Guatemala is a hidden gem in Central America known for volcanic landscapes, magnificent Mayan ruins, and the vibrant spectacular cobblestone colonial city of Antigua. There are many spectacular towns and cities worth exploring including Coban, perched on top of a hill with some great accommodations boasting spectacular views. Discover the second largest city in the country, Quetzaltenango decorated with attractive historic buildings dotted around Parque Central. The country is covered with magnificent ruins including Tikal, the country`s highlight with magnificent temples set in the verdant jungle. Excellent stone artwork and ancient carvings can be seen in Copan, and El Mirador is a fascinating place to see archeologists uncover hidden gems. Soaring volcanoes can be seen all around Guatemala including Tajumulco which is the highest point in Central America offering an exhilarating climb including an overnight camp.

There are endless views offered in Santa Maria with sights as far as Mexico and Antigua out to the Pacific. The peak of Pacaya is a favorite for hikers. Laguna Magdalena boasts a tranquilizing turquoise lagoon set in the mountain ranges of Chchamatanes. The stunning coastal village of Monterrico is the place to see whales swimming in the open blue waters and maybe see a turtle or spot some interesting bird species. The Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala and can be spotted in the cloud forest of Biotopo del Quetzal along with an abundance of other bird species. Shopping in the country`s largest and oldest market at Chichicastenango is filled with hundreds of colorful stalls, stunning souvenirs, vibrant authentic handicrafts, and delicious food. The country offers some great remote escapes and unique accommodations like yoga and wellness retreats at San Marcos La Laguna, swing in hammocks on the beach at El Paredon or go surfing, sit back at secluded jungle lodges at Rio Dulce or head to the hills above Antigua to the Earth Lodge.

Antigua is a quaint vibrant town boasting beautiful ancient cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings with Baroque architecture. A former capital city is known to be the best-preserved Spanish colonial city in Central America with volcanoes looming in the distance and famous for Semana Santa, a holy week full of parades and rituals. Tikal is set in the exuberant tropical rainforest of the sprawling Tikal National Park filled with massive ancient Mayan pyramids and temples. Flores is a vibrant island decorated with colorful houses lining the shore of Lake Peten Itza, it is the gateway to Tikal. Chichicastenango is a vibrant town known as `Chichi` nestled in the Guatemalan highlands surrounded by rolling valleys and soaring mountains. The delightful town features ancient cobblestone streets, red tiled roofs and one of the most fascinating outdoor markets in the country.

The tropical country of Guatemala features a wet and dry season with a generally pleasant warm climate throughout most of the year. The summer runs from November through April and is usually the dry season and the best time of year to visit. Guatemala has been labeled the `land of eternal spring` with warm days and mild nights all year round. The coast of Guatemala is hot most of the year with temperatures ranging from 72-90 degrees. The highlands and elevated cities of Antigua, Guatemala City, and Copan have cooler evenings and mornings and more of a temperate climate, at this elevation temperatures can sometimes drop to freezing. May through October is the wet season when it rains a lot at the beaches. The high season tends to run from December to March when it is winter in northern countries and the dry season in Guatemala. This is a busy time of year with sold-out accommodations, packed attractions, and beaches. The weeks of Easter and Holy Week are huge national holidays in Guatemala, Antigua when hotels sell out as quickly as a year in advance.

We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.

By Bus:Some buses travel all across Guatemala offering frequent, cheap, and most of the time crowded services. The best buses for visitors/tourists are the `Pullman,` `especial` or `Primera Clase` which are more comfortable and offer a bit more luxury and sometimes offer bathrooms, tvs, and food service. The Pullman routes originate in or end in Guatemala city, the longest bus journey is from Guatemala City to Flores.

By Car: Driving in Guatemala is possible with your home country driver`s license. Roads here can be completely different from what you are used to, look out for blind curves, steep uphill climbs and narrow passes. There are not many road signs in Guatemala and turn signals are rarely used here. Hiring a private car and driver is available and probably the best means of getting around by car to the major tourist attractions in the country. Shuttle services can be booked by every hotel and many local travel agents with regularly scheduled shuttle service or private cars and drivers.

By Minibus: Minibuses are available to transport tourists to the major attractions in Guatemala, providing a quick and comfortable ride along the major routes. They cost more than buses but are much more convenient with door to door service from your hotel. Popular shuttle routes include Guatemala City airport - Antigua, Antigua - Panajachel, Panajachel - Chichicastenango, and Lanquin - Antigua.

The unit of currency in Guatemala is the quetzal. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for pounds upon arrival. Currency exchanged desks can be found at the airport and in many locations throughout the city.

The official language spoken in Guatemala is Spanish English is spoken and understood by most individuals in the service industry. We suggest you get a good English-Spanish Guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you and numbers 1-10.

Antigua - Tikal Pyramids (6 nights)

Guatemalan Highlights! Stay in Antigua, a charming town of rich colonial heritage churches, monasteries and convents, abundant in flowers and surrounded by volcanoes. Continue to visit Flores - Peten where Guatemala's prime attraction is located: Tikal Pyramids, the greatest Maya religious center yet discovered. Finish your trip with a short Guatemala city vacation.

Includes: Flight into Guatemala City and out of Flores/Tikal, Transfer from Airport in Guatemala City to Hotel in Antigua, Hotel for 3 nights in Antigua, Transfer from Hotel in Antigua to Airport in Guatemala City, Flight from Guatemala City to Flores/Tikal, Hotel for 3 nights in Flores/Tikal

Antigua - Lake Atitlan (5 nights)

Spanish Cities to enjoy!. Start with a flight to Guatemala City, and from there you will be immediately transported to Antigua. La Antigua was once the third most important Spanish city in the Americas. Its rich colonial heritage (the town is packed with churches, monasteries, and convents), famous Easter celebrations, three surrounding volcanoes, and an abundance of flowers make it a Mecca for tourists. Next, you will go to Lake Atitlan, a natural wonder of blue, set against a backdrop of three 10,000-foot volcanoes - Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro - towering on the southern sky. It is also the home of Indian villages where life and customs have changed little over the centuries. You will then go to Guatemala City, where you will enjoy the blend of modern sleek glass skyscrapers and colonial architecture. From there, you will take a flight back home.

Includes: Flight into and out of Guatemala City, Transfer from Airport in Guatemala City to Hotel in Antigua, Hotel for 2 nights in Antigua, Transfer from Hotel in Antigua to Hotel in Lake Atitlan, Hotel for 2 nights in Lake Atitlan, Transfer for Hotel in Lake Atitlan to Hotel in Guatemala City, Hotel for 1 night in Guatemala City, Attention Christmas / New Year Travelers: Select minimum 4 Nights stay in Antigua.

Antigua - Tikal - San Ignacio - Ambergris Caye (9 nights)

All about Guatemala and Belize!. Your journey will start with a flight to Guatemala City, where you will be transferred to Antigua, the grand spanish colonial city. Continue to Flores Tikal, the greatest Maya religious center yet discovered, and a place filled with exuberant tropical jungles. Then visit San Ignacio, where you will enjoy the Nature, Maya Ruins and Outdoor Fun. Afterwards you will go to Belize City to take a flight to Ambergris Caye, a divers paradise with a funky vibe filled beach town and endless underwater adventures. Then back to Belize City to take your flight back home.

Includes: Flight into Guatemala City and out of Belize City, Transfer from Guatemala City Airport to Hotel Antigua - Guatemala, Hotel for 2 nights in Antigua , Transfer from Hotel in Antigua to Airport in Guatemala City, Flight From Guatemala City to Flores/Tikal, Transfer from Flores/Tikal Airport to Hotel in Flores/Tikal, Hotel for 2 nights in Flores/Tikal, Transfer from Hotel in Flores/Tikal to San Ignacio - Belize City, Hotel for 2 nights in San Ignacio, Transfer from Hotel in San Ignacio to Domestic Airport in Belize City followed by a flight to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye, Hotel for 3 nights in Ambergris Caye, Flight from San Pedro - Ambergris Caye to Airport in Belize City, Attention Christmas / New Year Travelers: Select minimum 4 Nights stay in Ambergris and in San Ignacio.

Ambergris Caye - Tikal Pyramids (7 nights)

Maya Expedition and Beach Escape. Visit Ambergris Caye, a divers paradise with a funky vibe filled beach town and endless underwater adventures. Continue to Flores - Peten the town where Guatemala's prime attraction is located: Tikal Pyramids, the greatest Maya religious center yet discovered end this trip with a stay in the largest city in Central America, Guatemala City to discover its rich history.

Includes: Flight into Belize City and out of Guatemala City, Flight from Belize City to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye, Hotel for 4 nights in Ambergris Caye, Flight from Ambergris Caye to International Airport in Belize City, followed by a second flight to Flores/Tikal in Guatemala , Transfer from the Airport to Hotel in Flores/Tikal, Hotel for 2 nights in Flores/Tikal, Transfer from Hotel in Flores/Tikal to the Airport, Flight from Flores/Tikal to Guatemala City, Transfer from the Airport to Hotel in Guatemala City, Hotel for 1 night in Guatemala City, Transfer from Hotel in Guatemala to the Airport, Hotels in Ambergris require an average minimum stay of 4 nights during New Year dates (between December 20 and January 5), and hotels in Flores Tikal require a minimum of 3 nights stay also during these dates. Make sure to change/select the number of nights accordingly in your pricing request.

Antigua - Lake Atitlan - Tikal Pyramids (8 nights)

Discovery Guatemala!. Start your journey with a flight to Guatemala City, and from where you will be immediately transported to Antigua. La Antigua was once the third most important Spanish city in the Americas. Its rich colonial heritage; the town is packed with churches, monasteries, and convents, famous Easter celebrations, three surrounding volcanoes, and an abundance of flowers make it a Mecca for tourists. Then, you will go to Lake Atitlan, a natural wonder of blue, set against a backdrop of three 10,000-foot volcanoes - Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro - towering on the southern sky. It is also the home of Indian villages where life and customs have changed little over the centuries. Next is Flores-Tikal, home of Tikal, the greatest Maya religious center yet discovered, surrounded by exuberant tropical jungles teeming with wildlife, deep forests and dry plains dotted with lakes and Maya cities. Lastly is Guatemala City, where you can enjoy the blend of modern sleek glass skyscrapers and colonial architecture.

Includes: Flight into and out of Guatemala City, Transfer from Airport in Guatemala City to Hotel in Antigua, Hotel for 2 nights in Antigua, Transfer from Hotel in Antigua to Hotel in Lake Atitlan, Hotel for 2 nights in Lake Atitlan, Transfer from Hotel in Lake Atitlan to Hotel in Guatemala City, Hotel for 1 night in Guatemala City, Transfer from Airport in Guatemala City to Hotel in Flores/Tikal, Hotel for 2 nights in Flores/Tikal, Transfer for Hotel in Flores/Tikal to Hotel in Guatemala City, Hotel for 1 night in Guatemala City

Yes, you can combine with: Mexico | Costa Rica | Belize

• Guatemala City Getaway (4 nights from $676)