9 Cultural Tours in Santa Cruz La Laguna That You Shouldn't Miss

Visit the closest Mayan ruin to Lake Atitlan. These well preserved ruins include pyramid-temples, ball-courts, royal palaces, museum, and interpretive signs explaining the history of the site. Built over 1000 years ago, this site is worth exploring. Mayan rituals are still performed at this site. Learn about the ancient Mayan civilization, the 5000 year old Mayan calendar, astrological observations, and how the modern day Mayan views their culture.

Inclusions: Transport by air-conditioned minivan, coach, or SUV, Round-trip private/shared transportation (depending on tour option), Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), Driver/guide

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Great opportunity to see the inner workings of a successful NGO.  Perfect for volunteers, educators, families, and individual travelers who are interested in social development.  This experience will inspire you with the success' that have transformed a small Mayan community.

Inclusions: Guided tour of the NGO programs and village., Lunch is included in the lunch option.

Exclusions: Transportation to/from Santa Cruz, Additional donations

Experience an ancient Mayan custom at a fire cleansing and protection ceremony at the Sacred Caves of Lake Atitlan. Immerse yourself in the mysticism of a holy place, and learn why the highland tribes travel for hours to connect with the spirits. Your guide will explain why the ceremonies are performed, and teach you about the ritual and unique meanings of the Mayan calendar.

Inclusions: Local guide

Exclusions: Gratuities, Materials for your own ceremony are available for an additional fee

This full day tour takes you to Guatemala’s most famous market. This market is a traditional indigenous Quiche market, and includes a walk to the cemetery and Paschal Abaj, the Shaman Hill. You are likely to witness a sacred Fire Cleansing Ceremony conducted by a Mayan shaman. Learn about the Mayan story of creation, the Mayan ceremony, the base-20 counting system, and the 5,000 year-old Mayan calendar. Even visit the Mayor's office.

Inclusions: Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan or coach, Hotel pickup and drop-off (centrally located Panajachel hotels only)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Discover the Mayan villages of Santa Catarina and San Antonio on a flexible day tour package from Panajachel. Learn about the local culture, visit weaving cooperatives and see the vibrant blues, purples, and reds woven into traditional designs. Meet local families. Take part in unique rituals, including a Mayan Protection Fire Ceremony. Go to local craft cooperatives and galleries, local ceramic studio, historic churches, and more. Private tour.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected Panajachel and Santa Catarina hotels only), Alternative meeting location is Xocomil Travel on Calle Embarcadero in Panajachel, Round-trip shared transfer starting and ending in Panajchel

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Takalik Abaj has both Olmec and Maya features, and flourished from the 9th century BC to the 10th century AD. This is one of the oldest archeological sites in the old Mayan world, and one of the largest sites with sculptured monuments on the Pacific coastal plain. It is home to one of the greatest concentrations of Olmec-style sculpture. The site includes a Maya royal tomb and examples of Maya hieroglyphic inscriptions that are among the earliest from the Maya region. The site features a sophisticated water drainage system and a wealth of sculptured monuments. Overnight accommodations are near the site.

Inclusions: Overnight accommodation, Transport by SUV, minivan, or coach, Round-trip private transfer, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), Driver/guide

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Experience one of the most unique cultural experiences in Guatemala. This is a family friendly day of viewing the giant kites, enjoying local food and music, and exploring the significance behind this special event.  Your local guide will share with you the customs and traditions, and allow you to have a deep understanding of the Day of the Dead.

Inclusions: Cultural experience tour, Transport by minivan (if option selected)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Gratuities

A true cultural sharing experience by making beaded friendship bracelet jewelry with a local Mayan woman. Perfect for individual travelers, volunteer groups, and families. Learn about the Mayan culture, and get a glimpse into their daily life.  Beading class is around 2 hours, lunch is 1 hour or less, the village tour is around 2 hours. Income from classes and tours supports our non-profit economic empowerment and social enterprise programs at CECAP vocational center

Inclusions: Beading class includes materials for jewelry making., Lunch option includes a 3 course lunch, Tour option includes a walking tour of the village.

Exclusions: Transportation to/from Santa Cruz, Gratuities, Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

Walk the Face of the Earth on the Sacred Path of the Sun: Author & lecturer Vincent Stanzione has opened his mountain home in an exclusive arrangement to offer an amazing experience. This experience will enable you to enter the Maya world in truly authentic ways. It allows visitors to learn about the Maya Civilization by entering the Maya World of the Present Day. Let us take you to places nobody but the Maya ever go while learning all you can from a researcher and writer who is hungry to share the world he has made his home. Guiding enables those of us who have attained a great deal of knowledge to share it with others in a direct way. So take a walk with Vincent along the flowery paths during this fascinating day in the highlands, high above Lake Atitlan. Learn about the Maya and the Mesoamerican traditions, their cosmo-magical thinking, their calendar, the way of living in the world, their myths and their deep sense of being the descendants of divine ancestors.

Inclusions: Knowledgeable guide

Exclusions: Lunch