A Taste of Antigua

Puerto Quetzal

Tour Details

A Taste of Antigua

Sink your teeth into delicious candies, admire the architecture of historic sites like the Santa Catalina Arch, and discover how to make traditional tortillas and more on this walking tour near Puerto Quetzal in historic Antigua. If you're looking for a way to combine to learn about Guatemala's history and combine it with a gastronomical experience, then this is the tour for you! Your tour includes convenient roundtrip transportation to and from your port to Antigua, Guatemala, and an expert guide who will take you to some of its iconic sites, including the Capuchinas Convent, Central Park, and the Santa Catalina Arch. Enjoy a delicious food tasting with stops at places like the Antiguan Guatemalan Market and a traditional restaurant, where you'll get to sample three salads, two sweets, and two candies while learning about the history of the food and culture, making this the perfect tour for foodies and culture connoisseurs alike.

Kick off your tour with an early morning pickup from Puerto Quetzal as find your comfortable vehicle waiting and follow your guide to explore Antigua, Guatemala. This historic town is known as Latin America's best-preserved cities that attract global visitors year-round and features Spanish Colonial style architecture and urban planning that's reflected in its homes, squares, parks, cathedrals, and other important landmarks. Your first stop takes you the famous Antiguan Guatemala Market where you'll get to learn about the history of the fruit, vegetable, and grain cultivation in the area. Your time at this iconic market also gives you the chance to discover how the locals make tortillas based Mesoamerican staples like corn, beans, and chili.

Continue next with a stop at the famous public square of Central Park where you'll get to witness strategic urban planning with the grid pattern that surrounds the park, a style characteristic of Spanish urban planning in the colonies. This iconic park is surrounded by a plethora of historic buildings like the Palace of the Generals, the church of San Jose, and the Portal of Commerce. Witness the famous Mermaid's Fountain built by the Count of Gomera as an homage to a local folk tale about a king's daughters who gave birth to children that they did not want to nurse. Your guide will share the history behind this legend as you continue exploring Antigua by foot and stop at a renowned restaurant that's emblematic of Antigua thanks to its wide selection of local dishes and Guatemalan desserts, which you'll get to taste.

While at the restaurant, you'll get to step out on its terrace to admire breathtaking views of the city's lush landscape and historic sites, including your next stop at the Santa Catalina Arch, where you'll get to admire its architectural excellence, vivid tangerine hue, and iconic clock. You'll also get to see ancient vestiges, sample more Guatemalan foods with roots that date back to the 16th century, indulge in a Guatemalan dish known for its unusual ingredients and flavor and learn about the history of the fusion of pre-Columbian dishes with Hispanic Arabic cuisine as you visit the Capuchinas Convent - the birthplace of many of the country's native recipes. Wrap up your gastronomic and cultural experience with a stop at a traditional Guatemalan candy shop to sink your teeth into handmade candies forged from fruit and local ingredients. Here, you'll learn about the history of candy making and its detailed process before returning to your pier in Puerto Quetzal.

From learning how to handcraft tortillas to discovering the history behind Guatemalan candy making, this tour offers much to see and do. Book this tour today and prepare for an unforgettable time in Puerto Quetzal.

$115 per person

Duration: 7 hours
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Reference: Holland America Line, Zaandam, Departing Thu, Jan 9, 2025

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More about this tour

Shore Excursion Size: Standard

Shore Excursion Type: Culinary / Food

Shore Excursion Duration: 7

Shore Excursion Departs From: Cruise Ship Pier

Activity Level: Easy

Food/Beverage Provided: Snacks

Recommended Dress: We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and casual, comfortable weather-appropriate clothing. We also suggest a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen in the summer.

Restrictions: Guests should have good mobility as you must be able to walk for a time. Guests must be able to get in and out of the transportation. This tour is not wheelchair accessible.


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