Hafen
Puerto Quetzal

Delve into the cultural heritage of Guatemala by browsing an ancient textiles museum, admiring Antigua Guatemala’s colonial architecture, and watching how jade jewelry is made.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a wonderfully scenic drive through the mountainous inland terrain and on to Antigua Guatemala. The former capital of Guatemala, this UNESCO World Heritage site contains an abundance of beautifully restored colonial architecture that you will see while driving through town.

Upon arriving at the Ancient Textiles Museum, you will learn about Guatemala’s cultural heritage of weaving and how the ancient Maya wove naturally dyed cotton. In some of the exhibits, mannequins will be seen wearing historical traditional costumes in a household setting with typical furnishings and even foods, which will add realism and relevance.

You will have a chance to purchase textiles in the museum gift shop before continuing on to the glorious La Merced Church. While pausing outside the Baroque-style church for photos, take note that the building is rather low and stout to better withstand earthquakes.

Following lunch at Casa Santo Domingo Restaurant, you will proceed to one of the city’s premier jade factories. Early civilizations in Mesoamerica prized jade mined in this part of Guatemala, and the stone is still cut and polished using traditional methods similar to those developed thousands of years ago.

Before returning to the pier, you will have time to shop for jade necklaces, earrings, bangles and even watchbands with jade clasps.

Enjoy Antigua at your own pace by exploring the Central Plaza and nearby streets filled with churches, convents, museums, art galleries, restaurants, cafes and stores. You’ll be provided with a map of Antigua which highlights its main attractions and you’ll be able to explore the city on your own. Enjoy a scenic drive back to your ship, affording breathtaking views of the Agua and Fuego (Water and Fire) volcanoes.

Discover the Colonial Jewel of the Americas and taste the amazing local craft beers in town.

After your 90 minute transfer you will stop briefly at the Jade Museum and then continue through the streets of Antigua for a one-hour walking tour that will take you through the charming streets, Main Plaza, Arch of Santa Catalina and will end right at the Antigua Brewing Company. The Master Brewer will greet you and explain his process with each brew as you taste at least 4 samples with complimentary local snack foods that pair well with each one. Once done with the tasting, feel free to head upstairs for the terrace with amazing views of the city's rooftops, or stay down in the first floor. All flavors tasted and maybe others will be available for purchase after the tasting should you desire a couple more!

Travel through the lowlands into the mountainous highlands of Guatemala and discover a hidden place called Comalapa, a town flourishing with local art, culture and gastronomy. Your transfer from the pier will take about 2.5 hours to a town very few tourists have visited before, where you will interact with the community and learn about their traditions, customs, textiles, food and art.

Upon arrival you will be greeted by a giant 185-meter long mural and stories about the man who wrote the music for the National Anthem and the famous Naif painter born here in 1930. Today the town’s main economy is their Maya Contemporary Art and even boasts the nickname of “Florence of the Americas”. Lunch will be served at the Gabriel Art Gallery and will consist of Pepian which is a 2 meat stew (chicken & turkey) with rice & vegetables and coffee or tea. This is a local traditional food for you to experience a complete cultural immersion.

Afterwards, return to the pier where your tour will come to an end.

Your excursion will take you through Escuintla towards the towns of La Democracia and El Baul. La Democracia has a unique collection of monumental stone heads known as the 'fat gods.' The heads show strong Olmec influence and most were gathered from the nearby site of Monte Alto, considered one of the oldest settlements in the American continent. The sites are small but will provide a glimpse of the Mayan history and the relationship between other civilizations, such as the Olmec from what is now Mexico.

It is known for a fact now that the Olmecs did in fact inhabit the south coast of Guatemala. Their great influence on the Mayan civilization is visible in La Democracia, El Baul and also on Takalik Abaj to the west of the first two sites. Then you’ll visit the nearby Maya Museum of Las Ilusiones where several artifacts found in the area are kept. Here you’ll enjoy a refreshing drink before returning to your ship.

Casa Santo Domingo is both a 5 star hotel and a museum, located on the grounds of the original Santo Domingo Monastery dating back to the 1500’s. In addition to the hotel facilities, it boasts an open-air chapel, various archaeological areas and preserved treasures from the baroque period. Enjoy lunch at this beautiful and historic venue.

You’ll have the opportunity to have a glimpse of the city Santiago de Los Caballeros founded in 1524,known today as La Antigua. Cobblestone streets, colorful facades and tiled roofs, both restored and ruins of churches, palaces, convents and mansions covered with colorful bougainvillea make this Spanish colonial city a favorite with visitors. It was the third capital in the New World and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. You’ll visit the Coffee Museum at La Azotea Cultural Center.

Enjoy a visit to the colonial city of Antigua, founded by Spanish conquistadors in the early 16th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll the charming cobblestone streets to visit the Central Plaza, the cathedral, Colonial Museum at the Jade Museum. Lunch is included at a typical Guatemalan restaurant. On the return drive to your ship, enjoy the scenery and great views of the Agua and Fuego (Water and Fire) volcanoes.

This tour is designed for guests with limited mobility, offering the opportunity to enjoy the sights of the charming Spanish colonial city of Antigua from the comfort of a vehicle. You’ll enjoy a guided 90-minute drive through the scenic countryside to colonial Antigua. Once in the city, you’ll drive through the main streets and see the most important buildings from the comfort of your vehicle. A shopping and restroom stop will be made at the Jade Museum and Factory with very little walking involved - ramps are also available for your convenience. Spend approximately 90-minutes in Antigua, including a photo stop at the Central Plaza, before beginning your journey back to the pier.

Discover the cosmopolitan Guatemala City after an approximate 2 hour transfer from the pier.

Visit the Central Plaza with the majestic Government Palace and Cathedral, the giant relief map of the country located nearby and travel through the tree-line Reform Avenue towards one of the major city museums before heading to the local restaurant for a typical buffet lunch to enjoy the local gastronomy. Your fully guided experience will also give you some free time for souvenir shopping before starting the return trip back to the pier.

OVERVIEW

Experience how the locals prepare a classic local dish “enchilada” in a beautiful garden restaurant. Then go on an enlightening tour of Antigua Guatemala, the country’s capital until the late 1770s. The rebuilt colonial architecture that stands today is so extraordinary that it earned the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. You will see its highlights, which include the iconic Santa Catalina Arch that leads into downtown, the cathedral and outside of the extraordinary Palace of the Captains complex. The local gastronomy will lend further insight into the culture. You will be served a sumptuous lunch that will likely include pepian, a heritage dish whose roots date to the Mayan civilization. Be sure to save room for dessert at a confectionary known for its handmade sweets. These delicious candies are made from natural ingredients, such as coconut, honey, sugar, milk and a diversity of fruits, and are mainly enjoyed during national celebrations and festivities. You will receive a sample of candies.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an enchilada stuffed with traditional ingredients as an appetizer.
• Dine on Guatemalan dishes whose recipes are of ancient Mayan origin.
• View the magnificent colonial architecture in Guatemala’s first capital.
• Gain insight into why UNESCO declared Antigua Guatemala a World Heritage site.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Visit the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala and discover how two of the country’s signature products—exceptional rum and exquisite jade jewelry—are manufactured.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a wonderfully scenic drive through the mountainous inland terrain and on to Antigua Guatemala. The former capital of Guatemala, this UNESCO World Heritage site contains an abundance of beautifully restored colonial architecture that you will see while driving through town to the House of Rum.

Here in the cellar, you will sample a number of Guatemalan rums, each with its own characteristics. During the tasting, the cellar’s rum connoisseur will explain how the local conditions, especially altitude, influence the rum’s flavor. You will also discover which rums pair best with certain foods, information that you might find useful for the lunch that follows.

Antigua Guatemala is also known for its exquisite jade jewelry, and you will have the opportunity to observe its production at a local factory. Early civilizations in Mesoamerica prized jade mined in this part of Guatemala, and the stone is still cut and polished using traditional methods similar to those developed thousands of years ago.

Before returning to the pier, you will have time to shop for jade necklaces, earrings, bangles and even watchbands with jade clasps.

The Valhalla Project is a Guatemala based organization that seeks to help reverse global warming, educate the public about the environment and encourages indigenous people to develop self-sustainable agriculture by providing them with ungrafted Macadamia seeds.

The Valhalla Macadamia Nut Farm is a sustainable agricultural development project and eco-tourism destination providing a source of employment, food and fuel for local farmers. You’ll have free time to buy macadamia goods produced on the farm before returning to your ship.

Today you will travel through the lowlands into the highlands of Guatemala to visit the Maya site of Iximche. You will meet your friendly and knowledgeable guide at the pier and board your air-conditioned transportation for the guided 2.5 hour drive through the scenic countryside in Guatemala towards the Maya site of Iximche, a late post-classic archaeological site in the western highlands.

Iximche was the capital of the Kaqchikel Maya from 1470 until 1524 when it was abandoned after the Spanish Conquistadores defeated them. Upon arrival you will tour the site as your guide provides you with relevant information about the structures and the importance of the Mayan Calendar and the so called 2012 "end of the world" phenomenon. You might also be able to witness, from a distance, a real Maya ritual since they are performed regularly on the site and are not part of a tourist attraction. Local Maya Shamans say that Iximche is a site of great universal energy.

After the tour you will continue to a nearby local restaurant for a much-deserved lunch before heading back to the pier. The meal will be served at Hacienda Real Restaurant and the menu consists of grilled chicken breasts, rice, refried beans, local fresh cheese, local dessert, tortillas and coffee or tea.

Guatemala is home to 37 volcanoes that form the majestic highlands. This hike will take you to the top of the impressive 8,371 foot Pacaya Volcano for an up-close look.

Upon arrival at Pacaya National Park, you'll meet your certified guide and naturalist that will accompany you. Your two-hour hiking adventure will take you through forested areas to gorgeous meadows that give way to colorful volcanic sand and rock. The sulfur in the air is a sign that you're getting close to the volcano.

As you reach the upper platform, you'll be rewarded with awe-inspiring panoramic vistas that surround you, as you take a break to enjoy a beverage and snack. The hike down is less strenuous and should only take about an hour.

Visit one of the largest animal parks in Guatemala. Depart on a scenic one hour ride towards a drive-through zoo called the Auto-Safari Chapin – a natural reserve founded in 1980 and one of the largest animal parks in Guatemala. Its mission is to help preserve the fauna and to educate the public about the vital importance of animals. Upon arrival at the premises, your coach will stop at the entrance for a brief orientation and a written guide to the nature park will be distributed.

Then relax and enjoy as the coach drives through the park and you see a variety of animals such as hippopotamus, giraffes, lions, zebras and many other animals from Africa and Guatemala. After the drive through the park, you can walk around another area that is more like a zoo to see other animals including birds and reptiles.

Travel for an hour to the outskirts of the town of Monterrico situated on the volcanic black sand beaches of the Pacific. You will visit the newly renovated Cayman Suites resort where you will be greeted with a refreshing cold coconut. Relax at their facilities, enjoy the pool and discover the very different black sand beach.

Your day pass also includes unlimited local beer and soft drinks, plus a Surf & Turf lunch complete with dessert.

OVERVIEW

Travel inland to explore the most captivating attractions in and around Antigua Guatemala, the country’s capital during colonial times. In the outlying village of San Juan del Obispo a nun will welcome you to the Bishop’s Palace, including its baroque-style gold-gilded chapel, a private area that is typically off-limits. You will see the process of how they prepare artisanal chocolate and you can taste a little cup of chocolate. In the heart of Antiqua Guatemala, you will find a stunnig collection of colonial buildings that UNESCO declared the town a World Heritage Site. Be sure to notice the Spanish Renaissance-inspired grid layout of cobblestone streets, another reason for the UNESCO recognition. While meandering about, you will pass through leafy Plaza Mayor, see the unusual 18th-century Fountain of the Sirens and browse a museum devoted to jade, which is still cut and polished using traditional methods similar to those developed thousands of years ago. A traditional Guatemalan lunch follows at a restaurant that is also a plant nursery.

HIGHLIGHTS

• A nun will welcome you during your visit to the Bishop’s Palace in the village of San Juan del Obispo.
• Walk through Guatemala’s original capital, a treasure-trove of colonial buildings.
• Gain insight into why UNESCO declared Antigua Guatemala a World Heritage Site.
• Browse a jade museum and dine on traditional Guatemalan cuisine at a leafy restaurant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Explore the Old World beauty, architecture and artefacts of the restored city of La Antigua during this memorable visit to Casa Santo Domingo. Spend time at your leisure inside the Casa Santo Domingo premises, and then proceed for lunch at the Casa Santo Domingo Hotel. After lunch, continue on to the Central Plaza, then visit a jade factory, museum, and shop to admire and browse the beautiful jewellery made from colourful jade.

Casa Santo Domingo

After Guatemala's Independence of 1821, the plots of land on which the convent and temple of Santo Domingo stood were divided and sold. Later, these plots were acquired by a company with a goal of rescuing the vestiges of the convent and temple, which were buried under tons of debris. The project was designated Casa Santo Domingo, and restoration of the area began in 1989.

Local Tour

Upon arrival at Casa Santo Domingo, explore the Guatemalan architecture dating from the 17th century during visits to the Cultural Centre at Santo Domingo. It houses the Chamber Theatre, the Carlos Merida Museum/Gallery of Modern Art, the Colonial Arts Museum, the Handicrafts Museum, and the interesting Glass Museum, which that compares modern glass pieces with Mayan art. Following your visit, proceed for lunch at Casa Santo Domingo Hotel Restaurant.

Central Plaza

After lunch, continue on to the Central Plaza for a short visit and then visit a jade factory, museum and shop. Upon arrival, admire and browse the beautiful jewelry made from many colours of local jade.

Following your visit, re-board your coach for the approximately 1.5-hour drive back to the pier.

Enjoy a half-day tour to Filadelfia Coffee Estate and learn about the coffee process from its beginning journey from plant to cup and enjoy a scenic drive by the highlights of La Antigua. Drive through lowland pastures, sugar plantations and cattle farms; passing between Agua, Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes, and unique landscapes.

Filadelfia Coffee Estate

The Filadelfia Coffee Estate is located in La Antigua Guatemala, in the central zone of the country, one of the best coffee producing regions in Guatemala. Guests will have the opportunity to experience two of the greatest coffee classifications, their aromas, body, acidity and their differences. A guided tour of the estate will be followed by a coffee tasting and refreshment.

La Antigua Panoramic Drive

Enjoy a glimpse of the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, known today as La Antigua Guatemala, founded in the Valley of Panchoy in 1543; it became the third capital in the New World after those in Mexico and Peru. In 1979 UNESCO declared it World Cultural Heritage. Cobblestoned streets, colourful facades and tiled roofs, as well as restored and un-restored churches, palaces, convents and mansions covered with vegetation and colourful bougainvillea make this colonial city a favourite for visitors from all over the world.

Depart the La Antigua area for the approximately 1.5-hour drive back to the port area.

Explore the City of La Antigua at your own pace during this round-trip transfer and self-guided visit to the city.

This convenient transfer to-and-from the city is ideally-suited for guests opting to visit La Antigua and sightsee at their own leisure.

You will board the bus for a guided transfer to a jewel of the colonial urban development and architecture.

Our driver and guide will welcome the guests, distribute maps of La Antigua city and will give information and instructions along the way.

La Antigua preserves its original features and because of its immense historical and cultural value, it was declared "world Heritage" by UNESCO in 1979. Located in a valley surrounded by mountains and by towering volcanoes, today is a pleasant city of cobbled stone streets, houses and businesses with colonial style facades and tile roofs and of restored and vegetation-covered ruins of churches, palaces, convents and mansions. In La Antigua, guests will witness the charm of this former capital of the "Kingdom of Guatemala" in its three-century old churches, convents and plazas.

Following your visit, re-join the coach at the pre-designated time for the return drive to the pier in Puerto Quetzal.

Experience the most exciting geo-adventure tour in Guatemala during this memorable, full-day trek to the Pacaya Volcano.

The Pacaya Volcano is one of the few active volcanoes in America that can be trekked, and offers an opportunity to observe volcanic activity up-close. It stands 8,372 feet (2,552 metres) in height, and has an average temperature of 59-68 degrees Fahrenheit (15-20 Celsius) with 80% humidity. Depending upon the light exposure and other weather-permitting factors, lava rivers can be spotted up-close. If clouds are not present, three other volcanoes, Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, and the Guatemala City valley can also be seen from the trail and plateau, offering ideal photo opportunities.

Depart the pier for the approximately 1.5 hour drive north along the highway towards the town of San Vicente Pacaya. Upon arrival, meet your certified guides and after a briefing begin your hike up the volcano. En route, see coffee and corn plantations, along with cedars, bamboo, pines and other tropical vegetation. Weather and safety permitting you will reach a platform where you will be met with incredible views, which you can capture on camera.

Due to the nature of hiking on an active volcano, the tour can be cancelled at any time, either before departure or during the tour to guarantee your safety at all times. Trail is not shaded, so please wear sun protection, hat and some extra water.

Total hiking time is about 2.5 - 3 hours (round trip) covering between 2.5 and 3.2 miles (4-5 km) round trip with both uphill and downhill terrain to negotiate in reaching the sightseeing area at the Pacaya Volcano's crater. Stops are made to take photos, regroup, take a light snack and catch your breath.

Following your descent, re-board your coach for the approximately 1.5 hour ride back to the pier. En route, a stop is made at a local restaurant for lunch and a comfort stop.

Explore the beautiful colonial city of Antigua, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, during this picturesque, full-day sightseeing excursion.

La Antigua

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 90-minute drive to La Antigua. Nestled in the shadow of the spectacular Agua Volcano, La Antigua was founded in 1543, and remains one of the best preserved colonial cities in Spanish America. The city features exquisite churches and convents, facades and a Main Plaza. Highlights include the beautiful, 16th-century Metropolitan Cathedral Metropolitana, stunning curves of the Palace of the Captains, and the Palacio del Noble Ayuntamiento, which houses the city's municipal offices and two museums; the Museo de Armas de Santiago and Museo del Libro Antiguo. At the very centre of the square is the impressive Fountain of the Sirens.

Rum-Tasting

Upon arrival in La Antigua, proceed for a rum-tasting at Casa del Ron, where an expert bartender and rum connoisseur guide you through a tasting of two of Guatemala's, and the world's, finest rums. .

Lunch, Casa Santo Domingo and Jade Museum & Workshop

Next, take a guided stroll through the most famous Colonial city in Central America. Walk to Casa Santo Domingo and visit its Museums and Cultural Center. Lunch will be served at Casa Santo Domingo Restaurant. After lunch, your walk continues to the Jade Museum. Learn about and see some of the most famous and authentic Mayan treasures, including jewels, masks, sculptures and more. Following your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 90-minute drive back to the pier.

Discover how the macadamia nut industry helps the environment and economy of Guatemala during this memorable, half-day excursion to the Valhalla Organic Macadamia Nut. An added benefit of encouraging farmers to plant macadamia trees is that it prevents the use of slash-and-burn agriculture, which is prevalent here, depleting the soil of nutrients and the expense of short-term crop gains. Macadamia trees also supply ample firewood, making them even more attractive to locals.

Macadamia Nut Farm

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 75-minute drive north to the Valhalla Organic Macadamia Nut Farm. En route, pass through the Pacific Coastal lowlands of Guatemala and take in spectacular views while driving between the Acatenango, Agua and Fuego volcanoes.

Upon arrival, take a guided tour of the Valhalla Organic Macadamia Nut Farm. This picturesque farm is a sustainable agriculture development project and Ecological Tourism destination that provides a source of employment, food and fuel for the farmers' families. In 2002, the project was awarded the Golden Fete D'Excellence in Geneva.

Macadamia nuts have become one of the most important export products in Guatemala, which ranks seventh among the world's largest producers of macadamia nuts.

At the conclusion of your tour, some free time is made available to purchase macadamia goods produced on the farm before commencing the approximately 75-minute drive back to the pier.