Guatemala Tours and Travel

YPT Tours to Guatemala

Join one of our Guatemala tours and discover a country that has a lot to offer, from lush rainforests to volcanic mountains, ancient Mayan cities and colourful colonial towns. Guatemala offers something for every adventurer.

Use this chance to learn more about the rich history of the country, from the awe-inspiring Maya civilization (2600 BC – 1697 AD), which left behind magnificent cities like Tikal and Copan, to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, until the challenges of the 20th century, including a long period of authoritarian rule and a brutal civil war that lasted from 1960 to 1996.

Since then, Guatemala has transitioned to a democracy, striving for social and economic progress. Guatemala is also the Latin America country with the highest proportion of native population and 25 languages are spoken around the country: join us to experience its cultural richness!

Group Tours to Guatemala

We are currently working on offering tours to Guatemala and other central american countries in summer 2025. Check this page and our social media accounts regularly to get all the news.

Independent Tours to Guatemala

Young Pioneer Tours has close connections to a network of local partners and guides. As such we can arrange independent and bespoke travel packages to Guatemala, no matter what you’re looking for, from budget tours to more luxurious ones, focusing on the essentials or going in depth, with hiking, volcano excursions, political tours, archaeological expeditions or surf opportunities.

Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for perfect independent Guatemala tours.

Below is an example Guatemala itinerary. This can be extended to other countries, such as Belize, Honduras or El Salvador, or combined with other activities to create independent Guatemala tours.

Example of a Guatemala Itinerary (9 days- 8 nights)

Day 1 – Guatemala City

Arrival at your leisure in Guatemala City, which is well connected to the USA, Latin America and Europe.
Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 6pm to discuss the tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
Dinner and drinks in Guatemala City. Don’t forget to try the local beer Gallo, Guatemalans are super proud of it.
Overnight in Guatemala city

Day 2 – Guatemala City – Antigua

After breakfast, you’ll meet with our local guide to start the walking tour of Guatemala City, the capital of the country, beautifully nestled in a valley surrounded by volcanoes.
We’ll visit the Casa de la Memoria, where we will learn about the tragic history of the country, in particular its history of oppression, its structural problems, and also the resistance of the people.
Our walking tour will take us to the historic centre of the city, from the Plaza de la Constitución, where you’ll admire the neoclassical Palacio Nacional and the 18th-century cathedral, to the main street, 6th avenue, where you’ll experience the hustle and bustle of Guatemalan life. You will see people on the street playing the local music marimba, played with an instrument similar to a big xylophone.
One-hour drive to the colonial town Antigua

Afternoon

After lunch, we will stroll around Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a city steeped in history, adorned with vibrant architecture. Here, you will be able to learn about the colonial past of the country and soak in the atmosphere. Antigua is a photographer’s dream: its cobbled roads and colourful houses, with the Volcán de Agua and the Volcán Acatenango in the background, make for postcard-perfect pictures!
As the sun sets, the city comes alive with a different kind of energy. We will head to one of the many traditional restaurants there and have some drinks. Now is the time to try the Quetzalteca, a typical Guatemalan drink
Overnight in Antigua.

Day 3 – Quetzal Forest – Cobán Semuc Champey

Get your earplugs, a pillow and a sleeping mask: today we leave at 2:30 and head north.
At 6:30, we’ll see the sunrise at the Biotopo del Quetzal, a protected cloud forest home of the quetzal bird, the national bird of Guatemala. This iridescent green bird is elusive – and endangered – so despite the early wake up, try to keep your eyes open to spot it! June is the end of the nesting season, so now is the best time to see it.
We’ll have breakfast in the reserve. In lieu of a morning shower, you will have the possibility to swim in one of its waterfalls!
In the morning, we’ll visit the nearby city of Cobán, checking the central park and the Cavalry Church. The dominant ethnicity here is Q’eqchi’ Mayan, and the Q’eqchi’ is still widely spoken in town.

Afternoon

After lunch, we’ll continue our journey to Semuc Champey, one of the highlights of the trip.
We’ll arrive there in the afternoon. You will have some free time to explore the area or to take a siesta, in true Guatemalan style.
We will have dinner in a indigenous family run restaurant.
Overnight in Lanquin/Semuc Champey.

Day 4 – Semuc Champey

After breakfast in our hotel, we’ll explore Semuc Champey. This hard to reach gem boasts a series of cascading turquoise pools, a 300-metre natural limestone bridge, and the refreshing waters of the Cahabón River. You will be able to swim and refresh in the pools, so don’t forget to pack your swimsuit.
You will explore the cave hidden beneath the bridge, once used by the Maya for ceremonial purposes. They will be illuminated only with the candles you will carry, like the indigenous did back on the day.

Afternoon

We will have a very local lunch prepared by the indigenous community that lives in the area.
After hiking to the viewpoint, where we will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the cascading pools and the surrounding rainforest, we will go to relax in our hotel.
If you are still full of energy or want an adrenaline rush, you can also do a tubbing experience, floating down the currents of the Cahabón River, surrounded by lush rainforest scenery (extra fee).
Overnight in Lanquin/Semuc Champey.

Day 5 – Flores

Another early start, as we leave to Flores.
This is a long but very scenic drive, as the region is covered nearly completely by rainforest. We’ll have the opportunity to stop for photo stops.
On arrival, we will visit the colourful town of Flores, which is located on an island in the middle of a lake. Think Venice of the Maya! Flores is regarded as the second oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the Americas, after Cholula in Mexico.
We will grab some tacos for lunch.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, we’ll take a boat to explore the surrounding villages, where you can experience the local life.
In YPT style, we will admire the sunset from the lake with a Gallo beer in hand!
Traditional dinner in a local restaurant
Overnight in Flores .

Day 6 – Tikal

After breakfast in your hotel, we will head to Tikal, the biggest mayan ruins in Guatemala and one of the overall largest archeological sites and urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.
Tikal flourished between 200 and 850 AD during the Classic Period of the Maya civilization. It was a powerful political and cultural centre, influencing other Mayan city-states. The city is now in ruins, but its majestic temples, palaces, and plazas offer a glimpse into its former grandeur.
We’ll do a tour of the site, to learn about the Mayan civilization and to admire the views from the top of one of the many structures.

Afternoon

Lunch in a local restaurant
In the afternoon, we will go to the coastal village of El Remate. It means “the end” in Spanish, which refers not to the end of our trip but to the pointed eastern end of Lake Petén Itzá, where the village is located.
You can swim in the lake and enjoy a drink while watching the sunrise
For dinner, you can try an endemic fish from the lake.
Farewell drinks.
Overnight in Flores.

Day 7- Flores

Breakfast in our hotel.
Tour concludes

Bespoke Nicaragua Tours

As part of our travel packages within Central and Latin America, we can offer bespoke and independent Guatemala tours. These can be done as full Guatemala tours or be combined with other countries.

For more information on the following programs, simply get in touch.

Mayan culture and archeological sites

Guatemala is rich in Mayan archaeological zones. One of the most impressive is El Mirador, located in the middle of the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, in the Petén region. The only way to reach this ancient wonder is via an helicopter ride or 2 to 3 days trekking in the jungle.

Other more accessible zones are Yaxha, very close to Tikal and way less touristy, or Kaminaljuyú, located in Guatemala city. There are more than 20 archaeological sites in the country, and YPT can help you decide which ones to visit and provide English-speaking local guides

Atitlan Lake

This lake surrounded by volcanoes and charming villages is a nice spot to add to your custom itinerary. Climbing the “Indian nose” (named that way due to the shape of the mountain) offers stunning views of the lakes. Take a boat to travel between the villages, most of them are majority Mayan speaking communities, and Panajachel, San Marcos, San Juan and San Pedro – colourful villages decorated with murals celebrating Mayan culture.

Rio Dulce and Livingston

Rio Dulce is a town located in the Caribbean side of Guatemala, with mangroves and islets everywhere. You can take boat trips to spot manatees or to the Spanish fort San Felipe Lara.

From there, you can also visit Livingston, a town only accessible by boat. There you can learn about the garifuna culture, visit the natural ponds in Siete Altares, and of course, relax in the many beaches available.

Overland tours to Mexico and other Central America countries

From Guatemala, you can extend your trip to Mexico, crossing into the Chiapas state, rich in nature and history, where you can visit indigenous communities and learn about the Zapatista struggle. Another option is crossing into Belize, El Salvador or Honduras.

Filming in Guatemala

Through our media arm Pioneer Media we can make arrangements for productions, journalists, or others to film within Guatemala from big budget to guerrilla productions. We can also arrange meetings in country, as well as correct visas for journalist wishing to do projects within Guatemala.

Frequently asked questions about travel to Guatemala

Do I need a visa to travel to Guatemala?

For most nationalities, a visa is not required for this destination for a stay of up to 90 days. However it's important to keep in mind that this limitation is shared with its neighbouring countries Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador, which means if you travel my land in this countries, you will only have 90 days to visit all of them. Crossing the border to Belize or Costa rica and enter again is a good way of getting more days

What is the best time to visit Guatemala?

It’s best to avoid the summer months, since it's the rainy season. Temperatures stay more or less the same during all the year.

Is Guatemala safe for tourists?

You probably won’t notice anything nor feel threatened at any time, but precautions should always be taken in Guatemala. In Guatemala City, like in any other city, avoid displaying your passport, large sums of cash and valuables. It's absolutely discouraged to walk alone at night in Guatemala city. Avoid going alone to non touristic areas as assaulting can occur, always ask your guide. Sadly catcalling is very common in Guatemala, while most of it is more annoying than dangerous, women should take precaution while going alone in the dark.

What currency is used in Guatemala?

The currency in Guatemala is the quetzal, though locals can refer to it as “peso”. $1 (USD) is worth approximately 7.77 quetzales. We recommend checking the exchange rate prior to the tour. There are ATMs available in all the big towns and some businesses will accept credit cards. However, it is recommended to have cash, especially in the rural areas where ATMs can be hard to find and credit cards may not be accepted. US dollars can be easily exchanged.

Are there any health precautions I should take before travelling to Guatemala?

Travellers are advised to check with their healthcare provider for vaccinations and take precautions against mosquito-borne diseases. Common recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and routine vaccinations.

What is the local etiquette and customs in Guatemala?

There are no clothing restrictions in Guatemala; however wearing long, loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing will prevent mosquito bites. Comfortable footwear, sunglasses and hats are recommended. Also, don’t forget your swimwear.

Is it possible to use a SIM card for mobile communication in Guatemala?

In Guatemala, there is WiFi in most hotels, restaurants and cafes. Travellers can also purchase a SIM card in most cities for the duration of their tour in the majority of convenience stores. Alternatively, you can get an Esim.

Why travel to Guatemala with Young Pioneer Tours?

YPT not only knows some very cool places, but also how to save money and make the most of a trip to Guatemala. By travelling with us, you’re sure to find YPT’s ethos of good times, jam-packed itineraries, great food discoveries and a healthy dose of partying.