Antigua, Guatemala: The Ultimate Farm-to-Table Travel Experience
Antigua, Guatemala, is the ultimate farm-to-table travel destination. It offers a rich cultural experience at the center of one of the world’s most varied and abundant agricultural regions. Guatemala’s fertile soil and diverse microclimates support a wide range of crops, all within a short distance of its major cities.
Antigua has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the beauty and abundance of its Spanish Colonial architecture. It served as Guatemala’s colonial capital for over 200 years until earthquakes prompted the relocation of the capital to Guatemala City. Antigua is home to a strong Indigenous presence, primarily the Kaqchikel Maya, who have maintained their cultural traditions for centuries, including in their dress and culinary practices.
The country’s farmers’ markets are where Guatemala’s culture, history, and agricultural abundance truly come together and shine. The vibrant colours, bold flavours, and opportunity to experience food at its most authentic are what make Antigua stand out as a unique and enriching travel destination. On this tour, you’ll enjoy many hands-on experiences to learn about and taste all that Guatemala has to offer.
Small Group Tour to Antigua March 2026 Itinerary
La Antigua Guatemala is one of the most idyllic destinations in the world, with painstakingly restored Spanish colonial architecture, manicured parks, stylish hotels, superb international cuisine and a horizon shaped by three spectacular volcanoes.
Nestled in a mountain valley and surrounded by evergreen forests, Antigua retains the aura of the 17th century capital that it was, while blending modern amenities that make it an internationally appealing getaway. Walking along cobblestone streets, you’ll find high-end art galleries, fascinating museums, luxurious shops with international treasures, and traditional markets packed to the rafters with locally made textiles and woodcrafts. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, with its architecture, culture and unique setting, Antigua, quite simply, is the most charming city in all the Americas.
Casa Santo Domingo is a beautiful, large 125-room hotel located in the ruins of a 17th Century Monastery. The hotel enjoys extensive gardens, a large pool, many restaurant areas, bar and conference & meeting facilities. There is also a small colonial museum and a traditional candle factory on the grounds. There are different standards of rooms up to very deluxe suites and the hotel is decorated with old colonial charm. The hotel can get busy with conferences, weddings and events.
- Arrival at Guatemala City
- Airport : TBA
- Private Guided Group
- Transfer to Antigua
- Welcome Dinner at Welten Restaurant, Antigua Guatemala.
- Overnight at Casa Santo Domingo - Standard Room (Estancia Tradicional / 2 Full Beds)
- American Breakfast (07:00 - 11:00 AM) at Casa Santo Domingo
- Antigua Walking Tour & Traditional Tortilla Workshop (Private/Guided/No Vehicle/No Meals)
- Dinner, on own arrangements
- Overnight at Casa Santo Domingo - Standard Room (Estancia Tradicional / 2 Full Beds)
Antigua Walking Tour & Traditional Tortilla Workshop
You will be met at your hotel by your private guide to begin your half day walking tour of Antigua. This tour explores this colonial city's cultural, architectural, and social history with a behind-the-scenes look at some of Antigua's ornately decorated churches, Spanish colonial-era ruins, and the tomb of the first Guatemalan saint. Entrance fees for the Cathedral of San Jose and the San Francisco El Grande and La Merced churches are included. Afterwards continue to El Comalote for a Traditional Tortilla Workshop. During this immersive experience, you’ll discover the full process behind the tortilla from the seed to the comal, learning about the respect for the land, ancestral techniques, and the philosophy that brings each step to life. You will make your own tortilla using fresh ingredients from the farm and enjoy a tasting of guacamole, chirmol, cheese, beans, chiltepe, and a traditional beverage.
Includes: Entrances to the Antigua Cathedral, the Merced Monastery & the San Francisco Monastery, Private Guide, use of tuc tucs.
- American Breakfast (07:00 - 11:00 AM) at Casa Santo Domingo
- Half-Day Organic Adventure at Caoba Farms (Private/Guided/Vehicle/lunch)
- Dinner. On own arrangements
- Overnight at Casa Santo Domingo - Standard Room (Estancia Tradicional / 2 Full Beds)
Half Day Organic Adventure at Caoba Farms
The Half-Day Farm Experience at Caoba Farms offers participants an authentic introduction to sustainable agriculture through a variety of engaging, hands-on activities. Upon arrival, guests receive a warm welcome and a brief orientation about the farm’s mission, values, and sustainable practices. Depending on the size of the group, participants are then divided into smaller teams, with each team assigned to a different area of the farm. Throughout the morning, these teams rotate between activities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to gain a well-rounded understanding of the farm’s operations. Activities typically involves weeding, seed drying, compost turning, planting seedlings, preparing soil, and assisting with the care of the animal areas. This dynamic structure allows participants not only to contribute meaningfully but also to experience different aspects of farm life in an organized and engaging way. The experience concludes towards midday with a freshly prepared farm-to-table lunch. This final moment provides guests with the opportunity to relax, reflect on their activities, and enjoy the serene natural surroundings of Caoba Farms.
- American Breakfast (07:00 - 11:00 AM) at Casa Santo Domingo
- Antigua Market & Food Tour (Private/Guided/No Vehicle/Street Food)
- Dinner. On own arrangements
- Overnight at Casa Santo Domingo - Standard Room (Estancia Tradicional / 2 Full Beds)
Antigua Market & Food Tour
This feast for the senses combines the robust flavors of Antigua's food with the colonial city's colorful traditions and culture. Your guide will begin the tour with a visit to the city's thriving market (available Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) to explore the seemingly endless array of stalls, which feature everything from clothing, furniture, and ceramic crafts to fruits, vegetables, flowers, and assorted odds and ends. Then it's on to some of the comedores (eateries) most loved by locals. You may sample delicious, authentic Guatemalan cuisine such as chuchitos (Guatemala-style tamales), pupusas (cheese-filled corn tortillas), rellenitos (plantain dough filled with beans and then fried), and even pigs' feet. The guide will describe the cultural background of these everyday delicacies and lead you through the bustling community market to see, smell, touch, and taste the fresh ingredients used in their preparation. (Please note: This tour is for eaters that are more adventurous!)
Includes: Private guide, food tasting, and use of tuc tucs.
- American Breakfast (07:00 - 11:00 AM) at Casa Santo Domingo
- Santa María de Jesus & San Juan del Obispo Villages with Chocolate Workshop (Private/Guided/Minibus/Lunch) (ANT)
- Dinner. On own arrangements
- Overnight at Casa Santo Domingo - Standard Room (Estancia Tradicional / 2 Full Beds)
Santa María de Jesús & San Juan del Obispo Chocolate Workshop
Discover the charm of two of Antigua’s most picturesque villages while immersing yourself in local traditions. Begin in Santa María de Jesús, a vibrant town nestled at the base of the Agua Volcano, where you’ll experience authentic village life, explore its lively central square, and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding highlands. Continue to San Juan del Obispo, one of the first villages founded by the Spanish in the region, known for its colonial church and cultural heritage. Here, you’ll take part in a hands-on chocolate workshop, learning about the ancient Mayan use of cacao and the process of transforming cacao beans into delicious chocolate. To conclude the experience, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch, a perfect way to relax and savor the flavors of the day.
Includes: Private guide, private transfers, Donations, & lunch.
- American Breakfast (07:00 - 11:00 AM) at Casa Santo Domingo
- Fairly Traded Coffee Experience & San Antonio Aguas Calientes (Private/Guided/Minibus/Lunch)
- Dinner. On own arrangements
- Overnight at Casa Santo Domingo - Standard Room (Estancia Tradicional / 2 Full Beds)
Fairly Traded Coffee Experience & San Antonio Aguas Calientes
Your private guide and driver will meet you for the short ride to the town of San Miguel Escobar, just outside of Antigua. In San Miguel, you will meet a farmer that owns a small, independent coffee plantation and promotes environmentally responsible agriculture in Guatemala. On this tour you will visit one of the families that works on this model. You can work side-by-side with coffee farmers as you help pick, pulp, ferment, wash, dry, thresh, sort, or grade the coffee (depending on the season); roast the coffee over an open fire; and grind it by hand on a grindstone before sampling the brew. After the coffee tour guests will visit San Antonio Aguas Calientes, a charming village famous for its vibrant culture and artisan crafts. You’ll explore the Weaving Museum and see local artisans at work. After the weaving tour, head to a nearby macadamia farm, where you’ll discover how these delicious nuts are grown and processed, engaging all your senses along the way. The day concludes with a delicious lunch at the farm.
Note: Although coffee season is from November through March, guests can enjoy the full experience all year round but may not see the coffee plants in bloom.
Includes: Private guide, private transfers, community guide, donations, coffee sampler, & lunch.
- American Breakfast (07:00 - 11:00 AM) at Casa Santo Domingo
- Learn The Secrets of Guatemalan Cuisine (Private/Guided/Minibus/Meal)
- Farewell Dinner. At Wild Daughter, Finca La Azotea, Jocotenango Sacatepéquez.
- Overnight at Casa Santo Domingo - Standard Room (Estancia Tradicional / 2 Full Beds)
Learn The Secrets of Guatemalan Cuisine
Work side-by-side with a local chef as you learn how to make some of Guatemala's most traditional and authentic dishes in this fun, hands-on culinary experience. This experience starts with a brief introduction and historical overview, including the interesting fusion of Spanish and Maya influences on modern-day Guatemalan cuisine. In this fully participatory class, you'll cook with vegetables, meats, herbs, and spices hand-selected from Antigua's thriving indigenous market. Dishes may include pepian, pulique, or jocón, three pre-Columbian stews that have been officially named as part of Guatemala's cultural heritage. (Actual dishes in your class will depend on your taste and availability of ingredients.) Your session concludes deliciously as you enjoy the unique flavours of the dish you just prepared!
Includes: Private guide, cooking guide, materials, lunch or dinner & one traditional beverage.
Not Included: Soft drinks & alcoholic beverages.
- American Breakfast (07:00 - 11:00 AM) at Casa Santo Domingo
- Private Group Transfer to Guatemala City Airport
- Trip Ends at Guatemala City Airport: TBA
The Lake Atitlán Extension offers a four-day guided journey through some of Guatemala’s most iconic destinations. Travellers begin in historic Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and vibrant culture, before continuing to Lake Atitlán with a stop at Iximché for a Maya ceremony. Guests stay at the scenic Hotel Atitlán, enjoying views of the lake and volcanoes while experiencing activities such as kayaking, hiking, village visits, birdwatching, and cultural encounters with local Maya traditions.
The Tikal Extension offers a four-day guided journey through Guatemala’s cultural and natural highlights. Beginning in Guatemala City, travellers explore landmarks such as the Cathedral, Central Square, and key museums before continuing north to Flores and El Remate, gateway towns to Maya sites. Highlights include a sunset visit to Yaxhá and the island ruins of Topoxté, followed by a full-day exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal, with its towering temples, plazas, and abundant wildlife. Accommodations are provided at well-situated hotels in Guatemala City and near Tikal.
Pricing
Antigua, Guatemala: The Ultimate Farm-to-Table Travel Experience
Per Person in Double Occupancy in USD $2770
Single Supplement in USD $840
Lake Atitlán Extension
Per Person in Double Occupancy in USD $1710
Single Supplement in USD $330
Tikal Extension
Per Person in Double Occupancy in USD $1680
Single Supplement in USD $194
Tour led by Lisa Singer
Lisa Singer is passionate about travel, food, and culture. She has a professional background in heritage and communications, holds a graduate degree in history, and earned a Culinary Arts certificate from George Brown College in Toronto. She has spent much of the past five years traveling. Her favorite thing to do on the road is visit local markets and eat her way through them. She also enjoys getting off the beaten path to immerse herself in culinary experiences. She has visited over 50 countries, but Guatemala holds a special place in her heart. She recently joined the board of Planting Seeds International, a nonprofit that aims to break down the barriers that contribute to poverty by supporting children and families in Guatemala.
TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE, or for more information, contact Lisa at lisa@talkofthetowntravel.com or call +1 647-375-8263
Frequently asked questions about traveling to Guatemala
This tour is for anyone interested in travel, food, and culture, with a willingness to try new things and an openness to new experiences.
This is a small-group tour with a maximum of 16 participants. We want to ensure the group doesn’t become so large that guests miss out on individual attention or can’t fully participate in all activities.
Canadian and American citizens do not need a visa to visit Guatemala for short stays. If you are coming from another country, please check the entry and exit requirements for your nationality.
Tipping in Guatemala isn’t mandatory but is greatly appreciated, especially given many workers’ limited incomes. In restaurants, 10% is standard; check the bill for a “propina” line to see if it’s already included. In small cafes, leaving spare change or rounding up is a good practice. For tour guides and drivers, tip about $2–5 per person per day for shorter tours, increasing to $5–10 or more for longer tours or exceptional service. Hotel staff and other service providers also appreciate tips, with amounts depending on the service and number of bags or guests.
ATMs are common in towns and cities but rare in rural areas; check with your bank to see if cards will work. Visa is widely accepted, but fees apply. Don’t rely solely on cards—carry USD cash for easy exchange.
Guatemala, especially Antigua, has a very moderate climate; in March it’s outside the rainy season, with temperatures around 26°C as the high and 13°C as the low.
Since mornings and evenings can be slightly cooler, pack lightweight layers, but plan for sunny daytime conditions. Choose comfortable, quick-drying clothing for time in farm fields or on walks, and wear good-quality walking shoes. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Don’t forget a swimsuit and a reusable water bottle.
We strongly recommend that all passengers purchase travel insurance before their trip.
Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language in Guatemala, while 22 Mayan languages and two other Indigenous languages are also spoken, mostly in rural areas.
In Guatemala, avoid drinking tap water—including for brushing your teeth—and skip ice in drinks; instead, fill a reusable bottle with filtered water, asking your group leader where to find it. Bottled water is widely available and often provided, but choose filtered sources for environmental reasons. It’s safe to eat fruit and vegetables if you peel them, and to consume water-based drinks in restaurants, as most use advanced filtration. Showering is fine, and don’t worry if you accidentally swallow a small amount.
Wi‑Fi is increasingly common in Guatemala’s cities, though speeds may be slower than you’re used to. Internet access is generally very good, but if you’re relying on Wi‑Fi, your experience can depend on the accommodations’ network.
You can use your cell phone in Guatemala, but be aware that global roaming is especially pricey and coverage can be less reliable in remote and mountainous areas, though it’s generally fine in cities. To avoid high costs, consider getting a local SIM or an eSIM with Guatemala-specific data; you won’t keep your regular number, but you can make calls via apps like WhatsApp and FaceTime.
Most toilets in Guatemala are modern flush toilets, especially at tourist sites and restaurants, but in some remote areas you may encounter compostable or drop toilets. You might be asked not to flush toilet paper and instead place it in the provided receptacle. It’s wise to carry your own tissues/toilet paper and hand soap or sanitizer, as these items aren’t always supplied.
Guatemala is generally safe to visit, especially in tourist-frequented areas, and most trips are trouble-free; however, there are fairly high levels of crime, particularly in Guatemala City, so travelers should stay aware of their surroundings and keep valuables secure. Tourism is growing, and the government and citizens aim to ensure visitors have a positive experience.
Talk of the Town Travel Ltd.
15 Arrowstook Rd, Toronto, ON M2K 1K1
15 Arrowstook Rd, Toronto, ON M2K 1K1
TICO #1112688
Travel Planning
Top Destinations & Tours
Resources