Pacific Highlands Tours

Experience the very real Guatemala in your one day cruise stop. Get ready for an 8h adventure in this amazing country! We will go apart from the beaten tourist path, instead, we will enjoy the local's favorite places, unknown for tourists. Don't think about what do you have time to do, do it all! We are locals, we are fun and especially we have pinpoint precision when it comes to planning so let us guide you through this unique, authentic and local experience! We will meet a lot of local people, spot wild animals and visit way more places than a normal trip could do. And the best thing? The tranquility that you will have knowing that we will get you back to your cruise on time.

Once the capital of the conquistadors, Antigua is one of Guatemala’s most-visited destinations; its cobbled streets home to ornate churches, earthquake-damaged architecture, and colorful Mayan street markets. This full-day small-group shore excursion from Puerto Quetzal offers history and culture lovers the opportunity to delve deeper into the stories of the city and squeeze in plenty of sightseeing without having to worry about a busload of fellow shipmates.

This tour is tailormade for cruise ship passengers. We will pick you up at Puerto Quetzal Pacific Ocean Cruise Port or at Marina Pez Vela as soon as the ship embarks. Iximche is a fascinating place. This was one of the main Mayan cities visited by the Spaniards in 1524, declared the first capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala. You will be able to see the old pyramids built by the Maya, and some of the most active Ceremonial Altars where contemporary Maya use to perform ancient rituals and burn offerings to their ancestors.We will get you back on time before the cruise sets sail.

Head to shore and experience the beauty and wonder of colonial Antigua on a tour of this historic city. Your friendly guide will lead you on a memorable shore excursion walking tour that includes visits to some of the city’s most famous highlights, like La Merced Church, as well as expert commentary and local insights.

Make the most of your time on dry land with a private tour of Antigua. Your excursion to the UNESCO-listed city includes a guided tour of the central plaza, along with a visits to a jade factory and the Santo Domingo Monastery. Beginning and ending at the Puerto Quetzal cruise terminal, comfortable round-trip transportation ensures that you return to your ship in time for departure. 

When your cruise ship sails into Puerto Quezal, maximize your time with a full-day shore excursion to Antigua. Alongside by your guide, you’ll absorb the colonial charm of Antigua City while listening to history-rich commentary. Marvel at landmarks like Santo Domingo Convent and the Church of La Merced and then browse stalls brimming with colorful souvenirs. Visit a rural coffee plantation to observe traditional production processes and sample aromatic cups of coffee with a local farmer.

Take a break from the noisy crowds on your cruise ship and set off on a leisurely bird watching excursion. After pickup from Puerto Quetzal, enjoy a 1-hour drive through the Guatemalan countryside to El Paredon. Hop on a boat and float through the impressive mangroves. With the help of your guide, spot a variety of endemic and migratory birds. After the tour, receive an emailed checklist for your sightings.

Is the only shore excursion where you can taste our wine production and Rum. we are a great sugar producer is our number one industry and produce great rums. Same about our vineyards. You will have the best experience in your visit to Guatemala.

Explore Guatemala’s active volcano from Puerto Quetzal be part of a hike of about three hours to be part of an experienceconsidered one of the ten most adventurous in the world by National Geographic, walk over soidified lava, connect with the energy, understand its relation with the landscape and economy of the región. Delight yourself with the best sceneries of the pacific coast, Guatemala City Valley and surrounding volcanoes.

Join this group guided tour of La Antigua to keep costs down, and still get a scenic drive through Guatemala's Pacific Plains, stopping at several landmarks along the way. Your guide and driver will take care of the logistics, so you just need to find your guide at the visitor center, and get comfortable in your vehicle. You’ll also have lunch provided to keep you energized.

Venture to the incredible Pacaya Volcano from Puerto Quetzal on this private tour. One of Guatemala’s most active volcanos, Pacaya Volcano is a unique hiking experience. Take an unforgettable trek through unparalleled landscape. Look out over sweeping views along the way, and get up close to the incredible lava river, led by your own guide.

Upon arrival you will meet with your guide who will be waiting for you inmediately when you come off the ship. He will make himself visible with a printed sign with your name. As you ride to Antigua enjoy a narrated presentation of Guatemalas country side. Once in Antigua start your walking tour from the main plaza and get to know the most important palaces of the colonial times. This excursion presents two very different sides of Guatemala. Discover the immensely influential role of religion, past and present, in San Jan Del Obispo Palace. Tour the Bishop's Palace, once a colonial residence now home to a community of Bethlemian Nuns. Sip a cup of chocolate, a favorite sweet treat in this small town, Walk its cobblestone streets.

Great option to know something different from Antigua Guatemala, the beautiful towns of San Pedro and Ciudad Vieja is fabulous. Plus the great experience to know How extract the macadamia oil to make cosmetic products. And finally to taste the artisanal beers in a local factory.

Discover Guatemala’s rich history, culture, and natural beauty on this full-day small-group shore excursion from Puerto Quetzal. A great way to squeeze as much sightseeing as possible into one day without having to worry about organizing anything for yourself, this guided trip includes a visit to a traditional Mayan village and the historic capital of Antigua, known for its beautiful Baroque-style architecture and earthquake-damaged churches.

Great opportunity to do a sightseeing in Guatemala's Capital. The most important city from central America, the evolution in architecture, old and modern suburbs. This capital was founded the same year of United States has the independency 1776. We will have a walking in the main Square for great pics, National Palace, Cathedral and the city market. After we will spend a rest of time in the national Museum of Archeaology. All originals are on display in this museum from different archaeological sites, Tikal, Nakum, Yaxha, Piedras Negras. you will admire the national park of Tikal on scale and see all original offends founded in many excavations in Tikal Temple I.

Soak up some sun, dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean and explore the black sand beaches at San Jose on this short but sweet private getaway. Leaving from Guatemala City, Antigua, or Puerto Quetzal, this full-day trip includes some R&R in a private villa with a pool, a fresh seafood lunch cooked up by a local chef, and a sunset ocean swim and buggy trip along the dark volcanic sands of San Jose Beach.

Great opportunity to travel in small group to enjoy the shore excursion to Antigua and have a full sightseeing to the city besides the big buses that can´t get in to the city. This tour is suitable for any age, no walking, no steps. You will see the best of Antigua without efforts and long walks.

Spend the day learning about the ancient Maya people, their history and culture at the mystical Iximche ruins, the last capital city of the Mayas. Enjoy views of the indigenous western highlands of Guatemala. Once you arrive you'll be amazed at this tranquil site. Iximche, which means "place of the sacred trees of corn," is lush and vibrant. During your tour your expert guide will walk you through the site and explain the many myths, legends and facts surrounding the Maya. Feel free to ask your guide any questions. Your tour should permit you to see a number of pyramid temples, palaces, a small altar, and two ball courts.Founded by the Kaqchikel Maya in 1470, the city served as the region's capital and welcomed the Spanish who arrived in 1542. .After your tour, you'll return to your transportation and head to a restaurant where you can indulge in a delicious lunch . At the end of the day, you'll head back to port.

Discover a unique insight into social transformation through street art on this culture and community tuk-tuk tour of Jocotenango. Just outside of Antigua, Jocotenango is a small town that is using murals and street art to transform the community. Led by local artists and activists, this tour gives you the chance to meet and support the residents of the town and explore a side of real Guatemala that exists alongside the touristy hotspots.

Our first stop is Boca-Barra which is where the mouth of the river meets with the ocean. We get to drive on our ATVs about 2 kms on the black sand beaches until we reach the water. Here we are able to watch the ocean waves unite with the river and do some freestyle driving on the sand. Our second stop is to the national park Zipacate El Naranjo, a 2,000 acre national reserve located just minutes from El Paredon. We get to drive through the manglars until we reach the public boat launch of El Naranjo and get to see the giant CEIBA tree located in the community. When we reach the Ceiba tree we will take in some shade from the sun and hidrate a bit with some local cocos and can visit the local “tiendas” and get some drinks or snacks and more.

Ringed by three towering volcanoes in Guatemala’s central highlands, the 16th-century colonial city of Antigua is a cultural jewel in modern day Guatemala. On this day trip from Puerto Quetzal, you’ll explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed cobbled streets, crumbling churches, ornate palaces, and beautiful buildings, and discover how Mayan traditions and Spanish architecture sit side by side in this historic ex-capital. You’ll also enjoy the city’s gastronomical delights (at own cost) before returning to the coast.

Discover the nuances of coffee production in one of the world's biggest coffee exporters during this private shore excursion from Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala. Visit a coffee plantation with over a hundred years of tradition and learn about the entire process—from bean to cup—on a guided tour. At the end of your tour, visit the cupping lab to sample various coffees from the plantation and enjoy a delicious lunch.

We invite you to come at FINCA LA GRACIA nature reserve for a birding day and observe large list of birds among endemic, resident and migratory birds. We pick you up at the Puerto Quetzal, Antigua or Lake Atitlan area, if you arrive by Puerto Quetzal, we pick you up one hour after your cruise arrive. If you are thinking about an activity to do near of the port, this is the oportunity to have a good birding day in Guatemala. The place is called FINCA LA GRACIAS and is located near, just one hour to drive from the port quetzal. The guide will pick you up at the port and then to take a car for your transfer to the nature reserve and then get there to start a birdwatching activity on one of the trails through our expert guide in bird watching. Departure Point: Antigua, Lake Atitlan or Puerto Quetzal (1 hour after your cruise ship arrive or disembark) Departure: Puerto Quetzal, Antigua or Lake Atitlan