7 Activities That Will Teach You About the Culture in Guatemala

Maya man at the market in Sololá, Guatemala
Maya man at the market in Sololá, Guatemala | © SL-Photography / Shutterstock
Jack Guy

Longer trips are a perfect opportunity to combine relaxation with learning a new skill and appreciating the culture of the country you are traveling in. Here are some of the best cultural experiences to be had in Guatemala.

Take a cooking class

Guatemalan cuisine is full of great stews like pepian and kak’ik, as well as plenty of other dishes that you will see at markets and restaurants around the country. Take a cooking course at El Frijol Feliz or La Tortilla cooking school in Antigua to learn how to make them yourself.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Cooking in Guatemala

Learn Spanish

Learning the language is the best way to make better connections with a culture, and Guatemala is no different. Taking a course will help you feel more comfortable navigating the country and getting to know its people. Antigua and San Pedro la Laguna are both home to lots of Spanish schools.

Guatemalan textiles

Dying workshops

Traditional textiles are still widely used by people all over Guatemala—who could miss the brightly-colored huipiles worn by indigenous women?—and what better way to appreciate them than by learning how they’re made. Take a class at TinteMaya in San Juan la Laguna or Trama Textiles in Quetzaltenango.

Make your own chocolate

Book a tour at the ChocoMuseo in Antigua to see how Guatemalan chocolatiers make bars from locally produced cacao. You get to take your chocolate home too, which makes for a great souvenir.

Weaving workshops

After traditional textiles are dyed, they then have to be woven into particular shapes and designs. In many communities, this means traditional backstrap weaving. Learn how this laborious process works in a class at Tintos y Arte in Antigua and you’ll gain even more respect for the weavers.

Made with love

Take a barista course

Guatemalan coffee is famous around the world, and its reputation continues to grow, so what better place to learn about coffee and how to make the perfect cup? Sign up to a course at Anacafé in Guatemala City and you’ll leave with a certificate from the national coffee association.

Shake away the cobwebs at a salsa class

Salsa is a big deal in Guatemala, and plays a major part in its nightlife. Instead of stumbling around the dance floor crashing into people, take a few classes to get the basics down. Before long, you’ll be strutting your stuff with the locals.

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