Guatemala - Luxury, Legacy and Living Maya - Discovering Guatemala with Viaventure
It’s dawn in Guatemala and, as the sun rises, volcano peaks burn gold with the first light of day, blazing against a pale morning sky. Below, the cobblestone streets of Antigua stir gently awake - the quiet rhythm of a city with centuries of tales to tell. And a few hundred miles north, the rainforest beckons; alive with birdsong and with mists curling over ancient stone pyramids like world famous, Tikal.
This is a land alive, vibrant and deeply rooted. And the best experiences here aren’t those found in guidebooks or postcard clichés; they’re found in the Guatemala you live, breathe, taste - the Guatemala that Viaventure Central America is waiting to share with your guests.
Viaventure Central America is a Virtuoso On-Site and member of Serendipians, XO Private and others.
For over two decades, these Mexico and Central American experts have been quietly shaping journeys that are equal parts refined and raw. Rooted in authenticity, driven by curiosity and committed to sustainability, Viaventure craft seamless, unforgettable itineraries for travellers craving more - more depth, more connection, more meaning.
“Whether it’s picking coffee alongside sharecroppers, sipping fresh coffee at sunrise atop of a volcano or a picnic in front of a remote Maya temple, it’s often the smallest things that can often make the biggest difference.” - Viaventure Founders
Viaventure's team works across Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica and Mexico, balancing high-end travel with local roots. Equally suited to seasoned travellers to the region or first-timers, a Viaventure itinerary is a story told in real time, unfolding across volcano trails, ancient temples and lakeside markets with local insight, integrity and a deep respect for the communities who call these places home.
For more information about Viaventure Central America get in touch to set up a meeting
Viaventure: Designing the Unexpected
Viaventure Central America was founded by explorers - these are people who know the difference between ticking a box and living a moment.
Viaventure's local guides are storytellers, their logistics are razor-sharp. And, with travellers ranging from Millennials to Millionaires and Families to Fortune 500 Founders, they always keep the core experience intact: rich in texture, intelligent in design and always respectful of place, whether your guests are travelling light or living it large. For Viaventure, it’s all about depth of experience - which in Guatemala can cover anything from street-food strolls through Antigua and highland visits to women's weaving cooperatives to private helicopter tours that whisk your adventurers to remote volcano slopes for champagne breakfasts and mountain bike descents. See more information on Viaventure's annual guide training program HERE
And for those who love sleeping beneath the stars? Their signature luxury glamping experiences, Beyond Expeditions, offer access to a Guatemala previously out of reach. Built in partnership with local communities, these safari-style camps offer high-comfort, low-impact access to sacred caves, lost Maya cities and isolated villages. Think strolling past volcanoes and through the jungle to ancient ruins by day and sleeping in a plush, candle-lit canvas tent by night - no Wi-Fi, no modern world, just complete peace to the tune of the rainforest.
In this article we’re serving up a taste of what a luxury journey across Guatemala might look like for your clients - with some of the best destinations, accommodations, experiences and VIP extras on offer. Thanks to their tailor-made trip design, these highlights can be mixed and matched to suit your guests’ needs and tastes - including combining a tour of Guatemala with any of Viaventure Central America's other destinations, from the beaches of Belize to the beauty and culture of Costa Rica and Mexico.
But let’s begin by discovering Guatemala - a land of magic and mystery…
Antigua: Cobblestones and Culture in a Colonial Jewel
Idyllic and historic, La Antigua is where Guatemala’s layered heritage comes alive.
Set in a lush mountain valley of evergreen forest and framed by three towering volcanoes - one, the Volcan de Fuego, still very much alive - this UNESCO World Heritage city is a masterclass in contrasts. Here, the cobbled streets wind past pastel façades, beautifully restored Spanish colonial architecture and ornate churches, and the time-worn ruins stand alongside leafy plazas, fascinating museums and traditional markets that burst with handmade textiles and woodcrafts. And, despite the oh-so visible past of this 17th Century capital, the city gives off a vibrant modern energy - its cafés buzzing with local coffee roasters, its luxurious shops filled with international treasures and its streets peppered with boutique hotels and high-end art galleries.
With good reason then, this is where Viaventure begin many of their Guatemalan adventures. Guests can arrive in style by helicopter, swooping in over the valley before settling into one of Antigua’s many handpicked boutique hotels such as Las Cruces and San Rafael to the artful calm of Villa Bokeh, a luxurious Hacienda set in 6 acres of gardens, member of Relais & Chateaux.
For more information about Viaventure Central America get in touch to set up a meeting
Signature Experiences in Antigua with Viaventure
Whether your clients are culture-seekers, food lovers or adventure travellers with a taste for luxury, Viaventure, can craft every itinerary to provide depth, access and atmosphere, with signature experiences including:
Pacaya Volcano Hike with Gourmet Picnic
For active guests who want a dramatic start? A privately guided hike up Pacaya volcano delivers panoramic views, smoldering vents, and the thrill of crossing a rugged lava field. The trail winds through pine forest to a rocky moonscape, where steam rises from the earth and, on clear days, offers views stretching to the Pacific lowlands and even El Salvador. The climb is moderate to challenging, but guests are well rewarded with a scenic picnic lunch on the descent - and it’s worth noting that no horses are used, just ethics and effort, in line with Viaventure’s animal welfare standards.
Acatenango Helicopter and Mountain Bike Adventure
Big moments abound in this VIP volcano experience that blends adrenaline, awe and absolute exclusivity - all in one unforgettable morning. Lifting off at dawn by private helicopter, guests fly over Guatemala’s stunning highland scenery to land on Volcán Acatenango - a privileged perch with front-row views of Fuego’s eruptions. A champagne breakfast greets them on arrival, before they descend by mountain bike through volcanic terrain and cloud forest. Tailored to ability, it’s equal parts thrill and spectacle.
A Taste of Antigua: Market Tour & Cooking Class or Street Food Walking Tour
Viaventure's foodie experiences in Antigua serve up Guatemala’s rich culinary heritage with flavor and flair. Join a private chef to explore the vibrant local market, then head to the kitchen to cook traditional dishes like pepian or jocón—ancestral stews recognized as part of the nation’s cultural identity. Or, hit the cobbled streets on a guided “Streets & Eats” tour, tasting your way through beloved market stalls and local comedores, sampling chuchitos, rellenitos, and even pigs' feet. Along the way, uncover the cultural stories and colonial charm behind every bite.
Cultural Crafts & Artisans
Viaventure also offers access to hands-on workshops with Antigua’s artisans.From backstrap loom weaving and wood carving to mask-making and textile tours showcasing Guatemala’s famous embroidery traditions, each one is a genuine exchange with master craftspeople eager to share their skills and stories.
The Fair-Trade Coffee Experience
Just outside Antigua, in the town of San Miguel Escobar, guests visit a small, independent coffee co-op using sustainable methods to grow some of Guatemala’s finest beans. Depending on the season, travellers might harvest, roast and grind their own beans alongside the farmers, before enjoying a simple home-cooked lunch in a local home - a hands-on, intimate and eye-opening experience that’s a far cry from the commercial coffee tours found elsewhere.
Biking, Hiking and Wellness Options
Viaventure also offers access to hiking and biking of all levels for people looking to get active and explore more off the beaten trail and the villages and trails surrounding Antigua and beyond. For other methods of wellness and wellbeing guests they work with yoga and meditation experts, shaman and local spas to offer all manner of relaxation and rejuvination.
For more information about Viaventure Central America get in touch to set up a meeting
Lake Atitlan: Where Spirit and Scenery combine
Cradled by three major (but dormant) volcanoes, draped in cloud and ringed by Maya villages, Lake Atitlan is arguably one of the most spiritually charged places in the Americas, its immense beauty described by author Aldous Huxley as “really too much of a good thing”.
The lake itself shimmers with a beautiful stillness while the shores are alive with Maya culture - at once vibrant and ancient, and threaded with the exquisitely embroidered clothing of the Tzutujil and Kaqchikel people. From the ceramic arts of San Antonio Palopo to the natural dyes and handwoven textiles of San Juan; the rustic feel of San Pedro to the hectic/eclectic vibe of Panajachel, each village has its own distinct and fascinating personality - not to mention the fact that time here can include visits to the incredible archeological ruins at Iximche. Alongside this deep cultural heartbeat, the lake itself gives off a serene, almost mystical energy perfect for kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, bird watching - or just hanging out in a hammock, your guests’ pace naturally slowing to match the rhythm of the land.
For those looking to arrive in true Viaventure style? Helicopter transfers over six volcanoes with views over Guatemala’s volcanic spine (the country has over 20 volcanoes running northward) set the stage for an unforgettable stay.
And here, Viaventure accommodation picks are varied but always fabulous - from luxury glamping overlooking the lake (exclusive to Viaventure) to boutique lakeside stays like Casa Palopó, once a private residence and now offering Relais & Chateaux luxe across its suites and villa.
Unlocking Atitlan with Viaventure
Viaventure Signature experiences here include:
Weaving Workshop & San Juan Village Tour
Travelling by private boat to San Juan La Laguna, a lakeside village rich in Tz’utujil Maya tradition and creativity, guests explore vibrant murals, local art galleries and women-run cooperatives before watching a demonstration of traditional backstrap loom weaving using all-natural dyes. They’ll enjoy a locally prepared lunch at the cooperative, with the opportunity to weave their own piece after in a hands-on workshop - the chance to create a beautiful, personal souvenir while gaining a deeper understanding of the time-honoured craft behind it.
A morning with a Shaman - With and Beyond Maximon
For travelers seeking more than just panoramic views and looking to make a spiritual connection they’ll treasure, Viaventure curates immersive encounters around Lake Atitlán that tap into the soul of Maya spirituality. When visiting Maximon, Viaventure can arrange a private Maya shaman ceremony to be given for something your guests want to bless (or even curse!). Held in Maximón’s current resting place and taken by the community's shaman, these experiences are deeply serious and personal, always respectful and oh-so memorable.
A more private and unique experience Viaventure offers is to invite guests to spend a morning with a local shaman, stepping into a deeply personal journey rooted in ancestral wisdom. Beginning with the gathering of medicinal plants and handmade candles—each chosen for their healing properties and symbolic meanings—participants are gently guided through a process of reflection and intention-setting. Guests are taken to a special spiritual spot around the lake - a cave, a hilltop, destinations change. As the ceremony unfolds, guided by chants and offerings to the elements and Mayan calendar energies, guests find themselves not merely observing but actively participating in a sacred tradition. The result is a sense of inner clarity and connection—an experience that lingers long after the fire’s last ember fades.
For more information about Viaventure Central America get in touch to set up a meeting
Guardians of the Mayan Bee - Workshop
Viaventure offers guests the chance to explore Lake Atitlán beyond its breathtaking scenery — through intimate, purpose-driven encounters like the Guardians of the Mayan Bee experience. In a quiet village framed by volcanoes and Maya traditions, travelers meet Juan, a passionate local beekeeper working to revive the ancient practice of meliponiculture with the sacred, stingless Melipona bees. Guests suit up to tend hives, extract medicinal honey, and learn about centuries-old rituals that link the bees to healing and spirituality. More than an excursion, it’s a meaningful connection to indigenous heritage, sustainability, and the living heartbeat of Mayan culture.
Beyond the Market: Chichicastenango Overnight Experience
A unique experiences Viaventure can add to the famous Chichicastenango market day trip? An overnight stay in Chichicastenango offers a deeper, more intimate look at highland life, revealing the town’s quieter side before the market comes alive. Arriving the day before market day, guests first explore Chichi’s backstreets, meet local artisans and hike to Pascual Abaj, a sacred hilltop shrine where Maya shamans often perform traditional ceremonies before being welcomed into a local home for a traditional evening dinner, sharing stories and flavours with a family committed to preserving and sharing their precious indigenous culture. The next morning? It’s time to experience the market’s full energy, with Viaventure’s expert guides steering guests away from the tourist crush to reveal the deeper stories, having already seen what most travellers miss: the people, the preparation and the pulse of the town.
The Northern Rainforest: Maya Mysteries and Jungle Majesty
And then? Then there’s Guatemala’s wild North, where vast, dense rainforest canopies hide ancient stone cities, and howler monkeys call at dawn. Tucked away on a tiny island on Lake Peten Itza, the town of Flores - the last Maya stronghold to fall to the Spaniards - is the gateway to the region’s untamed beauty. Quiet and colourful, Flores itself is a charming mix of colonial rooftops, lively cafés and cobbled streets, with dugout canoes, kayaks and lanchas lining its shores.
But it’s the world beyond the island that draws the curious and the adventurous alike. Here, legendary sites like Tikal, Yaxha and Uaxactun offer a window into the height of Maya civilization, their towering temples still striking awe into the hearts of visitors centuries after the last pre-Colombian dynasties faded. But while most rush in and out of the ruins, Viaventure gives clients the time and space to truly absorb them - and then go further.
Viaventure leads guests into the jungle with private guides, expert archaeologists and boat pilots who know the hidden coves, with stays at boutique jungle lodges like Las Lagunas and Francis Ford Coppola’s La Lancha offering intimate, romantic and luxe bases amidst the lush splendour of the rainforest. But in our opinion? The most special and unique stays are to be found at Viaventure’s luxury tented camps at Uaxactun, where the door is opened to private, crowd-free access into Tikal before the first tour bus ever arrives.
And another extraordinary add-on? Helicopter expeditions to remote ruins like El Mirador and Nakbe turn the rainforest into a playground of discovery - an experience that few are privileged to share.
For more information about Viaventure Central America get in touch to set up a meeting
Unique Viventure Experiences in Flores & the Northern Rainforest:
Viaventure’s Northern experiences reveal the lost worlds, wild landscapes and quiet luxuries that few travellers ever see, for example…
Tikal Private Tour
A private guided tour of the UNESCO-recognised Tikal National Park reveals more than ancient architecture - it takes guests on a unique journey into the heart of the Maya world. Exploring the grand plazas, towering temples and jungle trails to the calls of howler monkeys and tropical birds, a Viaventure guide brings the whole experience of the famous ruins to life with fascinating insight into the history, astronomy and spiritual symbolism that shaped this extraordinary city.
Yaxha Sunset Experience with Island Ruins
Less visited than Tikal, Yaxha offers serenity and scale in equal measure. With Viaventure, guests can climb Temple 216 for a sweeping view of the rainforest and twin lakes, then board a boat to explore Topoxte, a small island ruin hidden among the trees.As the sun sets, drinks are served - and the jungle takes on a golden hush that feels otherworldly, the perfect end to a day of ancient exploration.
Helicopter Expeditions to El Mirador & Beyond
Calling the intrepid! For those that want to go far beyond the normal tourist trails, Viaventure can arrange helicopter-access-only expeditions to remote Maya sites like El Mirador, Nakbe and Holmul - often accompanied by expert archaeologists for a deeper insight into these seldom-seen spots.These trips offer unparalleled access to Guatemala’s most mysterious ruins - and an unforgettable perspective on the vastness and richness of the ancient world still hidden in the jungle, unmissable for guests who love to dive deep into the history and culture of a place.
Sleep Among Ancient Temples & Connect with a Living Maya Community
Step into the sacred stillness of Uaxactún, one of the longest-inhabited Mayan cities, tucked deep within the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Viaventure’s exclusive tented camp—set beside ancient ruins and integrated into a vibrant local community—offers a rare blend of luxury, authenticity, and cultural connection. Explore the jungle’s secrets by day, learning about the harvest of natural gum, allspice, and xate, then toast the sunset from a lookout tower before dining by candlelight at the base of Maya temples. Our 2- or 3-day programs include a visit to Tikal and a stay in one of nine beautifully appointed tents, each with flush toilets, battery-powered fans, and thoughtful touches for comfort. With no electricity or cell service, you’ll disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature, history, and the heartbeat of a living Maya village.
For more information on the Uaxactun Luxury Community Glamping watch a video HERE and download a brochure HERE
A final word on Guatemala
Guatemala is still, in many ways, a well-kept secret, and that’s exactly what makes it such an unmissable destination for those in search of something different and meaningful. This is a land where the past isn’t just preserved - it’s still lived. Here, the markets still hum with barter and tradition, Maya spirituality still blends with Catholic iconography on church steps and landscapes still command reverence.
If you’re looking for new ground for venturesome clients, this is it and Viaventure is the DMC who can deliver it with exceptional service, cultural depth and complete ease for you and your guests.
Love to learn more about crafting a beautifully bespoke Guatemala itinerary - or to explore any of Viaventure’s Central American and Mexican options? Get in touch today.
