General Information

  • All of our tours are available everyday with the minimum number of people.
  • For smaller groups, we also offer private tours.
  • If you have special requests or itineraries in mind, please ask! Our guides are not limited to the times or places listed here.
  • 100% local guides.
  • All of our guides have first aid training.
  • Bilingual guides available.

Half Day Tours

Indigenous Villages Around Xela Reserve

The wonderful thing about visiting Xela is that there are so many interesting villages and local markets to visit on half-day tours from the city. Less than three miles away you can visit Almolonga, three miles further you reach Zunil and another five miles further, the beautiful hot springs of Fuentes Georginas, and just 10 minutes Xela, in Almolonga we have the largest vegetable market in Central America.

A half day tour with a local guide visiting a Glass Blowing Factory COPAVIC in Cantel, a unique experience in Zunil visiting the Church, MAXIMON (San Simon) and the Cooperative of Textiles Santa Ana, if it’s a Monday you can also visit the Market, relax at the Hot Springs FUENTES GEORGINAS and visit the Vegetable town of Almolonga wich is also nice on Wednesday for market day.

Tours from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm
or 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE
Reservation of bungalows in Fuentes Georginas also available

Colonial Churches Around Xela Reserve

Visit the small town of San Andres Xecul, along a swinging road north of Quetzaltenango, is a very colourless village,built in a hill. It has a few things though, as an example two insanely yellow churches as well as the saint San Simon, a short visit to San Cristobal Totonicapan and a Visit to Salcaja, which is northeast of Xela.

It is the home of several interesting aspects of Central American and Guatemalan culture; Unique fabrics, Regional ‘Red’ liquor and also in Salcaja resides the oldest church in central America.

Tours from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm
or 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE

Las Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs Reserve

Visit these hot springs that eminate from the Zunil Volcano and which flow into the place known today as FUENTES GEORGINAS

These thermal sources were discovered by two laborers from Zunil in the year 1902 and they changed it into communal bath, where people who lived around there or near the thermal baths took a bath when they considered it necessary.

Take a relaxing bath, a little walk on its trails or just enjoy of nature at the Hot Springs Fuentes Georginas The prettiest in Guatemala, 8 Kms from Zunil where you also do a short visit.

Tours from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
or 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE
RESERVATION OF BUNGALOWS ALSO AVAILABLE

San Francisco El Alto Indigenous Market Reserve

The San Francisco el Alto market is located at 2610 meters above sea level and seventeen kms from Quetzaltenango just off the Interamericana Highway in the direction of Momostenango. The church, dedicated to San Francisco De Asis, was constructed in several stages from the late sixteenth century to 1670-1680.

Visit the San Francisco Market in half a day, the market is the largest in Guatemala. Of special interest in the animal market located in the highest part of the pueblo. Market day is Thursday and Friday.

We also visit the colorful San Andres Xecul, And Salcaja, which is on the way back to Xela.

Tours from 7:00 am to 12:30 pm; FRIDAYS ONLY
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE

Takalik Abaj Archaeological Site Reserve

From Quetzaltenango, journey to another pre-Classic site, Takalik Abaj. Takalik Abaj has some interesting features you won’t find at other ruins on any other route, including a T-shaped ball court and barrigón, or “fat-bellied,” sculptures.

A 2-hour walking tour with a local guide in the ruins of the Olmec/Mayan archaeological site set on coffee plantations, one of the most important trading centers in the late Preclassic era.

Tours from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
or 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE

Coffee Farm Reserve

If you’re a nature-lover and you want to learn about the agriculture of Guatemala, then this is the trip for you. Come visit the stunningly beautiful coffee fincas and plantations that are to be found only two hours away from Quetzaltenango. On the same excursion we’ll be able to visit rubber and sugar cane farms to see how the work is done there. The tour of the finca lasts approximately two and a half hours. After the tour we’ll be sure to sample a delicious cup of 100% natural coffee!

Tours from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm
or 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE

Momostenango Market Reserve

Visit one of the most traditional villages in Guatemala. Momostenango still uses the Mayan calendar, and it is also known worldwide for its wool products: jackets, bedcovers, blankets comforters, carpets, etc. The main market day is Sunday. We will also visit the famous cliffs outside of town and see Mayan alters. Finally, we will also go to the attractions of San Andrés Xecul (Maximon, the painted church, and Mayan alters) and Salcajá (local textiles and the church of San Jacinto). This is a trip for those who want to see today’s Mayan culture in Guatemala.

Tours from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm
or 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
MINIMUM 3 PEOPLE

City Tour of Xela Reserve

Quetzaltenango is considered the second most important city in Guatemala, and it is also one of the oldest.

This tour starts from our offices, right in the middle of one of the prime attractions, the historical center, including the market. We will visit the central park, El Parque a Centro América, which is surrounded by various historical buildings. We will discuss the history of each building as we pass. We will also visit the national theater, the Democracia market, the old military base of Quetzaltenango and the general cemetery. We invite you to travel back in time with us and discover the magic that holds our mythical city.

Tours from 7:00 am to 12:30 pm
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE

Special Tour of Tuesday Markets Reserve

Several of the towns around Xela have their weekly markets on Tuesday mornings, making this a great day to take a tour. We first visit Olintepeque’s traditional market, famous for its locally-made handicrafts. Second, we will go to Salcaja’s renowned textile market, along the way sampling Caldo de Frutas (a local alcoholic beverage made from various fermented fruit). On the way out of town we will also visit Salcaja’s church, the oldest in Central America.

Tours from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
TUESDAY ONLY
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE

Full Day Tours

Villages Around Xela Reserve

We will visit villages in the highlands of the country, where the culture of many centuries earlier is alive and observable in dress, in language, in living style, and in religious practices. From the second largest city in the country, Quetzaltenango, we’ll visit several smaller villages.

We start our tour visiting the glass factory in Canter COPAVIC, visit MAXIMON and the main attractions of Zunil, relax at the Hot Springs FUENTES GEORGINAS, and a short visit to the vegetable fields in Almolonga, returning to Xela to have lunch (Not Included).

Start the second part of the tour visiting the north side of Quetzaltenango in San Andres Xecul where you can see the Yellow church, visit the beautiful church of San Cristobal Totonicapan on the way back to Xela visit Salcaja, the village which produces most of the jaspe fabric in small family-owned factories, and we’ll go to one of these small factories and learn how the ikat textiles are produced.

Tours from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE

Huehuetenango Reserve

Huehuetenango, often shortened to Huehue, is a very utilitarian town, Huehuetenango is a Department of enormous tourist wealth. Beginning at the cuchumatanes, the magical mountains of highest elevation in Central America.

We visit the pretty central park and the Church in Huehue. We also take a 2 hours walking tour of Zaculeu only a few minutes away from Huehue, a Small Mayan archeological Site and family park, considered the most important city of the Mam period. The museum contains some interpretive signs, tools, and ceramics, as well as some skulls. Zaculeu was a religious and defensive site for the Mam Maya.

Have a relaxing lunch at Mi Tierra Café in Huehuetenango (Not Included). In the suburb of Huehuetenango is the town of chiantla, where you visit the church which has a beautiful Virgin made out of Silver, And also a visit to the look out of the cuchumatanes.

What to bring for the tour:

  • Small Back Pack.
  • Sun Block
  • Mosquito Repellent
  • Camera
  • Sun Glasses

Tours from 7:00 am to 6:30 pm
MINIMUM 3 PEOPLE

Almolonga, Viejo Palmar, Takalik Abaj and Coffee Farm Reserve

An amazing full day tour that starts visiting Viejo Palmar about 30 Km down the Coast road from Xela. El Palmar was destroyed by a mudslide and floods emanating from Santiaguito volcano.

Visit Takalik Abaj, 2 hours walking tour in this little-known ruin is a hidden gem. Dating from the pre-Classic period, it’s one of the oldest ceremonial and trade cities to be excavated in Guatemala. Perhaps its greatest claim to fame, however, is the fact that there’s a lovely lodge located on the grounds of the archaeological site, combining ecotourism and archaeological preservation in an interesting symbiosis.

And on the way back to Xela stop at LAS CUMBRES hotel built on top of steam vents fed by underground sulfur hot springs, there are common steam baths and saunas for all to enjoy Relax for an Hour, have a drink or just enjoy the nice views.

Tours from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
MINIMUM 3 PEOPLE

Tilapa Beach Reserve

Tilapa Beach is part of the Mancho Guamuchal biological reserve and is located in the municipality of Ocos. Attractions include the estuaries and canals and the fauna both of the beach and of the mangroves and lagoons. The wildlife that we see will consist of resident and migratory species, according to the time of year.

This is a special tour for people seeking tranquility and for those who want to experience the beauty of the beaches of the Pacific in Guatemala.

Tours from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
MINIMUM 4 PEOPLE

Chichicastenango Reserve

Come explore Guatemala where Maya and Colonial cultures intersect in a site of extraordinary natural beauty. Category cultural heritage. The town of Chichicastenango is a historical place alive that offers the visitors a direct approach to the different ethnic groups of Guatemala who their multicolored suits that identify them in a monumental group still shine where the sacred book of the Mayan was located: The Popol Vuh, also called Bible Quiché, mythological book that relates the origin of the old residents of these lands.

This will be a full day visit to the biggest indigenous market in Central America, that will take you to PASCUAL ABAJ the Mayan altar which is visited by local people, visit the morerias, The Church, LA IGLESIA DE SANTO TOMAS which is often the scene of ritual, and of curse the market enjoy a few hours walking in its streets where they spread out their vegetables, fruits, chunks of chalk, balls of wax, handmade harnesses and other merchandise.

Tours from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Only available Thursdays and Sundays
MINIMUM 4 PEOPLE

Lake Atitlan Reserve

Lake Atitlan is a lake of volcanic origin located at 1500 meters above sea level, with an area of approximately 130 square kilometers. The lake is surrounded by 3 majestic volcanoes of covered in green vegetation and by 14 indigenous Mayan villages that make this place a true wonder. Whether for its natural beauty, its landscape, its clean water or by the culture of their surroundings, Lake Atitlan is the most important tourist destination in the Highlands of Guatemala. Altiplanos boasts one of the most complete tours of Lake Atitlan.

  • FIRST: The tour is transported by a speedboat with capacity for 25 passengers. The boat has a navigation license, life jackets and seats with backs.
  • SECOND: The tour departs every day with a guide for the whole group (Spanish-English).
  • THIRD: Visit San Marcos with an explanation of flora and fauna and of the community situation.
  • FOURTH: The tour includes a comprehensive audiovisual information source about the lake and its geology (a study of the land surrounding the lake) in the museum of San Pedro.
  • FIFTH: In Santiago, in addition to visiting the main attractions, we provide plenty of time to explore the village and purchase textiles or souvenirs.
  • SIXTH: We provide an option to end the tour early if you have other travel plans that make this necessary.

ITINERARY:
9:00 a.m. Departure from Panajachel heading to San Marcos La Laguna.
9:30 a.m. Tour of the ecological trails in San Marcos. Etc. (1 Hour.).
10:30 a.m. Departure from San Marcos for San Pedro La Laguna.
10:45 a.m. Museum exhibition and tour of the town of San Pedro. (1 hour 45 minutes).
12:30 p.m. Depart from San Pedro to Santiago Atitlan.
12:50 p.m. Tour of town, shopping, etc. in Santiago. (1 hour 50 minutes).
14:40 p.m. Departure from Santiago to Panajachel
15:10 p.m. Arrive in Panajachel.

NO MINIMUM