Nov 13, 2024
Multilaterally interesting, unforgettable experience - Thanks to detailed, evidence based knowledge of our guide Gustavo Morales we not only enjoyed the beautiful nature but learned very interesting things. The locals were very friendly and in the cooperative of the village they explained to us the production process of the cotton and coffee. The food was excellent and during the return trip Gustavo further explained to us topics of the history of Guatemala.
Review provided by Viator
Nov 10, 2024
Atitlan Charm & Artisanal Healing Magic - Our first full day in Guatemala was beautiful! We enjoyed a private tour to Lago de Atitlán. We cruised on a private lancha from Panajachel across the beautiful lake and saw Volcan San Pedro, Volcan Atitlan & Volcano Toliman. Our guide, Luis was incredibly impressive and knowledgeable. He took the time to learn our interests to tailor our experiences.
We met with artisanal weavers, enjoyed learning from artisanal chocolate makers and connected with a local Curandera to explore her herbal medicinal jardin!
We are grateful to Luis for his energy and in sharing his passion of Guatemala with us!
Review provided by Viator
Oct 13, 2024
Great tour - Very nice tour. If you’re looking to explore but short on time I highly recommend this tour. It doesn’t mention on the schedule but there is a stop at the half way point to each breakfast and stretch your legs.
Review provided by Viator
Apr 10, 2024
All around great trip - Long ride, but beautiful. Davis was terrific. Lake Atitlan was wonderful and had a great lunch overlooking the Lake.
Review provided by Viator
Mar 25, 2024
Best time! - Our guide was Davis! He was absolutely amazing! It was a long drive from the city to the lake but he always reminded us that he will gladly stop for restroom and food breaks. He knew a lot about the history and volcanos. He gave us plenty of time to explore throughout the whole trip. He was super friendly and knowledgeable. 10/10
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 16, 2024
Great time on lake Atitalan - The views were amazing. Eduardo Lee and his father were our guides. They were great, made the trip very safe and transportation in the vehicle and boat were awesome. Highly recommended to use these two.
We also stopped at two local restaurants they suggested for breakfast and lunch along the way along with many cultural stop in San Juan. Thanks again
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 4, 2024
Beautiful views and amazing guy - We had an amazing time. I traveled with my father and we both loved the beauty of the lago Atitlan, it is very unique and beautiful. The boat ride was amazing, and our guide Gustavo was the best! He was extremely friendly, helpful, and went above and beyond to make sure we were having a great time and providing information as we went. The only thing is that it is a very LONG drive. On our way back, the traffic to get into Guatemala city was crazy, we left around 3 and arrived to Guatemala around 7.. just something to be mindful of. Other than that, would definitely recommend
Review provided by Viator
May 1, 2024
Great Tour of Lake Atitlan! - We truly enjoy our lake Atitlan tour with Gustavo. He was a great guide! He was informative. The boat ride was absolutely beautiful! I would definitely recommend this service to anyone that wants to experience the culture and see beautiful view of the lake and surrounding volcanos
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 2, 2024
Not worth the price - The traffic was terrible which seems to be a common occurrence - if this is the case why isn’t the tour starting at an earlier time in order to avoid spending the majority of tour time in traffic. We ended up rushing through the stops and in the last one we were only there for a few minutes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 3, 2024
Horrible tour and waste of money - This was such a horrible “tour” I wish I could give it 0 stars.
After being picked up, I discovered that the driver of the van did not speak English and while the tour guide Gustavo did, he still addressed the group in Spanish because apparently the rest of the people already on the van were bilingual. I had to interrupt Gustavo to tell him that I didn’t speak Spanish and that this was supposed to be an English speaking tour. After that, Gustavo never really addressed the group as a whole again as I would have expected him to do on our way to Lake Atitlan. I have taken several tours all over the world and every tour guide I have had before Gustavo would sit at the front of the van or bus and explain the history of where we were going and something about the country itself. Gustavo simply sat in the van silent like he was on vacation himself.
My 3 friends and I were the last to be picked up and although Gustavo had notified me the night before of the pick-up time, he was 30 minutes late. After getting a late start, we hit some traffic leaving the city that caused us to be even further behind schedule. After the traffic cleared and knowing that we were now behind schedule, instead of continuing on to Lake Atitlan, Gustavo had us stop for breakfast for 1 hour. This was not mentioned in the tour’s itinerary and was a ridiculous waste of time in light of the fact that we were already running very late. I could only guess that Gustavo was hungry and was going to get a free meal at the restaurant.
In any event and after breakfast, we hit more traffic making us fall even further behind schedule but again, instead of talking to us and enlightening us on where we were and where we were going as any decent tour guide would do, Gustavo went to the back of the van to an empty seat and took a nap.
We pretty much drove in silence all the way to Panajachel . When we got off the van, Gustavo led us to the waiting boat that looked like it was 50 years old and informed us that we didn’t have time to tour the lake or go across it to Santiago de Atitlan but would be visiting another village instead, that is, San Antonio Palopo. Basically, this meant that the tour that I took my 3 friends on and paid for was not anything close to what was described in the itinerary for this tour. At that village, we visited a store for shopping and walked up to a church. It was ridiculous. I did not have to pay over $100 per person to see and do what we did at this village. Again, Gustavo did not tell us anything about the village, its people or the church.
After spending about an hour at this village, we returned by boat to Panajachel where we were told we would have 1 ½ hours for dinner. This was insane. We paid to tour Lake Atitlan and now we were instead going to spend another 1 ½ hours to eat after already spending an hour for breakfast. Any decent tour guide would have addressed the group and inquired as to what we wanted to do in light of the fact that we were running behind schedule and ask us whether we preferred to spend another 1 ½ hours eating or stick to the itinerary and tour the lake and visit Santiago de Atitlan as described in the printed itinerary. I am confident that my fellow travelers would have opted for a tour of the lake as promised instead of taking the time for another meal as everyone seemed to be upset by this change in plans.
After we had our dinner, Gustavo informed us we could have an additional ½ hour to explore Panajachel but according to the itinerary described on your website, we were to “stroll down Santander Street in Panajachel with our local guide.” Another description in the website’s itinerary that was never delivered.
I blame the tour guide for the decisions he made. He obviously only cared about himself and never for a moment had our best interests at heart. The tour that I paid good money for was a waste as nothing that was described in the itinerary was delivered. Additionally, I was embarrassed in front of my friends because I had picked this horrible tour.
I have been a huge fan of Tripadvisor for several years and I cannot emphasize enough how horrible this tour was and how disappointed my friends and I were.
Review provided by Tripadvisor