The 12 Best Mayan Culture Tours in Antigua

1.3 Mayan Villages Tour to Lake Atitlan (full day)

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 40 reviews · 1 day · from $90Our pick

Full-day Lake Atitlán tour from Antigua to three Mayan villages, with a private boat, guided culture stops in San Juan, San Pedro, and Santiago.

“Activiteit is een tourist trap, je wordt van hot naar her gesleept zonder vrije tijd, waarschijnlijk vooral gebaseerd op de commissies die bij winkels en restaurants opgestreken kunnen worden. Het authentieke van dotpen en markten totaal niet gezien, louter commercie.”

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2.Iximché Ruins Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $65Top rated

Private Iximché ruins tour from Antigua with a Mayan guide and museum stop, plus the Spanish-era story and a small-group vibe for $65.

“1 1/2 hour drive from Antigua , very small museum( bring your translator app) as it’s all in Spanish, we had a great guide who spoke English but was Mayan so the history was thru his eyes, one problem ( not. His fault). We arrived and had to wait 20 minutes for a group to join ours (5), when they arrived 20 of them), they were French Canadians who denied speaking English, but spoke a bit. Of Spanish, our guide was told he had to do tour with them first,. We had to wait one hour for our guide to. Return to us, it worked out well but a bit…”

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3.Make your own Mayan Pepian – Cooking class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Learn Mayan pepian in Antigua using a grinding stone at Maria’s family kitchen in Santa Ana Village. Private, hands-on class with tortillas.

“We thoroughly enjoyed learning to cook Pepian with Maria and her family. The experience was absolutely fabulous! They are so hospitable! And we got to eat our results.”

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4.Mayan Cultural Walking Tour in La Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $35Best value

4-hour Mayan cultural walking tour in Antigua, Guatemala. Small group, key Maya landmarks and textiles, guided by Wilson for $35.

“This is a great opportunity to learn about Antigua and the Maya cosmovision. Wilson is an incredibly friendly and knowledgeable guide. I took the tour in English and Wilson might as well be a native speaker. I can't recommend this tour enough!”

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5.Chichicastenango and Iximche Pyramids Private Day Tour from Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $120

Private 6am trip from Antigua to Chichicastenango markets and Iximche ruins, with a local guide, ride, and lunch time.

“El guía Moisés y conductor Marlon de lo mejor que me he encontrado. Su conocimiento de la ciudad y su gente es excelente y el trato espectacular.”

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6.Iximché Ruins and Antigua City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $89

Full-day Iximché Maya ruins and Antigua sights tour with hotel pickup, expert guide, entrance fees, and jade and churches stops.

“I loved loved loved (!!!) this tour. Honestly, this was probably the most incredible highlight of my trip. Belisario was a great guide and so full of knowledge. He truly made the tour an unforgettable experience! I would recommend this tour to any and every one. Please take note that there is A LOT of walking, but it is soooo worth it. You will not regret booking this tour. Amazing!”

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7.Iximche Ruins Tour from Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Half-day Iximche ruins tour from Antigua with a bilingual guide, small-group feel, museum stop, and early-morning quiet before the crowds.

“We were fortunate to go on a day when we were the only people on the tour. Melvin was super knowledgeable and answered all our questions while giving us the history. We got to observe the Mayan people (from afar) who ceremonially praised Mother Earth through their traditions. It was magical. Highly recommend.”

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8.IXIMCHE MAYAN RUINS TOUR from La Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $98

Private IxIMCHE ruins tour from Antigua with hotel pickup, bilingual guide, entrance and water included. Explore Tecpan in 4-5 hours.

“Our tour guides Erwin and Hugo were absolutely the BEST!!! They were both so smart and knew so much history and details, which is exactly what we wanted to hear. Bonus, they were very funny too and made the tour most enjoyable.”

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9.Lake Atitlan: Upper Mayan Trail from Antigua or Panajachel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $91

Strenuous hike on the Upper Mayan Trail above Lake Atitlan, with culture stops, Solola Market, and pickup from Antigua or Panajachel.

“Antonio, our guide, was wonderful and very knowledgeable and attentive to my husband and me as we were the only two on the tour. The hike up the mountain is very steep and strenuous but Antonio was patient with my many breaks and lent a helping hand to pull me up the steepest parts. It was fascinating to see the views and locals hauling their firewood and avocados on this active mountainside trail. At the top of the mountain we jumped in the back of a pickup truck for the ride to Solala to walk through the market and have lunch. It was my husband’s birthday and Antonio surprised him…”

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10.Solola Market, Panajachel Cloud Forest and Mayan Villages from Antigua

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $127

Small-group day trip from Antigua to Sololá market, Panajachel on Lake Atitlán, cloud-forest farms, and Mayan villages with a guide.

“We had an amazing day Exploring the rich and vibrant market at Solola. We had a great experience writing the chicken us. We even explored a cliffside cave. We were able to make a wish. Overall, great experience with a great guide! Highly recommend.”

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11.Explore Mayan villages around Lake Atitlan

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · 12 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $80

Antigua to Lake Atitlán villages by minivan and boat, meet natural-dye cooperatives, learn Tz’utujil weaving, with breakfast.

“One of the best tours in Guatemala. Only one disturbing point was the use of the shuttle to the lake - on the way there, it was poorly synchronised, with unclear waiting times and no explanations. Just the opposite: the exploration of the lake and villages was excellent, perfectly organised, with a well-informed guide and, in general, very pleasant.”

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12.Atitlan Mayan Villages Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $120

Antigua day trip to Santiago Atitlán, San Pedro La Laguna, and San Juan la Laguna, with breakfast, a bilingual guide, and free admissions.

“What an amazing time, Erwin is down to earth and honestly makes me want to visit by myself again, I felt very comfortable and safe. The knowledge I learned through the many islands and Mayan heritage I will take with me everywhere”

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