Hidden Histories and Charming Cultures on a Guatemala Tour
Rich pre-Columbian and Spanish colonial history is central to any tour of Guatemala. Begin in the big cities. The UNESCO World Heritage city of Antigua is studded with Spanish colonial and 18th-century baroque architecture. The capital Guatemala City, affectionately called Guate, is the place for culture, theater, museums, and art galleries.
In the Peten region, succumb to the charms of Flores with its quaint cobblestone streets, and pastel-colored colonial-style buildings rising up from a central plaza. Make your way south to the colorful market in Chichicastenango, not just for exceptional weaves and traditional handicrafts, but also to experience indigenous Maya culture, and learn something about local legends and folklore.
Situated in the dense jungle of a national park is Tikal, the most impressive Mayan city and ceremonial site in Central America, and possibly the highlight of your Guatemala vacation. Its towering temples and treasures lay hidden for centuries, until rediscovered in the 19th century. Also not to be missed is Lake Atitlan, a crater lake surrounded by volcanoes and lovely little villages and towns. Make time for a sunrise walk up to Indian Nose mountain, which is part of the Sierra Madre range surrounding the shimmering lake waters. A dip in the hot springs at Fuentes Georginas nearby is recommended, after which a wander through the city of Xela is ideal for a taste of local life. Along the Rio Dulce, you can experience the beauty of the Guatemalan wilderness with a boat ride or canoeing trip. Also in the highlands is the town of Coban, a convenient base for exploring the pools, springs, caves, and caverns of the surrounding region of Las Verapaces. By virtue of a rainy mist called chipi-chipi, this is a supremely verdant area in which excellent coffee and cardamom is grown.
Guatemala is a vibrant, complex, and culturally rich country. To enhance your experience of its essence and variety, in the time you have available, you’d be wise to consult an Enchanting Travels expert.
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Highlights of Guatemala and Costa Rica
18 Days: $ 7,090 / person
Volcano Trekking in Guatemala
11 Days: $ 4,390 / person
Treasures of Guatemala
11 Days: $ 4,590 / person
“My wife and I have been planning a trip through South America and our Travel Consultant, Lisa Fox, has provided nothing but exceptional service and support to create the perfect itinerary for this trip. Bags were nearly packed and we could picture the view from Machu Picchu, but plans have had to change due to travel safety and restrictions from the recent Coronavirus. While this could have been a very stressful time having to reschedule, rebook and who knows how much money could have been lost for what has already been paid for, Enchanting Travels has made it incredibly easy and stress free to reschedule the trip once this passes. We are very appreciative for the pre-trip support, and can already tell that the experience once we are actually on the road will be equally incredibly. Thanks for all your support!“
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They helped us put together a complex schedule which included a number of experiences that we could not otherwise get. Also, in light of Covid-19, they were able to reschedule our upcoming Japan trip without additional fees, where many of my friends have scheduled similar trips (same timeframe) on their own, and all were refused a refund or reschedule without significant fees, despite having trip insurance.”
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One of the very best travel experiences I have ever had. We even got updates once at 3 am! He also made one change in one day’s itinerary to accommodate our wishes which was very wonderful. For business, I have traveled to Europe, Russia, all over Asia and South Africa but was blown away by all the beautiful sites in Argentina and Chile.
All the little touches made by our Enchanting Travel consultant, Amelia Edwards, were noticed and recognized by my wife and I. Thank you for making our milestone trip (25th wedding anniversary) such a memorable one! We look forward to engaging Enchanting Travels again for our next South American adventure!!
This was my first adventure as a solo traveler. But while I may have traveled on my own, I was never alone. I was well taken care of by a superb team of planners, trip coordinators, guides and drivers.
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