Suggested Side Trips
Antigua
Walking Tour
Take an informative walking tour through the cobbled streets of Antigua, a UNESCO world heritage site, to discover about the history-soaked Spanish colonial architecture. On the walk you will visit: the Cathedral of San José; the Casa Popenoe, a superbly restored colonial house; several atmospheric ruins; and finish up at The Jade Factory. Don't forget your camera!
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Capuchinas Ruins, Antigua |
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The Streets of Antigua
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Inside the Posada del Angel
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The View over Antigua
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Volcano Tour or explore on your own
Rest, or take time to explore the fascinating and colorful city of Antigua. Why not visit Nimpo't, a museum/retail store with the world's largest collection of Mayan textiles. There are also dozens of gift, textile, and antique stores to tempt you, plus the kaleidoscopic outdoor market full of contemporary Mayan artisania. For those feeling a little more energetic, take a hike up one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, Pacaya.
Surrounding Villages
Take a full-day tour exploring the Mayan villages of the region, including visits to macadamia and coffee plantations. Appreciate the fabulously fertile and breathtakingly beautiful countryside that surrounds Antigua
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Capuchinas Ruins, Antigua
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The Streets of Antigua
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Inside the Posada del Angel
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The View over Antigua
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Tikal National Park
Catch a flight from Guatemala City airport, to Flores, where you will be met and taken to a wonderful hotel, in the heart of the jungle.
Transfer on to the Tikal National Park, a protected area some 370 square kilometers situated on the edge of the Mayan biosphere reserve. It is home to hundreds of species including spider monkeys, toucans and parakeets. Enjoy a guided tour of the mystical, magnificent ruins of the lost Mayan world.
After lunch, either return to the Park to investigate further, or head back to the hotel for a leisurely afternoon by the pool.
Fly back to Guatemala City.
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Temple IV, Tikal
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Hotel Picture 2
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Hotel Picture 3
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Hotel Picture 4
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Lake Atitlan & Chichicastenango Market
Drive to Chichicastenango to enjoy the K'iche Mayan market day. As well as offering an abundance of Guatemalan handicrafts to buy, it also provides a fascinating insight into local religious practices. A visit to the Santo Thomas church is a good example of how Mayan and Catholic beliefs collide. For those that wish, take part in a Mayan fire ceremony at Pascual Abaj, a shrine located on one of the surrounding hills.
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Relaxing on Lake Atitlan
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Hotel Picture 2
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Hotel Picture 3
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Hotel Picture 4
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