Antigua Villages: Mule & Buggy Tour with Macadamia Farm Lunch

Antigua’s village life by mule, níspero wine tasting and macadamia farm lunch

You’ll ride by mule or buggy from Antigua into nearby villages, tasting homemade níspero wine in San Juan del Obispo and meeting locals along quiet streets. Visit Ciudad Vieja, the old capital, and stop at a working macadamia farm for lunch under avocado trees. By day’s end you’ll have seen real village life up close, with plenty of stories (and maybe a few nut shells) to bring home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit villages around Antigua

• Depart from Antigua
• Pass through Santa Ana and San Cristóbal el Bajo
• Visit San Juan del Obispo wine makers
• Pass through San Gaspar Vivar
• Visit San Pedro las Huertas
• Pass through San Miguel Escobar
• Visit Ciudad Vieja, former capital
• Tour Macadamia Valhalla nut farm
• Visit San Antonio Aguas Calientes handicraft market
• Return to Antigua

The Experience

We rolled out of Antigua in this rattly old buggy: honestly, I was a bit nervous at first but our guide Luis just grinned and told us to relax. The cobblestones under the wheels made everything bounce, but you could smell tortillas cooking somewhere nearby and the air felt cooler than in town. First stop was San Juan del Obispo: tiny place, purple bougainvillea everywhere. Luis handed us a little cup of níspero wine (he called it “vino de níspero” and laughed when I tried to say it back). It tasted sweet and earthy, nothing like anything I’ve had before.

After that we zigzagged through villages, Santa Ana was quiet except for a rooster yelling at nobody. In San Pedro las Huertas, some kids waved as we passed. I kept catching whiffs of wood smoke and laundry soap from open windows. By the time we reached Ciudad Vieja (Luis said it used to be Guatemala’s capital), clouds were rolling in over the volcanoes. There’s something about seeing daily life here (women carrying baskets on their heads, a guy fixing his bicycle in the shade) that made me feel like an outsider but also kind of connected? Hard to explain.

The macadamia farm stop was my favorite part. It smelled like wet earth after rain and roasting nuts. We cracked fresh macadamias ourselves (not as easy as it looks) and had lunch under these big avocado trees: simple food but so good after all that bumping around. Last stop was San Antonio Aguas Calientes for the market. Bright woven fabrics everywhere, women showing us how they tie their hair with ribbons. On the way back to Antigua I just watched the light change on the hills and tried not to fall asleep. Still think about that view sometimes.

What’s included

• Your day includes private transportation from Antigua with pickup options if needed.
• all rides by mule or buggy between villages.
• guidance from a local expert.
• homemade níspero wine tasting in San Juan del Obispo.
• entry to Valhalla Macadamia Farm with a simple Guatemalan lunch served under avocado trees.
• plus time at a traditional handicraft market before returning home.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Direct Adventure

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Top questions

How long does the Antigua villages tour last?

The tour covers several villages around Antigua in one day, including stops for tastings and lunch.

Is lunch included on this buggy or mule tour?

Yes, a local lunch is included during your visit to the macadamia farm.

Which villages are visited on this day trip from Antigua?

You’ll pass through Santa Ana, San Cristóbal el Bajo, San Juan del Obispo, San Gaspar Vivar, San Pedro las Huertas, San Miguel Escobar, Ciudad Vieja, and San Antonio Aguas Calientes.

Is there hotel pickup for this Antigua villages experience?

The tour includes private transportation with pickup arrangements available.

Are infants or small children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants can join. The tour allows prams or strollers and has specialized infant seats available.