Top Pacific Highlands Day Trips

Enjoy a day exploring the colonial confines of Antigua, one of Guatemala’s most historic cities, and visiting a relaxing hot springs spa during this 8-hour shore excursion. Spend the morning exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Antigua, discovering its wealth of Spanish baroque architecture, cathedral ruins and colorful facades during a walking tour. Then transfer to Kawilal Hot Springs, a spa resort with 12 soaking pools, 25 steam baths and 3 hydrotherapy baths heated by fiery Pacaya Volcano. This Guatemala shore excursion includes lunch, a guide and round-trip port transport.

Depart from Puerto Quetzal and enjoy the amazing Antigua Guatemala. This city is outstanding and the best-preserved colonial city in Latin America. Tourists visit Antigua, Guatemala every year from around the world to enjoy its natural beauty and historical monuments. The Spanish Colonial style permeates every part of the town: its houses, churches, squares, parks and ruins, also its traditions and folklore as well. Antigua is a city of charm and color where you can see and buy an overwhelming variety of attractive, handmade products that honor the traditions of generations of artisans

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.

Embark on a scenic 90-minute drive to La Antigua Guatemala that takes guests trough the Guatemala’s Pacific Lowlands Plains first and then behold the spectacular climb to the Range of Volcanoes where this UNESCO’s WORLD HERITAGE SITE is at 5000 feet high above sea level. Upon arrival visit Hotel Casa Santo Domingo whose facilty counts with its own original archeological site restored since 1989. Visit the Museums of Colonial Art , Mayan Pottery and Handcrafts. Following for a lunch break to have a gastronomic experience at a local Restaurant of your choice. Then visit Santiago de los Caballeros known today as La Antigua Guatemala founded in 1543 cobblestone streets, colorful facades and tiled roofs, as well as restored and un-restored ruins of churches, palaces, convents and mansions, make this colonial city a favorite destination. Time permitting you will have a visit to a Jade Factory oldest and newest industry of the country

Our tour is unique because we visit a traditional Mayan village around Antigua Guatemala where fabrics are made in the ancient ways and visit Antigua Guatemala with its Old colonial architecture and watch how jade is formed. The route to Antigua have has a wonderful scenic panorama of the Pacific lowlands considered a mythical land between volcanoes beautiful colonial homes, buildings and ruins of churches, cloisters and monasteries. Upon arriving to San Antonio Aguas Calientes learn about Guatemala’s Mayan Heritage of Weaving. Then we visit Antiguas Merced Church from where we walk to the Central Plaza to admire the main palaces of the City. For lunch we offere options and provide time then we visit a Jade Factory.before. returning to pier. End of services

Board your AC minivan to enjoy a scenic 90-minutes narrated drive to Antigua through Guatemala's Pacific Plains cultivated with sugar cane. Then the route climbs and the landscape transforms to volcanic scenery and magnificent arabica coffee farms as you approach to La Antigua declared a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO. Upon arrival comfort stop and panoramic of La Merced Church from where we walk to visit the Central Plaza and its surroundings. After the Plaza a typical lunch is served at a one prestigious Restaurant. In the afternoon visit to the Museum Hotel Casa Santo Domingo a restored Monastery that now houses a five-star Hotel, Convention Center, its own archaelogical site, plus 7 Museums. Our last stop will be the Jade Museum & Factory maybe the newest and oldest industry of today's Guatemala to learn how a precious stone captivaded a whole culture and how today is transformed into masterpieces. Time for purchasing. Then Drive back to pier. End of services.

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.

We are going to explore the Antigua Guatemala Market (we will learn about the history of the grains, vegetables and fruits). The main foods that were in Mesoamerica before the Conquest were corn, beans, squash, cacao and chili and to remember a bit our past we will have the opportunity to be in touch with local people and will learn how to make tortillas that is made of corn. Continuing our experience we will taste local dishes and we will know about its history, we will have the opportunity to meet the most important dishes for the Guatemala Gastronomy, These creations of culinary art were born during the sixteenth century and represent the fusion of pre-Columbian cuisine with ingredients of Hispanic Arabic origin. Most of the dishes are made with Vegetables, meats and spices. Also we will have the opportunity to taste an icon dish of Antigua Guatemala, well known for its peculiar flavor and ingredients that make it up.

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.

Nice car and nice walking tour seen the highlights of Antigua, fullfilled with many history about the city plus in and outs of the country. Pick you up and safe return on time port call.