Sustainable Travel Guatemala
9 days
When you visit ecotourism destinations in Guatemala, you are supporting sustainable travel and helping to preserve the environment and cultural heritage. Guatemala’s diverse biology, culture, and landscapes make it an ideal destination for exploration, visits, and enjoyment.
Guatemala boasts thirty-seven volcanoes and a diverse natural landscape, including mountain forests, rainforests, wetlands of global significance, and volcanic beaches spanning kilometers. The country has a rich archaeological heritage of over 3,500 years, showcasing its people’s vibrant cultural expressions and traditions, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.
Lake Atitlan
The world’s most stunning lake
Crater Azul
A natural paradise
Semuc Champey
Limestone bridge
Tikal
Mayan ruins in the jungle
Highlights
Guatemala provides many unforgettable experiences for those looking for natural and cultural backgrounds. The people and the cultural legacy of Guatemala have developed the country into one of the best cultural travel destinations in Latin America and the world. You’ll have environmental and cultural awareness while exploring Guatemala’s cultural and natural richness.
Itinerary
A representative will welcome you and drive you to Lake Atitlan. Renowned writers from around the globe have referred to Lake Atitlan as the most stunning lake on the planet.
Aldous Huxley, a philosopher, and writer, authored a book called “Beyond the Mexique Bay” and wrote, “Lake Como, it seems to me, touches on the limit of permissibly picturesque, but Atitlan is Como with additional embellishments of several immense volcanoes. It really is too much of a good thing.”
Three cone-shaped volcanoes: Atitlan, Toliman, and San Pedro, bordered Lake Atitlan. The three lushly-forested volcanoes surround the beautiful cobalt-colored volcanic lake that defines paradise.
Begin your day with a stunning view of the lake and its impressive volcanoes, then meet with your guide for your planned expedition. To start your adventure, you will kayak towards the west along the northern coast of Lake Atitlan. You will have a couple of hours to enjoy the stunning views of the lakeside cliffs and pass by the charming villages. Another option is to take a refreshing swim in the water.
Afterward, your next destination will be San Juan La Laguna. Once you reach the dock, you will have a clear view of a mountain resembling a nose tip and a man’s profile gazing up at the sky. The mountain’s name is El Rostro Maya, meaning “The Mayan Face.” Upon reaching the summit of this mountain, the view of the lake, volcanoes, and surrounding mountains will leave you in awe.
The hike begins at lake-water altitude. The trail leads through corn and coffee farms and a steep hill with many stairs. After 15-20 minutes, you’ll reach the top of the mountain, offering a lookout of San Juan La Laguna. The view becomes even more breathtaking from the top, and it takes roughly two hours to reach the summit. Once you get this viewpoint, you will gaze in awe at the magnificent lake many call home and its three volcanoes.
Once you finish the hike, you can take a refreshing swim and explore San Juan. The town has several cooperatives showcasing local painters’ work.
Start your day with a visit to Atitlan Nature Reserve, where you can try out the most extensive Zipline Canopy tour in Central America. This activity is ideal for individuals who enjoy the excitement of adventure. Many other options are available at Lake Atitlan Nature Reserve if you prefer to stay at a lower altitude. You can hike, explore waterfalls, look for animals such as monkeys and coatis, and learn about the natural environment.
Our upcoming stop is the historic town of Antigua Guatemala. To start our adventure, we will visit the local villages. You can discover the local culture of Santa Maria, Ciudad Vieja, and San Pedro Las Huertas, where many women still wear traditional Mayan costumes. Discover the intricate and stunning Guatemalan textiles by touring a textile cooperative run by women who craft them.
In San Pedro Las Huertas, visit a nearby coffee farm where you can gain insights into the journey of this delightful beverage from the ground to your cup. This tour will enlighten you on the various steps of coffee processing, such as pulp, fermentation, drying, sorting, and roasting, before finally relishing a rejuvenating cup of Guatemalan coffee.
Next, you can try another type of delicious Guatemalan bean called Cacao. At a Chocolate Workshop, you’ll taste a traditional Mayan ceremonial drink from this bean and even learn how to make it yourself. You’ll discover how to create personalized handmade chocolate bars using the cacao bean – a fantastic souvenir to bring home.
Begin your day with an extraordinary adventure by hiking Pacaya, the most active volcano in Guatemala. You can safely traverse the volcanic rock formed by lava flows. This volcano towers 2,500 meters above sea level, providing breathtaking views of Agua, Acatenango, and Fuego, three other impressive volcanoes nearby. You don’t need any particular hiking skills to enjoy this fantastic experience, despite it being an active volcano.
Visitors can witness new lava flows at the Pacaya volcano, which has hot and cooled lava chambers. It only takes one to two hours to hike to the lava fields, where they can enjoy roasting marshmallows on the recently-cooled lava. After the hike, we will visit Kawilal hot springs, where you can relax with a steam and hydrotherapy bath. The incredible thermal features result from the harmonious convergence of underground water and molten rock.
Our last destination for today is Valhalla Macadamia nut farm, where you can indulge in a range of products made from the macadamia tree and gain insights into the production process of this delicious nut. You can sample macadamia products during the farm tour and receive a facial massage using the oil. This tour will educate you on the various benefits of macadamias, including their role in promoting social development, food security, and environmental preservation through sustainable agricultural practices.
Indulge in the famous macadamia pancake recipe served for over 20 years on this farm. Macadamia nuts are tasty and packed with nutrients, with a high content of omega-3, essential oils, vitamins, and other nutrients.
Your driver will pick you up in the morning to depart from Antigua Guatemala, and the southern highlands on a ride north to the jungles of the central highlands, Coban.
During your trip to the heart of Guatemalan coffee country, you’ll discover Ram Tzul, a 247-acre nature reserve. We’ll take a nature hike through bamboo forests that lead to a stunning waterfall, which drops 260 feet (80 meters) into an emerald lagoon. This region is a component of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor. It is known for its cloud forests that provide a haven for exotic flora and migrating wildlife. Ram Tzul is home to wild orchids and exotic birds, making it a destination for nature enthusiasts.
Today, we will visit Semuc Champey, one of Central America’s most stunning natural destinations. It is renowned for its magnificent natural limestone bridge, measuring 300 meters long. On top of the bridge are a series of stepped pools filled with crystal clear, flowing river water that is perfect for swimming. This paradise is breathtakingly beautiful, and the turquoise waterfalls are arguably the most picturesque in the country.
During our journey to Tikal, we will encounter the stunning Crater Azul (Blue Crater), which we will explore. On our way, we will stop in Sayaxche and embark on an enjoyable 90-minute boat ride. This ride will take you through various landscapes, including farms, fields, and forests.
Crater Azul is a tributary that is fed by springs and has crystal-clear water. It’s an ideal spot for taking underwater photos and cooling off after a warm boat ride. The water is crystal clear at its source, allowing breathtaking swimming and photography.
To fully enjoy our trip to Crater Azul, it’s essential to remember that only a limited dock is available. Therefore, we must bring our sunscreen, food, and drinks and take our trash when we leave. Guatemala boasts breathtaking natural scenery, and this is especially evident at the impressive Crater Azul.
Today, your day starts early as your guide will take you through the jungle while it’s still dark. You’ll reach the highest temple in Tikal to witness the stunning sunrise over the Mayan ruins, a truly magical experience.
As the sun rises, a symphony of sounds from howler monkeys, birds, insects, and other jungle creatures greets you. The wildlife is especially active during this time, adding to the impressive view. If you want to learn about Guatemala, exploring the Mayan Ruins is a great way to do it. During an archeological tour of Tikal, you can witness some of the largest temples and pyramids in the world and get an incredible view of the Mayan World and its captivating history.
After your day’s discoveries, you will board a domestic flight to Guatemala City. Upon arrival, a driver will transport you to your hotel.
Today marks the end of your sustainable trip to Guatemala. A driver will take you to the international airport in Guatemala City for your return flight home.
map, expenses & price
Sustainable Travel Guatemala
Expenses included:
-All private transportation.
-Eight nights of hotel accommodations.
-Domestic flights.
-Professional local guides.
-Tours and activities as listed.
-All park entrance fees.
-Daily breakfast.
Extensions
sustainable travel guatemala
La Pasion River defines the country’s northeast region as the richest area for inscribed monuments. This river was a significant communication route between the lowlands and highlands, resulting in numerous sites in the region. The Aguateca ruins have an impressive natural crevasse running through them as their main attraction. The ruins in Ceibal are well-known for their remarkable stelae that feature beautiful carvings. The use of hard stone has helped preserve these stelae in excellent condition.
sustainable travel guatemala
Discover a breathtaking natural wonder at Laguna del Tigre National Park, located in the remote northwestern region of Guatemala. The park is home to the Scarlet Macaw Biological Station, a center for scientific research. Visitors can join wildlife-watching and archeology excursions, as well as assist in the tagging of macaws and butterflies alongside experienced searchers.
sustainable travel guatemala
Find yourself in a small village amid the jungle, surrounded by Mayan ruins in various directions. It is an awe-inspiring view. Uaxactun is famous for its astronomical observatory complexes, particularly for observing celestial events such as the summer solstice, spring equinox, and the transit of Venus, which were of great interest to the ancient Maya. Discover the marvels of Uaxactun through a day trip or an overnight camping excursion. Take in the views from atop a temple during the day, and at night, marvel at the beauty of the stars above.
sustainable travel guatemala
The cayes of the Belize Barrier Reef are a gem, with their breathtaking turquoise seascapes embodying the essence of the Caribbean. These tiny islands offer a glimpse into the beauty and charm that Belize is known for. The famous islands are Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Experience the ultimate tropical getaway at Ambergris Caye, where pristine beach resorts, world-class dining, and vibrant nightlife await you. Caye Caulker offers a charming and relaxed Caribbean ambiance that appeals to many young travelers seeking a more rustic experience.
