Guatemala Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best Guatemala tour packages
- What people love about Guatemala Tours
- Travel Guatemala your way
- Best tour companies for Guatemala tours
- Best places to start your Guatemala tour
- Discover Guatemala tours for every budget
- Guatemala tours for every type of group
- Top Guatemala travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Guatemala
- What our customers ask about Guatemala Tours & Trips
The best Guatemala tour packages
Compiled by
SteffGuatemala travel expert at TourRadar
Guatemala's cultural mosaic spans 8 days from Antigua's colonial architecture to Tikal's Mayan pyramids. The route includes Iximche archaeological site, Chichicastenango's indigenous market, and Lake Atitlan cruises to Santiago Atitlan, with 3-star hotels and English guide services.
Duration 8 days Destinations Guatemala City, Antigua, Iximche, Chichicastenango, Panajachel, San Juan La Laguna, Santiago Atitlan, Flores, Tikal, Yaxha National Park Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- NZ$4,211
Glimpse of Guatemala 5D/4N
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Fun trip to Antigua, Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano, Lake Atitlan and best of all Tikal!”
Cheryl, traveled in April
Guatemala's landscapes range from Guatemala City to Antigua's preserved streets and Pacaya Volcano's 2500m summit. Traditional villages around Lake Atitlán showcase Santiago Atitlán's Maximon shrine and San Juan La Laguna's markets, concluding at Tikal's ancient Mayan complex.
Duration 5 days Destinations Guatemala City, Antigua, Pacaya National Park, Sololá, San Juan La Laguna, Santiago Atitlan, Flores, Tikal Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- NZ$2,708
Best of Guatemala 8 Days Tour (PRIVATE)
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This tour was a great immersion in the lesser visited cities and communities of the Ecuadorian Andes mountains.”
Bettina, traveled in August
Guatemala's treasures await over 8 days, with lodging at the Radisson in Guatemala City and Boutique Los Pacos in Antigua. Highlights include Chichicastenango Market, Pacaya Volcano hikes, and Tikal's ancient ruins. Program costs approx. $410 per day including internal flights, breakfast, and expert guides.
Duration 8 days Destinations Guatemala City, Antigua, Pacaya National Park, Lake Atitlán, Chichicastenango, Flores, Tikal Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
- NZ$5,859
Heart of Guatemala
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great tour, the guide was fantastic. My only recommendation would be to spend less time in Quetzaltenango and more in Panajachel.”
Marcus, traveled in July
Colonial Antigua serves as the gateway to Guatemala's highlands. A chicken bus takes you to Almolonga's giant vegetable market and Chichicastenango's historic bazaar. The Temple of San Simon hosts shamanic rituals before a Lake Atitlan cruise to Santiago Atitlan's Maximon shrine. Five nights' accommodation and expert guides provided.
Duration 7 days Destinations Antigua, Quetzaltenango, Panajachel Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$2,105
Guatemala Overland in 11 days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Guatemala itself is so beautiful and colorful and the people are very welcoming.”
Dafna, traveled in July
Guatemala's finest sights cost approx. $240 per day, featuring Tikal's Temple of the Great Jaguar and Quetzal Biotope's cloud forests. The journey winds through colonial Antigua's streets, across Lake Atitlán with its volcanic backdrop, to Chichicastenango's market, Santo Tomás Church, and textile cooperatives.
Duration 11 days Destinations Guatemala City, Quirigua, Río Dulce, Livingston, Flores, Tikal, Coban, Semuc Champey, San Agustin Lanquin, PurulháSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Receptivo Aborigen Tours From $4,280
10% Off- NZ$3,852You save $428
What people love about Guatemala Tours
- Glimpse of Guatemala 5D/4N
Fun trip to Antigua, Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano, Lake Atitlan and best of all Tikal! Expert guides made the trip most memorable!
- Best of Guatemala 8 Days Tour (PRIVATE)
We had an excellent experience seeing Ecuador on the 8 day tour. This tour was a great immersion in the lesser visited cities and communities of the Ecuadorian Andes mountains. The trip was well organized and paced for our comfort and full of culturally meaningful experiences. We felt that our safety and interests were always the top priority. Our guide, Josue, was very experienced, friendly and spoke excellent English. We especially enjoyed Intinan, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Ingapirca, Pumapungo museum. Banos and Cuenca were our favorite cities: beautiful and walkable. We loved trying all the new foods, and I appreciated Josue's help with my Spanish.
- Guatemala - Discovering Guatemala in 5 days
The trip was amazing. The company was super helpful and responsive.
Travel Guatemala your way
Our multi-day tours mix up different activities around Lake Atitlan, where you'll paddle kayaks on clear waters and meet local artisans in San Juan la Laguna's workshops. Spanish speakers tend to get more out of the homestays with Mayan families in San Jorge village - the cultural exchange flows better when you can chat directly. The tours weave together market visits at Chichicastenango and evening hikes up Pacaya Volcano. We've built in some free time between activities, which our customers say helps them really settle into the experience. Days start early and pack quite a bit in, but travelers tell us the mix of culture, outdoor activities and also independent exploring makes for a rich experience.
See all Active toursGuatemala's most popular tours blend volcano climbing with real cultural experiences. Our 5-day trips kick off in Antigua, where you'll explore the old cobblestone streets before heading to Pacaya volcano. There's something special about cooking pizza and marshmallows using actual volcanic heat - our travelers say it's a highlight. The journey continues to Lake Atitlan, where you can kayak the shoreline and connect with local artists in San Juan la Laguna. What really sets these tours apart is how they mix outdoor activities with authentic local moments - you'll take part in traditional Mayan ceremonies at ancient sites like Iximche and get time to browse the craft markets too. The volcano treks need moderate fitness but our customers tell us the sunset views over Antigua's volcanic skyline make every step worthwhile.
Select from our extensive range of 45 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Guatemala with our expert guides leading the way.
Find the right partially guided tour for you in Guatemala. There are 24 trips to choose from, that range from one day in length, up to 18 days. The month with the most departures is October, making it the most popular time to visit Guatemala.
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for Guatemala tours
Culture Trip runs a solid Guatemala tour that our customers really like - their "Gorgeous Guatemala" gets consistently good feedback, especially when Aura is leading the group. People tell us they appreciate how everything's properly organized and you get to do things regular tourists might miss. The pace keeps you moving but that's because they fit in all the essential spots you'd want to see. If you're watching your budget, Marvelus Tours offers good alternatives with their Guatemala Highlight Tours and their week-long Gorgeous Guatemala option. Just keep in mind that a few travelers mentioned some hiccups with the transport arrangements and sometimes had trouble getting quick responses from the company. These aren't deal-breakers, but worth noting if you like everything running like clockwork. The nice thing about both companies is they actually take you beyond the usual tourist spots - you're getting proper local experiences rather than just ticking off the main sites. Culture Trip seems to have the edge on organization and service quality, while Marvelus is the more budget-friendly choice.
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Best places to start your Guatemala tour
Guatemala City kicks off most of our tours - 53 of our recent groups started there, while another 18 began in colonial Antigua. We've found booking about 33 days ahead works well for most people, giving you time to lock in good accommodations and preferred dates, especially when volcano hiking conditions are at their best. Our travelers who've done these trips tell us you'll want 2-3 days in Antigua to get used to the altitude before tackling any volcano climbs, and suggest taking at least 3 days to properly explore Lake Atitlan's villages by local boat. Want good value and nice weather? Look at October-November or March-April - you'll see fewer tourists but still get pretty stable conditions for outdoor activities.
Discover Guatemala tours for every budget
The 8-day Guatemala Highlights route really works well for travelers watching their budget. Starting in colonial Antigua, you'll make your way to Pacaya Volcano where the ground is hot enough to toast marshmallows - our travelers love this unique touch. The journey takes you to Semuc Champey's natural pools for swimming and cave exploration, then continues to Flores Island where you'll stay in welcoming local guesthouses. A highlight comes at Tikal, with ancient temples at sunrise. There's also a popular 3-day option combining Lake Atitlan and Chichicastenango Market - you'll move between indigenous villages by boat and have plenty of time at Central America's largest traditional market. Our customers often mention how the well-timed shuttles let them see everything without feeling rushed.
Our luxury tours focus on refined experiences with Guatemala's culture and landscapes. The 5-day Glimpse of Guatemala features carefully chosen hotels and guides who really know their Mayan history at Tikal. You start in Antigua before climbing Pacaya Volcano to 2,500 meters, where you can see three other volcanoes from the top. At Lake Atitlan, our travelers particularly enjoy the boat trips between Tzutuhil villages and meeting Saint Maximon. There's also an 8-day private option with boutique hotels in Guatemala City and Antigua, including a dedicated guide who shows you quiet corners of Tikal and arranges special visits to coffee plantations.
Guatemala budget tours8 tours
Starting from
$63
per day
Guatemala tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
47 tours in GuatemalaGuatemala's most popular group tours blend cultural exploration with volcanic adventures. The 8-day routes from Antigua are consistently praised by our travelers, who connect while making pizza with volcanic heat at Pacaya and exploring colonial architecture together. Another favorite combines village visits around Lake Atitlan with overnight treks up Acatenango, where the 5-hour climb to base camp builds strong bonds, especially during those early morning summit pushes to watch the sun rise across volcanic peaks. Our groups appreciate having a mix of scheduled activities and free time to kayak Lake Atitlan or wander through Chichicastenango's vibrant market stalls. Transportation between sites is handled with comfortable shuttles, and accommodations range from central hotels to welcoming family homestays. The small group setting makes cultural interactions more meaningful in places like San Juan La Laguna, while enhancing natural discoveries at destinations like Semuc Champey, with its crystal pools and extensive cave networks.
Small Group
27 tours in GuatemalaGuatemala's small-group tours blend cultural depth with outdoor experiences, built on genuine connections with local communities. Our travelers often tell us how much they enjoy the diverse activities - from toasting marshmallows over volcanic vents at Pacaya, to taking part in traditional Maya ceremonies at Iximche's centuries-old ruins. Most tours begin in colonial Antigua, before moving to Lake Atitlan where participants kayak clear waters and meet artisans in San Juan la Laguna's workshops. The accommodations include characterful spots like El Meson de Maria and also Porta del Lago, selected for their authentic atmosphere and central spots. These tours stand out for their intimate feel, with groups mentioning how their local guides adapt the pace and share rich cultural context throughout the journey. The 5-8 day itineraries pack in plenty of experiences, while leaving space for organic moments like visiting village craftspeople and joining volcanic cooking sessions. Our customers particularly appreciate having structured activities balanced with independent time, especially when exploring Antigua's historic lanes and also Lake Atitlan's indigenous villages.
Private / Personalized
15 tours in GuatemalaPrivate tours give you real flexibility and personal attention. The 14-day Guatemala expedition moves at your pace, with many customers loving the Ram Tzul nature reserve's hidden waterfalls and local stories. You'll explore Tikal with your own expert guide who times the visit perfectly for photos without crowds. Another good choice mixes Guatemala City's historic streets with early morning Tikal visits and authentic cultural experiences. Our travelers really value having their own transport for longer journeys and also the freedom to spend more time wherever interests them most.
Top Guatemala travel itineraries to fit your plans
A week in Guatemala opens up more possibilities. Our popular 7-day trips kick off in Antigua with a climb up active Pacaya Volcano - you can actually toast marshmallows using the volcanic heat! The journey continues to Lake Atitlan where you'll stay with Mayan families and see their daily routines up close. You'll take boats to different indigenous villages, explore the buzzing Chichicastenango Market and end your days at places like Casa del Mundo - our travelers keep telling us it's "one of the most incredible places" they've seen. You'll stay in a mix of central Antigua hotels and authentic family homes in San Jorge village, all clean and well-located.
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With 10 days, you can really dig deeper and even cross some borders. These fuller trips mix the must-sees with lesser-known spots. You'll watch sunrise at Tikal's Mayan ruins, swim in Semuc Champey's turquoise pools and venture into the Candelaria Caves. Some routes go into El Salvador and Honduras too, where you'll see UNESCO's Joya de Cerén and Copán's detailed sculptures. Our travelers particularly like the boat ride through Rio Dulce's green canyons to Livingston, where Garifuna culture adds Caribbean flavor to your Central American experience.
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Two weeks gives you our most complete Guatemala experience. These well-planned routes include special stops like Ram Tzul Private Natural Reserve, with its hidden waterfalls and mountain forests. You'll tackle Class III and IV rapids on Río Cahabón, explore the jungle-hidden Waka ruins and stay at Las Guacamayas Biological Station - keep an eye out for scarlet macaws. There's proper time for Guatemala's highlands too, where you can browse traditional markets and learn weaving from artisans in San Juan La Laguna. Our travelers say having two weeks lets them really connect with local communities while still hitting all the major sites.
Demographics
Our 7-day Guatemala highlights tour connects solo travelers naturally through shared experiences, starting with a genuine homestay in San Jorge with a Mayan family. The small groups make it easy to get to know fellow travelers while exploring Pacaya Volcano and Lake Atitlan. You'll find the shared shuttles between locations give you just the right mix of company and independence. Our solo guests particularly like how they can join others for the main sites but also wander through Antigua's cafe scene at their own speed.
Our private Guatemala tours adapt nicely for couples who want both romance and cultural insights. Many choose our 7-day route that includes Lake Atitlan's sunset views and intimate cooking workshops in colonial towns. Antigua's UNESCO architecture makes for lovely couple photos, and visiting coffee plantations together creates shared memories. What couples really value is the freedom to spend extra time where it matters - whether that's watching artisans work in San Juan La Laguna or taking a quiet morning to see volcanoes mirror themselves in Lake Atitlan.
Young travelers looking for real cultural connections find their match in our active Guatemala trips. They'll hike Pacaya Volcano, kayak Lake Atitlan and explore Semuc Champey's network of caves and natural pools. The social side comes naturally - sharing chicken bus rides to local markets, hiking to catch the sunset with new friends and discovering Guatemala City's modern culture. Our travelers often tell us how much they enjoy meeting others their age while learning about both ancient Mayan practices and contemporary Guatemalan life. It's a natural blend of outdoor activity and cultural understanding.
Our senior travelers appreciate how our Guatemala tours move at a comfortable pace without missing out on authentic experiences. Starting in Guatemala City, these multi-day trips offer quality hotels while featuring Antigua's colonial streets and Lake Atitlan's village-lined shores. Guides adapt the walking pace thoughtfully, especially in busy places like Chichicastenango market where there's plenty to take in. The morning boat rides on Lake Atitlan are particularly popular - they offer a gentle way to see local life unfold. Having all transfers included and plenty of time in each place lets our senior guests really appreciate each location's character.
Our family tours in Guatemala really hit the sweet spot between learning and fun. Kids get pretty excited about roasting marshmallows over actual volcanic heat at Pacaya, while parents tell us they love watching their children engage with local culture at San Andres Itzapa. The chicken bus journey to Almolonga market is always a highlight - the bright colors and decorations keep young ones entertained for hours. When we take families around Lake Atitlan by boat, the stops at indigenous villages offer hands-on activities like making chocolate and seeing how traditional textiles come together. We've built in free afternoons so families can pace themselves and adjust the schedule to what works for their group.
- Solo Travelers43 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples8 tours
- Seniors (50+)47 tours All tours for Seniors
- Family36 tours
Best time to visit Guatemala
- Summer 2025
Summer tours connect Guatemala's ancient Maya sites with its natural areas. The fullest routes begin in Guatemala City and head to Quirigua Archaeological Park, where you'll find the Maya world's tallest carved stelae reaching over 10 meters high. You'll take boats through the Rio Dulce canyon to reach Livingston's Garifuna community, with its unique mix of reggae music and coconut bread recipes. Many summer trips include early morning visits to Tikal - our customers say watching the sunrise from Temple IV is something they never forget. Some tours add the Quetzal Biotope reserve, where you can spot ancient trees growing up to 120 feet tall while learning about the 50 different species in Guatemala's cloud forest system.
- popular 41 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall offers ideal conditions for mixing volcanic landscapes with living Maya traditions. Several routes start with evening hikes up Pacaya volcano, taking you through humid forest to reach active volcanic cones. Lake Atitlan plays a big part - our travelers particularly enjoy kayaking along the shoreline and visiting the artist workshops in San Juan la Laguna. The cultural side continues at Iximche's ancient Maya ruins, where local spiritual guides share traditional customs and ceremonies. Some fall tours include optional zip-lining across Lake Atitlan, which our customers say gives you amazing views of the three volcanoes surrounding the water.
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- popular 52 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter in Guatemala really shines from November through February, with several excellent routes worth considering. Starting in Antigua, you'll walk those old cobblestone streets before heading up Pacaya Volcano - our travelers love that you can actually cook pizza using the volcanic heat as the sun sets. There's also a great route through the highlands to San Andres Itzapa where you'll join a traditional shamanic ceremony at the Temple of San Simon and then ride those famous painted chicken buses to local markets. Over at Lake Atitlan, the winter tours include boat trips to Santiago Atitlan where local families welcome you into their homes to share their Maximon shrines and show you what daily life is like on the lake.
- popular 46 tours
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- Spring 2026
Spring opens up perfect weather for getting into Guatemala's culture. The 5-day routes combining Antigua's colonial areas with Lake Atitlan's indigenous villages are particularly popular with our customers. You'll join local women for corn workshops, visit chocolate cooperatives in San Juan La Laguna and learn how they create those intricate textile patterns using traditional dyes. Some tours stop at the Candelaria Caves - our travelers tell us exploring these underground rivers with local guides who know every twist and turn makes for quite an adventure. For those wanting more activity, spring tours often include hikes around Lake Atitlan's three volcanoes and visits to coffee plantations where you'll follow the whole process from growing and picking to roasting and brewing.
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What our customers ask about Guatemala Tours & Trips
What's the best way to get around Guatemala?
If you're hopping between major spots like Antigua Lake Atitlan or Flores tourist shuttles are your best bet - they're basically comfy minivans that fit 10-14 people and run on set schedules costing around -30 per trip. Want to go local? Jump on a chicken bus (they're actually converted US school buses) running everywhere from 6am to 6pm for just ## Exploring Maya Heritage and Ancient Ruins Wondering about Guatemala's incredible Maya sites? You'll definitely want to check out Tikal it's probably the most famous and impressive one. There's also Iximche, Ceibal and Yaxha which are equally fascinating but less crowded. Each site tells its own story of ancient Maya civilization and you'll get a real sense of their architectural genius. ## Volcano Hiking Adventures Let's talk about hiking Pacaya - it's an active volcano and yes you can actually hike it! Tours head up there regularly and it's become quite a popular thing to do. The real question isn't just about whether you can do it but more about being prepared and knowing what to expect. Safety measures are in place and guides know exactly how to handle the conditions. ## Lake Atitlán Activities and Experiences Lake Atitlán is simply stunning and there's so much to do here. You can hop on boats to visit indigenous villages, go kayaking on those crystal-clear waters or base yourself in lovely lakeside towns like Panajachel and Santa Cruz La Laguna. The lake's surrounded by volcanoes and the views are absolutely incredible no matter where you look. ## Local Transportation - The Famous Chicken Buses Ever heard of chicken buses? These are Guatemala's colorfully decorated former US school buses and they're quite an experience. You can catch one to local markets just like many Guatemalans do. They're definitely not luxury transport but they're authentic affordable and honestly part of the whole Guatemala experience. ## Cultural Immersion Opportunities Guatemala offers some really special cultural experiences that go deep into Maya traditions. You can participate in authentic Maya ceremonies, visit the mystical Temple of San Simon for shamanic rituals and explore the bustling Chichicastenango market. Want to go even deeper? Some tours even arrange stays with Maya families where you'll get to experience daily life firsthand and really understand local customs. -5 it's quite an experience! For longer journeys like Guatemala City to Flores you've got overnight buses with Linea Dorada - they've got decent reclining seats for the 10-11 hour trip though honestly flying might be worth it to save time.
Where can I find the real authentic Guatemala off the tourist track?
You'll love San Andrés Itzapa where local traditions come alive at the Temple of San Simon - bring some rum or tobacco if you want to join in the ceremonies. Over in Almolonga they've got this amazing Thursday market nicknamed "The Garden of Central America" with the biggest vegetables you've ever seen thanks to rich volcanic soil. For nature lovers Ram Tzul's private cloud forest is incredible - you can hike to waterfalls spot rare quetzal birds and even stay overnight in traditional eco-lodges at 2300m up in the mountains.
How can I really experience Mayan culture beyond just seeing the ruins?
There's so much to discover! You can join authentic Mayan ceremonies with local shamans at Iximche - it's especially powerful during solstices. In San Juan La Laguna you'll find women's cooperatives where you can learn traditional backstrap weaving and see how they make those vibrant colors from indigo and cochineal. Want to live like a local? Try a homestay in San Jorge La Laguna where families will teach you to make pepian and grind corn their way. Don't miss Chichicastenango market Thursdays and Sundays where Maya priests still perform ancient rituals on the church steps.
Which places give you both adventure and cultural experiences?
Pacaya Volcano is perfect for this - it's a moderate 2-hour climb up to 2552m where you'll see active lava flows four other volcanoes and yes you can actually roast marshmallows up there! Lake Atitlan's amazing for kayaking between indigenous villages each with its own character - San Juan's got art galleries Santiago's known for Maximon ceremonies and Santa Cruz keeps traditional weaving alive. At Semuc Champey you've got these stunning 300m-long limestone pools above underground rivers plus you can explore K'ekchi Maya villages and go cave exploring by candlelight.
What should I know about staying safe while exploring Guatemala?
Guatemala's generally pretty safe for tourists but stick to the well-traveled routes and use official shuttle services between cities. When you're heading up volcanoes like Acatenango or Fuego definitely go with a guide - you'll need proper gear and time to adjust to the altitude. It's really appreciated if you learn some basic Mayan greetings in K'iche' or Tz'utujil especially around Lake Atitlan's communities. Keep smaller bills in quetzales for markets and local transport save your dollars for hotels and tour bookings.