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Top Things to Do in Central Highlands

We compared all 111 experiences in Central Highlands so you can choose in minutes — real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

4.7 111 experiences from US$ 15 Free cancellation on most experiences
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Tikal Day Trip from Antigua: Round-Trip Flights & Expert Guide
Tikal Day Trip from Antigua: Round-Trip Flights & Expert Guide★★★★★★★★★★ 4.62 (107)17hThis full-day tour from Antigua includes round-trip flights to Flores, a guided exploration of Tikal National Park's temples and plazas, lunch, and return transfers to your hotel. The flight cuts out a 10-hour overland journey, so you spend your time on the ruins instead of the road. An expert guide leads you through the Central Acropolis, Temple I (the Temple of the Grand Jaguar), Temple II (the Temple of the Masks), and Temple IV, a 65-meter pyramid built around 741 AD.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see Tikal's major temples and plazas in a single day without spending 10+ hours on the road—the flights get you there and back, leaving your time for the ruins themselves.Instant confirmationTravelers' pickMost bookedfromUS$ 465View ›
Antigua: Walking tour with local guide & city history
Antigua: Walking tour with local guide & city history★★★★★★★★★★ 4.70 (107)2hYou’ll wander Antigua’s colorful streets with a local guide who brings history alive through stories and small details — from volcano views to cathedral ruins and lively parks. Expect honest conversation, gentle humor, and moments that stick with you long after you leave these cobblestones.Free cancellationTravelers' pickTop ratedfromUS$ 24View ›
Lake Atitlán Sightseeing Cruise from Antigua: Three Volcanoes
Lake Atitlán Sightseeing Cruise from Antigua: Three Volcanoes★★★★★★★★★★ 4.47 (99)10hA full-day sightseeing cruise on Lake Atitlán from Antigua includes hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, and a boat tour past San Pedro, Atitlán and Tolimán volcanoes. The itinerary stops in Santiago de Atitlán, a colorful lakeside village where you walk the main street and visit the confraternity shrine of Maximón, then returns to Panajachel for time browsing craft stands and shops on Santander Street before transport back to Antigua.Is it for me?The ten-hour day means an early start and a full schedule, so book this if you want to see the volcanoes and both villages without splitting the trip across two days. The boat ride is relaxing, and walking in Santiago de Atitlán is gentle, so it suits most fitness levels.Free cancellationKids −36%fromUS$ 146View ›
Antigua Guatemala: Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City with Guide
Antigua Guatemala: Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City with Guide★★★★★★★★★★ 4.84 (96)7h–8hYou’ll ride from Guatemala City to Antigua with a local guide, hike up Cerro de la Cruz for sweeping volcano views, sip real Antigüeño coffee by La Merced Church, wander under the Santa Catalina Arch, sample fresh chocolate at ChocoMuseo, and end your day among centuries-old churches and lively markets. It’s a day that lingers long after you leave.Free cancellationTravelers' pick-15%fromUS$ 71View ›
Lake Atitlán Sightseeing Cruise from Guatemala City
Lake Atitlán Sightseeing Cruise from Guatemala City★★★★★★★★★★ 4.27 (95)10hA sightseeing cruise on Lake Atitlán departing from Guatemala City includes hotel pickup, a professional guide, and boat passage to Santiago de Atitlán and back to Panajachel. The tour runs 10 hours and covers the lake's three volcanoes—San Pedro, Atitlán and Tolimán—all rising above 9,000 feet, plus time to explore the Tzutujil village and Panajachel's main street on foot.Is it for me?Hotel pickup and drop-off mean you skip the drive and the logistics—the guide handles the route and the boat, so a day on the lake becomes possible without renting a car or arranging transport yourself.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −35%fromUS$ 156View ›
Pacaya Volcano Day Trip from Antigua & 3 Peak Views
Pacaya Volcano Day Trip from Antigua & 3 Peak Views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.55 (93)5hYou hike 2.5 hours up Pacaya Volcano to a plateau overlooking the active crater, see red-hot lava and steam vents, and take in views of three other volcanoes — Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango — all in one day. Hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, entrance fee, and water are included. The full experience runs about five to six hours on the mountain, and you'll need moderate fitness to handle the elevation and terrain.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see Guatemala's most active volcano and have the fitness for a steep mountain hike — the guide and transport from Antigua mean you don't arrange logistics yourself, and the fixed schedule gets you up and down in one day.Free cancellationKids −38%fromUS$ 115View ›
Hobbitenango & Antigua Day Tour from Guatemala City
Hobbitenango & Antigua Day Tour from Guatemala City★★★★★★★★★★ 4.71 (92)8hThis shared or private day tour from Guatemala City visits Hobbitenango, a Hobbit and Lord of the Rings-inspired retreat with whimsical houses and forest trails, then continues to Antigua Guatemala for a guided walk through cobblestone streets and colonial landmarks. Hotel pickup, transportation, entrance fee to Hobbitenango and a certified guide in English or Spanish are included; the tour runs eight hours and returns you to your hotel in either city.Is it for me?Choose the shared tour if you're comfortable meeting other travelers and want a set schedule; pick the private tour if your group wants flexibility to adjust timing or spend extra time at either Hobbitenango or Antigua without keeping others waiting.Free cancellationTravelers' pick-20%fromUS$ 83View ›
Antigua Villages: Mule & Buggy Tour with Macadamia Farm Lunch
Antigua Villages: Mule & Buggy Tour with Macadamia Farm Lunch★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (92)3h–4hYou’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.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 115View ›
ATV riding in Antigua with volcano views: Private guide included
ATV riding in Antigua with volcano views: Private guide included★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (88)3h–4hATV riding in Antigua, Guatemala takes you through the highlands surrounding the colonial town on a private guided tour lasting 3 to 4 hours. You operate the ATV yourself, following your guide through scenic viewpoints across the region's hills and farmland. The tour ends at Altamira restaurant, where you sit with views of the volcanoes and the landscape you just rode through. A guide in English or Spanish leads the ride; children from age 12 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this if you want to operate the ATV yourself rather than ride as a passenger, and if you are comfortable with 3 to 4 hours in the saddle across highland terrain. The private format means your guide adjusts the pace to your group, and the ending at Altamira gives you time to rest and take in the volcano views without rushing back.Free cancellationfromUS$ 55View ›
Guatemala City to Antigua: Private Transfer with Local Tips
Guatemala City to Antigua: Private Transfer with Local Tips★★★★★★★★★★ 4.77 (81)1h 30mYou’ll step off your flight in Guatemala City and meet your private driver right outside, skipping the airport scramble. On your way to Antigua, you’ll get real local tips (and maybe bakery smells), plus flexible stops for restrooms or currency exchange if you need them. It’s an easy start—and you might end up remembering that first warm welcome more than anything else.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 32View ›
Pacaya Volcano Hike from Antigua: Active Crater & Lava Fields
Pacaya Volcano Hike from Antigua: Active Crater & Lava Fields★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (80)8hYou hike to an active volcano's lava fields with a professional bilingual guide, see three other volcanoes from the crater rim, and eat lunch with the view. Private transport picks you up from central Antigua at 8 a.m. and returns you by 4 p.m., with all park fees and meals included. The hike is moderate — about 1.5 hours up — and requires decent fitness but no technical climbing.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see an active volcano without arranging your own transport, park permits, or timing — the fixed schedule and small-group format mean you show up at 8 a.m. and the rest is handled, leaving you back in Antigua by early afternoon.Free cancellationfromUS$ 138View ›
Antigua ATV tour: Chocolate, jade and mountain villages
Antigua ATV tour: Chocolate, jade and mountain villages★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (78)5hAn ATV tour from Antigua that takes you up to the base of Volcán de Agua in the highland town of Santa Maria de Jesus, then down through San Juan del Obispo, San Pedro de las Huertas and back to Antigua, with stops at a chocolate factory, jade workshop, wine store and local restaurant. You drive your own ATV (or ride as a passenger), see chocolate being made, watch jade being carved into jewelry, and taste regional food and drinks. Children from age 7 are welcome; a valid driver's license is required to operate an ATV.Is it for me?If you have a driver's license and want to move through the highlands under your own control rather than sit in a vehicle, this tour puts you on the ATV — the stops at the chocolate factory, jade workshop and market are the same for everyone, but the ride itself is yours to feel. Passengers without a license can come along, but someone in the group has to drive.Free cancellationfromUS$ 59View ›
Lake Atitlan Day Trip: Boat, Mayan Villages & Workshops
Lake Atitlan Day Trip: Boat, Mayan Villages & Workshops★★★★★★★★★★ 4.61 (77)12h 30mYou’ll ride from Antigua or Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan by private van before crossing blue water by boat to San Juan La Laguna for Mayan workshops on textiles and chocolate making. Lunch in Panajachel brings local flavors before your return journey home — you’ll carry new stories (and maybe some chocolate) back with you.Free cancellationLikely to sell out-20%fromUS$ 88View ›
Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan: Private Transfer & Viewpoint Stop
Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan: Private Transfer & Viewpoint Stop★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (74)3hYou get picked up from your Guatemala City hotel or airport, driven 140km to Lake Atitlan in a private van with an experienced driver, and dropped at your destination with a scenic viewpoint stop along the way. The three-to-three-and-a-half-hour journey includes a chance to stop for coffee or shopping at roadside restaurants. Book between 9am and 2pm to avoid heavy traffic.Is it for me?Book this if you're arriving in Guatemala City and need to reach Lake Atitlan without arranging a rental car or negotiating with taxis — the fixed price and scheduled pickup mean you know exactly what you're paying and when the driver will arrive.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 80View ›
Pacaya Volcano Horseback Riding: Lava-Cooked Dinner at Sunset
Pacaya Volcano Horseback Riding: Lava-Cooked Dinner at Sunset★★★★★★★★★★ 4.78 (73)6hThis horseback riding activity from Antigua takes you to a private area of Pacaya Volcano where a lava chef cooks your dinner in volcanic coals while you watch from Mayan fabric picnic tables. You ride with a private English-speaking cowboy guide and a second guide who explains the volcano; no riding experience is needed. The meal includes homemade salsa and chips on arrival, pizza paired with wine, and a gourmet chocolate tasting with marshmallows you roast yourself over the lava. The experience lasts around six hours and includes door-to-door pickup from Antigua; your booking directly funds the care and rescue of the working horses.Is it for me?The ride climbs at a steady pace suited to all fitness levels, and no riding experience is needed—book this if you want the volcano and the lava-cooked meal without the main-entrance crowds or the logistics of arranging your own transport from Antigua.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 335View ›
Pacaya Volcano Day Trip from Guatemala City with Hike & Pickup
Pacaya Volcano Day Trip from Guatemala City with Hike & Pickup★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (73)6hYou’ll hike volcanic trails with a local guide from Guatemala City to Pacaya Volcano, feeling warm lava rocks underfoot and catching distant views of Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. Expect hotel pickup, entry fees covered, bottled water along the way—and moments where silence says more than any photo could.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −38%fromUS$ 117View ›
Antigua Street Food Tour: Local Sandwiches & Churros
Antigua Street Food Tour: Local Sandwiches & Churros★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (71)3hA street food tour around Antigua and nearby towns where you taste Guatemalan sandwiches, tacos and churros made by local families, with hotel pickup and a guide who speaks English or Spanish. The tour lasts about three hours, starts at 7 pm, and includes all meals, water, local drinks and beer. Children from age 3 are welcome.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can follow the commentary and the stories about each town comfortably in whichever language you choose. If you're nervous about street food safety, this tour removes that worry—the guide knows which family spots keep their prep clean and their ingredients fresh, so you taste the real thing without the risk.Free cancellationfromUS$ 85View ›
Pacaya Volcano Hike from Guatemala City: Active Volcano Tour
Pacaya Volcano Hike from Guatemala City: Active Volcano Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.82 (66)6h–7hHike Pacaya Volcano, one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, on a shared tour from Guatemala City that includes hotel pickup, a certified local guide, and volcano entrance. The ascent takes 1.5 hours at a gradual pace suitable for moderate fitness; the descent takes an hour. Four purchase options let you choose between shared and private departures, with the basic option requiring you to pay the entrance fee separately on arrival.Is it for me?Choose the VIP, Premium, or Private option if you want the entrance fee handled upfront and do not want to carry cash at the volcano. The Basic option works if you are comfortable bringing Q100 in quetzals and want the lowest price. If you prefer a smaller group or a private vehicle, the Private option gives you both; the shared options keep costs down and let you meet other travelers.Free cancellationTravelers' pick-10%fromUS$ 65View ›
Antigua to La Aurora Airport: Private Transfer & Pickup
Antigua to La Aurora Airport: Private Transfer & Pickup★★★★★★★★★★ 4.81 (59)1h 30mYou get picked up from your Antigua accommodation in a private, air-conditioned car with a driver who has your flight details and luggage allowance sorted beforehand. The route takes you through highland towns and into Guatemala City, with stops available if needed. You arrive at La Aurora Airport without the uncertainty of a taxi or ride-app, which matters when your flight is waiting. Book at least five hours ahead.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the uncertainty of taxis or ride-apps on travel day — the driver knows your name, your luggage, and your flight time before you even leave your hotel, which is what keeps a morning from turning into a scramble at the curb.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromUS$ 32View ›
Lake Atitlán Tour: Maya Villages from Antigua
Lake Atitlán Tour: Maya Villages from Antigua★★★★★★★★★★ 4.38 (55)10hThis full-day tour from Antigua takes you to Lake Atitlán and the Tz'utujil Maya village of San Juan La Laguna, where you walk through streets lined with murals, visit traditional weaving cooperatives, and taste handmade chocolate and local honey. A bilingual guide and driver lead the group; land transport and the public boat round-trip are included. Lunch is on your own in Panajachel before the return to Antigua.Is it for me?Small groups and a bilingual guide mean you move at a pace that lets you actually talk to the artisans and understand the village instead of moving through it. Choose this tour if you want to meet the people who live on the lake and see how they work, not just photograph the scenery.Free cancellationKids −96%fromUS$ 150View ›
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