Santa Cruz NGO tour: Mayan village and vocational training center

See how a small NGO transformed a mountain community

This four-hour guided tour takes you through the Amigos de Santa Cruz vocational training center and into an isolated Mayan village on a mountainside in Guatemala. You walk through the NGO's programs, then explore the village and one of the oldest churches in the country. A live English-speaking guide leads the experience. Lunch is included if you choose that option at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit NGO center and Mayan village

• Explore NGO training facility
• Visit isolated Mayan village
• See one of Guatemala's oldest churches

The experience

The tour centers on the Amigos de Santa Cruz training facility, which prepares local guides and workers for tourism roles while running social development programs in the community. You see the inner workings of a successful NGO firsthand: the kind of place that usually stays behind closed doors. The guide walks you through the programs and explains how they've reshaped the village's economy and opportunities.

From there you move into the village itself, a settlement that has remained isolated from the outside world for centuries. It sits on a mountainside and includes one of Guatemala's oldest churches. The village tour is part of the same experience, so you're not shuttled between two separate stops. The NGO and the community are connected by the work happening there. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're arranging your own way to Santa Cruz.

The whole outing runs four hours and suits all fitness levels. Children need an adult with them. The tour operates in any weather, so bring layers and rain gear if the forecast looks uncertain. If you want lunch included, select that option when you book. Otherwise, the tour is the guided walk through both sites.

What’s included

• Guided tour of the NGO programs and the Mayan village with a live English-speaking guide.
• lunch (if you choose the lunch option at checkout).

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour of the NGO and the Mayan villageGuide in English · 10:00Visit to our non-profit vocational training center and the village

Village and NGO tour including lunchGuide in English · 10:00Explore our non-profit foundation programs and vocational training center, walk through the village, and have lunch at our student-run rooftop café.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Los Elementos Adventure Center & Day Spa

Is this one for you?Choose the tour with lunch if you want to spend the full four hours without breaking to find food elsewhere. Pick the standard tour if you prefer to eat on your own schedule or have dietary needs the NGO cannot accommodate.

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Top questions

What exactly does the NGO training center teach?

Amigos de Santa Cruz runs vocational training programs that prepare local people for tourism guide roles and other hospitality work. The center also runs broader social development initiatives in the community. The guide walks you through the active programs during the tour.

How isolated is this Mayan village, and what will I see there?

The village has been cut off from the outside world for centuries and sits on a mountainside. You'll visit one of the oldest churches in Guatemala, which is located in the village. The guide shows you the settlement and explains how the NGO's work has changed life there.

Is lunch included, or do I need to bring my own food?

Lunch is included only if you select the "NGO & village tour with lunch" option at checkout. The standard tour does not include a meal. Public transportation and nearby services are available in the area.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs four hours from start to finish, covering both the NGO facility and the village walk.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to get there?

Yes, transportation to and from Santa Cruz is not included. Public transportation options are available nearby, so you can reach the meeting point on your own.