100% customisable travel idea
Guatemala in style Mayan cities, colonial towns and Caribbean vibes
Guatemala - Antigua - Atitlan - Livingston - Flores
100% customisable travel idea
Guatemala - Antigua - Atitlan - Livingston - Flores
100% customisable for you
Private transfer to Antigua. Stay for three nights at a hotel in the centre that was built in 1926. The single-storey building opens onto a delightful tropical garden framed by galleries where the shade is perfect for a siesta. The rooms display a refined Central American elegance and provide a pleasant feeling of privacy. Yellow, ochre, rust and beige tones dominate. There are contemporary bathrooms that are very comfortably equipped. The atmosphere of the dining room, where breakfast is served, is an extension of the bedrooms. There are old tiles, dark wood furniture, and doors opening onto the garden.
It is surrounded by volcanoes: Agua, 3,761 metres; Fuego, 3,764 metres; and Acatenango, 3,977 metres. The panorama is incredible, but it reminds us that the earth's movements cost Antigua its place as capital. After the earthquake of 1773, the authorities gave up and moved the government bodies elsewhere. On the other hand, this is partly why the city is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has remained close to its original state. It was restored without compromising its fundamentals. It is a Spanish colonial city that is laid out in a grid pattern from its Plaza de Armas. There is no shortage of valuable buildings, whether Renaissance, Baroque, public or private. The white interior of Saint Joseph's Cathedral (1680) encourages contemplation, the arcades of the Captains' Palace and the Town Hall invite intrigue, and the cells of the Capuchin Convent evoke simplicity. You can stroll around, carried away by a certain romantic conquistador spirit.
Optional - A private tour of Antiguan and Guatemalan gastronomy
Meet your private driver and set off for Lake Atitlan.
Already on your itinerary - Ticket to the Iximche site. To the east of the lake is the ancient Kaqchikel capital, which dates back to the 15th century and showcases an urban structure that is still mostly intact. The Spanish spared it because of their alliance with the Kaqchikel against the Quiche. Nevertheless, the city was burned down by Spanish deserters. The ruins are still powerfully evocative.
Stay for two nights by the water in Santa Catarina Palopo. The rooms overlook the pool, Lake Atitlán and the volcanoes. The garden invites you to relax and unwind in its tropical charm. The decor is rustic, tasteful and relaxed. In short, it’s easy-going. The facilities are of a good standard. The restaurant serves national and international cuisine. The expertise of the teams gives the dishes a welcome touch of sophistication. The bar lives up to the American reputation for cocktails.
Already on your itinerary - Lake Atitlan and its Mayan villages. The lake's three volcanoes make it one of the most beautiful landscapes in America, and perhaps in the world. Numerous Mayan villages are located on its shores, including Santiago Atitlan, San Antonio Palopo, San Pedro La Laguna, San Juan La Laguna, Santa Catarina Palopo, etc. Rather than by road, people reach them by small boats that serve as taxis. Although they all share the same civilisation, each has its own unique character, such as the terraced fields of San Antonio Palopo, the weavers of San Juan, and the coffee plantations of San Pedro. Spend half a day exploring three of these communities, then return to your deckchair. Or, for example, take a solo trip to Panajachel, which serves as the administrative centre for the area. There you will find shops, bars and restaurants. La Casa Cakchiquel is a beautiful hotel dating from 1948 that has been meticulously restored and houses a wonderful museum of Guatemalan photography. The large façade of the 16th-century Church of St. Francis of Assisi is also worth a visit.
Drive to Guatemala City via Chichicastenango, whose market is overflowing with everything. First, with colour. Scents too. And there are goods galore. It is one of the busiest markets in the Altiplano. And one of the most dazzling. Indigenous people come here from all corners of the Mayan country.
Already on your itinerary - Chichicastenango like a local. This involves sampling local cuisine in the most authentic setting possible: at home. A few dishes prepared by Maria Jacinta Xon and a whole new world of intimacy opens up to you. It’s one that you would normally pass by without even noticing. An hour and a half, accompanied by a private Spanish-speaking guide.
Overnight in Guatemala City, in a new hotel with a rather North American feel thanks to its panelled restaurant, drapes, cream tones, etc. On top of that, there is a gym that the Spanish Inquisition would not have disowned. The swimming pool and squash courts are facilities that are readily available. The spa allows you to perfect your return to fitness. In the kitchen, the chefs demonstrate their professionalism. It’s an international-level establishment that you can count on.
New private vehicle, new driver and on the road to Rio Dulce. From there, you’ll reach Livingston by motorised canoe through the national park, via the Rio Dulce and the Golfete Dulce.
Already on your itinerary - Ticket to the Quirigua site. Before reaching Livingston, visit Quirigua, which flourished in the 8th and 9th centuries in the Motagua Valley. Tall royal steles carved with virtuoso artistry remain from its golden age. There are also blocks of rock covered with bas-reliefs. It is a second-rate city that seized its chance under an audacious ruler for a few decades.
Stay for two nights in a small hotel nestled at the mouth of the Rio Dulce. The rooms overlook the sea. They are simply furnished and decorated in bright colours. There is just enough Creole atmosphere, breeze and fan to feel at home. The main attraction, of course, is the large garden with swimming pool and private beach. There are palm trees everywhere. In the restaurant, the chefs prepare fish and seafood in the local style. The bar honours the Caribbean cocktail tradition. And the massages offered by the hotel will relieve all your fatigue.
The hotel's facilities are perfectly suited to encouraging and promoting the art of doing nothing, which is cultivated when conditions are favourable. The village, which lives off palm oil, is located on a picturesque stretch of coastline, and its isolation lends it a rather conservative feel.
Already on your itinerary - Siete Altares. A few miles north-west of Livingston is the natural site of the Seven Altars, which is both spectacular and relaxing. The succession of seven natural pools where fresh water cascades under a dense forest canopy is particularly appealing. A private guide will take you there. You can hike around and end up taking a dip. The temptation is too great! It’s irresistible. As for Playa Blanca, it is said to be the most beautiful beach in Guatemala.
You take the motorised canoe back to Rio Dulce.
Already on your itinerary - Fort San Felipe de Lara. At the entrance to Lake Izabal, a little upstream from Rio Dulce, this Spanish fort was built in the 17th century to defend San Antonio de la Bodegas from English pirates and buccaneers and served for a long time. At the end of the 18th century, it was equipped with three batteries. Today, it tells the story of the fierce competition between colonial powers for control of transatlantic trade. Ticket and self-guided tour.
Continue on to Flores. Two-night stay on the shores of Laguna Petenchel. The hotel's architecture is modern, elegant and light. It blends beautifully into its surroundings, halfway between water and jungle. Mangrove deer and peccaries are at home on the estate. Visitors enjoy high-quality comfort, with natural materials in the rooms and common areas, light colours and spaciousness. Plus service that lives up to expectations. The kitchen serves international cuisine with local touches. The triangular swimming pool under palm trees is absolutely charming. The bar is a great hub for activities. Bicycles can be hired on site for exploring the area.
Already on your itinerary - Tikal and the Morley Museum on a private tour.. Tikal was the centre of a powerful Mayan kingdom. Major construction work began here around 400 BC, and the city was occupied until the 10th century. Today, it is a leading archaeological site that is in particularly good condition. The great square at the centre of the complex is impressive for its monumental density. There are two temples and two acropolises, whose grey limestone contrasts with the green of the forest. You will realise the prestige enjoyed by this political, religious and economic centre, which had a tumultuous relationship with Teotihuacan, the metropolis of the Valley of Mexico. And the visit continues. And you’ll be increasingly amazed. The scale of the achievement, its virtuoso aesthetics and its balance are truly admirable. The Morley Museum displays objects unearthed during the first excavation campaigns of the royal tombs. It’s essential stop. Day trip accompanied by a private guide.
Private transfer to the airport, then flight to Guatemala City. Private transfer again to Antigua. You will spend your last night in a building that was one of the largest Dominican convents in the Americas in the 17th century. It was destroyed by an earthquake in the 18th century, but its ruins were cleared and transformed into a rather unusual luxury hotel. It’s a museum hotel. Several exhibition rooms document the history of the site. The restoration has been carried out with great accuracy and elegance, making it a pleasure to enjoy. The gardens are splendid, and the buildings are extremely attractive, both inside and out. The value of art and history is evident everywhere. And the hotel itself? It does not allow itself to be overwhelmed by its heritage, but makes good use of it and adds clever contemporary touches. The rooms are very pleasant. There is also a swimming pool, spa and gourmet restaurant.
Private transfer to Guatemala City airport and international return flight. Overnight flight, arriving the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your trip
Travel with complete freedom, guided by your interests,
ideas and passions.
250 travel specialists, organised by country and region. Driven by a passion for beauty and never short of ideas, they inspire you and design an ultra-personalised journey: itineraries, accommodation, workshops, encounters, and more.
Always at your service: with a dedicated travel specialist, Concierge service and 24/7 assistance, our teams support you and adapt in real time, for a trip that is both flexible and expertly supported.
With family, as a couple, in a group of ten, on a road trip, by train, by boat, for a weekend or a round-the-world journey... Trips tailored to your preferences, enhanced by clever services, for ever smoother travel.
