Guatemala New Year's Adventure

Lake Atitlan & Antigua, Guatemala

O
Outsiders
  • Email address verified
10 reviews
Dec 27, 2024 - Jan 3, 2025
Group size: 1 - 22
Guatemala New Year's Adventure
Lake Atitlan & Antigua, Guatemala

Outsiders
  • Email address verified
10 reviews

Dec 27, 2024 - Jan 3, 2025
Group size: 1 - 22

About this trip

AT A GLANCE

We’re so excited to ring in the New Year with you in stunning Guatemala! This Central American gem is bursting with vibrant culture, jaw-dropping landscapes, and warm, welcoming locals. Imagine paddleboarding on the tranquil waters of Lake Atitlán surrounded by majestic volcanoes, or strolling through the colorful, cobblestone streets of Antigua, where every corner tells a story of rich history and tradition. Swap your winter blues for sunshine and dive into the heart of Guatemala’s soul—exploring lively markets, relaxing on black sand beaches, and immersing yourself in holistic healing with yoga, saunas, and the sacred Mayan Temazcal ritual. This trip is all about making genuine connections, soaking in local traditions, and finding your perfect mix of adventure and relaxation in a place where culture and nature come together in the most unforgettable way.


ITINERARY

WHAT TO EXPECT

Expect a mix of cultural exploration, wellness, adventure and celebration; Guatemala offers a journey filled with vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and rich traditions. We will explore Lake Atitlan which is known for being a famous destintaiton for spiritual exploration.  The lake is set amidst volcanic peaks and dotted with charming villages. Later, we’ll head to Antigua, a city renowned for its cobblestone streets, colorful colonial architecture, and lively markets. This trip will culminate with a special New Year’s celebration, featuring bucket list activities that promise to create life long memories.

Day 1 - December 27  ARRIVAL 

We’ll arrive in Guatemala City, and start a scenic drive to Lake Atitlan in comfortable vans, taking in the lush landscapes and majestic mountains along the way. After the journey, we’ll check in at Lomas de Tzununa, a beautiful hotel perched above the lake that offers breathtaking views and a stunning pool deck. The first evening will be spent settling in and enjoying the tranquility of our surroundings.

Day 2 - December 28

The next day begins with a rejuvenating yoga session overlooking the calm waters of Lake Atitlan. Afterward, we will hike through the jungle to a nearby waterfall, immersing ourselves in the region's natural beauty. Following a delicious lunch at the hotel, the afternoon is free for relaxation, exploration, or a refreshing swim in the lake. Dinner will be served as the sun sets over the lake, and the day will end with a sacred cacao ceremony and kirtan. 

The heart-opening power of cacao meets the soulful rhythms of chanting and music. Connect deeply with yourself and others in a blissful space of shared intention, as the soothing vibrations and rich, ceremonial cacao elevate your spirit and awaken inner peace.

Day 3 - December 29

The following day, we’ll start with breakfast and then experience a traditional temazcal, a Mayan sauna ritual known for its cleansing and spiritual benefits.  It’s basically a detox for your soul. Surrounded by steamy volcanic stones and earthy scents, you’ll sweat it all out—stress, and bad vibes, leaving you feeling totally reset and recharged.

After lunch, we’ll visit the nearby villages of San Juan or San Marcos. These villages are known for their local art, traditional weaving, and holistic centers. San Marcos la Laguna, renowned for its spiritual holistic healing centers for yoga, meditation and self love.  

San Juan la Laguna, the town known for being a piece of artwork itself. San Juan is home to beautiful murals, local paintings, vibrant weaving and textiles anywhere you look is a visual feast.

Dinner will be at our hotel, followed by free time to unwind after a day full of enriching activities.

Day 4 - December 30

On our last morning at Lake Atitlán, we’ll kick things off with a paddleboarding session on the glassy waters with the volcano’s as a back drop. After grabbing breakfast at a cute lakeside café, you’ll have some down time before we hit the road to Antigua. The scenic drive will take us straight to this stunning city, where we'll dive into a delicious dinner at a local spot and soak up Antigua’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 5 - December 31

We’ll kick off the day with a tasty breakfast, then you’ll have some free time to explore Antigua—whether that’s hitting up the bustling markets, checking out the historic sites, or just unwinding in a cozy café. The building colors in Antigua are so vibrant and really a stunning contrast with the volcano on the horizon.  

As evening rolls in, we’ll gear up for a New Year’s Eve celebration, joining the locals to ring in the New Year with fireworks, music, and nonstop street festivities that make Antigua the perfect place to party your way into the next year.

Day 6 - January 1st

The first day of the New Year is a free day, allowing everyone to recover from the celebrations or continue exploring the charming streets and hidden gems of Antigua. In the afternoon, for those who want more adventure, there will be an ATV tour to explore the surrounding areas. We’ll embark on the best ATV Sunset Tour in Guatemala for an unforgettable adventure with breathtaking views and an epic sunset atop a mountain. Ride through rugged trails and lush landscapes as you ascend to the perfect vantage point to witness the sky painted in fiery hues. It’s an adrenaline-pumping experience paired with stunning panoramas that will leave you in awe of Guatemala’s natural beauty.

Day 7 - January 2nd

Our final full day in Guatemala will be spent on a beach excursion. We will depart early for a nearby coastal town, where we can relax on the beach and enjoy optional surf lessons. After a full day of sun and surf, we’ll return to Antigua for a final dinner and an evening of relaxation or exploration.

Day 8 - January 3rd

As our trip comes to a close, we’ll depart from Antigua and head back to Guatemala City. Vans will be available at different times throughout the morning and early afternoon for departures, ensuring a smooth journey back home after a week filled with adventure, culture, and unforgettable experiences. 

What’s included

  • Transportation
    Private Transportation while in Rio
  • Breakfast at the Hotel
    Hotel Breakfast each morning
  • Tours
    All our excursions are included in the price
  • All Dinners
    all of our dinner are included
  • Hikes
  • Sight Seeing
  • New Year’s Eve Dinner an
    We'll have a New Year's Eve Dinner Party included

What’s not included

  • Drinks at Dinner
    Dinners will be covered but you'll have to pay for your drinks since they are not included.
  • FLIGHTS
    Flights are not included in our package

Available Packages

Twin Double Room
Deposit:$500
Available until December 10, 2024

$3,291.00 per person

Only purchase this ticket if you have someone you are planning on sharing a hotel room with. 

We do not pair people unless specifically requested. 

Let us know who you will share with. 

$3,291
Deposit:$500
Single Room
Deposit:$500
Available until December 10, 20247 left

$4,089.00 per person

One person, single room.

$4,089
Deposit:$500


Your Organizer


O
Outsiders
10 reviews
The Outsiders started as a New York-based social club and has now expanded to Los Angeles, Chicago, and internationally to Stockholm, Sweden. Our mission is to bring people together, foster a sense of community, and develop meaningful connections through shared outdoor experiences. We work hard to keep these adventures affordable and accessible to provide more people with the opportunity to join us and experience the outdoors.

Reviews

MA
This trip was amazing! The group was so fun, and everyone brought a great perspective and energy to the trip. Thanks Outsiders 🫶🏽 you made my summer
By Mercedes A for Azores Islands Portugal on Sep 02, 2024
Overall it was a great trip. The islands were so beautiful and I loved the activities and people. However, there were some significant lapses in communication and logistical planning that at times put a damper on things. For example, being told to be ready to go at a specific time and leaving 45 mins to an hour later, which caused us to run behind schedule. This led us to have hardly any free or getting ready time and it felt disrespectful to people who put in effort to be on time and then still be so delayed. I also wish there was better communication about changes in the daily itinerary. I understand that things change unexpectedly and we have to be adaptable, but there should be clear communication about it. I felt like every time I asked a trip leader a question about the itinerary or things we needed, I got only partial information and it varied from person to person. For example, being told at the start of the first hike that it was going to be an hour and not strenuous, then it ended up being a fairly strenuous 3 hour hike. Finally, being more up front about additional costs such as meals, the hot springs, and only finding out the morning of the Pico flight that we needed to arrange our own taxis to the airport. These critiques are meant to be constructive. I still had an amazing time and got to experience some once in a lifetime things. Hopefully you are able to enact some of these changes for the next trip to have it run a little bit smoother. Thanks again for a great week!
By Megan D for Azores Islands Portugal on Aug 29, 2024
VT
We had a great time with wonderful people, delicious food and comfortable accommodations. My most entertaining experience was the Big John’s Texas barbecue impromptu performance by Jesse and Iliana (one of the most hilarious live acts I’ve ever seen). My favorite visual experience was the Antelope Slot Canyon experience (so beautiful). The most heart racing experience was the canyoneering and repelling. I never thought in a billion years that I would be pulling such a crazy stunt, but I did with the help of my new chosen family. Love you guys and hopefully see you on the next adventure!!!
By Vivian T for Zion Adventure 2024 on Apr 12, 2024
JJ
I met some wonderful people that I wouldn’t mind keeping in touch with. I love being outside in nature and this trip provided maximum opportunity to do so; Zion is stunning. The schedule was adequately filled with things to do and see. The trip is perfect for those who may not have traveling partners but possess an open mind, open heart, and are willing to meet/interact with new people.
By Jessica J for Zion Adventure 2024 on Apr 11, 2024
CD
The activities were amazing. For me, biking though Zion park (highly recommend the e-bike option!) and cayoneering (less scary than imagined) were the stand outs. The people were awesome. A lot of 30-somethings, but ages ranged from 20s-60s and we all got along great. That said, poor communication, organization, and value for cost, make this trip difficult to recommend. Hotels were different than advertised. Be aware it's a 25 min drive from the hotel to Zion, and there are no taxi or Uber/rideshare services available in the Springdale area. Some refinement of the logistics and more professional and proactive communication from the organizers would make this a great trip.
By Chelsea D for Zion Adventure 2024 on Apr 10, 2024
Show More Reviews