Go on Your Own Guatemala Tour

As 3rd generation tour operators for all of Mexico and Central America, we can promise you that a Guatemala Tour like our Guatemalan Experience will change your life!

Guatemala is a land blessed with natural beauty, fascinating history, and friendly people.

This small Central American country is situated between Mexico to its north and west, Belize to the northeast, Honduras to the east and El Salvador to the south. The beautiful blue waters of the Pacific Ocean wash its southern coastline, while the Caribbean Sea with its own array of sandy beaches is to the north.

Whether your interest is in the ancient culture of the Maya or their modern descendants, the beauty of the country itself with its forested mountains, lush wildlife, and even a few volcanoes, or a desire to meet new people and immerse yourself in a new culture, the “Land of Eternal Spring” will enchant you. 

Walking through History…

There are five “birthplaces of civilization” in the world – places where indigenous people developed sophisticated cultures independent of each other. One of these birthplaces is Mesoamerica, comprising most of the region of Central America.

The Maya peoples flourished here, from their beginnings around 2,000 BC to the height of their power in the 1500s, before the Spanish conquistadores arrived. 

Like the Native Americans of the United States, there were many different indigenous populations in Mesoamerica that today are grouped under the Maya umbrella. Rival kingdoms rose in power, fought with each other, and gradually faded away.

Cities were abandoned and new cities built – complete with temples, palaces, and living quarters, and graced with a wide variety of decorative arts. After the Spanish conquest, all the cities were lost to the jungles, to be “found” by European explorers and archeologists in the 1800s.

Kaminaljuyu and Iximche

The city of Iximche ruled the western highlands of what would become Guatemala from about 1470 to 1524 and the Spanish conquest. The people of Iximche fought many battles with the rival Maya kingdom at Kaminaljuyu. Guatemala City (Guatemala’s capital) was actually built over the city of Kaminaljuyu and excavations can be viewed.

The ruins of Iximche are in the present-day town of Tecpan. You’ll walk where the ancient Maya walked, on ceremonial plazas, past temples, and a ball court.

Tikal

Perhaps the most famous Mayan ruin and a must-visit during any Guatemala tour is the ancient city of Tikal, a world heritage site.  Tikal is located in the north, a 45-minute flight from Guatemala City. Unlike Kaminaljuyu and Iximche, Tikal is still rather remote and one can really imagine walking back in time here.

Tikal was founded around 400 BC and was a seat of power in the region until the 1100s. After decades of warfare with a rival kingdom, Tikal was abandoned and fell into ruins.

The ruins of Tikal (not all of it have been excavated) consists of several limestone temples, each one over 200 feet high, royal palaces, and even pyramids. There are also several stone monuments.

Today Tikal and the surrounding land is a national park, with thousands of visitors a year.

And of course, Tikal is part of our own Guatemala Tour Experience.

Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan has been called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, set as it is in the caldera of a dormant volcano. Plenty of Mayan villages surround the lake, where they grow several crops and maintain avocado orchards. 

Visiting these surrounding villages can be time-consuming but worth it. There is no road circling all around the lake – travel by boat is usual. This is an ideal way to get to know people “as they are.” The villagers are friendly and happy to share their modern-day culture with new friends.

Antigua

Don’t confuse the island of Antigua with Antigua City! Antigua, “old Guatemala,” is a beautiful city with a population of about 50,000 (far smaller than Guatemala City’s 900,000!) that was founded over 500 years ago by the Spaniards, and its classic planned remains even though there are only a few ancient buildings, or Spanish Colony monuments, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago.

Visiting Antigua is among the best things to do on your Guatemala Tour. After enjoying a walk through these beautiful and well-preserved buildings, there are plenty of restaurants to be enjoyed, which serve cuisines from many different countries.

Guatemala welcomes visitors all year round, although religious processions during Easter week are a particular tourist and religious draw.

The Land of Eternal Spring waits for you – why not visit it now?

Consider joining us on our next Guatemalan Experience.

Read more about our Small Group Tours here!