Guatemala City Itinerary - Tours and Activities

The largest city in Central America, Guatemala City is the capital city of the country of Guatemala. It is known for it's rich Mayan history, colonial history and volcanoes. The close neighboring city of Antigua is a must see UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Disclaimer

Part of the job of a travel agent is to save clients time and money. I looked through hundreds of tours and picked out the best tours to book in various categories that are both the best in quality and price.

Prices listed below are subject to change. Rates are typically discounted for larger groups and children, so use the links provided to see the exact cost for your specific scenario and book what is of interest to you.

Full-Day Guatemala City Sightseeing Tour

Take an unexpected excursion through Guatemala City, discovering its unique mid-century architecture, bustling markets and fascinating museums, during this 8-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 Guatemalan history at the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Your Guatemala City trip includes a guide, entrance fees and round-trip hotel transport.

Duration

8 hours

Availability

Tuesday - Sunday at 9am

Price

$71.80 per person

Alternative

• Guatemala City Walking Tour - $37 per person

• Half Day Guatemala City Tour - $50 per person

Full Day Tour of Antigua

No trip to Guatemala is complete without visiting Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city widely considered Guatemala’s crown jewel. The tour of the colonial city begins at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, then you will visit La Merced Church, Santa Catalina Arch Street, Plaza Mayor, San José Parish, San Francisco Church. The guide will suggest a good place to get delicious lunch, then later in the afternoon, you will visit the handicraft market, Chocomuseo, La Casa del Ron Zacapa and Jade Museum, at the end of the tour you will return to Guatemala City.

Duration

8 hours

Availability

Everyday at 9am

Price

$50 per person

Alternative

• Half Day Antigua Tour - $40 per person

• Antigua & Guatemala City Tour - $65 per person

Pacaya Volcano Tour and Hot Springs

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.

Duration

10 hours

Availability

Sunday, Tuesday and Saturday at 6:30am

Price

$82 per person

Alternative

• Private ATV Tour of the Pacaya Volcano - $160 per person

• Hot Springs Escape and Thermal Circuit from Guatemala City - $75 per person

Chichicastenango and Lake Atitlan Day Trip

On your own, it’s difficult to squeeze the the Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlan into a single day, but this guided tour makes it a breeze by handling all the transportation logistics from Guatemala City. Plus, going with a guide keeps you from getting lost in the crowds of one of the largest open-air markets in Central America and provides tons of insight into the rich cultures around Lake Atitlan.

Duration

11 hours

Availability

Sunday and Thursday at 7am

Price

$62 per person

Alternative

Lake Atitlan, Panajachel and Santiago Village Day Trip by Boat - $115 per person

Zip-Line Experience

Combine the thrill of ziplining, a history lesson, and the serenity of fantastic views on this half-day adventure. The tour begins with a stroll along a popular boardwalk that used to be a World War II Army base. Next, soar through the treetops on a series of ziplines. Then, wind down with some beach time and pique your curiosity with a visit to an abandoned cemetery. Roundtrip hotel transfer included.

Duration

4 hours

Availability

Tuesday – Sunday at 9am

Price

$74 per person

Tikal Day Trip

Maximize your time in Guatemala with a full-day trip to Tikal by air from Guatemala City. You’ll avoid a lengthy journey by flying to the Petén Basin in an airplane and therefore arrive refreshed and ready to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of Tikal with your guide. Listen to the atmospheric sounds of the jungle as you marvel at Temple IV and Central Acropolis and learn about the Mayan empire. Revitalize with lunch at Maya International Hotel while enjoying sweeping vistas of Lake Petén Itza.

Duration

13 hours

Availability

Everyday at 6:30am

Price

$340 per person

Cooking Class in Antigua

Embark on an exotic culinary adventure with this 5-hour small-group cooking class in Antigua, including hotel pick-up. Master expert techniques and local ingredients to create typical Guatemalan dishes like ‘hilachas’, tamales and ‘camote en dulce’, under the watchful eye of a professional chef. After tasting your creations over lunch, leave armed with recipes and cooking tips to help you recreate your favorite dishes back home.

Duration

4 hours

Availability

Monday - Saturday at 8am

Price

$117.95 per person