Tours and Activities in Guatemala
Guatemala isn’t just ruins and rainforests, although there is a good amount of both those things here. It’s a country of huge lakes, Mayan villages, fuming stratovolcanoes, and colorful marketplaces. There are an incalculable number of things to do in Guatemala, with tour options to fit every type of traveler. If you’re into nature, you can explore jungles or go bird watching. If culture is your cup of tea, you’ll visit Mayan villages and ancient temples. And if you’d prefer to simply relax, there are tranquil places to breathe deep and unwind.
Adventure Tours
Adventure tours are ideal for travelers who enjoy excitement and the outdoors. These tours include zip lining, rafting, and horseback riding. The activities are safe and suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Professional guides lead the tours and work hard to provide travelers with an unforgettable experience.
Cultural Tours
Guatemala’s thriving culture celebrates both the past and present. These tours explore Guatemala’s cultural makeup — you’ll visit Mayan ruins, coffee plantations, archeological museums, traditional marketplaces, and more. They are a great way to fully appreciate the history, customs, and lifestyle of Guatemalans.
Educational Tours
It’s our belief that to really appreciate a country, you must first understand it. Educational tours help travelers do just this. These tours expose travelers to the various cultural, environmental, and agricultural influences in Guatemala. You might take a Spanish language course along the shores of Lake Petén Itzá, or be guided through the Mayan ruins of Copán. You can learn about nocturnal creatures during a night hike or watch sea turtles nest along the Pacific coast. No matter what the tour is, you’ll walk away with a fuller understanding of the forces that shape Guatemala.
Leisure Tours
While traveling in a foreign country, it can be nice to slow down and pamper yourself. These tours will help you both relax and enjoy Guatemala’s beautiful surroundings. You can visit a spa and indulge in a massage or pedicure. Other leisure tours help you explore Guatemala in an unhurried pace — you might take a safari float along a river and search for animals along the banks.
Marine Tours
Guatemala is bordered by both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Marine tours include snorkeling, scuba diving, sea kayaking, deep-sea fishing, and marine mammal observation. You’ll enjoy access to the country’s beautiful coastal areas and have the opportunity to spot all kinds of marine animals — including fish, dolphins, whales, and manta rays.
Nature Tours
The Guatemalan landscape is composed of huge forests, active volcanoes, and alpine lakes. What's more, the Guatemalan plant and animal life is off the charts. These tours bring travelers to some of the country’s best outdoor areas. The tours include bird watching, hiking with naturalist guides, and marine mammal observation.
Get ready to spot some colorful birds during this full-day bird watching tour in Antigua. The tour explores the El Pilar Nature Reserve, which is set just 2 miles from Antigua’s central park.
Fincal El Pilar’s gardens hum with the tiny, whirring wings of its resident hummingbirds. This farm does not produce agriculture, but rather exists to help conserve some of the rare and endangered species of plants and animals in Antigua.
On the first day of your journey, you’ll start your exploration of the area’s wildlife on a trail through the jungle of the Tikal National Park. Eventually you will come to a clearing, scattered with the stony ruins of Mayan temples and palaces. You have arrived at Tikal, home to one of the most prominent dynasties during the Mayan classic period. OPTIONAL only Professional Bird guide, lunch ,entrance fee to site.
The San Pedro Volcano was declared a national park in 2006. The volcano is covered with tropical forests and takes about 4–5 hours to reach the summit along a well-maintained trail.
Guatemala’s Pacific Coast has healthy populations of enormous fish, and this tour allows you to catch some of the most impressive species. This tour is also an excellent opportunity to see sea turtles, dolphins, and the occasional whale.
This tour brings travelers to the Postclassic Mayan site of Iximché. Iximché was once a Kaqchikel capital and today it’s still used in many Mayan ceremonies.
The Pacaya Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Guatemala. During this tour, you’ll hike up the volcano and enjoy incredible views of both the volcano and the surrounding area.
This tour includes a visit to indigenous villages and a soak in hot springs. As such, it's a nice mixture of cultural exploration and leisure activities.
This tour explores the Mayan ruins of Iximché and a few surrounding towns in the area.
This hike through the tree canopy of the Atitlan Reserve will give you a bird’s eye view of an exciting environment. Atitlan Reserve is shaped by the three volcanoes that surround Lake Atitlan. Pristine Lake Atitlan and the surrounding grounds of the reserve offer more natural beauty than you can capture with a few snapshots. To get the most out of this scenery, get a view from the top.
Fill your head with new recipes and your belly with a delicious, 5-course meal. These recipes aren’t haute cuisine, but a look at what Guatemalan families actually eat on an everyday basis, dishes that you’ll want to recreate in your own home. This includes one of the staples of Guatemalan cuisine – hearty, delicious tortillas.
Yaxhá is the third largest Mayan site in Guatemala, but due to its seclusion, it tends to lack large crowds. Enjoy a visit to Yaxhá during this one-day tour.
This tour offers you an interesting looks at some of the historical and cultural underpinnings of Antigua. Start your tour with a peek behind the curtain of local transportation with a visit to one of the factories that makes chicken buses — local worker Don Augusto will show you around the factory and give you some insight into the artistry that gives these vehicles their vibrant personalities.
During this tour, you’ll visit carpenters in Ciudad Vieja, weavers in San Antonio Aguas Calientes, and farmers at an experimental macademia nut plantation. It’s a great way to experience some of Guatemala’s best culture.
La Antigua is one of Guatemala’s most charming and historic cities. During this half-day walking tour you’ll visit some of Antigua’s best sites.
Explore both the San Felipe Castle and the Río Dulce during this tour. The castle, which is set at the mouth of the Río Dulce, dates back to the 17th century and has fantastic views of Lake Izabal.
This collective or private tour explores areas in and around Lívingston and the Río Dulce. You'll visit the San Felipe Castle, Bird Island and hot waterfalls. If you choose the private tour, you'll enjoy additional time at each of these destinations, plus a musical presentation.
Monterrico's mangroves are a great place to see birds and other animals. This tour explores the mangrove forests and tule grasses that grow alongside the banks of the mangroves.
Spend an afternoon riding horses above the shores of Lake Atitlán. You'll enjoy fabulous views of the lake, forests, and mountains on this tour.
The Circo del Aire Canopy is in the Efrain Recinos Cultural Park. This park is a short distance outside of Antigua.
Guatemala Tours
Guided ToursNature WalkRuinsArcheologyHikingHistoricWalkingBird WatchingCulturalCity TourBoat ToursZip LinesNight TourCoffee TourCulinaryHorseback RidingArchitectureCave ExplorationShoppingCulinary LessonsIndigenous CultureMulti-DayBikingMangrove ToursSuspension BridgesRaftingSpecies ExhibitsHot SpringsCommunityTextilesLiving MayaWildlifeMuseumGastronomyKayakingFresh Water FishingMarine WildlifeSport FishingBeach TripPhotographyMountain ClimbingAttractions
Maya BiosphereAcatenango VolcanoLake AtitlánAtitlan Natural ReserveTikal National ParkFuego VolcanoChichicastenangoYaxhá Nakum NaranjoCeibal Natural MonumentPacaya VolcanoSantiago Atitlan Friday MarketTortugario MonterricoCastillo San FelippeIximcheSan Pedro VolcanoPlaya BlancaSantiaguito VolcanoTakalik Abaj (Retalhuleu)AguatecaBiotopo del QuetzalCahabon RiverCandelaria CavesEl Mirador TrailQuiriguaLa Pasión RiverThe Ruins of CopanSanta Maria VolcanoSemuc ChampeyTajumulco VolcanoTodos Santos CuchumatanTopoxteAk tun Kan CavesBocas del PolochicChicabal Volcano and LagoonDos PilasEl MiradorLake Peten ItzaLanquin CavesMixco ViejoNatural Park IxpanpajulRey Marcos Siete AltaresUaxactunFuentes Georginas Hot SpringsPlaces To Go
AntiguaQuetzaltenangoLake AtitlanFlores and Santa ElenaGuatemala City, GuatemalaTikalCobán, Alta VerapazEscuintlaLake Izabal, Izabal SayaxcheMonterrico, Santa Rosa Lake Atitlan, SololaSan Juan La Laguna, Lake AtitlanSantiago AtitlanChichicastenangoLivingston, IzabalRetalhuleuRio Dulce Fronteras, IzabalCarmelita VillageCopan Ruinas (Honduras)HuehuetenangoLanquinPuerto Quetzal, Escuintla Puerto San Jose, Escuintla San Pedro la Laguna, Lake Atitlan SololaYaxháFrequently asked questions
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Reach out to ourlocal experts.
- What Adventure Activities Are There In Guatemala?
A number of adventure activities can be enjoyed in Guatemala. These include zip-lining, kayaking, horseback riding, and white-water rafting. The availability of these activities depends on the destination.The area near Lanquín. has caves to explore and excellent white-water rafting on the Río Cahabón. Zip-lining can be enjoyed in Panajachel or Tikal, and horseback riding can be done along the Pacific Coast.
- What should I wear or bring to a national park in Guatemala?
The trails in Guatemala are not be in poor condition, so it's important to bring a good pair of hiking shoes. Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt will protect you from UV rays and mosquitos, and a hat will keep the sun out of your eyes. It's also a good idea to have a rain jacket on hand, as unexpected showers can occur, especially in the Amazon. Moisture-wicking clothing will allow you to sweat but not get soaked.Bring a small daypack to carry other items, including a camera, sunscreen, insect repellent, guide books/map, snacks, and a water bottle. Remember to bring water, as there usually aren't water fountains in Peruvian parks and it's important to stay hydrated while hiking.
- What Are the Top Activities in Guatemala?
Guatemala's top activities involve cultural and natural exploration. Cultural activities include visiting Mayan ruins, touring historic sites, and perusing some of the country's colorful local markets. There are national parks and reserves that are great for hiking or bird watching. River rafting is popular in some areas, and some of Guatemala's coastline lends itself towards swimming, snorkeling, and fishing.
- I Haven't Tried Some of These Activities. Is That A Problem for my trip to Guatemala?
No. Some travelers may have experience with adventure activities, but many do not. Our professional guides are here to help you get comfortable with the sport of your choice. Whether it's flying across a zip-line or rafting down a white-water rapid, these activities can be tailored to your level of comfort. They are safe, fun, and exciting.
