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Guatemala City Bus & minivan tours

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Antigua Guatemala: Morning Tour from Guatemala City

1. Antigua Guatemala: Morning Tour from Guatemala City

Antigua Guatemala, once the third largest city in all of Spanish Colonial America and for 200 years the capital of Guatemala, is today a peaceful, beautiful, and partially restored colonial city. Cobblestone streets wind through the city of majestic churches and monasteries. After pickup in Guatemala City, transfer to Antigua Guatemala to meet your local guide and begin your gentle 3-hour walking tour. Visit the Jade Factory and Museum to admire ancient Guatemalan carving traditions. Continue to the ruins of El Carmen church and browse for souvenirs at the craft market beside the ruined building. You will see La Merced Church of Guatemalan, which features an ultra-baroque style, as well as two bell towers. On the facade of the church in its upper part is a sculpture of San Pedro Nolasco, founder of the Mercedarian Order. You will also see Santa Catalina Arch, built to connect the nuns between cloisters to avoid being seen. After the earthquakes of 1773, the arch became important due to the alterations that were made. These alterations included the construction of a turret and the inclusion of a Lamy Amp Lacroix clock of French origin. You will then see Central Park, which is situated in the traditional grid pattern used frequently in urban planning in the Spanish colonies. The park is surrounded by the Palace of the General Captains, the Town Hall, the Cathedral of San Jose, and the Trade Portal. Here in the park, you will also find the Las Sirenas fountain. This fountain has a traditional folk story where the Count of La Gomera ordered the fountain to be built in memory of his daughters, who after giving birth, did not want to breastfeed their children. The count then ordered his daughters to be tied to a trunk in the center of a waterhole, where they died of thirst and hunger. Continue your way you will visit the La Unión tank, which is one of the most iconic laundries in this city (only the big houses had proper washing facilities). For this reason, most of the inhabitants (housewives) went to public laundries. This was inaugurated on February 3, 1853. At the end of the tour you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Guatemala City.

Gastronomic, Cultural and Traditional Antigua Guatemala

2. Gastronomic, Cultural and Traditional Antigua Guatemala

Your tour will start with a transfer from your Guatemala City hotel to Antigua, where you will meet your guide specialized in Guatemalan gastronomy. Your tour will start with an introduction to the gastronomic history of Guatemala and the city's architecture. Then, walk to the Antigua Guatemala Market, where you will learn about the history of Mesoamerican food, such as corn, beans, squash, cacao, and chili. As well as discovering the past, learn how to make corn tortillas from locals. At the end of your visit to the market, you will visit the central park just a few blocks away in the heart of the city and surrounded by the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (Captain General Palace), City Hall, the church of San José (formerly the Cathedral of Guatemala), the Archbishop’s Palace and the Portal of Commerce. Discover the Mermaid's Fountain, built by the Count of Gomera (a rubber plantation) in remembrance of a popular legend, which tells the story of a King and his daughters' children. Hear the stories and immerse yourself in the history of the city.  Next, you will have the opportunity to learn about the most important dishes of Guatemalan gastronomy. These creations of culinary art were born during the 16th century and represent the fusion of pre-Columbian cuisine with ingredients of Hispanic-Arabic origin. You will also visit an iconic restaurant, well known for its variety of local dishes, and learn what kitchens were like in ancient times. Taste delicious Guatemalan desserts made with local ingredients while appreciating the landscape from the terrace, with a view of the Santa Catalina Arch, La Merced Church, and other important buildings in Antigua Guatemala. Continue the walking tour and listen to the history of the Santa Catalina Arch. You will also the Capuchinas convent, where you can see where many of the native recipes of Guatemala originated. Finally, visit a typical Guatemalan candy shop, learn about its history, and see how these traditional delicacies are made by hand with local ingredients. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

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Antigua Guatemala

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What people are saying about Guatemala City

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 91 reviews

Julissa picked my boyfriend and me up at our hotel in Antigua at 9am. At central park we met Sucely. We first started our market tour to get all the informations about the corn and food culture and we try to made tortillas on our own. Than we visited some nice churches and always eat again something different from the Guatemalan culture. It was just a perfect day and we've learned a lot about the country. One of our best decision to do this tour on our first day of holiday. Was one of our best days actualy on our 4 weeks roundtrip. Thank you so much Julissa for organize everything and Sucely for all the food and country knowledge. You both made our entry for Guatemala very easy. Thank you so much!

A wonderful experience with an excellent connoisseur in the field.

All the words that exist would fall short to thank the wonderful experience shared by a great connoisseur of the history of his country and especially of the events that have made La Antigua that place so valued by those of us who are Central Americans and feel part of the history of this continent and especially of the independence enacted in that city so long ago. For a Costa Rican, lover of freedom that is enjoyed in my country, it was really exciting to step on that historic city and the town that inhabits it. Thank you for such an enriching experience. Blessings in 2018.

Flawless round-trip transportation. We loved the cultural and gastronomic route and both the guide and the organizer were charming and very professional at all times.

Informative, professional, friendly

The guide was very nice and knew a lot. The tour operates even if you are the only guest. Don't be alarmed if emails are not replied to.

incredible experience Juan Pablo an excellent guide I highly recommend him