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Central America Explorer
14 days, Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala
Itinerary
Day 1Guatemala City/Antigua Guatemala
Arrive at the Guatemala City airport. Arrival transfer to hotel in Antigua included.
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and enjoy this charming city.
Antigua's nearest airport is Guatemala City, Guatemala. Don't get caught flying into the Caribbean island nation of Antigua; it's nowhere near the start of this tour!
Arrival Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Antigua Guatemala
Visit a chocolate museum and take a hands-on workshop learning about the ancient Mayan process from bean to bar with tastings. Free time to take salsa dancing lessons and explore this quaint city.
Walk through quiet cobblestone streets past restored Spanish colonial stucco homes with heavy, beautifully carved wooden entrances. Explore the museums and churches, then have an ice cream and people-watch in the central park.
Your Hands-On Moment: ChocoMuseo Tour and Workshop
Enjoy a chocolate workshop and museum tour to learn about the process "from bean to bar" and the history of this tasty crop. In this 1.5-hour workshop, make your own bar to take home and enjoy tastings of the varieties of chocolate drinks made on site. Who knew history could be so sweet?
Free Time
You can pick up a map from the tourist office located on the ground floor of the Palace of the Captains-General on the south side of the Central Park. Explore the museums, the colonial buildings and other sites in this delightful town on your own.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Salsa Lesson
10USD per personKick up your heels and learn this typical Latin dance. Dancers of all skill levels are welcome. Get lost in the rhythm of the music and let your body take you to a new place -- one-two-three, one-two-three, hip roll, arm up, partner under, shimmy, shake, salsa! Vamos a bailar! (Let's dance!)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Antigua Guatemala/Copán
Set off on a full day of travel to Honduras.
The colonial highland town of Copán Ruinas is a charming and relaxing place, with an almost-perfect climate. Besides the Mayan ruins this town is famous for, there are many other things to explore.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Border Crossing (Guatemala-Honduras)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Copán
Take a guided tour of the Copán ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Opt to explore the town or go horseback riding.
The colonial highland town of Copán Ruinas is a charming and relaxing place, with an almost-perfect climate. Besides the Mayan ruins this town is famous for, there are many other things to explore.
Copán Ruins Guided Tour
Step back in time more than a 1,000 years to discover the ancient Mayan site of Copán. Walk across grassy plazas and examine intricately carved stone stellae (tall monuments) depicting various gods and rulers. Admire the artistry and scale of the temples, ball court and well-preserved hieroglyphic stairway and understand why this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit the museum to see Mayan artifacts and a life-sized replica of the Rosalila Temple.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Opt to go horseback riding through the nearby beautiful hills to see some lesser known ruins or travel to natural hot springs. If you'd prefer, stay in town and explore the cobblestone lanes of this small town.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Horseback Riding
25USD per personEnjoy rural Honduras by horseback. Ride through the Copán Valley and along the river. Head up into the hills to meet local farmers. Keep your eyes peeled for exotic birds and wildlife. Who knows, you may even spot an ancient Maya artifact on your journey.
Luna Jaguar Hot Springs Visit
50USD per personTake a scenic drive through the back roads of Copán Ruinas to hot springs at Luna Jaguar. Take a relaxing soak in one of the pools, surrounded by the jungle. If all that lounging around has worked up your appetite, opt to enjoy a barbeque lunch on site.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Copán/Rio Dulce
Travel back to Guatemala with a visit to the Mayan ruins of Quirigua en route.
Cross into Guatemala and arrive at Río Dulce, a small town on Lake Izabal and a port stop for boaters around the globe, on their way to/from Livingston and the Caribbean coast.
There are plenty of opportunities for R & R. Aside from boating on Lake Izabal, you may opt to horseback ride through a rubber plantation, explore San Felipe fort, take the morning monkey kayak tour, relax at the hot waterfall or hike through the jungle trails of the Chocón-Machacas Natural Reserve area.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Border Crossing (Guatemala-Honduras)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Mayan Ruins of Quirigua Visit
Visit the Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quiriguá-- an ancient Mayan ruin and UNESCO World Heritage site. It is located near the Motagua River, the source of most Guatemalan Jade. Its location made it an important trading post between Copán and northern Mayan cities as well as the Caribbean coast. Explore the Great Plaza with its ballcourt and admire many monuments, including the tallest stela (carved monolith) in the Mayan world; quarried from a single stone, it stands more than 10m (35 ft) in height!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Rio Dulce
Enjoy free time in Rio Dulce with optional activities that include: horseback riding, San Felipe fort, monkey kayak tour, relaxing at the hot waterfall or hiking through the jungle trails of the Chocón-Machacas Natural Reserve area.
Free Time
Enjoy the day and choose from a variety of optional activities.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Chocón-Machacas Nature Reserve Hike
Step into nature at its most natural. The Chocón-Machacas Nature Reserve in Guatemala's north-central region of the Río Dulce is an aquatic ecosystem formed by the confluence of the Chocón and Machacas rivers, which in turn connect with lakes, creeks, and canals. Bring your binoculars and spot a variety of birds, reptiles and fish. Explore on foot and by boat. If you're lucky, you may get to see the endangered manatee, Guatemala's largest mammal.
Sunrise Monkey Kayak
20USD per personSet your alarm very early and set off on a sweet soulful paddle along the Rio Dulce. Kayak to the base of the Boquerón Canyon with its sheer cliff face, covered in a green mass of moss, vines, and trees. Enjoy a striking sunrise, sit back, and listen to the jungle as it wakes up – howler monkeys, birds and the slap of the paddle on the water provide the soundtrack to this memorable morning.
San Felipe Fort Visit
5USD per personThe Castillo de San Felipe de Lara is a Spanish colonial fort at the entrance to Lake Izabal in eastern Guatemala. Built originally in 1644, the fort was purposely located at the narrowest point on the river so they could try to protect themselves against (often British) pirates. Tour the grounds, cross the moat and head up to one of the watch towers and imagine firing a canon at your enemy across the river.
Horseback Riding Rio Dulce
30USD per personPull on some pants, spray the insect repellent and set off to explore Guatemala’s countryside by horseback. Hacienda Tijax is in Fronteras, Izabal close to the bridge that crosses the Rio Dulce. Trail ride through the reserve’s lush landscape, past a plantation of rubber trees (where you can observe the tapping process), and stop at the Shaman tower. Climb up to see the stunning view and spot the suspension bridges hanging over natural waterfalls.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Rio Dulce/Flores
Morning scenic boat ride to coastal Livingston and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before afternoon transfer to Flores.
In the morning, board a motorboat and journey towards the coast on a beautiful ride past cliffs, hot springs and a few small communities. Enjoy an included lunch in the small town of Livingston before heading off to Flores. Livingston is famous for its seafood soup called Tapado. Make sure to try it for lunch! After, journey overland to Flores in the Petén region of Guatemala.
Boat
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 8Flores
Take a guided tour of the famous Mayan ruins of Tikal.
This charming town, with its pastel-coloured buildings, enjoys a scenic setting on Lake Petén Itzá. There will be time to stroll through the streets, buy local handicrafts or take a swim in the lake.
Tikal Ruins Guided Tour
Put on your walking shoes and prepare for a tiring but memorable day walking through history at the impressive site of Tikal. The Mayan site is set in the heart of the jungle, in Tikal National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along with our bilingual guide, see some of the temples, plazas, carved stone monuments and public squares, more than 3,000 buildings in all, dating from as far back as 600 BC. Climb to the top of Temple IV, catch your breath, take photos, and then sit and contemplate the magnificence of the site and the tropical rainforest beyond. Look for monkeys, anteaters, armadillos, and deer, as well as macaws and eagles, snakes, and spiders.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the lake.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Flores/Jaibalito
Travel today by flight, van and boat to the village of Jaibalito on Lake Atitlán.
Head to the small Flores airport early in the morning before boarding a flight to Guatemala City. From there, transfer by private van to the beautiful Lake Atitlán. Your home at the lake will be in the tranquil town of Jaibalito. This tiny village sits on the north shores of breathtaking Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes. There are no paved roads leading into Jaibalito, but the paths weaving across the slopes offer rewarding views of the lake.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Transport
Settle in and scan the scenery as you journey to your next destination.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Jaibalito
Visit the communities on the lake by boat, including San Juan la Laguna, a G Adventures-supported village. Take an orientation walk, visit various co-ops, enjoy a local Mayan lunch and a Mayan tree-planting ceremony.
Test your communication and bargaining skills in the colourful local markets, of which there are many. There are also a number of weaving cooperatives that you may wish to visit. The proceeds from the sales return directly to the community and are a significant contribution to the local economy.
Your G for Good Moment: Lake Atitlán Boat Ride and Community Visit
Get ready for spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes and everyday life in a highland village. The people of this area are friendly and excited to greet travellers. Stop off in San Juan la Laguna, a G Adventures-supported village, for an included local Mayan lunch. Participate in a Mayan tree planting ceremony, providing insight into Mayan culture and beliefs.
Test your communication and bargaining skills in the colourful local markets, of which there are many. There are also a number of community Mayan weaving cooperatives that you may wish to visit. The proceeds from the sales return directly to the community and are a significant contribution to the local economy.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Swimming
Grab your bathing suit and go for a refreshing swim.
Fishing
Channel your inner Mayan, hop aboard a rustic wooden cayuco, paddle out into Lake Atitlán, and pray for fish. With only a small hook, net, and no motor, your local guide will demonstrate his traditional fishing techniques. You may even catch a black bass!
Kayaking
Grab your life jacket and tour local waters by kayak. Get up close to marine life and see many sights you may miss on shore.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 11Jaibalito
Free time for outdoor pursuits such as swimming, fishing, wind surfing, hiking, bird watching, and kayaking.
Free Time
Enjoy a full day to relax or explore the Lake.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Fishing
Channel your inner Mayan, hop aboard a rustic wooden cayuco, paddle out into Lake Atitlán, and pray for fish. With only a small hook, net, and no motor, your local guide will demonstrate his traditional fishing techniques. You may even catch a black bass!
Swimming
Grab your bathing suit and go for a refreshing swim.
Kayaking
Grab your life jacket and tour local waters by kayak. Get up close to marine life and see many sights you may miss on shore.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Jaibalito/Antigua Guatemala
Return to Antigua by boat and private transport.
Antigua offers three specialties that make shopping here very worthwhile. Textiles sold here and in the nearby towns are of the highest quality, beautifully designed and woven on foot looms or the traditional back strap loom. Jade, in carved statues and jewelry, is sold in several factories and shops in town and silver jewelry is also sold in the better shops and a nearby silver factory in San Felipe de Jesus. The city offers good buys in ceramics and antiques as well.
Boat
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy some free tome to go shopping or just wander the cobblestone streets.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Antigua Guatemala
Explore Antigua on a guided cultural walking tour with a local expert, including the museums at Paseo de los Museos. Opt to go on a volcano trek, or an excursion to a macadamia nut plantation or coffee farm.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Antigua Cultural Walking Tour
Meet our guide at the fountain in the Central Plaza and take a leisurely walk along the cobblestone streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour focuses on Antigua's history, culture, and restoration efforts. (A bylaw, for example, stipulates buildings must only be painted certain colours in order to maintain the Spanish colonial character of the exteriors.) Visit the City Hall Palace, Palace of the Captain's General, the main cathedral, and many of Antigua's other attractions. Learn about jade and the valuable role it played in Maya culture. Shop for jewelry, pottery, textiles and wooden carvings.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Antigua, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like hiking a volcano, visiting a macadamia nut plantation, and taking a salsa lesson. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow
Finca Valhalla Visit
5-10USD per personTake a tour of the macadamia nut plantation at Finca Valhalla led by the workers. Learn about this sustainable crop for the experts and discover the health benefits of the nut. Pamper yourself with a free facial and purchase some of the treats made from the macadamia nut like oils, nuts, and chocolate. This tour is offered for free in the hopes that you’ll show your gratitude by stopping by and picking up some tasty treats from the gift shop or café.
Pacaya Volcano Hike (Half-Day)
59USD per personDrive one hour to the base of Pacaya Volcano to begin your ascent. This volcano is still active, so hiking to the crater is off limits. Near the summit, grab a stick and toast marshmallows over a smoking fumarole using earth's natural "ovens" to heat your snack.
Finca Filidelfia Coffee Tour
25USD per personTravel a short 10-minute ride outside of Antigua to the Finca Filadelfia coffee plantation. Walk through the plant nursery, explore the rows of coffee plants, pick a coffee “cherry” (each one has two beans inside), then discover the various stages that go into making the perfect cup of quality coffee. The farm also has a restaurant and zipline for those who opt to fly above the canopy to spot the very best beans.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Antigua Guatemala
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.