At 9am you will be collected by your driver for the one-hour transfer to the highland town of Chichicastenango. During the drive, you will pass through the Central Highland region and see the local Mayan people in their traditional dress going about their daily activities.
Upon arrival at Chichicastenango, you will have time to wander at leisure and visit the colorful fruit and vegetable market. You will also visit the craft market, where you will be able to find many ceramics, beautiful textiles and wooden crafts for sale.
You can also visit the famous St Tomas church, where the local Maya people perform Maya rituals inside the Catholic church. If you wish to, you have the option of hiking up the hill to the Pascual Abaj ritual site to see if any of the local shaman are performing rituals.
After you have explored on your own, you will return to your hotel in Lake Atitlán in the afternoon. The total duration of the tour will be approximately six hours, and you will normally return to your hotel by about 3pm. Please note that this is a driver only excursion so you will not be guided, but will have private transfers and time to explore at leisure.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Guatemala specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Boat tour of the lake and Santiago de Atitlán
Travel across the calm waters of Lake Atitlán by boat to the lively village of Santiago de Atitlán. Here you can explore the fascinating Catholic church and haggle for a bargain at the bustling market.
Excursion to San Juan Comalapa
Explore the historic town of San Juan Comalapa and its bustling market, where local traders sell everything from fruit and flowers to beautiful tapestries and paintings. Your guide will take you to see the other highlights throughout the town including museums, local art galleries and excellent bakeries to sample the much-loved roscas.
San Pedro Volcano Hike
Embark on a challenging hike through patchwork fields and beautiful cloudforest to the top of San Pedro volcano. Enjoy a delicious lunch near the summit whilst gazing out across Lake Atitlán and the towering peaks of the surrounding mountains.
Santiago Bay Kayak & Hike
Begin your exploration of Lake Atitlán by taking the kayaks to paddle through Santiago Bay where you pass by the local Tzutujil Maya people working in the fields, washing clothes and fishing from their unique wooden boats.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
