Iximché Ruins and Antigua City Tour
Antigua, Guatemala
Rating: 
Trip Type: Day Trips
Duration: 8 hours
Experience Guatemala’s mixture of Spanish and Mayan influences on this full-day tour of Iximché and Antigua. Learn about Mayan history from your knowledgeable guide as you explore the archeological site of Iximché. Then, head to the Spanish colonial city of Antigua to visit some of its most famous sites, including San Francisco Church, Calle del Arco, La Merced Church and Plaza Central. This day tour is perfect for the whole family!
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Experience Guatemala’s mixture of Spanish and Mayan influences on this full-day tour of Iximché and Antigua. Learn about Mayan history from your knowledgeable guide as you explore the archeological site of Iximché. Then, head to the Spanish colonial city of Antigua to visit some of its most famous sites, including San Francisco Church, Calle del Arco, La Merced Church and Plaza Central. This day tour is perfect for the whole family!Discover the beauty and history of Guatemala on this 8-hour tour of the ruins of Iximché and the cobblestone streets of Antigua.
After pickup from your Antigua hotel, venture northwest approximately an hour to the dusty town of Tecpán. Here, explore the Mayan ruins of Iximché, once the Kaqchiquel Maya capital and a Guatemala must-see attraction. Upon entering the ruins, you'll see four ceremonial plazas, which are surrounded by tall temple structures and two ball courts. The plazas were used for things such as housing for residents and special ceremonies, and the ball courts were used to play the Mesoamerican ballgame, a sport that dates back to 1400 BC. Tour the site with your knowledgeable guide and discover the ancient history of Guatemala.
After approximately two hours at Iximché, you'll be driven to the city of Antigua, about an hour away. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) before visiting the Central Plaza with your guide. Here, visit San Francisco Church, where you'll see the shrine of Peter of St Joseph Betancur. Explore the ruins of the Santo Domingo Monastery, which was once the biggest and richest monastery in Antigua. See the arch of Santa Catalina, one of Antigua's most distinguishable landmarks; built in the 17th century, the building connected to the archway was once home to Santa Catalina Convent.
Next, visit a beautiful Baroque-style church, La Merced Church, before heading over to the Museo del Jade (Jade Museum). Watch craftsmen turn stones into unique jewels and see the jade collection housed at the museum. After the tour, you'll be taken back to your hotel.
After pickup from your Antigua hotel, venture northwest approximately an hour to the dusty town of Tecpán. Here, explore the Mayan ruins of Iximché, once the Kaqchiquel Maya capital and a Guatemala must-see attraction. Upon entering the ruins, you'll see four ceremonial plazas, which are surrounded by tall temple structures and two ball courts. The plazas were used for things such as housing for residents and special ceremonies, and the ball courts were used to play the Mesoamerican ballgame, a sport that dates back to 1400 BC. Tour the site with your knowledgeable guide and discover the ancient history of Guatemala.
After approximately two hours at Iximché, you'll be driven to the city of Antigua, about an hour away. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) before visiting the Central Plaza with your guide. Here, visit San Francisco Church, where you'll see the shrine of Peter of St Joseph Betancur. Explore the ruins of the Santo Domingo Monastery, which was once the biggest and richest monastery in Antigua. See the arch of Santa Catalina, one of Antigua's most distinguishable landmarks; built in the 17th century, the building connected to the archway was once home to Santa Catalina Convent.
Next, visit a beautiful Baroque-style church, La Merced Church, before heading over to the Museo del Jade (Jade Museum). Watch craftsmen turn stones into unique jewels and see the jade collection housed at the museum. After the tour, you'll be taken back to your hotel.
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