Guatemala Tours & Trips
Walking Antigua's cobblestone streets with those massive volcanoes looming overhead? That's Guatemala in a nutshell. You'll tour coffee plantations where your morning brew comes from, haggle at Chichicastenango market, and actually walk on hardened lava at Pacaya. Lake Atitlan's so pretty it almost doesn't look real. Worth every step.
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Rishi • traveled in December
Did the highlights of Guatemala, my 2nd tour with Marvelus. Went to Antigua, Hiked Acatanengo in place of Pacaya for which was charged a bit more which if fine because Acatanengo is overnight hike. It is definitely a tougher hike than Pacaya but well worth it if you can as the Lava flows from el Fuego after sunset will blow your mind away. Antigua itself is a small town with Cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial architecture, good street food so good time there. accommodation was pretty good there. Next to Lanquin and did Semuc Champey, Kanba caves & river tubing which was one of the best experience of my life. The riverside resort (El retiro lodge) in Lanquin was amazing too. Next to Flores a small island in lake Peten Itza. Accommodation was very basic but the beauty of the small island made up for it. The included Tikal tour from Flores was excellent. Cesar our guide was very knowledgeable and did a wonderful job. Overall a very good short trip of 8 days. Marvelus did a good job of transport, accommodation, a few tours. were flexible to give me Acatanengo hike in place of Pacaya.
Guatemala Highlight Tours - B
Bettina • traveled in August
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.
Best of Guatemala 8 Days Tour (PRIVATE) - M
Marcus • traveled in July, 2024
Great tour, the guide was fantastic. My only recommendation would be to spend less time in Quetzaltenango and more in Panajachel
Heart of Guatemala
Table of contents
- The best Guatemala tour packages
- 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
Best of Guatemala 8 Days Tour (PRIVATE)
4 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$5,921
Guatemala Mayan Explorer
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We really enjoyed this trip and we really loved Guatemala!”
Ghislaine, traveled in November
Guatemala's finest features include stays at Hotel Posada la Merced in Antigua and Mayan homestays. The 8-day adventure costs around $800, covering Pacaya Volcano's lava fields, Lake Atitlan's villages, and Tikal's temples.
Duration 8 days Destinations Guatemala City, Antigua, Panajachel, Pacaya National Park, San Juan La Laguna, Santiago Atitlan, Grutas de Lanquin, San Agustin Lanquin, Flores, Tikal Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Marvelus Travel From
- NZ$1,357
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 $1,820
10% Off- NZ$1,638You save $182
Guatemala Highlight Tours
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Acatanengo is overnight hike. It is definitely a tougher hike than Pacaya but well worth it.”
Rishi, traveled in December
Guatemala's rich tapestry unfolds over 7 days, from Antigua's Spanish colonial architecture to Tikal's Mayan ruins. The itinerary features Pacaya Volcano treks, swimming in Semuc Champey's natural pools, and Kanba caves exploration. Accommodations at Hotel Posada Los Bucaros and El Retiro Lodge, with English-speaking guides.
Duration 7 days Destinations Guatemala City, Antigua, Pacaya National Park, Grutas de Lanquin, San Agustin Lanquin, Flores, Tikal Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Marvelus Travel From
10% Off- NZ$1,188
Guatemala Overland in 11 days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The sites we went to were interesting and well-managed, and covered a wide-range of the country.”
Lucy, traveled in August
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 $4,324
10% Off- NZ$3,892You save $432
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
10% Off- NZ$2,818
Guatemala - Discovering Guatemala in 5 days
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was amazing. The company was super helpful and responsive.”
Felicia, traveled in August
Duration 5 days Destinations Guatemala City, Antigua, Chichicastenango, Lake Atitlán, San Juan La Laguna Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Receptivo Aborigen Tours From $1,356
10% Off- NZ$1,220You save $136
Tailor-Made Best Guatemala Family Tour, Daily Depart & Private Car
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Transfers were very smooth, very enjoyable trip.”
Nicholas, traveled in March
Rich Guatemalan heritage unfolds at UNESCO-listed Antigua and Tikal archaeological site. The centuries-old Chichicastenango market, Lake Atitlan's villages, and Yaxha's ceremonial center feature prominently. Luxury stays at Camino Real Antigua and Villa Maya included.
Duration 8 days Destinations Guatemala City, Antigua, Iximche, San Juan La Laguna, Flores, Yaxha National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Agate Travel From
10% Off- NZ$5,139
Guatemala's cultural heritage comes alive at Camino Real Antigua and Hotel Westin. Professional guides showcase Antigua's architecture, Chichicastenango's market, and Tikal's Maya ruins, with flights between Guatemala City and Flores included.
Duration 7 days Destinations Guatemala City, Antigua, Chichicastenango, Flores, Yaxha National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Agate Travel From
10% Off- NZ$5,088
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
10% Off- NZ$4,141
Travel Guatemala your way
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.
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
Guatemala budget tours8 tours
Starting from
$65
per day
Guatemala tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top Guatemala travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
- Solo Travelers64 tours
- Couples53 tours
- Seniors (50+)55 tours
- Family45 tours
Best time to visit Guatemala
- 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.
- 43 tours
- popular 52 tours
- 50 tours
- 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.
- 53 tours
- popular 54 tours
- 50 tours
- Summer 2026
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 48 tours
- 47 tours
- 46 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
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.
- 44 tours
- popular 52 tours
- 52 tours
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.