Explore Guatemala

Explore Guatemala — Beautiful Country, Wonderful People 

Epicurean Travel is the perfect way to explore Guatemala. Your 7-day Guatemalan journey is ideal for an extended family (all generations welcome) or a group of friends. Most nights are spent at a lovely five-bedroom private home on Lake Atitlan (sleeps 10 very comfortably- each room is en-suite).

Guatemala is roughly the size of the US state of Tennessee. It is one of the most culturally and geographically diverse countries in the world, home to 22 distinct languages and countless micro-climates ranging from tropical rainforest to year-round temperate, spring-like climates at higher elevations. This trip can be planned to fit your schedule to give you every opportunity to explore Guatemala.

Sample Itinerary – What you do each day is up to you — your bilingual guide will recommend which day of your vacation is best to see local towns, markets and sights.

Day One:  Arrive in Guatemala City and travel to Antigua

Arrive in Guatemala City, where you are met and transferred to Antigua (45-minute drive). Spend the afternoon and evening touring the city which is the 16th Century Spanish colonial capital of what is now Guatemala. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated at the foot of a perfectly cone-spared (extinct) volcano.

Day Two:  On to visit Mayan ruins and then to Lake Atitlan

Depart Antigua and enjoy a delicious breakfast at a traditional Guatemalan restaurant on the way to visit the Kakchiquel Mayan ruins at Iximiche. After touring the ruins continue on to Lake Atitlan, your home for the next six nights. Upon arriving at Lake Atitlan, settle into the beautiful Casa that is waiting for you and which affords some of the best views of the crater lakes and surrounding (extinct) volcanoes. Perhaps you will be met by a local group of children playing the Marimba – the national instrument of Guatemala. Enjoy refreshments and get settled in. Enjoy a dip in the pool, take a nap or relax with a massage – how you spend your afternoon is up to you, but we recommend exploring the gardens and hidden corners of the beautiful house that is your home.

Dinner that evening is prepared at the Casa by a wonderful local cook who has mastered the art of combining Mayan traditional recipes and European culinary influences.

Day Three: Explore the towns around Lake Atitlan by boat

After breakfast at the Casa, enjoy a day by private boat on Lake Atitlan, visiting the various villages that dot its shores. Experience the differences of each village – see local weaving at a Women’s Cooperative; watch local artisans create beautiful ceramics; enjoy lunch (on your own) at any number of local restaurants that your guide will recommend. After lunch, return to the Casa to read a book, relax in the sauna, lay by the pool or enjoy a cooking class and help prepare the dinner you will enjoy that evening.

Days Four, Five, Six: Visit local towns, markets and sites

Take a tour and discover local markets, visit a nature preserve, shop and sample local cuisine. Cooking classes are available each day and you can select your menu the night before. If you prefer eating at a local restaurant one evening, just notify your tour concierge, who will make all necessary arrangements. We can also arrange kayaking, para-gliding, zip-lining, cliff diving, hiking a nearby volcano, horseback riding, massages, Spanish lessons, mountain biking, weaving classes, yoga- almost anything your heart desires.

Day Seven: Depart and say Adios

After a hearty breakfast at the Casa, transfer to the airport and depart Guatemala City, or for another “add on” destination.

Cost for the seven day trip for a party of 2 to 10*:

November 1 through May 15 (excluding December 15 – January 1 and March 20-27) – $5500 for the group of travelers

December 15 through January 1 and March 20-27 – $6500 for the group of travelers

May 15 through August 31 – $5000 for the group of travelers

*Surcharge for cost of food at the Casa of $100 per person for parties of 5 or more

Our standard tour includes the following:

All in-country transportation in private, non-smoking, deluxe air-conditioned vans

English speaking tour guides

Concierge services

Accommodations at the Casa

All meals prepared at the Casa in Lake Atitlan

Cooking Classes

Museum entrance fees, boat ride

What’s not included:

International airfaire

Hotel in Antigua

All alcoholic drinks and beverages

Fees for sports activities, massages, classes (other than cooking)

Meals in Restaurants

Gratuities and tips

Add-on Destinations/Activities:

Golfing: A two-three day addition with transportation to the Pacific coast for a day or two of golfing at La Reunion – one of the best resorts in Central America.

Located two hours from Lake Atitlan, and one hour from Guatemala City, this five-star resort located on the Pacific slope of the country, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanoes, Pacific coastline several thousand feet below, full-service spa and the centerpiece, a Pete Dye- designed golf course. Accommodation includes private plunge pools, Jacuzzi tubs and sweeping views. Packages start at $600.00 per night (double occupancy).

Deep Sea Fishing: A two day addition with transportation to the Pacific coast to experience the best deep sea fishing for sailfish in the Western Hemisphere.

Located less than two hours from Antigua and Guatemala City and three hours from Lake Atitlan, the Pacific coast of Guatemala offers some of the best deep-sea sport fishing in the world! Full-day fishing trips in a four-passenger boat with crew costs $900.00 while larger charter vessels with crew cost $1500.00 for up to six people. All fishing excursions are all-inclusive (all fishing gear, crew, lunch, bait, etc.) Accommodation ranges from comfortable private home rentals to boutique hotels and are in addition to the charter costs, above.

Hiking and Camping on a Volcano: Travel with an experienced guide to climb the spectacular San Pedro Volcano (five hour hike). Another, less intense but equally impressive hike is to Pacaya Volcano (located near Guatemala City). Visitors to Pacaya can go to the top lookout point to experience incredible 360 degree views. This volcano can be ascended on foot in about two hours or on horseback. For the more intrepid traveler looking for a more intense challenge, try Acatenango Volcano. Acatenango is located outside Antigua and offers unforgettable views of the active Fuego Volcano. For this overnight adventure, all gear is moved and set up for you, but this is for experienced hikers. Pricing ranging from $150 per person to $350 per person depending on the number of hikers and destination.

Blog post links:

A little food, a little history: Day 2 in Guatemala

Day 3: Lake Atitlan – The People and the Food

Day 4: A Day of Cooking Contrasts

Day 5: Guatemalan Tamales (Recipe and video!)

Day 6: Food Markets in Guatemala

Day 7: Xela: A City for the Ages

Day 8: Chichi, and Blending Mayan rituals with Catholicism

Day 9: Hasta la Vista, Guatemala