Guatemala Highlights

Antigua, one of the world’s best conserved colonial cities, is a magical and captivating small town that makes one feel that time might have stopped 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings; strolling through town on the cobblestone streets, you will experience the splendors of ancient times! A few things you will find are art galleries and exhibits, coffee shops, amazing cuisine, cute little bars and much more. Colonial architecture, fine arts, terracotta, ceramics, wooden sculptures, a great variety of traditional costumes and weavings. Find out the secrets of Antigua on this walking tour. Your guide will explain in detail some of the main heritage buildings around Antigua such as The Cathedral, San Francisco and La Merced.

With three stunning volcanoes rising out of its emerald surface, Lake Atitlán is for sure the best way to be introduced to the indigenous culture in the highlands of Guatemala. Atitlan is characterized by its natural beauty and surrounded by gorgeous views. The famous writer Aldous Huxley considered it ¨the most beautiful lake in the world¨.

Enjoy a private boat to visit San Juan la Laguna and Santiago Atitlan, two very special and different towns around the Lake. Santiago is home to Maximon, a venerated pagan saint who smokes tobacco and drinks moonshine. He resides in a different house each year. San Juan la Laguna is a bit quieter town, less visited and is home to several textile coops and art galleries.

Hop aboard a boat to the village of San Juan La Laguna. Learn more about its cultural and artistic traditions when you interact with associations and cooperatives from the local community.

Chichicastenango is home to what is surely the most colorful native market in the Americas. Market days are held every Thursday and Sundays and draw not only the K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region, but vendors from all over Guatemala, representing many of Guatemala's linguistic groups such as Mam, Ixil, Kaqchikel and others. Each person hawks his or her products in a riotous cacophony of color, dialects and costumes, smoke, and smells.

Yaxhá is one of the largest Maya cities in Petén, and together with the other cities located in this park, played an important role in the social and political organization of the Central Maya Lowlands. This city was inhabited from the Middle Preclassic (1000 - 350 BC) to the Postclassic (900 - 1200 AD) and reached its highest development during the Early Classic, maintaining an important role in the Maya World for over 1,500 years. Much of its political history is known from carved monuments found at the site.

City and ceremonial center of the ancient Maya civilization, Tikal became an important ceremonial center with the construction of major pyramids and temples. Its best years were the Late Classic Period (600-900AD). Tikal National Park contains some of the most fascinating archaeological remains of the ancient Maya Civilization. Excavated by Pennsylvania University between 1956 and 1969, Tikal is the largest excavated site in the American continent. It is Guatemala´s most famous cultural and natural preserve. On arrival a representative of Maya Trails will transfer you to Tikal National Park . Your guide will show you the layout of the temples, architecture, history, some theories of why they disappeared and if you are lucky a few monkeys, parrots, macaws and toucans will be on site.

Protected by forests and rivers, Mayan San Ignacio was one of the centers of rebellion against Spanish conquistadors -- in 1641, Mayan priests staged a parody of the Mass to incense the missionaries, and later the city befriended the independent British loggers who settled in defiance of the Spanish. Today the city maintains its independent, laidback charm.

Explore the 6 plazas and more than 26 temples and palaces that make up this ancient Mayan city. Head to the steps of El Castillo, the largest pyramid and second tallest structure in Belize, and see if you can spot the “stone woman” with the fire red eyes that is said to haunt the site. Climb to the very top of the village for a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside – you can even see all the way to the Belize and Guatemala border!

Stop by the Ranch and learn about the ecology of Belize and its importance to butterfly diversity then head to cool off in the pristine waters of the Black Rock Falls.

Explore this 29 acre zoo for a chance to see native Belizean animals such as jaguars, ocelots, iguanas and more. Learn about the zoo’s efforts to create awareness and share knowledge about Belize’s wildlife as you visit each of the animals in their natural habitats.

Belize's dazzling coral reef, the largest in the Western hemisphere, stretches along the coastline, creating beautifully calm protected water around the country's cayes, or small coastal islands. The largest of these islands, Ambergris Caye, is also the prettiest, with a laidback Caribbean feel and gorgeous sand beaches.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve cuts through the coral reef up to the mangrove forest on the shoreline, giving you a cross-section look at three ocean habitats. The mangroves serve as a nursery for young fish, the seagrass that separates these trees from the ocean also provide food, and the coral reef itself is home to all manner of sea creatures. In Shark Alley, friendly rays and nurse sharks glide through the clear water.