Upon arrival, your guide will lead you on a short hike around the fields, where you can meet some of the farmers. Then, you'll visit the roasting house to see how they toast the beans, one small batch at a time. A real treat is when you sit down to lunch with one of the farming families, sample their coffee, and learn a bit about life on a working coffee farm. After the meal, you'll ride back to Antigua.

Day 6: Visit Chichicastenango Market

Today, you'll visit Chichicastenango, which locals call "Chichi." This Indigenous town in the Guatemalan highlands is home to one of the largest markets in Central America, which was established long before the Spanish arrived. Its primary purpose is to service locals who come far and wide to buy and sell products. On a visit, you'll browse vendors who sell everything from handicrafts and textiles to fresh produce and street food. You'll even get to visit an artisanal mask factory.

Also here is the Iglesia de Santo Tomás. This 16th-century Roman Catholic church is built on the site of a former Maya temple and is a striking example of Guatemalan syncretism (a mix of ancient Maya religious beliefs and traditional Catholicism). During the day, you'll also have plenty of opportunities to sample typical foods, such as the doughnut-like sweet snack pan de muerto (bread of the dead).

Day 7: Kayak & Hike at Lake Atitlán, Transfer to Antigua

Meet your guide bright and early for today's five-hour expedition. You'll start in a kayak, paddling westward along the north shore of Lake Atitlán for roughly two hours. Pass by villages perched on lakeside cliffs, hop in the water for a swim, or even go cliff jumping. Your destination is a spot between the villages of Tzununá and San Marcos La Laguna, where you'll leave your kayak behind and lace up your hiking boots.

Follow the lake trail between the villages, taking in views of the San Pedro, Tolimán, and Atitlán volcanoes. Hike along the shoreline and through small villages for about 1.5 hours; eventually, the route will take you back to Jaibalito. From there, you'll transfer back to Antigua and have a well-earned relaxing evening at the hotel.

Day 8: Fly to Flores, Guided Tour of Tikal National Park

In the morning, you'll transfer to Guatemala City to catch a flight to Flores, the gateway to Tikal. A driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your accommodation within Tikal National Park. After check-in, you'll set off on a guided tour of the park's famous ancient ruins. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the former capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya world. Spend the day with your expert guide exploring this vast complex of temples and pyramids until late in the afternoon. 

During your visit, you'll see all the major sites of interest, including Temples I, II, II, IV, and V, the Lost World, Complex Q, the Great Plaza, the Window Palace, and more. Keep your camera at the ready for Temple IV in particular, as this Maya icon is the tallest pre-Colombian structure in the Americas, at 270 feet (70 m). Keep an eye out for wildlife during the tour, as the site is shrouded by jungle. You'll also have time to explore on your own. 

Day 9: Explore Las Conchas Waterfalls

Day 13: Depart Guatemala City

It's time to say a bittersweet goodbye to Guatemala. In the morning, your driver will pick you up for the drive back to Guatemala City and the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Adiós!