During the Classic Period from AD 250 to 900 Tikal was one of the most powerful Mayan cities and dominated a large part of the Mayan world politically, economically and militarily. Large plazas surrounded by tall temple pyramids and royal palaces dominate the central area of the site. With a height of up to 70 m (230 ft), the pyramids in Tikal were among the tallest man-made structures in the Americas until the first skyscrapers appeared in North America.
The general decline of the Mayan civilization in the 9th century AD did not spare Tikal, however. The city was abandoned and lay buried under tropical rainforest until it was rediscovered in the 19th century.
Serious scientific exploration of the site began in the 1950s and many restoration projects have been carried out by North American universities in cooperation with Guatemalan institutions. Tikal is now the best understood of all the ancient Mayan cities, although many mysteries still remain.
The ruins of Tikal are part of Tikal National Park, which spans an area of 570 square km (220 square miles). Tikal is easily accessible by shuttle bus from the airport in Flores. Visit the Mayan ruins of Tikal and learn about the fascinating history of one of the most powerful Mayan cities during the Classic Period!
The Mayan ruins of Tikal are famous for their grand plazas, royal palaces and monumental temple pyramids. They are easy to reach by shuttle bus from the airport in Flores, which makes them a great destination for a weekend tour while you study Spanish in Antigua.
You will be picked up at your homestay or hotel at 4 am and taken to the airport in Guatemala City. The flight to Flores takes about an hour and from there you’ll be transferred to Tikal by shuttle bus. After you’ve checked into your hotel, you’ll go on a tour of the ruins with a bilingual guide. The tour lasts approximately 3-4 hours.
Sunday morning is free to spend as you please. You can return to the ruins to explore them some more on your own or hang out at the pool in your hotel. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport in Flores to catch your flight to Guatemala City and then take a shuttle bus back to Antigua.
Included: Airport transfers, round-trip airfare, 1 night hotel, tour of the ruins with a bilingual guide
Not included: Meals, drinks, tips
Payment: Payment in full must be received at least 14 days before the tour begins; or at the time of booking if less than 14 days before the tour.
Cancellation policy: Full refund minus a US$50.00 cancellation fee if you cancel more than 14 days before the tour begins. No refund or credit for later cancellations or no-shows.
Tikal is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the Mayan world and is a popular destination for Guatemalans and foreign travelers alike. Particularly on weekends there can be many visitors in the park, but it is rarely crowded.
Some of the tall temple pyramids can be climbed and permit a magnificent view of the surrounding ruins and jungle. The climb can be strenuous, though, as the pyramids are quite steep.
The hotel we work with is located inside of Tikal National Park, only a few minutes on foot from the ruins. The hotel has a restaurant and a swimming pool.
Tikal is located in the middle of a large area of jungle and depends on generators for its electricity, which are switched off at night. You won’t have internet access in Tikal and cell phone coverage is very spotty.
Lake Atitlan is one of the most popular destinations in Guatemala and few travelers leave the country without paying it a visit. Surrounded by mountains and three volcanoes, it is often called the most beautiful lake in the world.
Lake Atitlan is of volcanic origin and fills a caldera that was formed in an enormous eruption 84,000 years ago. Ashes from this eruption have been detected as far away as Florida and Ecuador.
Since then three new volcanoes have formed on the southern edge of the lake: the San Pedro volcano, which went extinct 40,000 years ago; Toliman, which is probably still active but has not erupted in historic times; and the Atitlan volcano, which last erupted in 1853.
The land around Lake Atitlan is very fertile and a variety of crops are grown here, most notably coffee, corn and beans.
Many towns and villages are located around the lake. Their inhabitants are mostly indigenous and still preserve the Mayan culture and traditions, particularly the colorful traditional dress.
Panajachel on the north shore is the largest town on the lake and one of the top tourist destinations in Guatemala.
Take a break from studying Spanish and visit Lake Atitlan! The experience will be unforgettable!
Lake Atitlan, located in the Central Highlands of Guatemala and surrounded by mountains and three volcanoes, is often called the most beautiful lake in the world. It is easy to reach by shuttle bus from Antigua Guatemala, which makes it a great destination for a weekend tour while you study Spanish in Antigua.
You will be picked up at your homestay or hotel at 7 am. The drive to Panajachel takes about 2.5 hours. After you’ve checked into your hotel, you’ll go on a boat tour of the lake with a bilingual guide. The boat tour takes approximately 5-6 hours. You will visit Santiago Atitlan, have lunch in San Pedro, then visit San Juan and return to Panajachel.
Sunday morning is free to spend as you please. You can spend time at the lake shore or explore Panajachel. In the afternoon you will be transferred back to Antigua, where you will arrive around 5 pm.
Included: Round-trip transportation, 1 night hotel, boat tour of Lake Atitlan with a bilingual guide
Not included: Meals, drinks, tips
Payment: Payment in full must be received at least 7 days before the tour begins; or at the time of booking if less than 7 days before the tour.
Cancellation policy: Full refund minus a US$30.00 cancellation fee if you cancel more than 7 days before the tour begins. No refund or credit for later cancellations or no-shows.
Lake Atitlan is one of Guatemala’s top tourism hot spots. The local infrastructure is well developed and cell phone coverage is generally very good. Internet access is available in most of the towns.
There is no road going all around the lake and the towns and villages on its shore are best reached by boat (locally called “lancha”). The boats are fairly small, from just a handful of passengers to a few dozen at most.
The population around Lake Atitlan is for the most part indigenous. While Panajachel has become quite “touristy,” people in other towns and villages around the lake uphold their traditions and many still wear the colorful traditional Mayan attire.
Panajachel is only a good hour by shuttle bus from Chichicastenango. If you don’t want to spend two days at Lake Atitlan, you can also catch a shuttle bus to Chichicastenango on Sunday morning and visit the market.
Monterrico on the Pacific coast of Guatemala is only a good two hours’ drive away from Guatemala City and Antigua Guatemala, which has made it a popular destination for weekend trips among both Guatemalans and foreign travelers. The laid-back atmosphere is ideal for those who want to take it easy for a few days and enjoy the beach and the Pacific ocean.
Monterrico used to be a small fishing village and has only recently appeared on the radar of travelers. Even on busy days the beach is not crowded and you’ll have plenty of space to yourself. Monterrico lies in the heart of the Monterrico Nature Reserve, which was established in 1981 to protect the mangrove swamps that surround the island.
The beaches in and around Monterrico are also important breeding grounds for several species of sea turtles, which lay their eggs in the warm sand. To protect the eggs, turtle farms have been established that collect the eggs and take them to their grounds where they can develop undisturbed and protected from predators.
After the turtles hatch, they are released back into the ocean. The turtle releases are popular events and both locals and travelers like to participate, watching “their” baby turtles crawl across the beach and disappear into the ocean.
Visit Monterrico and spend a couple of days on the beach!
The Pacific beach in Monterrico is a popular destination for weekend trips among Guatemalans and travelers alike. It is easy to reach by shuttle bus from Antigua Guatemala, which makes it a great destination for a weekend tour while you study Spanish in Antigua.
Weekend tours to Monterrico are available every weekend, year round.
You will be picked up at your homestay or hotel at 8 am. The drive to Monterrico takes approximately 2.5 hours. After you’ve checked into your hotel, you can spend the rest of the day on the beach.
In the morning you can stay at the beach or go on a boat tour of the nearby mangrove swamps, which takes about 2-3 hours. During the turtle breeding season (June to December) you can also visit a turtle farm. The shuttle back to Antigua leaves Monterrico at 3 pm and you’ll be back in Antigua around 5:30 pm.
Included: Round-trip transportation by shuttle bus, 1 night hotel
Not included: Meals, drinks, tips, boat tour of the mangrove swamps, tour of the turtle farm
Payment: Payment in full must be received at least 7 days before the tour begins; or at the time of booking if less than 7 days before the tour.
Cancellation policy: Full refund minus a US$20.00 cancellation fee if you cancel more than 7 days before the tour begins. No refund or credit for later cancellations or no-shows.
Monterrico is a fishing village that has only recently begun to develop into a popular tourist destination. The infrastructure is still somewhat on the basic side.
Internet access is available in Monterrico, but tends to be slow and more expensive than in Antigua Guatemala.
Unlike the beaches on Guatemala’s Caribbean coast, the beach in Monterrico is black or dark gray volcanic sand. On a sunny day the sand can get very hot and you’ll need to wear shoes.
The release of baby turtles is a major attraction in Monterrico. Turtle breeding season is from June to December. The turtle farms can be visited year round, but outside of the breeding season there’s not much to see there.
Chichicastenango – mostly called Chichi by locals and foreign travelers alike – is a town in the Quiche department of Guatemala that is famous for its market, which is said to be one of the largest outdoor markets in Latin America.
Chichicastenango has been one of the largest trading centers of the Mayan world since pre-Hispanic times and every Sunday and Thursday, vendors and buyers from the entire Quiche region and beyond come together in Chichicastenango to trade. From household items to electronics, from work boots to hats, from beans to live chickens, there are few products that cannot be found in the market.
Some items the market in Chichicastenango is particularly famous for are hand-woven fabrics and women’s blouses in the traditional Mayan designs and colors, boots and other leather goods, and wooden ceremonial masks that are still used in some Mayan rituals.
Right next to the market is the 400-year-old church of Santo Tomas, which was built on a pre-Columbian temple platform. Eighteen steps, symbolizing the 18 months of the Mayan calendar, lead up to the church and are still venerated by the Maya. The church is unique in that both Catholic services and Mayan rituals are performed inside.
Visit Chichicastenango for a unique market experience! You will also find some great souvenirs here!
The market in Chichicastenango is one of the largest outdoor markets in Latin America. It is easy to reach by shuttle bus from Antigua Guatemala, which makes it a great destination for a day trip while you study Spanish in Antigua.
You will be picked up at your homestay or hotel at 7 am. The drive to Chichicastenango takes about 2.5 to 3 hours and the shuttle bus will drop you off on the main street right next to the market.
The market is in the central plaza and the surrounding streets. You can explore most of it in a couple of hours. Also worth a visit is the church of Santo Tomas, which is right next to the market.
You can have lunch in one of the many small restaurants (“comedores”) in the market or in one of the more formal restaurants on main street.
The shuttle bus back to Antigua leaves in the early afternoon and arrives in Antigua around 5 pm.
Included: Round-trip transportation by shuttle bus
Not included: Meals, drinks, tips
Payment: Payment in full must be received at least 7 days before the tour begins; or at the time of booking if less than 7 days before the tour.
Cancellation policy: Full refund minus a US$10.00 cancellation fee if you cancel more than 7 days before the tour begins. No refund or credit for later cancellations or no-shows.
The market in Chichicastenango takes place twice a week, on Thursday and Sunday. On other days of the week there is not much to see and do there.
On market days, however, Chichicastenango attracts large numbers of visitors from near and far. Inside of the market it can get quite crowded and you’ll need to watch your belongings carefully.
The market primarily serves the people of the Quiche region and many typical Mayan goods can be found here. If you are looking for a great souvenir of your Guatemala trip, you’ll be sure to find it here!
Deep in the department of Alta Verapaz in Guatemala lies an area of stunning natural beauty that many travelers miss: Semuc Champey. Those who go there, however, agree that it is well worth the long drive over bumpy roads.
Semuc Champey is a natural, 300 m (980 ft) limestone bridge surrounded by lush subtropical forest. While the Cahabon river flows underneath, a series of stepped, turquoise pools sit on top and collect the outflow of small rivers and creeks running down from the surrounding mountains and hills.
The water of the pools is warm and perfectly clear and invites to jump in and go for a swim. Many small waterfalls feed the pools and you can stand right underneath and enjoy a splendid natural shower!
Several trails have been created, which you can follow to explore the dense, subtropical forest rich in biodiversity. More than 300 species of birds are native to the area, as well as many amphibians and mammals.
One of the trails leads up to a lookout point 50 m (160 ft) above the pools. From here you can see the entire area and the view is simply unforgettable!
Take a break from studying Spanish and visit Semuc Champey! It is well worth the long drive!
Located in Guatemala’s Alta Verapaz department, Semuc Champey is one of the most beautiful areas in Guatemala. The drive to Semuc Champey is a bit arduous, but it’s well worth it!
Weekend tours to Semuc Champey are available every weekend, year round.
The tour begins at 10 am at the school. The first destination is the Quetzal Biotope near Coban, where you’ll go for a hike with your guide.
After breakfast you’ll continue on to Semuc Champey, where you can swim in the clear water of the pools, hike along well-maintained trails through the subtropical forest, or go inner-tubing on the Cahabon river.
In the morning you’ll visit the caves of Lanquin and in the afternoon you’ll head back to Antigua.
Included: Round-trip transportation, 1 night hotel, guided tour of Semuc Champey and the caves of Lanquin
Not included: Meals, drinks, tips
Payment: Payment in full must be received at least 7 days before the tour begins; or at the time of booking if less than 7 days before the tour.
Cancellation policy: Full refund minus a US$20.00 cancellation fee if you cancel more than 7 days before the tour begins. No refund or credit for later cancellations or no-shows
Semuc Champey is located in a remote part of Guatemala’s Alta Verapaz department. The last part of the road, from Coban to Semuc Champey, is pretty bumpy and at times hard to negotiate, particularly during the rainy season.
The infrastructure in the area is very basic. Don’t count on having a cell phone connection or internet access.
Semuc Champey is at low altitude and the sun can be very strong. Don’t forget to take sunscreen.
Please note: The tour by shuttle bus uses budget hotels while participants of tours with private transportation stay at more comfortable hotels. With private transportation, the driver will also be your guide and stay with you throughout the tour to give you information and advice.
Students who have participated in a tour with private transportation were generally much happier with their experience than those that used shuttle buses. Therefore we strongly recommend private transportation for this tour.
The ruins of Copan, located in western Honduras just a few miles behind the border, are one of the most famous archaeological sites in the entire Mayan world. Although Copan lacks the monumental temple pyramids typical of large sites like Tikal, arts and handcraft flourished in Copan and the wealth of inscriptions found on many buildings and artifacts has taught archaeologists more about the Maya than any other site.
Quirigua was a satellite town of Copan for most of it’s history. The relationship between the two cities deteriorated in the 8th century, though, and when the forces of Quirigua managed to capture the ruler of Copan, Quirigua gained independence and Copan went into a tailspin it never really recovered from.
After the victory over Copan, building activity in Quirigua pickup up and many buildings and monuments were constructed. Most of the buildings around the central plaza date back to this time. The stelae found in Quirigua reach a height of up to 7.5 m (25 ft), which makes them the tallest stelae ever found in the Mayan world.
Besides the Mayan ruins, you will also get to know Copan Ruinas, a small town about a mile from the ruins that is relatively well-off by Central American standards. The Central Plaza was recently restored and is a popular meeting place for locals and travelers from all corners of the world.
Visit Copan and Quirigua and learn about the fascinating history of these two ancient Mayan cities!
With a height of up to 7.5 m (25 ft), the stelae in Quirigua are the tallest stelae in the entire Mayan world. Thatched roofs were added in recent years to protect them from the elements.
Weekend tours to Copan and Quirigua are available every weekend, year round.
You will be picked up at your homestay or hotel at 5 am. The drive to Copan takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. After you’ve checked into your hotel, you’ll have time to explore Copan. There is also an interesting archaeological museum right next to the central plaza that you might visit.
In the morning you’ll have a guided tour of the Mayan ruins of Copan, which are located about a mile from town. At 2 pm you’ll leave Copan and arrive in Antigua around 8 pm.
Included: Round-trip transportation, 1 night hotel, entrance fees and tour of the ruins with a bilingual guide
Not included: Meals, drinks, tips
Payment: Payment in full must be received at least 7 days before the tour begins; or at the time of booking if less than 7 days before the tour.
Cancellation policy: Full refund minus a US$30.00 cancellation fee if you cancel more than 7 days before the tour begins. No refund or credit for later cancellations or no-shows.
Copan is located in Honduras, just a few miles behind the border with Guatemala. The border crossing is usually quick and painless.
Copan is a small but fairly prosperous town that is popular with foreign travelers. The local infrastructure is well developed, cell phone coverage is good and internet access is easily available.
The main archaeological site is about a mile from the center of town. A second site, Las Sepulturas, is a bit farther away on the road to La Entrada and many travelers skip it as there is not all that much to see there.
Right next to the archaeological park is a newly-build museum where many artifacts found on site are displayed. Highly recommended!
Please note: Tours with private transportation and guide visit the Mayan ruins of Quirigua on the way to Copan. Tours by shuttle bus visit only Copan and bypass Quirigua.
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