Iximché & Antigua: Mayan Ruins Day Trip with Hotel Pickup

Summary

From Iximché’s quiet ruins to Antigua’s lively plazas and jade workshops

You’ll walk through ancient Mayan plazas at Iximché with a local guide who brings history alive, taste Guatemalan flavors at lunch, and wander Antigua’s colorful streets from La Merced Church to artisan jade workshops. Expect small surprises—a story here, a smile there—and moments that linger after you return.

What’s the experience like?

“Here, the ancestors still listen,” our guide Mario said, lowering his voice as we stepped into the first plaza at Iximché. The air felt cooler under the trees, and there was this faint smell of pine needles mixed with old stone—hard to describe, but it stuck with me. Mario pointed out where the ball courts once echoed with shouts, and honestly, I’d never realized how close history feels when you’re standing right on it. We wandered between temples while he told stories about the Kaqchiquel Maya—sometimes pausing so long you could hear birds arguing in the branches overhead.

After that, we drove back toward Antigua. Lunch was somewhere along the way—nothing fancy, just a local spot where everyone seemed to know each other (and us, by extension). I tried pepián for the first time; it’s this thick stew that clings to your spoon and leaves a little warmth in your chest. In Antigua itself, everything looked washed in soft yellow light—maybe because of the paint on La Merced Church or maybe just the late afternoon sun. Our group drifted through Central Park while street vendors called out greetings in Spanish and Kaqchikel. Mario waved at someone selling ice cream and joked that he’d trade his hat for a scoop.

The Jade Museum surprised me most—I thought it’d be just another shop, but watching those craftsmen shape green stones into jewelry felt almost meditative. One woman let me hold a half-finished pendant; it was cool and heavier than I expected. Later we saw San Francisco Church (Mario told us about Brother Pedro’s miracles), then paused under the Santa Catalina arch while kids played tag around us. My feet were tired by then but I didn’t really want to leave yet—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Iximché ruins and Antigua city

• Pickup from Antigua hotel
• Drive to Iximché ruins
• Tour Iximché archaeological site
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Antigua Central Plaza
• See jade craftsmen and museum
• Visit La Merced Church
• Visit San Francisco Church and Santa Catalina Arch
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Antigua to Iximché ruins?

The drive from Antigua to Iximché takes about an hour each way; the full tour lasts most of the day.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Antigua.

Are entrance fees to Iximché included?

The description doesn’t specify entrance fees; check directly with your provider.

What sites do you visit in Antigua during this tour?

You’ll visit Central Park, La Merced Church, San Francisco Church, Calle del Arco, and a jade workshop.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No, lunch is not included; you stop at a local restaurant where you pay separately.

Can infants or young children join this tour?

Yes; infants can ride in a stroller or sit on an adult's lap during transport.

Is there much walking involved at Iximché ruins?

There is moderate walking across uneven ground at the ruins; suitable for most fitness levels.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Antigua plus guidance from a knowledgeable local throughout both Iximché ruins and Antigua city stops. Lunch is not included but there’s time set aside for it at a local restaurant before exploring more of Antigua’s historic sites and artisan workshops together.