Guatemala · ANTIGUA GUATEMALA TOURS & DAY TRIPS
60 reviewed
Almost every trip to Guatemala runs through Antigua Guatemala, and almost every volcano, finca and market day leaves from its cobbled grid before six in the morning. Here are the 15 best tours and day trips out of the town: departure times, what is included, current prices, and which ones are worth giving a whole day to.
A tough 2-day Acatenango hike from Antigua with cabin sleep, sunrise at altitude, and eruptions of El Fuego in Guatemala.
“Amazing experience, one in a lifetime for sure. The guides could have been much better. None of them spoke a single word in english and you could not see them most of the time. Besides that, great experience.”
Hike Pacaya Volcano from Antigua in about 6 hours, roast marshmallows on lava vents, and chase views of Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango.
“This was a great trip! I got picked up at 2:15 and retuned at 7:20. The tour guide was thoughtful and gave us a background. it was chilly so bring some layers and a snack!”
Hike Pacaya Volcano from Antigua for red-hot lava views, steam vents, and pine forest scenery, with guides and marshmallows. Entry extra.
“We had a great time, the drive was safe, rather slow and a timely pick up/drop off. Our guide Roberto was very nice and took care of the group. We had different fitness levels on the tour and had breaks every 15-20 minutes which made the main hike pretty easy. For the price of this tour, it’s the exact same thing as all other tours offer and we had a great time!”
Two days hiking Acatenango from Antigua, sleeping at 3,700m, watching Fuego from basecamp, then catching sunrise and heading back down.
“Our guides Aiden and Alex were amazing! We took regular breaks on the way up and they made us delicious food at the top! The hike is tough but if you’ve done any hikes in Patagonia for example then we found those to be harder. Take note that the toilet is a hole in the ground with no toilet paper or anywhere to wash your hands, so advice would be take enough toilet paper with you and some hand wipes! The a-frame cabins are equipped with 4 single mattresses on the floor which we shared with another couple. It was warm enough for the majority of the night but before…”
Guided hike from Antigua to active Pacaya Volcano with a local guide, lava views, steaming vents, and marshmallows. Transport included.
“I absolutely loved our hike! We did the sunset hike so definitely bring a flash light. Our tour guide was amazing he made the hike enjoyable, was funny and personable, shared historical facts, and ensured everyone felt comfortable throughout. The hike itself wasn’t too bad, but be prepared for a lot of incline right from the start. I recommend getting a walking stick from the locals who sell them when you arrive. The views were beautiful! Overall, I would definitely recommend this hike.”
Walk Antigua’s main sights in 2.5 hours with a small-group guide, stories of Guatemala’s third capital, and practical tips.
“We really enjoyed our tour through town! We learned all about the Spanish influence in the architecture and building details that we completely missed while walking around ourselves. Our tour guide, Luis Gonzalez, was patient with our 7 year old who became fixated on cotton candy while walking around and provided a fun trivia throughout the tour. He was fabulous with kids and tried to keep her interested through the tour. The length was perfect and the historical knowledge was something we wouldn’t have learned otherwise. After the tour, we found ourselves continuing to point out things our guide informed us about! Low key and small, we enjoyed every minute…”
Antigua to Lake Atitlán villages in a single day, with a private boat, bilingual guides, volcano views, and cultural stops in San Juan and Santiago.
“We loved it! Kevin was an amazing guide, he really knew what he was talking about and was incredibly friendly. We got to see so many things in one day, everything was very well organized. 100% recommended!”
2-day Acatenango hike from Antigua with a guide, sleeping by Volcán de Fuego eruptions and chasing sunrise views. From $53 plus extras.
“Abner was really the best guide you could ask for. Very patient and informative. The views were worth every step of the way. (The food wasn’t my favorite so I would recommend bringing extra snacks.)”
Lake Atitlán day tour from Antigua with a guide, shared boat between Panajachel, San Juan, San Pedro, and Santiago, plus Maximón crafts.
“It was awesome!! Getting to see the sights and try the food was amazing. Our tour guides were also excellent!”
Shared shuttle from Antigua to Panajachel on Lake Atitlan, with hotel pickup, AC, flexible times, and a $20 per person price.
“It took 1.5h to pick up all people and leave Antigua this is very long considering the regular driving time of 2.5-3h to Lago Atitlan”
Antigua Sky High Adventure is a 5-hour ATV circuit to AltaMira, Earth Lodge, and Cerro de la Cruz, with big views and guided fun.
“Smooth tour with lots to see. A little more time at the park is needed as some of the things to see and take pictures are down steep hills. We had lots of fun. The food and chocolate stop was amazing”
Private A/C shuttle between Guatemala City and Antigua with driver name-sign pickup after customs, smooth door-to-door rides, and safety-first comfort.
“Driver was prompt, arrived even before our scheduled time. He was friendly and assisted with our luggage. We did hit some traffic but he navigated through it in a safe and efficient manor. Good experience!”
Hike Pacaya Volcano from Antigua with a guided visit, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a chance to roast marshmallows in volcanic heat.
“The experience was fine but not great. Our driver arrived 30 min late and was in his phone- text and voice- much of both rides. Not ideal. Our guide was very nice but didn’t know English very well so we got less out of the experience than I expected to. The climbing path was pretty crowded with horses- beware if you have an allergy. The views were nice. All in all fine trip if you want to see a volcano up close and have time constraints.”
ATVs to La Azotea coffee tastings, then Cerro de la Cruz views over Antigua. English-Spanish guides, 3 hours, $57.
“We had the best day! It made our trip. Eric is an awesome tour guide.”
Antigua to Lake Atitlán boat cruise and village walks, with volcano views, Maximon, and craft shopping in Panajachel and Santiago.
“Our guide was wonderful. He was well informed about the history of Guatemala and its people. We enjoyed the boat ride across Lake Atitlan, our visit to the town, and our meals in the restaurants we stopped at.”
