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Bucketlist Bri

Bucketlist Bri

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10 Best Day Trips from Antigua Guatemala

Last Updated: April 5, 2022 · Guatemala

A day trip from Antigua is the perfect way to explore the Central and Western Highlands of Guatemala. Even though there are plenty of activities to keep you busy in the city, there’s much more to discover beyond Antigua’s historic and colorful streets.

Antigua is ideally located an hour from Guatemala City and 2.5 hours from Lake Atitlán. The UNESCO World Heritage city is flanked by three volcanoes and myriad quaint towns with coffee plantations, farms, nature trails, and more—all which can be discovered on an easy day trip.

Whether you are looking to adventure to one of the surrounding volcanoes or are keen to explore some of Guatemala’s Mayan ruins, here are the top day trips and tours to include in your Antigua Guatemala itinerary.

Table of Contents show
10 Day Trips From Antigua Guatemala
1. Pacaya Volcano
2. El Hato & Hobbitenango
3. Jocotenango (La Azotea)
4. Antigua’s Fincas
5. Ciudad Vieja
6. Iximché Mayan Ruins
7. Mixco Viejo Ruins
8. Lake Amatitlán
9. Chichicastenango
10. Lake Atitlán & Mayan Towns
Which Trip or Tour From Antigua to Choose?

10 Day Trips From Antigua Guatemala

woman walking across 5a Avenida street with Santa Catalina Arch in Antigua Guatemala
digital nomad girl in antigua guatemala

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Top Guided Tours From Antigua:

🌋 Pacaya Volcano Trek — hike on an active volcano!

🇬🇹 Lake Atitlán Day Tour From Antigua — visit 3 Mayan villages & the most beautiful lake in the world.

🏍️ Antigua ATV Villages Tour — explore the villages and viewpoints around Antigua.


1. Pacaya Volcano

roasting marshmallows over lava at Pacaya Volcano
bucketlist bri travel blogger overlooking lava flow from Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala
  • Distance: 22 miles (36 km) southeast, 1 hr 15m driving (directions)
  • Cost: $20–25+ including transport and national park entrance fees

Have you ever wanted to hike on an active volcano and roast marshmallows over hot rock and lava? Well, now’s your chance! Without a doubt, Pacaya Volcano is one of the best places to visit on a day trip from Antigua.

I think if you only have one opportunity to do a day trip while visiting Antigua, it should be to Pacaya. Located over by the town of San Vicente Pacaya inside the Pacaya Volcano National Park, the Volcán Pacaya is one of Central America’s most stunning and active volcanoes. Day trips typically last around six hours, including the hiking time required to go up and down (about 45m one way).

Note that you can only hike Pacaya with a guide. Most tours from Antigua will start at 6 am or 2 pm, but you can also go on one at 2 am (yes, you read that right!) to hike Pacaya at sunrise.

If you have time to do an overnight volcano hike, then I recommend trekking Acatenango for an epic experience and view of the Fuego volcano erupting.

2. El Hato & Hobbitenango

blue hobbit hole (casita) in the Shire inspired theme park in Guatemala
girl on gigantic troll hand at Hobbitenango eco-park near Antigua Guatemala
  • Distance: 5 miles (8 km) northwest, 20 minutes driving (directions)
  • Cost: entry Hobbitenango 50Q + food + activities

El Hato is a small community in the hills just north of Antigua. In this area, there are several touristic attractions and things to do on a fun day trip to this area, including:

  • Hobbitenango — LOTR Theme Park with games, restaurant, hobbit holes, and troll hand
  • Earth Lodge — avocado farm, lodge, restaurant, and yoga studio
  • Altamira — camping, bar, and restaurant (famous for the wooden hand viewpoint)

Since El Hato is so close, it’s easily visitable on a day trip from Antigua. To get there on your own, you can take a shuttle bus or an Uber.

3. Jocotenango (La Azotea)

  • Distance: 2 miles (5 km) northwest (directions)
  • Cost: 50Q and up, $46 with an ATV coffee tour from Antigua

Jocotenango is Antigua’s close neighbor to the north. The town itself is quaint, with beautiful art murals scattered around the village led by a young and active youth community. Apart from strolling the plaza and cute church, and visiting the street art, there’s not much in the way of activities. But there is a hidden gem here to discover.

I’m talking about the 150-yr-old coffee farm and plantation, which is still a working farm but that now also features three museums. Together, they are housed under the Centro Cultural La Azotea which endeavors to educate and preserve the history of coffee cultivation and the influence of traditional Maya art and crafts of the Antiga valley.

La Azotea offers more than just the plantation; there’s also a beer garden, chocolate workshop, breakdance classes, horse riding, equestrian lessons, mini-golf, bike rentals/trails, and more. The center is pet-friendly, too!

While you can visit on your own (10-minute Uber ride), there are all-included ATV tours to take up the level of fun a notch.

4. Antigua’s Fincas

organic chicken burger and fries at caoba farms cafe in antigua guatemala
homemade chocolate bar and goods in antigua guatemala market
  • Distance: Within a 20-minute radius of Antigua
  • Cost: Varies

The “fincas” in Antigua vary from one to another; you may encounter hiking trails, farms or plantations, viewpoints, nature reserves, birding opportunities, and even protected cloud forests. Either way, they make for fun half-day trips from Antigua that will take you out of the city center and into nature.

  • Caoba Organic Farm
  • Finca El Pilar
  • Finca Filadelfia
  • La Azotea (see previous)

Caoba Farms is one of the best fincas to visit in Antigua with an organic restaurant, artisanal market, organic store, on-site butterfly reserve, garden, and outdoor yoga/circus arts studio.

El Pilar is a cloud forest just outside of Antigua that’s home to several species of endemic birds. Here, you can go hiking, camping, and birding. Finally, Finca Filadelfia offers coffee plantation tours and on-site dining.

Alternative Advanced Hike: When waltzing around Antigua, you can’t help but notice the towering Agua Volcano as its backdrop. While this ancient volcano is no longer active like Fuego or Pacaya, it still offers a challenge for experienced hikers and adventurers. Hiking Volcán Agua is doable with a guide, but there have been reports of robberies on the ascent. If interested, you can read this Alltrails review for recent updates.

5. Ciudad Vieja

view from Cerro de la Cruz in Antigua Guatemala

Distance: 3 miles (5 km) southeast, 12 mins driving (directions)
Cost: Transport + activities

La Ciudad Vieja — do you know about this place? Located southwest of Antigua in the Almolonga Valley, Ciudad Vieja was the former location for Guatemala’s first colonial capital, originally called Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala (1527).

However, the city, being at the foot of the Agua Volcano, was destroyed after a flood and landslide from the collapse of the volcano crater (once filled with water). The former site is now dubbed Ciudad Vieja, or simply, the Old City. After the destruction, the capital of Santiago de los Caballeros was moved to the Panchoy Valley, which is what we know today as Antigua Guatemala. Cool, huh?

Among the top things to do in Ciudad Vieja is the Cervecería 14. This craft brewery and tasting room is located on a 7-acre coffee farm, rivaling even the top spots to grab a beer in downtown Antigua, thanks to its incredible location with a view of the volcanoes surrounding the valley.

Also Read: 17+ Best Restaurants in Antigua Guatemala

6. Iximché Mayan Ruins

  • Distance: 35 miles (55 km) northwest, 1 hr 15 min driving (directions)
  • Cost: entry 50Q ($5) + transport if you go on your own, or $85 with a tour

Iximché is considered Guatemala’s first capital, founded by the Spanish conquistadors. Today, it’s a well-preserved archaeological site of the Kaqchikel Mayas who reigned here from the 12th–15th centuries.

Iximché is located northwest of Antigua in the town of Tecpán. Tours will pick you up early in Antigua for an arrival around 9 am in Iximché. Here, you’ll visit the local museum and then wander the Ceremonial Plazas, learning about how the Mayas lived and thrived here during the height of their civilization.

You can either visit Iximché on your own with a rental car (cheapest option) or visit on a guided day tour from Antigua. Just note that some guided tours of Iximché will include a pitstop to visit San Juan Comalapa and/or a city walking tour of Antigua, which is why the price is what it is.

7. Mixco Viejo Ruins

  • Distance: 40 miles (62 km) northwest, 2 hours driving (directions)
  • Cost: 5Q for nationals, 50Q for internationals (open 8 am – 4 pm), $95 with a tour

If you want to add even more ruins to fill up your day trips, then check out the wildly underrated Mixco Viejo ruins in Chimaltenango just two hours northeast of Antigua.

Mixco Viejo (often called Jilotepeque Viejo) is an incredibly well-preserved Maya city. Originally built by the Chajoma, it fell to the Kaqchikel Maya who reigned for centuries until it was abandoned in 1521 due to the Spanish conquest. Interestingly, Jilotepeque was incorrectly labeled and assumed to belong to the kingdom of the Poqomam Maya.

Today, visitors can climb on the thin-stone pyramids, once only used by royalty, and explore the fortress grounds high up on a hill. Few tourists will make it to see Mixco Viejo, but those who do will be rewarded with magnificent views and a serene experience. Click here to go on a day tour.

8. Lake Amatitlán

  • Distance: 19 miles (30 km) southeast, 1 hour driving (directions)
  • Cost: Transport + activities

Lake Amatitlán—not to be confused with Lake Atitlán (see number 10)—is an off-the-beaten-path destination that would make a great day trip from Antigua.

Amatitlán is nearby San Vicente Pacaya. As such, there are a couple of hotels in Amatitlán with thermal hot springs heated from the volcano, like the Kawilal Spa & Hotel.

In addition to hot springs, Amatitlán has a lake you can paddle on and explore. While it’s not as big or majestic as Lake Atitlán (it’s the fourth largest in Guatemala), it’s still beautiful and worth the drive!

You can finish up your day trip with a winery/vineyard tour at Chateau DeFay or take a stroll through the beautiful Naciones Unidas National Park.

9. Chichicastenango

Distance: 66 miles (106 km) northeast, 2.5 hours driving (directions)
Cost: Transport + activities

Chichicastenango is a sprawling city in the Western Highlands. Famous for its open-air craft market (said to be the largest in Latin America), it receives quite a number of tourists visiting on a day trip from Antigua or Guatemala City.

Market days are colorful, crowded, and can get a bit crazy. Tours from either Antigua or Guatemala City tend to last all day (up to 10 hours), seeing as Chichi is quite far to get to (2.5 hours each way).

That said, many day tours (like this one) will offer a 2-in-1 visit to both Chichicastenango and the lakeside town of Panajachel (since a lot of folks want to see Lake Atitlán).

Either way, while Chichicastenango feels like a “must-visit” it takes a lot of effort to reach for such a short time. You may want to consider just shopping the many craft markets in Antigua instead.

10. Lake Atitlán & Mayan Towns

lake atitlan guatemala
a kaqchikel maya women from santa catarina palopó using the backstrap loom
a red tuktuk and colorful walls in san juan la laguna, lake atitlan
  • Distance: 55 miles (87 km) east, 2 hrs 45 mins driving (directions)
  • Cost: Transport + activities, guided day tours range from $115 – $125

Lake Atitlán is actually probably the number one day trip taken from Antigua. Having lived in Lake Atitlán as a digital nomad, I wouldn’t recommend visiting for only one day, though!

Instead, you should consider extending your trip to fit in at least a few of these awesome things to do in Lake Atitlán. (Psst. I wrote a Lake Atitlán itinerary for you if you’re not sure what’s doable!)

Boasted as the prettiest lake in the world, there’s a reason why so many people are clamoring to visit. A jam-packed day trip will suffice if you want to at least go and see it and take a boat to one of the dozen lakeside Maya towns.

Most guided day trips and tours will only have time for Panajachel, but I’ve seen others that also include visits to San Juan La Laguna (one of my favorite towns), San Pedro La Laguna (where we lived!), and Santiago Atitlán.


Which Trip or Tour From Antigua to Choose?

the yellow Santa Catalina Arch and Agua Volcano in Antigua Guatemala

All of the above destinations make for fun and affordable day trips from Antigua. However, to make the most of your time, maybe stick to the villages and activities that are closer to the city. From El Hato to the hiking trails to the nearby fincas, that’s still plenty to occupy a half or full-day adventure!

On the other hand, if you are excited to explore outside of the Antigua Valley, then consider Mixjo Viejo or Iximché ruins. If you’re not full of energy, I would discourage the 10-hour Chichicastenango or Lake Atitlán day trips. If time and energy and money are limitless for you, did you know you can even go on a day trip to go to Tikal by air (like, that’s insanely far?!)

Whatever day trip destination or activity you choose, I hope you love it! My personal favorite was waking up for sunrise to hike Pacaya when it was erupting!

📍 SAVE IT FOR LATER

Female hiker overlooking volcanoes in Antigua Valley. Pin image with text overlay, "Best Day Trips Antigua Guatemala"

By: Bri · In: Guatemala

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I’m Bri, an adventurous digital nomad living abroad full-time since 2015. It is my hope to inspire you to live a life of adventure, seek out meaningful experiences, and travel slowly and mindfully!

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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