CHARMS OF GUATEMALA

Arrival at La Aurora International Airport for assistance and transfer to Antigua Guatemala. At the scheduled time, transfer for a tour of one of the most important cities of the colonial period in the Americas; upon arrival, visit the Santa Catalina Arch, the Plaza de Armas, La Merced Church, and the Cathedral. Free time follows the tour. At the scheduled time, transfer to the hotel in Antigua for check-in.

Note: The flight must arrive in the morning to allow for the tour to take place on the same day.

Breakfast. Early departure for the Chichicastenango market, located in the Guatemalan central highlands and renowned for its colorful market and displays of Mayan ceremonies (though these are not always visible, as they depend on local activities). Visit the Church of Santo Tomás. Later, depart for Lake Atitlán—surrounded by the Atitlán, Tolimán, and San Pedro volcanoes—where the crystal-clear waters reflect the lake's natural beauty. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Panajachel. Afterward, transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Breakfast. At 8:00 AM, we will board a boat for a 30-minute ride to the village of San Juan La Laguna. Upon arrival, we will take a walk to visit the street famous for its murals, hats, and parasols. Next, we will head to the chocolate cooperative to see how chocolate is made, followed by a visit to the textile cooperative, where we will be shown the process of creating dyes for these beautiful fabrics. We will also learn about the production of coffee, honey, oil paintings, and craft beer. At a convenient time, we will return to Panajachel by boat (a 30-minute trip), and in the afternoon, we will transfer to Guatemala City for our overnight stay.

Breakfast. Depart from your hotel at 9:00 AM for a tour of Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción (the official name of Guatemala City), founded in 1776 following the earthquakes that destroyed Santiago de Los Caballeros de Guatemala (present-day Antigua), the fourth capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala during the colonial period. The tour includes a visit to Avenida de La Reforma, one of the city's most important avenues, followed by the Civic Center, where you can view public buildings featuring murals by Guatemalan artists. Next, you will head to the city's Historic Center for a panoramic view of the National Palace of Culture and the Metropolitan Cathedral, as well as a visit to Avenida de Las Américas. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.

Note: The flight must be scheduled for the afternoon (PM) to allow time for the morning (AM) tour.