*Guatemala Family Travel

Every Village Experience Responsible Tourism Program Includes the Following:

One on one consultation with our travel experts
Private registration and trip page
Pretrip Packet
Handpicked accommodations
Experienced Private Guide
Artisan shopping opportunities
Our favorite tour activities
Donation to one of TVE’s community partners

Guatemala will lure you in with her vivid natural beauty, booming volcanoes, and incredibly welcoming people. Guatemala is home to 30 volcanoes to be exact, 3 of which are still active. This small country enjoys beaches on both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, as well as dense jungles and rugged mountains. Lake Atitlan, located in the southwestern region of Guatemala, is the deepest lake in Central America measuring over 900 feet deep and covers nearly 48 miles.

Deep in the jungle, a Mayan Civilization that thrived nearly 2000 years ago has been preserved. Tikal is famous for its many ceremonial sites, beautiful temples and vast ruins.

As far as landscapes go, Guatemala has it all. An experience in Guatemala must include the colorful city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage City, featuring cobblestoned streets, local Mayan handicraft, and a variety of local and international cuisine. Wander around this intriguing city exploring new sights and sounds at every corner.

The Village Experience can design a seamless journey to Guatemala including philanthropy, adventure, and relaxation all in one.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive to the airport in Guatemala City. Meet your representative and transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Antigua. Check into boutique hotel and settle into your new surroundings.

Day 2 – Meet your guide in the morning and enjoy a walking tour of the city including Fifth Avenue, the Cathedral, Central Park, the Church of San Francisco, and the local market. Stop for a local lunch of Guatemalan food. In the afternoon, enjoy a chocolate making class and learn about one of Guatemala’s top exports.

Day 3 – Today, you’ll board a colorful chicken bus and head to San Lorenzo El Cubo to tour the village, visit a local school, and participate in a worry doll making workshop with a local family. Return to Antigua via chicken bus with your very own worry doll in hand. Free afternoon to enjoy the hotel, continue exploring Antigua, and try the local restaurants and cafes.

Day 4 – Morning departure for majestic Lake Atitlan. This beautiful lake is surrounded by three volcanoes and many Mayan Villages. Stop for some panoramic views along the way. Check into hotel and relax for the evening.

Day 5 – Today, you’ll head out on a boat tour to explore some of the Mayan Villages dotting the shores of the lake. Begin at Santa Catarina Palapo with a walking tour of the village by the local women. By participating in this community based tourism program, you are helping to uplift the local women and beautify the village. Next, you’ll head to San Juan Laguna for lunch and lots of fun artisan shopping including women’s weaving, chocolate, herbal, and painting cooperatives. Return to hotel in the afternoon.

Day 6 – Morning drive to Guatemala City to catch afternoon flight to Flores. Upon landing, transfer to hotel located near the UNESCO World Heritage Tikal National Park.

Day 7 – Late morning tour of the ancient Mayan City of Tikal believed to be settled in 900 BC…making it more than 3,000 years old. This will be a history lesson come alive for the kids. Stay until the evening and watch sunset from the top of one of the ancient temples – the views are unforgettable!

Day 8 – Transfer to airport for morning flight to Guatemala City and connect to onward flight home.

Flight Reservations

Arrival & Departure: Guatemala International Airport (GUA)

Vaccinations

Visit the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date requirements (www.cdc.gov) and/or speak with a local travel doctor regarding vaccinations. We also advise that you speak with your doctor regarding a prescription for an antibiotic to combat food and water borne illnesses.

Recommendations for Guatemala include:
Covid-19 – required by TVE
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid

Required Documents

Passport is required
No visa is required for US Citizens
Travel insurance – The plan must include medical evacuation, repatriation, medical coverage, trip cancellation and trip interruption.