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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.

Birdwatching Antigua, Guatemala
Birdwatching AntiguaAntigua

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.

Bird Watching
Hiking
Naturalist Guide
Finca El Pilar and its Hummingbirds, Guatemala
Finca El Pilar and its HummingbirdsAntigua

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.

Bird Watching
Naturalist Guide
Nature Walk
Birding Tour at Tikal, Guatemala
Birding Tour at TikalTikal

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.

Best
Naturalist Guide
Nature Walk
Ruins
Hiking San Pedro Volcano, Guatemala
Hiking San Pedro VolcanoLake Atitlan

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.

Best
Guided Tours
Hiking
Fishing Tour Full Day, Guatemala
Fishing Tour Full DayPuerto Quetzal, Escuintla

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.

Boat Tours
Fresh Water Fishing
Sport Fishing
Hot Springs and Indigenous Villages, Guatemala
Hot Springs and Indigenous VillagesQuetzaltenango

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.

Hot Springs
Naturalist Guide
Walking
Mayan Cosmology and Archaeology Tour, Guatemala
Mayan Cosmology and Archaeology TourAntigua

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.

Best
Guided Tours
Ruins
Pacaya Volcano Hike, Guatemala
Pacaya Volcano HikeEscuintla

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.

Best
Guided Tours
Hiking
Iximché Ruins and Surrounding Towns Tour, Guatemala
Iximché Ruins and Surrounding Towns TourAntigua

This tour explores the Mayan ruins of Iximché and a few surrounding towns in the area.

Best
Cultural
Guided Tours
Historic
Canopy Tour at Atitlan's Natural Reserve, Guatemala
Canopy Tour at Atitlan's Natural ReserveLake Atitlan

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.

Naturalist Guide
Nature Walk
Zip Lines
Yaxhá One Day , Guatemala
Yaxhá One Day Flores and Santa Elena

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.

Best
Guided Tours
Historic
Ruins
Guatemalan Cooking Class , Guatemala
Guatemalan Cooking Class Antigua

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.

Best
Culinary
Culinary Lessons
Chicken Buses, Ciudad Vieja, and Typical Food, Guatemala
Chicken Buses, Ciudad Vieja, and Typical FoodAntigua

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.

Cultural
Guided Tours
Historic
Cultural and Textile Half-Day Tour, Guatemala
Cultural and Textile Half-Day TourAntigua

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.

Best
Guided Tours
Textiles
Antigua Walking Tour Half Day, Guatemala
Antigua Walking Tour Half DayAntigua

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.

Historic
Ruins
Walking
San Felipe Castle and Río Dulce, Guatemala
San Felipe Castle and Río DulceLake Izabal, Izabal

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.

Best
Boat Tours
Guided Tours
Ruins
Lívingston Cultural Day Tour, Guatemala
Lívingston Cultural Day TourLivingston, 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.

Best
Cultural
Historic
Mangrove Forest & Tule Boat Tour, Guatemala
Mangrove Forest & Tule Boat TourMonterrico, Santa Rosa

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.

Boat Tours
Mangrove Tours
Naturalist Guide
Circo del Aire Canopy Antigua-CS, Guatemala
Circo del Aire Canopy Antigua-CSAntigua

The Circo del Aire Canopy is in the Efrain Recinos Cultural Park. This park is a short distance outside of Antigua.

Best
Zip Lines
Horseback Riding Around Atitlán, Guatemala
Horseback Riding Around AtitlánLake Atitlan

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.

Best
Horseback Riding
Naturalist Guide
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 Climbing
Attractions
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 Springs
Places 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 SololaYaxhá

Frequently 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.

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Guatemala Vacations
  • Adventure
  • Archaeology
  • Bird-watching
  • Community
  • Family
  • Nature
  • Rainforest
  • Romantic
  • Sustainable
Highlights
  • Mayan
  • Unique & Authentic
  • Relaxation
  • Mountains
  • Rainforests
  • Lakes
  • Volcanoes
  • Indigenous
  • Colonial
PLACES TO GO
  • Antigua
  • Tikal
  • Peten
  • Panajachel
  • Languin
  • Chichi
  • Quetzaltenango
  • Pacific Slope
  • Quirigua
  • Acantenango Volcano
  • Pacaya Volcano
  • Todos Santos Cuchumatanes
THINGS TO DO
  • Nature Walks
  • Birdwatching
  • Ruins
  • Archeology
  • Hiking
  • Coffee Farms
  • Horseback Riding
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