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Iximche Ruins Tour from Antigua: Explore the First Capital of Guatemala
4.8
13 Ratings
Antigua Guatemala
Discover the ancient ruins of Iximche, the first capital of Guatemala, on a guided tour from Antigua. Immerse yourself in the history of the Cakchiquel Maya and the Spanish conquest.
Discover the ancient ruins of Iximche, the first capital of Guatemala, on a guided tour from Antigua. Immerse yourself in the history of the Cakchiquel Maya and the Spanish conquest.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Iximche - Explore the rich history of the ancient Mayan city of Iximche. Governed by the Kaqchikel Maya from the 12th to the 15th century, this site was a prominent city in the Guatemalan Highlands during the Spanish conquest, second only to the K’iche’ capital at Q’umarkaj. The architectural layout features four ceremonial plazas encircled by…
- Iximche - Explore the rich history of the ancient Mayan city of Iximche. Governed by the Kaqchikel Maya from the 12th to the 15th century, this site was a prominent city in the Guatemalan Highlands during the Spanish conquest, second only to the K’iche’ capital at Q’umarkaj. The architectural layout features four ceremonial plazas encircled by temples, edifices reaching heights of up to 10 meters, and two ball courts. Visitors can also find a modest museum that exhibits sculptures and ceramics unearthed from Iximche (NOTE: CLOSED ON MONDAY). Recognized as Guatemala’s initial capital, established by the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Alvarado, this site holds significant historical value. A van will collect you from your hotel between 7:20 am and 7:40 am. We anticipate arriving at approximately 9:00 am, at which time our bilingual local guide will greet you to commence the tour. The guide will provide an overview of the site, starting with the museum at the entrance. This introduction sets the stage for a deeper understanding of the Mayan way of life and their defense strategies against adversaries. Each plaza narrates its own tale, offering insights into the societal hierarchy of the time. The tour concludes around 11 am in Antigua.
What's Included
- Local guide
- Pickup from centrally located hotels in Antigua
- Round-trip shared transfer
- Professional driver
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Local guide
- Pickup from centrally located hotels in Antigua
- Round-trip shared transfer
- Professional driver
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel drop-off, (The return is at the Central Park of Antigua, NOT TO THE HOTELS)
- Ruins entrance fee Q50.00 p/p
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel drop-off, (The return is at the Central Park of Antigua, NOT TO THE HOTELS)
- Ruins entrance fee Q50.00 p/p
Additional Information
Iximche – Once the capital of the Cakchiquel Maya during the Spanish Conquest and the first capital of Guatemala, established by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado. It is situated approximately 2 hours from Antigua Guatemala. Our local bilingual guide will greet you at the site, and the tour around Iximche lasts about an hour and a half. Hotel…
Iximche – Once the capital of the Cakchiquel Maya during the Spanish Conquest and the first capital of Guatemala, established by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado. It is situated approximately 2 hours from Antigua Guatemala. Our local bilingual guide will greet you at the site, and the tour around Iximche lasts about an hour and a half. Hotel pick-up is scheduled between 7:20 AM and 7:40 AM. The tour concludes at Antigua Guatemala’s central park around 11:30 AM.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A minimum of 3 people per booking is required
Location
5a Avenida Norte 2
5a Avenida Norte
If you are staying outside Antigua we can pick you up in front of Cafe Condesa at the Main Square of Antigua Guatemala. Please inform us if you will wait there.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(13 Ratings)
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Lindsay_h
Oct 3, 2024
Magical historical site. - We were fortunate to go on a day when we were the only people on the tour. Melvin was super knowledgeable and answered all our questions while giving us the history. We got to observe the Mayan people (from afar) who ceremonially praised Mother Earth through their traditions. It was magical. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Denisecp3367qj
May 21, 2024
Iximche archeological site - We went to iximche ruins yesterday. We had an excellent experience. A la cart tours booked this for us. Willie picked us up at the hotel and took us there. Melvin was our tour guide
Melvins wealth of knowledge about the ruins and the Mayan people made this excursion one of the best we've been on.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emilyjsauer
Apr 16, 2024
A must see location! - My friends and I loved this tour and think it’s a must-do if you have the time! Our guide was so knowledgeable and friendly and we truly felt like we got to connect to the culture and history of the location. Our shuttle driver was also kind and a great driver and picked us up right at our door. I will recommend this tour to anyone I know traveling to the area in the future!
Review provided by Viator
2cajun
Mar 15, 2024
The unnoted ruins! - The trip was very interesting the guide was excellent and kind. The small museum was also very informative The bus driver arrived when stated at the hotel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richard_f
Jul 10, 2023
A truly special experience - A wonderful experience, a quick smooth ride from Antigua to ruins. The guide, Melvin had excellent English, was very patient, kind, and taught my family a lot about Mayan history, culture and ruins. It was extra special that he himself identified as Mayan as well. A wonderful way to spend a morning!
Review provided by Viator
Pate203
Mar 24, 2023
Iximche Ruims Tour from Antigua - Iximche Ruins Tour was a short, pleasant ride from Antigua to the highlands. The excavations were much smaller than other Mayan ruins I've seen such as Tikal in northern Guatemala and Chichen Itza on the Mexican Yucatán Peninsula but well worth the trip. The Mayan guide was well informed and the museum was informative as well. It's a beautiful and peaceful spot.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Arielle_p
Feb 26, 2023
Educational and good experience - Tour guide was so nice and knowledgeable. Small group. Answered all our questions. Learned a lot from him! Beautiful culture
Review provided by Viator
Johannate4640wu
Nov 13, 2022
An important visit - Excellent tour of an incredible site. A privilege to hear and learn this history from a knowledge holder among the standing remains of the city of Iximche.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aubreyashley_m
May 6, 2022
Loved it - Wow wow wow! The experience we had at this very spiritual place was once in a lifetime. We’re great full to our guide to opening us up to such a spiritual place and sharing so many amazing historical facts
Review provided by Viator
Hannah
Feb 21, 2020
Great Experience - The tour to Iximche was great! My friend and I were picked up right in front of the hotel by the driver Miguel and driven to Iximche. We went early in the tourism season, so we were actually the only two in the van. When we arrived at Iximche, the guide was already there waiting and there were no other tourists, so we wound up having a private tour of the ruins. Our Maya guide was extremely kind, knowledgeable, and equally fluent in English, Spanish, and his native Maya language. He taught us a lot about his ancestors and culture as we walked through the ruins and then gave us free time to roam. Although the tour says the museum is closed on Monday, we went on a Monday and they told us the museum opened at 9 am. We walked through the museum where they had separate pamphlets in Spanish and English, but all the writing in the museum is solely in Spanish. I can read Spanish fluently, so it wasn’t a problem for me, but if you can’t, it’s still worth going through the museum to see the archaeological finds, which include human bones, Maya clothing, and tools they used. Overall, this tour was well worth the money and I highly recommend it.
Review provided by Viator
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