Chichicastenango and Iximche Day Tour from Antigua

Market, churches and a Mayan capital in one day

A private day tour from Antigua visits Chichicastenango's market and colonial churches, then the Iximche archaeological site, the last Mayan capital before Spanish arrival. Your guide shares the history of both destinations while you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water included. The day runs from 6am to 6:30pm with a lunch break in the village.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Chichicastenango and Iximche

• Hotel pick up in Antigua
• Travel to Chichicastenango
• Tour market, churches, and stores
• Free time for lunch
• Transfer to Iximche ruins
• Tour Mayan ruins at Iximche
• Return to Antigua Guatemala

The experience

The tour leaves your Antigua hotel at 6am in a private vehicle: no shared groups, just you and your party. By 9:30am you arrive in Chichicastenango, a Mayan village that hosts Central America's largest market. You walk through the market stalls, visit the colonial churches, and browse the costume shops that line the streets. The guide explains what you're seeing while you move at your own pace. At 12:30pm the structured tour ends and you have free time to eat lunch on your own (not included) before regrouping at 2pm.

The second half of the day is the transfer to Iximche and the ruins themselves. You reach the archaeological site by 3:30pm and tour the ceremonial city that served as the last Mayan capital before the Spanish arrived. By 5pm you're back in the vehicle heading toward Antigua, arriving around 6:30pm. The vehicle stays air-conditioned throughout, and bottled water is on board the whole time.

This tour runs only on Thursdays and Sundays, the days Chichicastenango's market is in full operation. Your guide speaks English or Spanish depending on your preference, and the private format means the pace and stops are yours to shape within the day's schedule.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with reclinable seats.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Antigua.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and SundayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by GT Negocios y Viajes

Is this one for you?The full day, 6am to 6:30pm, means you leave early and return late, so plan this as your main activity and keep the rest of your day flexible. The 2pm lunch break in Chichicastenango gives you time to eat and rest, but nothing else fits into the schedule once the tour starts.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Chichicastenango's market actually like?

Chichicastenango hosts Central America's largest market, with stalls selling goods and textiles, and costume shops reflecting the village's Mayan heritage. The market is the main draw of the visit, along with the colonial churches nearby.

What will I see at Iximche?

Iximche is an archaeological site and ceremonial city that was the last Mayan capital before the Spanish arrived. The tour includes a guided walk through the ruins where your guide explains the history and layout of the ancient settlement.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. You have free time from 12:30pm to 2pm in Chichicastenango to eat at a restaurant of your choice in the village.

Can I do this tour on any day of the week?

The tour operates only on Thursdays and Sundays, when Chichicastenango's market is open and at its busiest. Those are the days the village is set up for visitors.

How much time do I spend driving versus walking around?

You spend roughly two hours driving (Antigua to Chichicastenango, then Chichicastenango to Iximche, then back to Antigua) and about three hours on foot exploring the market, churches and ruins combined, with a two-hour lunch break in between.