Antigua may be at the start or the end of your Guatemalan trip. Each town is different and has its own vibe, so all of them are worth visiting. Best Day Trips from Antigua Guatemala. According to legend, if you tell your worries to a worry doll, it will take them away and solve them for you. Chichicastenango is home to a vibrant indigenous market. This way you will be at the volcano during sunset, which is beautiful in and of itself, but is even grander thanks to being able to see the glowing red river of lava running down Pacayas cone. Day tours in and around Antigua Guatemala. My adventures have led me to over 70 countries on all 7 continents, and Ive organized them each myself. As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog! The Acatenango Volcano hike is easily one of the best things to do in Guatemala. Best Day Trips from Antigua Guatemala. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A winery in Central America? Id recommend you add this to a longer Guatemala itinerary instead of making it a day trip from Antigua Guatemala. You'll find several developed viewpoints to choose from, most with restaurants or snackbars, and a handful with Instagram props for your photo opportunity. Volcan Pacaya was our most memorable day trip from Antigua! Pro Tip: Unless youre really pressed for time, dont do this as a day trip from Antigua Guatemala. At about two to two-and-a-half hours from Antigua, this would be something you could do in a day if you wake up early and youre down to come back to town late. Trips from Antigua Guatemala The most affordable way to take any of the day or overnight trips is to arrange them yourself versus taking guided tours. The 20 Best 2-Day Trips from Antigua Guatemala - TourScanner 20 Best Pacaya Volcano Day Trips & Tours from Antigua Guatemala THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Antigua (UPDATED 2023) - Tripadvisor Learn more about all the top attractions, churches, markets & volcanos to visit in this beautiful city! Day Tours. Antigua, Guatemala, is a fantastic location to visit on its own, and with an itinerary of several days, you can do a bit more. 2023 Jennie Wanders | Real-Life Travel Advice for Real-Life People. At the edge of town is El Mirador De San Antonio Aguas Calientes, a viewpoint from which you can see the surrounding villages. Dont be that person! Then, he guided us to the coffee production drying field, through the rows of coffee plants, and then to the fincas health food cafe, on-site boutique shop, music museum and lastly, the gift shop where we tried fresh coffee from a vacuum brewing apparatus. Read More The Most Versatile Itinerary for Cancun with Kids (2023)Continue, Read More Mexico City to Teotihuacan: A Complete Visitors Guide (2023)Continue, Read More 17 Pros & Cons of Kubrios Virtual Homeschool Group (2023)Continue, Read More Popular Animals in Langkawi + Where to See Them (2023)Continue, Read More Complete Virgin Islands Family Vacation Travel Guide (2023)Continue, Read More 17 Best Cancun Resort with Water Park Options for Your Next Family Vacation (2023)Continue, Worldschoolers. Acatenango is an unforgettable hike that lots of backpackers say is a once-in-a-lifetime experience they will always remember from their travels in Guatemala. Whether youre looking for adventure, culture, or history, weve got something for everyone! Things to do in Antigua Antigua Tours Questions? That said, the natural environment is the most compelling draw to Lake Atitlan in my opinion. The park has trails, some paved, and steps and boardwalks to lead you to viewpoints and swimming spots. To show our driver our appreciation of his schlepping, we tipped him 20 Quetzales on top of the Uber fare, which was around 27 Quetzales. We opted to arrange everything with a tour agency local to Antigua for convenience, which included our hotel for 2 nights, transportation, guided hike in Semuc Champey, a guided hike through one of Kamba Caves, and river tubing. After the arrival of the Spanish colonists, Guatemalan textiles continued to evolve, incorporating new techniques and styles. Most of the day trips listed below can be done individually, but some need a guided tour. Distance from Antigua: 76 km Travel Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes. Your email address will not be published. We dont normally recommend zoos because animal care can be subpar. In order to have guaranteed transport and not rely on any undependable transport schedules, its recommended to take a boat trip tour with a company like Get Your Guide. We took a few breaks to catch our breath on the way up, and then we were rewarded with striking views of the volcanic Guatemalan landscape and the other volcanoes visible in the region. Follow me on Instagram! You can either do this as part of a guided tour, or visit Ciudad Vieja by yourself with a hire car. Semuc Champey is a turquoise step-waterfall and river in the jungle northeast of Antigua. The journey takes about 8 hours from Antigua to the town of Lanquin by bus or van, which can feel quite tedious. The biggest draw of this municipality just outside Antigua is its coffee farms. Jocotenango is a small town just outside of Antigua, but despite its proximity, it is a lesser-known destination. We paid $40 per person for our trip. With a week or two-week itinerary to travel in Puerto Plata, Cabarete and Sosua, heres a list of what to do and where to go, even if youre not into watersports. Read our Affiliate disclosure. Find day trips to take today or this coming weekend. Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitlan) is one of the most popular places to stay when backpacking Guatemala. Our Offbeat Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program as well as other affiliate programs. They've visited over 20 countries together (and counting) in the last ten years! Here are my top suggestions. Visit Lake Atitlan Walk around the Gardens at the Valhalla Macadamia Farm (and Enjoy All Things Macadamia) Explore the Towns of San Pedro Las Huertas and Ciudad Vieja Enjoy One of the Best Views of Antigua from San Cristbal El Alto See the Mayan Ruins of Tikal See Sacred Art and Have Some Chocolate at San Juan del Obispo Dont even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. 1. Guided tour: Lake Atitlan day tour Duration: 10 hours Highlights: visiting the Mayan villages Panajachel, San Juan, San Pedro, and Santiago around Lake Atitlan. A museum was built on-site to showcase the artifacts from the excavations. Be sure to visit the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography, as well as the National Palace. Unsubscribe at any time. Kids will love this day trip from Antigua Guatemala! In addition to writing about adventure family travel on Our Offbeat Life, Brodi is a freelance SEO writer and editor. While in Jocotenango, I also recommend stopping outside of the bright and beautiful Parroquia Nostra Senora de la Asuncion. Regarding the Kamba Cave portion of the tour, its important to note that there are some risks involved. It is just above Antigua on the slope of the Agua volcano. They are one of the best volcano hiking companies in Antigua, and offer the best day trips from Antigua to hike Pacaya! It is a popular tourist attraction, with many families taking day trips from Antigua to the Pacaya volcano. Experience the local Mayan lifestyle. Though they charge a bit more compared to some of the other companies at between $110 and $150 per person, its worth it when they provide a tent for you and hot meals. Pacaya Volcano Lake Atitlan Acatenango Volcano Chichicastenango Tikal. You can see how they make peanut butter and there is even a cooking class focused on making pepian, a traditional dish with a delightfully nutty sauce with sesame seeds. We're an NYC-based couple who have lived abroad both separately and together, traveling the world in our signature live-like-a-local style across five continents. Best price and money back guarantee! To learn more about the farm and your visit, check out the Valhalla website. Expect personal travel stories, backpacking tips + the latest travel inspiration! The Fuentes Georginas hot springs are a great way to relax after spending some time shopping! As we travel, I post everything live on Instagram, so check out my recent highlights and posts. We explored the options for eating and found chifa cuisine in a back alley of CalleCapon. Although Richmond is located near one of the, Read More Walks Near Richmond, London: A Locals Guide (2023)Continue, Looking at how to get to Xunantunich from San Ignacio? Some people opt for riding horses instead. Pro Tip: You can also explore the ruins of a fortress on the edge of the lake! Visiting one or two of these towns just a stones throw from Antigua is a good way to see more local life, more culture and more scenery outside Antigua. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Guatemala City - Antigua Your driver will meet you at Guatemala City's Aurora Airport for the transfer to your Hotel in Antigua. If youre visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it issoimportant to havetravel insurance. The first thing we did when we arrived was asked the staff in the restaurant if they could help us book the shuttle back to Antigua, and they did! Ideally, you will have enough time on your trip to spend at least 3-5 days in Antigua. You can tour the park for a few hours before flying back to Guatemala City and taking another Uber back to Antigua. Call 1.406.541.2677. While the restaurant is reservation-only after 7pm, the best time to go is for sunset, arriving at 5pm or before, and staying til a bit after 7. Find amazing things to do at the best price. Hikes go in groups, leaving from Antigua, and hikers must bring water, gear and lots of layers. If you fancy doing something different, a trip to Ciudad Vieja should be on the cards. Things to do in Taipei Visit one of the nearby coffee . Lastly, youll want to see the San Antonio Aguas Calientes Central Park, where you can snap a photo of the charming church, and see how local life goes, while enjoying a pupusa from any nearby eatery. Pacaya Volcano Lake Atitlan Acatenango Volcano Chichicastenango Panajachel. These two villages outside Antigua are more ways to visit authentic Guatemalan hill towns without traveling too far. This is a good day trip from Antigua Guatemala for those interested in learning about unique farming products, other than coffee. We're a 2-person team (learn more about us here) and your support enables us to create quality content. El Paredon is known for being the best surfing beach in Guatemala. Others, like Tikal, require a bit more planning. However, after staying in some myself, and talking to other backpackers, weve found these are the most popular choices. However, piecing together the logistics can be challenging, and some of the excursions, like the volcano hikes, are most safely done with a guide. Most day trips from Antigua to Lake Atitlan will visit Panajachel, San Juan, San Pedro, and Santiago. 8 Things To Do In Antigua, Guatemala For an Unforgettable Trip | Fun A non-government organization (NGO) called Ninos de Guatemala offers a worry doll-making workshop to help provide quality education to local children. Guided tour: Hiking and Birding Day Tour Duration: 8-10 hours Highlights: birdwatching, spotting wildlife such as deer, coatis, squirrels, monkeys and if youre lucky, pumas! I was the same! But it has retained its colorful patterns and high-quality finishes. Other must-visit churches include the Iglesia de San Francisco and the Iglesia de Santo Domingo. Most travelers skip over Guatemala City, or they only arrive or depart from the airport and never see the real face of this urban destination. Pacaya Volcano Tours 25 Tours & Activities Hiking Tours 17 Tours & Activities Day Trips 64 Tours & Activities Why you are seeing these recommendations Reserve Now & Pay Later Pacaya Volcano Day Trip from Antigua 60 Reviews Badge of Excellence Antigua, Guatemala Share Save to Wishlist Likely to Sell Out Its the perfect day trip for those wanting to escape the bustle of the city and sunbathe, swim in the ocean and experience one of Guatemalas prettiest beaches. Are you a nut about nuts? September is one of the best times of year to visit the Lake District for a number of reasons. The lake is surrounded by volcanoes, and there are a number of small towns located along its shores. The most affordable way to take any of the day or overnight trips is to arrange them yourself versus taking guided tours. An amazing day trip from Antigua is a tour to both Chichicastenango and Panajachel. While this may not seem like the most kid-friendly day trip from Antigua Guatemala, we think its a great option for families. Our Guatemala tours take you through the ancient Maya ruins of Tikal, the volcanoes of the Guatemala highlands, and the colonial city of Antigua. So you can choose how much time you want to spend traveling vs sightseeing on your day trip. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who havent had insurance and have ended up in alotof debt. Related post: Pacaya Volcano Hike Difficulty | Pacaya VS Acatenango: Which Volcano Is Best? See more at the DLG website, which has a lot of nice visuals, and book the DLG excursion online here. 19 Antigua Guatemala Guided tours. However, not all of them accept kids. Sign up forSafetyWing, and the job is done! Little Man loved the huge map of Guatemala City and found our apartment on it. We respect your privacy. You can also take a hike up to the nearby volcano or enjoy a guided tour of the towns ancient ruins. 1. 20 Best Acatenango Volcano Day Trips & Tours from Antigua Guatemala A volcanic eruption called Los Chocoyos 85,000 years ago created the crater that is now the lake. Consider supporting us! Yes, yes and yes again! Because this tour is so set up and so safe, its a great idea for anyone traveling solo. WithSafetyWing, youre covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpackers price!). Book the best day trips from Antigua, Guatemala directly on Tripadvisor and take the stress out of planning. Theres something for everyone in this fun town, so your biggest issue will be choosing which day trips you have to skip and save for a return trip. THE TOP 10 Antigua Day Trips (w/Prices) - Viator Compare hundreds of websites and book the best day trips and tours from Antigua Guatemala at the cheapest price - Save up to 70% . As I said above, Antigua is quite small and easy to explore on foot. The main reason to visit Jocotenango on a day trip from Antigua is to tour Finca La Azotea, a coffee plantation where you can learn about the growing and production of Guatemalan coffee and taste some as well. You can visit Acatenango Volcano as a day trip from Antigua, but I highly recommend opting for the overnight hike instead. Its the perfect tour for those who want to re-connect with nature, participate in bird watching and visit some traditional Mayan Villages. As we chose the sunset Pacaya hike, we left Antigua at 2 pm, arrived at the base of Pacaya around 3 pm (faster than expected), and started the hike after renting walking sticks (recommended) and using the facilities near the shop at the parking lot. Tikal was one of our favourite experiences whilst in Guatemala, and its one that shouldnt be missed (even if youre not a big history fan). FullAntigua to Semuc Champey guide here. Although Semuc Champey cant be done in a single day trip from Antigua, it is a worthwhile 1 or 2 nights trip. Lake Atitlan: Day Trips and Tours from Antigua Guatemala 35 Incredible Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala + Tips - Boundless Roads Top day trips from Antigua, Guatemala to Chichicastenango: See reviews and photos of Antigua to Chichicastenango day trips on Tripadvisor. The price was also more competitive than the other providers, and it seems theyre all offering the same exact thing! Youll need to take a taxi or Uber to the Guatemala City airport, then fly to Flores (Tikals closest airport), and finally take a taxi from Flores to Tikal. You dont need a guide to explore Semuc Champey, and your hotel can help you arrange any other activities you may need a tour for (like visiting the Kamba Caves for example). Chichicastenango market Please visit our " SHUTTLES " section for booking online. I recommend using Discover Cars for renting a car on your trip! Solo Female Travellers Advice, 15 Best Day Trips From Antigua, Guatemala. This is one of the best ways to see more of the city and to head into the surrounding mountains, coffee plantations and villages. There may be some affiliate links on this page, which means when you click we get a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you. Its located on the shores of Lake Atitlan, surrounded by volcanoes. I recommend this tour because it provides round trip transportation to the ruins as well as a brief tour of Antigua. The best way to do this in a single day is to hire a guided tour. Im so happy to have you here on my little corner of the internet, Organized Adventurer. One place to note in Jocotenango is La Reposteria, a small bakery with delicious cakes, muffins, breads and pasteles, where you can get an orange-carrot or lemon-poppyseed treat for only 3 Quetzales ($0.40!). Meson Panza Verde For a great hotel option with a yoga studio, you can't miss this place. 15 of The BEST Things To Do in Antigua, Guatemala Visiting Xunantunich was actually one of my favourite day trips from San Ignacio, and you can easily do it without a tour guide. All languages . We created this blog to share some of the knowledge and experience that we have around travel, remote work, photography and beyond! Antigua is one of the most beautiful parts of Guatemala. We booked our Pacaya hike with the Get Your Guide Pacaya Hiking Tour, and we were very happy with it. While they cant drink the wine, kids may enjoy learning about how grapes are squished to make it. THE TOP 10 Antigua Tours & Excursions in 2023 - Viator