We offer the following tours-
#1-Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs (Direct)
The Fuentes Georginas are the most famous hot springs in Guatemala. Nestled in cloud forest half way up Volcan Zunil, only 40 minutes from Xela, the Fuentes have 3 thermal pools of different temperatures which make for an idyllic place to soak and relax. There is a short hiking trail to explore the area, as well as changing rooms, a restaurant, and lockers. There are rustic bungalows for rent as well. Bring: Bathing suit, towel, jacket, and camera.
#2- COPAVIC, Fuentes, Almolonga and Zunil Half Day Tour
We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 8am or 2pm and drive to the traditional vegetable growing town of Almolonga where we visit the Catholic Church and vegetable market (Wednesday and Saturday main market days) From there we travel to the picturesque town of Zunil where we visit the market (Monday main market day) a weaving cooperative, the majestic 16th century Catholic church, and San Simon (a colorful local Saint worshipped in Zunil) Next we drive up a picturesque mountain road to the Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs. After an hour and a half at the hotsprings, we travel to the Copavic glass blowing cooperative in Cantel. There we walk onto the production floor (in the mornings only) and see how glass is made from recycled bottles and visit the gift shop. From the cooperative we return to Xela.
Bring: Bathing suit, jacket, towel, camera
Includes: private round trip transportation, guide, and entrance fees.
#3- Glassblowing Coop, Zunil, Las Cumbres Eco-Sauna and Almolonga tour
Same tour as #2 but instead of visiting the Fuentes Hot Springs we visit Las Cumbres Eco-Sauna, a natural volcanic sauna, very hot and relaxing.
#4- Colonial churches half day tour
We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 8am or 2pm and drive to the town of San Cristobal where we see a 17th century church and monastery with beautifully restored altars and statues. We continue on to San Andres Xecul to see their famous yellow church, and colorful shrine to San Simon. Next we travel to Salcaja to visit the oldest church in Central America built in 1524. We also visit a local family who weave traditional Jaspe style cloth on treadle looms and make Caldo de Fruta a traditional fruit liquor.
Bring: camera
Includes: private round trip transportation, guide, and entrance fees.
#5-San Francisco Market (Friday morning only) Half Day Tour
We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 8am and drive to
San Francisco El Alto which has the largest indigenous market in Central America every Friday. This is an authentic market visited by few tourists with food, vegetables, tools, weavings, and live animals for sale. You have two hours to explore the market. On the way back to Xela we stop in San Andres Xecul to see their famous yellow church, and colorful shrine to San Simon. Next we travel to Salcaja to visit the oldest church in Central America built in 1524. We also visit a local family who weave traditional Jaspe style cloth on treadle looms and make Caldo de Fruta a traditional fruit liquor.
Bring: camera
Includes: private round trip transportation, guide, and entrance fees.
#6- Totonicapán Market (Saturday morning only) Half Day Tour
We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 8am and drive to
San Miguel Totonicapan which has a large indigenous market every Saturday morning. This is a large market visited by few tourists and is famous for the handicrafts produced in the regions (weavings, woodworking, and ceramics). Totonicapan, more commonly called Toto has an interesting Catholic Church and Theater as well. You have two hours to explore the market. On the way back to Xela we stop in San Andres Xecul to see their famous yellow church, and colorful shrine to San Simon. Next we travel to Salcaja to visit the oldest church in Central America built in 1524. We also visit a local family who weave traditional Jaspe style cloth on treadle looms and make Caldo de Fruta a traditional fruit liquor.
Bring: camera
Includes: private round trip transportation, guide, and entrance fees.
#7- Chichicastenango Market (Thursday and Sunday morning only) Full Day Tour
We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 7am and drive to Chichicastenango, 2 ½ hours away, which has the most famous handicraft market in the country. This is the best place to buy local textiles, jewelry, carvings etc. There is also a mayan ceremonial site Pascual Abaj a short walk from the plaza and the famous Santo Tomas Church , and a small museum with Pre-Colombian and colonial artifacts. Return to Xela or get connecting transport to Antigua or Panajachel.
Bring: camera
Includes: private round trip transportation,
#8- Momostenango Half Day Tour
We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 8am and drive to the traditional town of Momostenango. There we visit Los Riscos, an interesting geological formation and the Church and market in the town center (Sunday is the main market day) Then we visit a local K´iche family who weave woolen blankets and rugs in the traditional Momostenango style. They explain how the wool is turned into yarn and woven and dyed using all natural dyes from different local sources. On the way back to Xela, we stop by Salcaja to visit the oldest church in Central America built in 1524. We also visit a local family who weave traditional Jaspe style cloth on treadle looms and make Caldo de Fruta a traditional fruit liquor.
Bring: camera
Includes: private round trip transportation, guide, and entrance fees.
#9- Pacific Beaches Full Day Tour....................Champerico ……..Tulate .. Tilapita..
We offer tours to the following Pacific beaches: Champerico, Tulate and Tilapita. All three beaches have black volcanic sand, large waves and are 2-3 hours from Xela. There are simple restaurants serving fresh seafood and other dishes on the beach. Champerico is the closest beach to Xela, Tulate is on a small barrier island, Tilapita is located in a mangrove reserve on a small barrier island and has a small sea turtle project. We can arrange for a boat tour through the mangroves.
Bring: camera, bathing suit, towel, insect repellent and sunscreen.
Includes: private round trip transportation, guide, and boat crossings.
There are simple hotels sat all three beaches where it is possible to spend the night.
#10- Takalik Abaj Mayan Ruins
We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 8am and drive towards the pacific coast for one ½ hours. We have a guided tour through Takalik Abaj one of the oldest archeological sites in Guatemala. Takalik Abaj was an important trading and ceremonial center in the Preclassic period with influences from both the Mayan and Olmec people. It is an active site with ongoing archeological excavations set in a tropical forest. Then we visit a nearby coffee, rubber and macadamia plantation. We tour the plantations and processing facilities, and nature reserve. There is the option to have lunch at the farm before returning to Xela.
Also possible in the afternoon without the visit to the coffee farm….30$p/p*
Bring: camera, sunscreen, insect repellent.
Includes: private round trip transportation, guides, and entrance fees.
Lunch is NOT included.
#11- Santa Anita Organic Coffee and Banana Collective Full Day Tour
We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 8am and drive towards the pacific coast for one ½ hours. We visit the Santa Anita plantation, which is a collective of 35 families who were members of the guerilla movement during Guatemala´s civil war. Now they grow organic fair-trade coffee and bananas. We have a guided tour through the plantations with an explanation of the production and harvest techniques as well as a visit to a tropical waterfall, and the coffee processing and roasting facilities. Afterwards we have lunch at the cooperative before returning back to Xela by 3pm.
Also possible in the afternoon without lunch.
Bring: camera, sunscreen, insect repellent.
Includes: private round trip transportation, guides, entrance fees and lunch.
#12- Nueva Alianza Organic Coffee and Macadamia Collective Full day Tour
We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 8am and drive towards the pacific coast for one ½ hours. We visit the worker owned organic coffee and macadamia collective Nueva Alianza. We have a guided tour through the coffee and macadamia nut plantations, visit the19th Century processing facilities, purified water plant, bio-diesel plant, and learn about organic and shade grown coffee production and the workers struggle for their land. We have lunch at the cooperative before returning to Xela by 5pm.
Bring: camera, sunscreen, insect repellent.
Includes: private round trip transportation, guides, entrance fees and lunch.
* It is also possible to spend the night at the farm in the restored former owner's house in a beautiful peaceful setting. The next day hike to rainforest waterfalls and swimming hole. (4 meals included)
#13- Walking Tour Historic Center of Xela
We meet you at your hotel or host family at 8am or 2pm and do a walking tour through the historic center of Xela. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours, and we visit the Central Park, and surrounding buildings, the Cathedral, the Municipal palace, the Municipal theater, the cemetery and other important parks, buildings, and museums.
Bring: comfortable shoes, camera
Includes: Bilingual guide, entrance fees.
#14 Zip Line/Canopy Tour and Coffee farm
An exhilarating ride on 11 zip lines over picturesque forests and a working coffee plantation. Soar over 50 meters above the ground over trees, rivers, a waterfall, and the highway. Afterwards tour the coffee plantations and processing facilities. We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 8am or 2pm and drive 40 minutes to the farm. Can be combined with other destinations such as Takalik Abaj ruins or the Fuentes Georginas hot springs. Bring: camera, sunscreen, insect repellent. Includes: private round trip transportation, guides, entrance fees, and equipment.
#15- Birdwatching Tours
Guatemala is a world class bird watching destination with more than 700 species of birds. We offer of variety of bird watching tours including Finca Patrocinio (http://www.reservapatrocinio.com), the Laguna de Chicabal, and the Refugio del Quetzal in San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta in San Marcos. We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 5am. Bring: sunscreen, camera, binoculars, insect repellent, water Includes: private round trip transportation, local guides, and entrance fees. Can be combined with other destinations such as Takalik Abaj ruins, or the Fuentes Georginas hot springs, both excellent birding spots as well.
#16- Horseback Riding Half Day
We pick you up at your hotel or host family at 8am and drive to the town of Salcaja. From there you saddle up and ride for 3 hours along rural roads and trails through picturesque farms, villages and forests. Professional guides and experienced horses. There are trails for all levels of experience. Bring: Comfortable clothes, camera
Includes: roundtrip private transportation, horse, and guide.