Guatemala Family Adventure
Guatemala Family Adventure:
A Journey Through Culture and Nature
Duration: 8 Days, 7 Nights
Difficulty: Moderate
Group Size: Minimum 2
Comfort Level: Standard to Luxury
Guatemala Family Adventure: Tour Description
Embrace the ultimate family getaway with a “Guatemala Family Adventure,”
where the richness of culture, the thrill of exploration, and the warmth of hospitality await. Guatemala stands out as a prime destination for families seeking an adventure that combines the beauty of nature with enriching cultural experiences. From the cobblestone streets of Antigua to the majestic volcanoes surrounding Lake Atitlán and the ancient ruins of Tikal, Guatemala offers a tapestry of experiences that cater to the curiosity and excitement of both young and old.
Family-Friendly Accommodations: Comfort Meets Culture
Guatemala City and Antigua are home to various family-friendly accommodations, ensuring comfort and convenience for your clan. These resorts and hotels are near major attractions and offer amenities like large family rooms, babysitting services, and leisure facilities, including pools and recreational areas, making them perfect havens after a day of adventure.
Immersive Cultural Experiences for the Whole Family
Step into the world of ancient Maya at Tikal National Park. History and mystery come alive amidst a lush tropical forest backdrop. Engage in interactive tours designed to captivate children’s imaginations, offering them a hands-on experience with one of the world’s most fascinating ancient civilizations.
Nature and Wildlife: Guatemala’s Outdoor Classroom
Lake Atitlán offers families the chance to bond over nature hikes, birdwatching expeditions, and breathtaking views of surrounding volcanoes. Such activities provide fun and exercise and instill a deeper appreciation for the natural world and its inhabitants.
Crafting Memories: Chocolate Making at Choco Museo
A visit to the Choco Museo is necessary for any family journeying through Guatemala. Here, both adults and children can delve into the art of chocolate making, a fun and delicious way to spend time together. The best part? You get to keep the chocolate you make, serving as a tasty souvenir of your shared experiences.
Pick up / Drop off locations
Transportation
La Aurora International Airport
Minibus | Boat | Plane
Physical demand
Trip may include activities like walks, flights and boat rides
Destination
- Antigua Guatemala
- Chichicastenango
- Lake Atitlan
- Pacaya Volcano
- Tikal
Highlights
- Active Volcano Tour
- History
- Live Culture
- Trekking
- Nature
- Archaeology
- Birdwatching
Guatemala Family Adventure Image Gallery
Guatemala Family Adventure Tour Plan
Embarking on a Guatemala Family Adventure is more than a holiday; it’s an exploration of a country’s heart and soul, seen through the eyes of your loved ones. It’s a journey that promises adventure, learning, and unforgettable memories, cementing Guatemala as a premier choice for family travel.
This itinerary idea can be customized to suit your and your family’s interests. Contact us; we are pleased to hear your comments, wishes, and expectations and are ready to design the trip to suit you.
Day 1: Arrival – Antigua Guatemala
Meet and greet at La Aurora International Airport and transfer to the City of Antigua Guatemala (1 hour).
Lodging in Antigua Guatemala.
Day 2: Nature HIke & Antigua Cultural Tour
You’ll kick off your adventure with a nature tour at El Pilar Reserve, a mere 5-minute journey from the heart of Antigua Guatemala.
As you wander through an ancient coffee plantation and ascend wooden stairways beneath the pine-oak canopy, you’ll meet the local birds and butterflies, gaining insights into Guatemala’s avian life.
Next, your path leads you to the center of Antigua, where you’ll dive into the world of chocolate. Not only will you learn about this delightful treat, but you’ll also get hands-on experience making your chocolate—a fun activity for all ages.
Following this sweet interlude, you’ll savor the flavors of Guatemalan cuisine at one of Antigua’s traditional restaurants nestled in the city’s vibrant core.
After lunch, you’re set for a cultural exploration on foot. You’ll visit churches, ruins, galleries, and markets, delving into the rich tapestry of this colonial gem that UNESCO has celebrated as a World Cultural Heritage Site.
Finally, it’s time to relax and enjoy dinner, reflecting on the day’s adventures and the beauty of Antigua Guatemala.
Day 3: Pacaya Volcano Hiking
After breakfast, you’ll set off for one of Guatemala’s three active volcanoes, Pacaya Volcano, about an hour from Antigua.
Upon reaching the park entrance, you’ll have the option to hire a horse. If that’s not your plan, you’re ready to embark on your three-hour volcano hiking adventure. The journey promises breathtaking photo opportunities against the dramatic landscape.
You’ll visit Cerro del Chino (Chinese Hill) to observe the volcano’s highest parts. Just to remind you, accessing the main crater isn’t possible for safety reasons.
When it’s time to head back, you’ll return to the entrance to catch your ride back to Antigua. But before you do, there’s a treat in store: you’ll stop to enjoy a delicious pizza uniquely prepared on hot volcanic stones.
Day 4: Chichicastenango Market – Lake Atitlan
After breakfast, you’ll be whisked away to the sacred city of Chichicastenango, where a vibrant and ancient market springs to life every Thursday and Sunday.
Here, you’ll feel the unique blend of Maya beliefs and Catholicism that permeates the air inside and outside the Cathedral of Santo Tomas. You’ll witness flowers, shamans, and believers engaging in ceremonies on the stairways at the cathedral’s main entrance.
Directly in front of and surrounding the cathedral, vendors display an array of handicrafts and colorful textiles, making it the perfect place to find souvenirs to take back home.
Your journey will also take you to the cemetery, declared by National Geographic as the most colorful in the world, where you may also witness ceremonial activities.
Next, a short hike leads you to a family Maya home. Here, the Quiche people will warmly share a local dish for lunch with you. They’ll also introduce you to a small museum and a “Moreria,” a workshop where masks and traditional costumes used in local festivals are made.
After this enriching experience, you’ll head to your lodge in Lake Atitlan, carrying with you the memories of a day immersed in Guatemala’s profound culture and traditions.
Day 5: Biking – Village Tour – Boat Ride
Today, you’ll dive into an exciting mix of physical and cultural activities. After breakfast, you’ll embark on your adventure around Lake Atitlan.
A short boat ride will take you away to the village of Tzununa, where your 3-hour biking tour kicks off. You’ll pedal through fields of corn, tomatoes, and onions, passing through San Marcos and San Pablo, culminating in San Juan for lunch. The scenery you’ll encounter on your bike is nothing short of spectacular.
Following lunch, you’ll delve into the local culture, starting with a visit to the renowned textile factories. Here, you’ll learn about the natural processes of the unique back loom weaving style.
Your cultural exploration continues with a visit to a project and garden dedicated to producing natural medicines and meeting some famous Naif painters.
Next, you’ll explore Santiago Atitlan, taking in the local market and the Catholic church and meeting the pagan Mayan god Maximon.
After this rich blend of adventure and cultural tours, a boat ride will return you to your hotel, leaving you with many memories from your day at Lake Atitlan.
Day 6: Kayaking - Tikal National Park
This morning, you can enjoy kayaking or visit the butterfly farm before transferring to La Aurora International Airport for a 45-minute flight to Mundo Maya International Airport.
Upon arrival, the Martsam travel staff will welcome you, and then you’ll take an hour’s transfer to Tikal National Park.
Day 7: Tikal - Guatemala City
Your Tikal journey is an unparalleled adventure at the heart of the Mayan World.
This World Heritage site is a prime testament to the Mayan civilization, nestled within Guatemala’s rainforest, teeming with lush vegetation, and thrived from the sixth century B.C. to the tenth century A.D.
Your archaeological tour in Tikal will take you on a captivating journey through time and history. You’ll explore the central plaza, home to the magnificent Temples I & II, the north and central acropolis, the Lost World Complex, Temple III, Temple V, and the site’s tallest structure, Temple IV.
Standing at 64 meters, Temple IV offers an unmatched view over the verdant jungle, part of the sprawling half-million hectares of tropical forest known as The Mayan Biosphere.
This trip is not just about historical and cultural enrichment; it’s also an immersion into natural wonders. You’ll be amidst a millennia-old forest, home to neotropical fauna like howler and spider monkeys, vibrant birds, diverse insects, reptiles, mammals, and more, enriching your family vacation in Guatemala.
Finally, you’ll head to Mundo Maya International Airport for your short flight back to Guatemala City.
Day 8: Back Home | End of Your Guatemala Family Adventure
Head to the International airport.
Your adventure in the Country of the Eternal Spring comes to an end.
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