Adventure and Culture in Guatemala
Highlights
- Enjoy bike rides through Antigua valley
- Embark on a hike around the Pacaya Volcano
- Take part in a private tour of the mysterious Tikal temples
- Explore the Comalapa market
- Venture through the villages surrounding Lake Atitlan
- Watch the sunset from atop of a temple in Yaxha
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
- Days 1–4 Antigua
- Days 4–7 Lake Atitlan
- Days 7–10 Tikal
- Days 10–11 Antigua
- Days 1–4 Antigua
- Days 4–7 Lake Atitlan
- Days 7–10 Tikal
- Days 10–11 Antigua
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Three nights in Antigua
Spend your days in Guatemala’s enchanting city of Antigua, strolling through avenidas, plazas and calles, soaking up the baroque architecture and lovely atmosphere. Explore the central market and artisan workshops and then head up to the Hill of the Cross for impressive city panoramas. Your travel designer will give you our top recommendations for culture, dining and shopping so that you can make the most of your time here.
Where you could stay
Antigua
Overview
One of the most comfortable and luxurious boutique hotels in Antiqua, El Convento takes its name its location just next to the historical Convent.
Built in a Colonial style the rooms are very spaciously constructed with private patio walled patio areas, large bathrooms and luxury fittings.
The hotel has a courtyard area, restaurant, bar and rooftop terrace.
→ Find out moreAntigua
Overview
The San Rafael is a grand colonial property set on a cobblestone street in Antigua’s historic centre, a lengthy restoration retaining the grandeur of its original features.
Seven rooms can be found off of two peaceful courtyards, each of which has a fireplace, ornate fabrics and rustic interiors along with modern comforts such rainfall showers and the larger suites with living areas.
Breakfasts can be enjoyed on the patio or in the lofty dining room which is also a great space to be in the evenings with a glass of wine.
→ Find out moreAntigua
Highlights
- 15 rooms
- Restaurant
- Spa
- Gym
- Swimming pool
- Lakeside solarium
Overview
You’ll find this luxury Relais & Chateaux hotel tucked away in a beautiful six-acre garden, just a short drive from the centre of Antigua. Villa Bokéh’s building combines classic Guatemalan colonial architecture with contemporary design with private terraces and pretty secluded gardens. The property has 15 rooms for you to choose from. There is plenty to do here when you’re not out exploring the region. Spend time in the billiard room, fully-equipped gym, outdoor swimming pool and spa. Villa Bokéh offers full room service, but you can also choose to enjoy the sunlit, gourmet-style dining room for tasty Guatemalan breakfasts, or the open kitchen which serves fresh pastries and fruit throughout the day.
The inviting pool area is surrounded by mature palm trees, has hot and cold Jacuzzis and charming daybeds. At the poolside grill you’ll discover a summery menu including ceviche, pizza, and piña colada. The spa has an array of treatments inspired by Mayan traditions. Villa Bokéh is surrounded by one of the largest hotel gardens in Antigua; the lush landscape has paths which wind around the lake, river, and picturesque lily ponds. Spend time enjoying the tropical flowers, picturesque gazebo, lakeside solarium and tranquil waterfalls – all framed by views of the Volcano Agua.
→ Find out moreMake it mine
Bike adventures
Coffee immersions
Volcano treks
Volcano treks
Antigua valley bike tour
Leaving from the doorstep of your hotel, you’ll enjoy the experience of exploring the scenic Antigua valley. Riding on back roads and trails, you’ll pass through local villages, farms and fields getting a glimpse into life in Guatemala. You’ll also get to visit tranquil churches and coffee plantations.
Fairly traded coffee tour
Visit the small town of San Miguel Escobar, just outside Antigua, where you will team up with your local guide from De La Gente. DLG is a charity working to support small independent coffee producers and promotes environmentally responsible agriculture. You will visit some of the families supported by this organisation and join them as they pick, pulp, ferment, wash, dry and grade the coffee. You’ll also get to grind the beans by hand on a grindstone, roast coffee over an open fire and enjoy a cup of this wonderful nectar.
Full-day Pacaya Volcano hiking tour
This private tour begins with an hour’s morning transfer taking you to the foothills of the active Pacaya volcano. Here you will hike through fragrant pine forest to the tough volcanic ash section and then to the sulfur smoking cone. During the hike, which is fairly strenuous, you may even see little eruptions and lava flow and when at the summit take in the amazing views of the northern volcanoes, pacific lowlands and El Salvador. On your return down you will stop for a picnic lunch with grand volcanic views.
Comalapa market and bike ride to Lake Atitlan
On arrival in Comalapa, you’ll see the famous mural painted by school children depicting events in Guatemala’s history. Visit some local painters who teach the tradition of naïve painting, before stopping by the authentic Comalapa market to see local people going about their daily life, buying and selling goods.
After lunch you will explore the small but wonderful Maya archaeology site of Iximche with its four ceremonial plazas, flanked by temples. From here you will cycle to Lake Atitlan, passing through mountain villages and remote highland countryside.
Three nights at Lake Atitlan
Spend your time at Lake Atitlan taking in the incredible scenery and exploring this outstanding area of natural beauty. The tranquil atmosphere of this location means that it’s the perfect place to relax for a few days.
Where you could stay
Lake Atitlan
Highlights
- 15 rooms
- Three-bed villa room
- Restaurant - indoor and outdoor dining
- Indoor and outdoor lounge
- Small solar powered infinity pool
- Bar
- Gym
- Helipad
- Kayaking
- Horseback riding
- Nature reserve
- Zip lining
- Volcano hikes
- Village tours
- Spa services available if requested in advance
Overview
The stunning hotel provides guests with splendid views of three magnificent volcanoes. Casa Palopo is also the only Relais & Chateaux hotel in Guatemala.
Casa Palopo stands as one of the most beautifully designed luxury hotels in the country; each of the 15 rooms are spacious and reflect the country’s unique décor and design, with each suite being different from the next. 12 of the rooms are located in the main hotel, while the luxurious villa boasts three rooms. Half of the rooms in the main hotel were added in 2018 and feature a more contemporary style, though they are still very Guatemalan in their design. Guests can enjoy the spacious lounge areas inside and out and exquisite food and wines are served in the hotel’s top restaurant, where guests can enjoy their meals in elegant and sophisticated surroundings with spectacular views.
This is the perfect base for exploring the Guatemalan highlands, visiting the traditional and authentic villages to learn about Mayan culture, or hiking up the heights of one of the volcanoes (Toliman, Atitlan, and San Pedro), with a local guide.
→ Find out moreLakeshore hike and village visit
Hike along the shores of the beautiful Lake Atitlan, walking through villages and passing Maya people working in the fields, washing clothes and fishing from their unique fishing boats. After lunch, you will visit the village of San Juan or Santiago before returning to your hotel by boat.
Three nights around Tikal
One of the greatest sites of the Mayan civilisation to survive today, Tikal’s historical statistics and scale are impressive but it’s really the once thriving city’s contrasting thick and magical jungle location that make it so utterly mesmerising.
Immersed in the Tikal UNESCO National Park in the northern region of Petén, there is the soundtrack of exotic birdlife and the odd flash of a spider monkey or toucan to delight the experience further. Your expert guide will take you on a comprehensive private tour of the site, bringing alive the history, theories and mysticism that surround Tikal.
Where you could stay
Tikal
Overview
Owned by Francis Ford Coppola this is the most comfortable and well-serviced lodging option in the Tikal area.
La Lancha sits overlooking Lake Peten just a short drive from the entrance to the Tikal National Park. Service is attentive and friendly with many of the staff receiving extra training from abroad.
Decoration with a mixture of local and Balinese textiles and handicrafts. Accommodation is in air-conditioned casitas, the best of which enjoy views of the lake with a private balcony.
→ Find out moreTikal
Highlights
- An intimate camp with nine spacious, raised tents
- Dine on traditional meals in the home of those in the community
- Relax with a morning coffee in the communal area
- Learn how the jungle sustains the community
- Explore the historical ruins
Overview
Uaxactún Camping is an experience like no other. Set deep in the jungle of Tikal National Park, this camp is part of the village of Uaxactún, where mysterious ruins dating back to the Pre-Classic Mayan period and the village community of around 400 are your only companions. It is a truly secluded stay in the depth of nature.
The spacious nine tents here sit on wooden platforms and include their own bathrooms, although showers are found in the communal block, along with large, comfy beds. Within the camp there is a large hang-out area for you to relax in, either with a morning coffee or an evening drink after a long day exploring the ruins. The camp is a truly cosy and intimate stay.
For dining, you’ll enjoy all your meals in the homes of members of the community. During your time with the villagers you’ll also get to see how the surrounding jungle sustains the community by providing two important exports: chicle, an elastic byproduct of tree sap used in chewing gum, and xate, a fern with perfectly symmetrical leaves that’s used in floral arrangements.
Settle into deck chairs outside your tent as the tropical birds and howler monkeys in the nearby trees greet the break of dawn, or admire the twinkling lights above as owls and other nocturnal creatures fill the night sky with their chatter.
→ Find out moreTikal
Overview
Nestled deep within the Guatemalan jungle, minutes from the magical Maya world is Las Lagunas: a rustic and romantic wildlife hideaway.
Overlooking the Quexil Lagoon, your comfortable wooden bungalow and private jacuzzi offers the perfect spot to drink in romantic natural views.
Besides waterside beauty, a wealth of activity is also provided here. Spend your days on exciting eco adventures from trekking to birdwatching to kayaking to ATV 4×4 rides. Wildlife experiences can then be enhanced with a visit to the property’s own private reserve which boasts a breeding facility for native species. What’s more, cultural pursuits come in bundles with the spectacular Tikal, Uaxactun and Yaxha ruins just moments away.
→ Find out moreYaxha sunset tour
Head to Yaxha National Park where you’ll enjoy a private guided tour. The city was once home to around 40,000 people and its 400-plus structures include five acropolises, two astronomical towers and three ball courts. The area is rich in wildlife and you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of howler and spider monkeys as well as colourful tropical birds. Sip sunset drinks at the end of the tour on top of the main temple, with views over the surrounding rainforest and nearby Lake Yaxha. You’ll then trek back through the jungle with torches as it starts to get dark, perhaps spotting some nocturnal wildlife along the way.
Overnight in Antigua
For your last night you’ll return to Antigua for a stay at Villa Bokéh.
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.