Have you been imagining a dream adventure in Guatemala, one of the most looked over tourist destinations in the world? Is it in your interest to discover the best tour companies in Guatemala? Do you want to discover the highest rated and safest Guatemala tour companies to help you on your trip?
While you are on vacation in Guatemala, you will see many examples of the Mayan history in the country. Ancient ruins can be seen throughout the country and you can even meet indigenous Mayan descendants. The country is also very well known for its picturesque views and volcanic landscape. Guatemala is covered in dense vegetation and beautiful jungle canopy’s. Beaches in Guatemala are also rated as some of the prettiest in Central America.
Save time and hassle with our guide to the top 10 tour operators. Avoid the risk of a disappointing experience and high costs by relying on our well-researched list of trusted tour companies. We’ve done the work to ensure you have the best possible time in Guatemala with reliable services and unforgettable adventures. Don’t spend hours sifting through options – let our guide lead you to a fantastic journey.
Here is an unbiased list of the Top 10 most reputable Guatemala tour operators.
| Providers | Reviews |
| Wicho & Charlie’s Volcano Tours | Trip advisor – 855 reviews |
| Gem Trips | Trip Advisor – 744 review |
| Simoon! Rentals & Tours | Trip Advisor – 673 reviews |
| Quetzaltrekkers | Trip Advisor – 625 reviews |
| Old Town Outfitters | Trip advisor – 612 reviews |
| CA Travelers | Trip advisor – 498 reviews |
| Los Elementos Adventure Center | Trip advisor – 449 reviews |
| De La Gente – Private Tours | Trip advisor – 445 reviews |
| Tikal Vip Tours | Trip advisor – 412 reviews |
| OX Expeditions | Trip advisor – 382 reviews |
Table update Jan 18, 2024
Wicho & Charlie’s Volcano Tours
As the best volcano tour operator in Guatemala, Wicho & Charlie’s Volcano Tours has been providing exciting tours to Guatemala’s most iconic volcanoes. The company established its operations in 2017 in Antigua. However, the original founders, Luis (Wicho) and Carlos (Charlie), were adventure-spirited guides that trekked these volcanoes since the 90s.
The company wants you to experience the best of Guatemala. They have a team of highly skilled and professional guides and all of their equipment meets international standards. With Wicho & Charlie’s Volcano Tours, you will get a safe and amazing experience of Guatemala’s frequently erupting volcanoes.
Wicho & Charlie’s Volcano Tours Best Guatemala Tour Packages
At Wicho & Charlie, they provide detailed tours of the most popular volcanoes in Guatemala. Join their tour of the Acatenango Volcano package. In this 2-day trip, you will witness some incredible moments from atop the volcano while spending the night in a quiet camp.
If you are traveling in a large group, you should consider their Acantenango for 8 Persons tour package. You will see the majestic volcano up close and at night.
Also, they offer Acantenango on a 4×4 tour. If you are looking to avoid the altitude climb from 2400m to 3400m, this package is the perfect pick!
Wicho & Charlie’s Volcano Tours Reviews
As the top-rated tour operator in Guatemala, their spectacular service has been praised my many adventure-seeking tourists. They have 855 reviews on TripAdvisor and are ranked top outdoor activities providers in Antigua. They are also awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for their all-inclusive services. A recent customer of theirs wrote:
Wicho and Charlie’s provided great food and support through this challenging hike. The cabins were also a life saver because it was freezing… abbybloom
Read all reviews of Wicho & Charlie’s Volcano Tours on TripAdvisor.
Gem Trips
Gem Trips is one of the leading Guatemalan tour companies that provide tours in Tikal and surrounding areas of Guatemala. The company’s name is an acronym – GEM stands for Global Evelin (Marlon’s wife) and Marlon (founder). The company is dedicated to providing beautiful nature and sightseeing tours in Guatemala. They value excellence, customer service, safety and responsiveness. They also pay special attention to their customers to ensure that all their needs are met.
Gem Trips Best Guatemala Tour Packages
You can choose from a wide variety of tour packages that Gem Trips offers in Tikal and surrounding places. Explore the Mayan site of Tikal in their Tikal Full Day tour package. You will see all the great spots around the Tikal Palace including its temples. A local bilingual guide will also tell you about the history and local flora and fauna present there.
For a unique experience of the Tikal area, go on their Sunrise Archaeological and Wildlife Spotting Tour. A local expert will lead you to all the popular archaeological spots where you can learn Tikal’s history.
Don’t miss out on their Yaxha Archaeological Focus Day Tour. Begin at the Trail Gate of Yaxha site and move through its temples, astronomical observatories and many more in this historical tour.
Gem Trips Reviews
As an authentic Guatemalan travel agency, Gem Trips is dedicated to bringing its customers the true essence of Guatemala. With over 744 reviews on TripAdvisor, they have received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. They are also ranked as #1 of 4 Tours & Activities in Tikal National Park. A satisfied customer wrote:
Tikal is a beautiful place with such an amazing history. Marlon did an amazing job taking us through the history of the Mayan people. Marlon was an amazing tour guide… Ekib E
Read all reviews of Gem Tours on TripAdvisor.
Simoon! Rentals & Tours
Simoon! Rentals & Tours is the only tour operator in Antigua that is able to offer tours on motorcycles, scooters, and ATVs around the rural village areas. They offer a large range of distinctive tours for your choosing. Their staffs are extremely skilled and capable of catering to their clients.
At Simoon, safety is the number one priority in each and every tour. They promise to give you an experience that takes you off the beaten trail and into the more indigenous areas of Guatemala. Explore mountains and villages with one of the best Guatemalan tour companies.
Simoon! Rentals & Tours Best Guatemala Tour Packages
As pioneers of adventure tourism in Antigua, Simoon has tour packages that will suit all your adventure needs. The Antigua Mountain Tour package is a fun experience where you will be taken to the mountain of El Hato.
Simoon’s Antigua Motorcycle Adventure will have you driving your own motorbike through organic farms and even a hobbit-themed lodge within Antigua.
You can also go on their Antigua Villages Tour to get a unique chance to interact with the local communities and roam their local factories and markets.
Simoon! Rentals & Tours Reviews
Their adrenaline-pumping adventures have received positive acclaim from many tourists that chose Simoon Rentals & Tours as their tour company in Guatemala. With over 625 reviews and 5-star ratings on TripAdvisor, the company is ranked as #2 of 76 Outdoor Activities in Antigua. A customer that toured with them in the past wrote:
Our guide was very attentive and helpful with inexperienced drivers. The experience was a lot of fun. We went to several places and enjoyed them all… 498katherineg
Read all reviews of Simoon! Rentals & Tours on TripAdvisor.
Quetzaltrekkers
Quetzaltrekkers is the leading non-profit and all-volunteer run tour operator in Guatemala. They are dedicated to bringing you a unique experience of the Guatemalan countryside. Their motto is “Hike Volcano, Help Kids”. The company aims to raise awareness and funds for various social projects through their tours and excursions. Their tourism technique is also sustainable and non-invasive to the environment.
Quetzaltrekkers Best Guatemala Tour Packages
Quetzaltrekkers offers unique tour packages throughout the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Tour the Santa Maria Volcano atop Xela Valley. In this trip, you will climb the steep hillside through pine forests and see the amazing view of the Guatemalan Highlands.
Join Quetzaltrekkers on their most popular tour package – the 3 day hike from Xela to Lake Atitlan. Trek through cloud forests and rural villages and immerse yourself in local Mayan communities. Also, you can go on a thrilling 5 day adventure to Todos Santos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Quetzaltrekkers Reviews
Being leaders in the Guatemalan tourism industry, the company’s efforts and service has been praised by many. This Guatemalan tour company has 625 reviews on TripAdvisor and has received the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2023. They are also ranked as #1 of 21 Tours & Activities in Quetzaltenango. A past customer wrote:
We had a great experience! The hike itself was beautiful with great views and nature. There where no other tourists around which was great… Judith K
Read all reviews of Quetzaltrekkers on TripAdvisor.
Old Town Outfitters
Old Town Outfitters was founded in 1998 and has been providing the highest quality tours in Antigua. Old Town is a full-service Guatemala tour company that specializes in adventure travel and management. The company was founded by Matt Hartell. As pioneers of outdoors adventure, their tour guides are extremely passionate and skillful at what they do. They are rock climbers, bike experts, adventure fanatics and everything in between!
Old Town Outfitters Best Guatemala Tour Packages
With many years of experience in the industry, Old Town Outfitters provides you the best tours in Guatemala. One popular tour option is the Acatenango Guatemala Volcano tour. This famous volcano has a plethora of flowers and fauna covering its sides and is a beautiful trip for your whole family.
If you are interested in Mayan ruins, the Tikal Ruins 1 Day Tour is the perfect fit for you! Spend the day exploring Tikal’s burial grounds and their impressive pyramids and ruins.
Your adventure needs will be met fully on their El Zur Mountain Bike Tour. Ride the only MTB customized trail in Guatemala for a thrilling and adrenaline-surging experience.
Old Town Outfitters Reviews
As one of the highest-reviewed travel agencies in Guatemala, Old Town Outfitters’ exciting adventure packages are liked by all tourists. They have 612 reviews on TripAdvisor and are ranked as #7 of 76 Outdoor Activities in Antigua. A customer satisfied with their service wrote:
We travelled up in 4x4s which was hilarious. Your guides are talented drivers! This was my best experience in Guatemala… Claire
Read all reviews of Old Town Outfitters on TripAdvisor.
CA Travelers
CA Travelers is an avant-garde agency that has a different take on what a tourist experience should be. The company wants to give a truly unique tour experience that offers clients the absolute best service of the highest quality. At CA Travelers, they value honesty, reliability, sustainability and growth.
CA Travelers Best Guatemala Tour Packages
You can find yourself spending quality time exploring a beautiful foreign country with tour packages from CA Travelers.
Traverse the beautiful landscapes of Semuc Champey National Park. You will be roaming around a tropical forest and swimming in crystalline pools in this tour package.
Their unique Cultural Tour of Santa Maria de Jesus offers you to enjoy local chocolate and wine. For a taste of Guatemalan delights, you can opt for their Culinary Nightfall tour package.
CA Travelers Reviews
Steadily rising to the top of the travel market, this Guatemalan travel agency has not had any problem in providing satisfactory tours to its clients. Their 498 reviews on TripAdvisor have led them to be ranked as #2 of 61 tours and transportaion in Antigua. A recent client of theirs wrote:
I can highly recommend this tour. Farah is a great and very passionate guide, who provides you with lots of informations, especially about the politic development of Guatemala… Christoph
Read all reviews of CA Travelers on TripAdvisor.
Los Elementos Adventure Center
Los Elemenots Adventure Center was founded by Lee and Elaine in 2005. The company emerged from their passion for adventure upon relocating from Colorado to Guatemala. What originally started as a small venture quickly rose to become one of the largest and most successful travel agencies in Guatemala. The company provides immersive cultural and adventure tours in Lake Atitlan and its surrounding areas.
Los Elementos Adventure Center Best Guatemala Tour Packages
From kayaking in whitewater rapids to scaling rocks and volcanoes, there is no shortage of tour packages at Los Elementos.
Go on the #1 hiking expeditions in Guatemala with Los Elementos’ San Pedro Volcano Hike. In this 3-5 hour hike, you will scale the dormant volcano and see breathtaking sights of Lake Atitlan from its summits.
For a true experience of Guatemalan indigenous culture, take part in a Mayan Fire Ceremony in the sacred caves of Lake Atitlan.
Similarly, go on their Guatemala Jungle Trek for a trip filled with natural beauty. You will see a wide variety of wildlife and fauna including the Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala.
Los Elementos Adventure Center
As one of the best tour companies in Guatemala, Los Elementos has consistently delivered satisfactory services to its customers. They have 449 reviews on TripAdvisor and most of them are positive. A past customer of theirs wrote:
We did the Santiago and San Juan Tour, we had an amazing experience!! Mario was our guide, he was fantastic!! Our goal was to have an immersive experience… Pablo B
Read all reviews of Los Elementos Adventure Center on TripAdvisor.
De La Gente
De la Gente is a private company based in Guatemala that helps coffee-growing communities by providing authentic tours of coffee plantations. The company was founded in 2014 by Franklin Voorhes. Through their immersive and rich coffee tours, they have become a well-recognized tour operator in Guatemala.
Their aim is to provide a sustainable livelihood to local people involved in coffee plantations. Their main focus lies in community tourism where they invite tourists to truly experience and learn from local communities.
De la Gente – Private Tours Best Guatemala Tour Packages
Experience the soulful culture and tradition of local Guatemalan coffee-growers through De la Gente’s many tour packages. Embark on their Coffee Tour near the outskirts of Antigua. In this tour, you will learn everything about coffee-making from bean to brew. End the tour with a nice, hot coffee at the producer’s home.
If you want a taste of Guatemalan gastronomy, try their Pepian Cooking Class. De la Gente also offers Origin Trips which is a unique experience where you will be interacting first-hand with small-scale coffee producers.
De la Gente
Coffee is a big part of Guatemalan culture and De la Gente has proved this point through its popular coffee tours. As a highly-reviewed Guatemalan travel agency, they have 445 reviews on TripAdvisor. They are at the very top as #1 of 51 Food & Drink in Antigua. A customer who toured with them in the past wrote:
The pepian class was excellent! Rosie and her husband we very welcoming and kind. A great way to experience a part of Guatemalan culture up close… Melissa P
Read all reviews of De la Gente – Private Tours on TripAdvisor.
Tikal VIP Tours
Tikal VIP Tours is a top-rated local tour operator in Guatemala. The company was founded by Elmer Alvarado, a passionate tour guide, in 2019. Besides being known for their exceptional private and sunrise tours, they also ensure reliable, safe transportation, including A/C and insurance. They are dedicated to responsible tourism, providing educational insights into history, archaeology, flora, and fauna of Guatemala.
Tikal VIP Tours Best Guatemala Tour Packages
Tikal VIP Tours is widely recognized for their exclusive tours of Mayan ruins around Tikal and Yaxha. Join them on one of their Tikal Private Tours where you will spend the day exploring the Mayan ruins around Tikal.
Don’t miss out on their iconic Sunrise Tour of Tikal. Travel to Tikal early in the morning and watch the gorgeous view of the sunrise atop Mayan monuments.
Also, a must-see is Yaxha National Park that is just a few hours’ drive from Tikal. Tikal VIP Tours provides a beautiful Sunset Tour of Yaxha where you will get unique views of the sunset from this archaeological ruin.
Tikal VIP Tours Reviews
As a highly-reviewed Guatemalan tour company, Tikal VIP Tours has been praised by many tourists that booked their travel services. Out of 412 reviews on TripAdvisor, 400 of them are 5-star ratings. They are ranked as #1 of 30 Tours & Activities in Flores. A past client of theirs wrote:
The tour was simply fantastic. We left early to get ahead of the busy crowds. The van was new and very clean. Elmer our guide was one of the best… Tim S
Read all reviews of Tikal VIP Tours on TripAdvisor.
OX Expeditions
With OX Expeditions, you are guaranteed a solid and professional tour experience of Guatemala. OX prides itself on being one of the top Guatemalan tour operators within all of Antigua and they have a knack for details. They value professionalism, safety, care and sustainability. At OX Expeditions, their responsible and accountable tour guides will ensure the best vacation for you and your family. Their attention to your needs will give you the chance to relax and feel confident that your tour will be everything you imagined.
OX Expeditions Best Guatemala Tour Packages
With their attentive tour guides and personalized service, OX Expeditions provides tour packages that will cater to your every need.
Go on an unbelievable adventure on their Summit to Surf tour package. Hike 13000ft to the top of a volcano and descend the next day to surf waves on the Pacific Ocean.
Ox Expeditions offers the Lost City Guatemala tour where you will see the “real” Guatemala on a bike. Also, visit ruins, churches, cemeteries and more on this exciting and immersive tour.
You could also climb a mountain on their Acatenango Day Hike package. In this adventure filled hike, you will be able to see breathtaking views atop Acatenango’s summit.
OX Expeditions Reviews
This Guatemalan travel agency has single-handedly raised the standards of tourism in Guatemala through its spectacular service. They have 382 reviews on TripAdvisor and most of them are positive. They are also ranked as #2 of 14 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Antigua. A satisfied customer who toured with them recently wrote:
Alonso and the whole OX team was amazing. Great adventure to be done with friends. I recommend this company… Eliana T
Read all reviews of OX Expeditions on TripAdvisor.
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FAQs
The #1 attraction in Guatemala is undoubtedly the Tikal National Park. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, this area offers an immersive experience of Mayan ruins as well as great views of the surrounding areas.
The best time to visit Guatemala is during the months of November to April. The warmer months like March and April are especially appealing to tourists since there is no rainfall and you get excellent views from atop Guatemala’s fascinating volcanoes.
Guatemala is a haven for outdoors adventure! From volcano climbing to whitewater rafting, tourists will have no shortage of activities to do. You could also spend time on the Pacific Ocean if you wanted!
The most popular food in Guatemala is its national dish, Pepian de pollo, which is a special type of chicken stew. Besides that, you also have Chiles rellenos, Jocon, Kak’ik and Hilachas.
Guatemala is one of the safest countries in Central America for female solo travelers. It is very affordable and the Guatemalan locals are friendly and approachable when it comes to tourists.