Highlights of Guatemala – Nature, Culture, & Cuisine

Today is dedicated to experiencing life at the lake. To begin, we’ll embark on a quick boat ride to visit a vibrant local town known for its artisan crafts. We’ll explore the town, admiring its colorful murals and old churches, followed by a visit to a social cooperative to learn about manual weaving processes and natural dyeing techniques. Afterward, we’ll enjoy lunch at a local favorite restaurant. Once we’ve savored our meal and taken a moment to relax, we’ll continue the day by boarding a boat to another town on the lake. Here, we’ll wander the streets for a while before heading to a natural reserve featuring an amazing cliff-jumping spot. We’ll have some time to refine our jumping skills or simply bask in the beauty of the lake and the sun. Afterwards, we’ll return to the villa, where we’ll have ample time to enjoy the sauna, paddleboard, kayak, or simply relax in the beautiful garden..

Get ready for an early morning to witness the impressive sunrise over the lake! Following a brief boat ride, we’ll embark on a 45-minute hike to reach a viewpoint offering a breathtaking panorama of the lake. As the sun slowly ascends over the horizon, casting a golden hue on the lake and surrounding volcanoes, we’ll provide coffee and hot cacao to enhance this awe-inspiring moment. After taking in the breathtaking view, we’ll descend back to the lake, where we’ll be picked up and brought back to the villa for a full day of relaxation. You’ll have the option to book a massage treatment inside the villa or simply spend the day enjoying the amenities.

Enjoy your last morning in Guatemala by savoring a breakfast overlooking the lake. You’ll have a few hours to soak in the beautiful views before we take our water taxi back to the mainland to explore Panajchachel, the largest town on the lake. Here, we’ll have time to explore the numerous artisan workshops and stores and perhaps try some of the street food. After lunch, we’ll hop on a shuttle that will take us to the beautiful colonial city of Antigua. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our boutique hostel before heading out to a nearby viewpoint. From there, you’ll have a splendid view over the entire city, with the massive Volcan Agua rising in the sky behind it. On our way back, we’ll dine at one of our favorite spots in the city before returning to our hostel.

We’ll kick off the day with a delicious breakfast served on the terraces of our hostel, offering stunning views of Volcan Agua. Following breakfast, we’ll meet our knowledgeable local guide who will lead us on a tour of Antigua. We’ll explore its local markets, parks, cobblestone streets, and ancient ruins, learning about why it holds UNESCO World Heritage status and how that has influenced the city’s development.

In the afternoon, we’ll drive to the active volcano Pacaya. There, we’ll hike to a viewpoint on the old lava field. Along the way, we’ll learn about why Guatemala has 37 volcanoes and the factors influencing volcanic activity. Once we reach the viewpoint, we’ll enjoy pizza cooked on a natural hearth within the volcanic rocks, while witnessing the day’s end as it paints the sky in vibrant red hues.