Travel to Guatemala with On The Go Tours
Guatemala is a country of spectacular natural beauty with picturesque highland lakes and lush jungle, smoking volcanoes and lovely colonial towns. This Central American gem remains refreshingly off the well-trodden tourist trail despite its many wonderful attractions; the picturesque colonial town of Antigua, nestled among three volcanoes; Lake Atitlan, arguably one of the world’s most beautiful lakes; and magnificent Tikal, located in the heart of the rainforest and regarded as the greatest city of the Mayan world.
Read MoreStyles of Travel to Guatemala
Top Guatemala Travel Deals and Upcoming Trips
| Trip Name | Starts | Departing | From USD | Deal | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Way To San Jose - 15 days | Antigua | 08 Oct 2016 | USD $1,832 | was $2,155 15% off |
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| Mexico City to Guatemala - 22 days | Mexico City | 09 Oct 2016 | USD $2,478 | was $2,915 15% off |
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| Footsteps of the Mayans - 13 days | Cancun | 16 Oct 2016 | USD $1,143 | was $1,345 15% off |
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| Mayan Empires - 22 days | Cancun | 16 Oct 2016 | USD $2,214 | was $2,605 15% off |
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| Cancun to Antigua - 10 days | Cancun | 21 Oct 2016 | USD $1,177 | was $1,385 15% off |
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Hidden away in a rainforest in Guatemala are the ruins at Tikal - one of the largest archaeological sites of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, some of the monuments at Tikal date as far back at the 4th century BC and are fascinating to explore.
Guatemala Group Tours
Travelling by a mix of public buses, private van and local boats, explore the best of Guatemala from the delightful colonial town of Antigua to the stunning shores of Lake Atitlán. With a maximum group size of 16 passengers you can totally immerse yourself in the local culture of Guatemala and neighbouring Mexico, Belize and Nicaragua on an overland adventure.
Cancun to Antigua
10 days | FROM USD $1,345From Cancun to Antigua, explore the delights of Mexico, Belize and on...
Footsteps of the Mayans
13 days | FROM USD $1,345From the beautiful beaches of Cancun and the legendary Mayan ruins of...
The Way To San Jose
15 days | FROM USD $2,155Travelling from Antigua to San Jose, discover the magnificent Mayan of...
Mayan Empires
22 days | FROM USD $2,605Take an exhilarating 22 day journey of discovery through Mexico, and...
Mexico City to Guatemala
22 days | FROM USD $2,915From Mexico City to Antigua, take an exciting three week journey and...
Guatemala tour reviews
Scoring an average traveller rating of 4.67 out of 5 based on 6 recent reviews — See All Guatemala Reviews
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Travelling on a group tour to Guatemala
We offer an range of Guatemala tours, many of which start or end in Antigua, giving you the opportunity to extend your stay in this lovely town and explore its colourful street markets, ornate churches, parks and plazas and relax in its wonderful cafes, bars and restaurants. Our Guatemala tours also visit neighbouring Mexico and Belize and if you would like to travel from Guatemala into Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, take a look at our The Way to San Jose tour.
Recommended places to visit in Guatemala
With gorgeous jungle landscapes, stunning lakes backed by volcanoes, colourful colonial towns and awe-inspiring ancient ruins, Guatemala has plenty to recommend it and here's our choice of top places to visit:
Tikal National Park
You could travel the world a hundred times over but you would be unlikely to find a more stunning set of ruins. Sunrise or sunset tours are the best way to make the most of a trip to this ancient site as the vista from the top of the tallest temple as the sun emerges or disappears behind the extensive jungle landscape is utterly breathtaking. Incidentally, part of Star Wars was also filmed at Tikal, contributing further to its worldwide fame.
Antigua
The cobbled streets of the beautiful colonial town of Antigua stretch out between colourful buildings which house chic boutiques, handicraft shops and sublime restaurants. From the town a number of volcanoes can be seen, including the legendary Pacaya and the enormous Acatenango, both of which can be conquered in a day. The town is also well known for its incredibly vast market which sells everything from food to hammocks to sandals.
Lake Atitlan
Surrounded by stunning Mayan villages, each with their own distinct personality and filled with locals sporting traditional local garments, Lake Atitlan is a hub of beauty and culture and should be, without a doubt, a stop on every Guatemalan itinerary. Exploring the lake in a kayak is a popular activity here, as are numerous other watersports, as is taking a trip to the Atitlan Nature Reserve which can be explored by foot or by walking along the series of hanging bridges.
Chichicastenango
While this town is a fantastic place to visit any day of the week, Chichicastenango really comes alive on Sundays and Thursdays when the market takes place. This explosion of noise and colour draws in both locals and travellers and sells a remarkable selection of objects including food, flowers and handmade crafts. On non-market days there is a beautiful church – Iglesia de Santo Tomas – and a museum in the town that are worth visiting.
Rio Dulce
Charmingly translating as the ‘Sweet River’, Rio Dulce is a natural wonder that winds its way from Lake Izbal, through the vibrant Caribbean town of Livingston, all the way to the Caribbean Sea. The river is the main thoroughfare for this area, with roads being in sparse supply, and its waters range from cool to scalding hot depending on the section and the time of year. For those who prefer their water on the warmer side, the hot springs make a great day trip.
Guatemala Travel Guide
Find out more information on travelling to Guatemala with our handy travel guide resources from visas to weather and more.
Top Travel Tips
Money, shopping, transport, food, health advice & more
Best Time to Visit
Information on climatic conditions in Guatemala
Best Places to Visit
Places on our must-see list of any visit to Guatemala
Tourist Visas
Visa requirements for Guatemala and procurement
Style of Travel
More about our tours to Guatemala
Recommended Reading
- Men of Maize
by Miguel Angel Asturias - La Puerta del Cielo (The Door to Heaven)
by Luis de Lion - After the Bombs
by Arturo Arias
Facts about Guatemala
- Some of Star Wars Episode IV was filmed at the ancient Mayan temples of Tikal in Guatemala.
- The currency of Guatemala, the Quetzal, is named after the rare Replendent Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala.
- Guatemala is the world’s leading producer of jade and Mayan rulers were often buried wearing jade masks.
Guatemala Travel Advice:
We keep up-to-date with the latest travel advisories to Guatemala and follow advice as set out by the British Foreign Office. Safety of our travellers is paramount and we recommend that you check the latest travel updates from the relevant advisory body in your country.
Online Travel Resources for Guatemala:
REFER TO: Rough Guides, Fodors, Frommers, Footprints, CN Traveller and World Travel Guide.
ALSO SEE: The official Guatemala Tourist Organisation site and the latest Guatemala Weather Updates from the BBC.
Guatemala Entries in our #feelgoodtravel photo competition
Our winners have been announced! View the winners gallery..
“I was in Guatemala to write about a University of MInnesota dental professor who has become so committed to the people of Guatemala that five times a...”
by Lynette Lamb
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