Festival of Todos Santos: Motorcycle Road Trip to Guatemala

The team of Jean-François will receive you at the international airport in Guatemala City. You will be transferred in a private vehicle to Antigua, a small, lively town located at an altitude of 1,500 metres. You check into your colonial-style hotel with a great view of the volcanoes of the region. You then join Jean-François’ team for a briefing on your trip and pick up your BMW or Royal Enfield motorcycle. You spend your first day in Antigua. Take the opportunity to visit its tiny, cobbled streets lined with ornate colonial houses.

You start early in the morning morning for an exciting long day of riding through the high-altitude trails of Altipano. Riding through a mountainous and forested region, you head to the indigenous village of Nebaj, situated in the heart of the Ixil Triangle. Riding your motorcycle through the highlands of Guatemala, you arrive in Nebaj, a picturesque village perched on the green slopes of mountains. The women here still dress in the colourful and embroidered traditional costume ‘traje’, amongst the most beautiful costumes in the country. You then take the winding trails to arrive in Acul, a remote village nestled in distinctive landscapes reminiscent of Switzerland and the Alps. Try the cow and goat cheese here, some of the best that the region has to offer. You stay overnight in traditional bungalows in the heart of the Cuchumatanes mountains.

Back on your BMW or Royal Enfield motorcycle, you ride at a leisurely pace on the roads of the Ixil Triangle. Taking the winding trails, you ascend to an altitude of 2,500 metres to reach the mountain range overlooking Central America and the highlands of the Cuchumatanes. Once on top, a magnificent view of the desert-like barren landscape with almost lunar rock formations will make you feel on top of the world. You spend the night in the wilderness of Cuchumatanes in a quaint hotel belonging to an equestrian centre.

This day marks the high point of your motorcycle journey in Guatemala. You arrive in the quaint and colourful indigenous village of Todos Santos, where the inhabitants celebrate All Saints’ Day on 1st of November. On the occasion of All Saints’ Day, the locals dress in their traditional, striped costumes and participate in a high-adrenaline horse race. After an ideal day spent experiencing the richness of Guatemalan traditions, you return to your charming hotel in the Cuchumatanes where you stay overnight.

Today, give your bikes some rest and spend the day walking, relaxing or better still, go horseback riding to the chain of volcanoes in the Cuchuamatanes. You can also visit the Magdalena lagoon, hidden between rocky peaks, and bathe in its emerald waters. The Joya Hermosa cooperative in the Cliementoro village also makes for an interesting visit to learn more about agro-tourism and the rural life. The region is full of new discoveries! In the evening, you return to your charming hotel near the equestrian centre where you stay overnight.

Leave early morning on your BMW or Royal Enfield motorcycle and head south via the legendary Pan-American Highway that runs across the American continents from Alaska to Chile. You arrive in Quetzaltenango, the second largest city in Guatemala. The historic city centre is beautiful and worth a visit. Mountains and volcanoes, some of which are still active, surround the city. Here we are at over 2,300 metres altitude. You then proceed towards Retalhuleu, situated close to the Mayan archaeological site of Tak’alik Ab’aj. The region is lush with typical Pacific vegetation. After this beautiful day of riding, you spend the night in a comfortable country house in the middle of a coffee farm.

Today you visit the Maya archaeological site of Tak’alik Ab’aj. Formerly a large commercial city, the site has played an important role in Mayan history. Spread over nine natural terraces, this important archaeological site was influenced by the Olmec, Mayan and other ethnic groups that crossed the region over time. After the visit, you ride across large coffee plantations towards a road then offers beautiful views of the sublime Lake Atitlán. You descend to the lakeside village of Santa Catarina Palopó. You stay overnight in a comfortable hotel overlooking the lake.

Leave your bikes at the hotel, you visit the beautiful Lake Atitlán and some of the many villages that dot its shoreline. A majestic chain of volcanoes surrounds the lake. After a boat ride on the lake, you visit the indigenous Tzutujil community of San Juan La Laguna and learn about their traditional crafts and culture. You can also visit the beautiful Cakchiquel and Tzutuhils villages that seem to be stuck in a time warp.

Back on your motorcycles, you take an ancient road from Lake Atitlán to Guatemala City with magnificent views. On your BMW or Royal Enfield motorcycles, you ride till Antigua city, a beautiful colonial town surrounded by three majestic volcanoes. You stay overnight in a charming colonial style hotel overlooking the volcanoes.

On this day of your motorcycle adventure in Guatemala on Royal Enfield or BMW, enjoy in peace the beautiful city of Antigua. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the city offers an opportunity to visit beautiful ruins. You can also stroll along flowered patios surrounded by colonial houses dating back to the 17th century. Do not miss the Church of the Merced, Las Capuchinas, the beautiful Capuchin monastery and the museum of Hotel Santo Dimingo. After a beautiful day enjoying the unique ambience of this city and strolling down its colourful, pretty streets, you return to your charming hotel with a splendid view of the volcanoes.

Back on your Royal Enfield or BMW bike to resume to your journey to the heart of Guatemala. You ride to the Pacific coast taking meandering roads through mountains. On your way, you will cross the Lake Amatitlan, a beautiful volcanic lake. You then ride along Río de Los Esclavos, a river flowing into the Pacific Ocean. You arrive in Monterrico, a small town along the sea, with beautiful black sand beaches. You stay overnight in a hotel by the beach.

This day lets you to take a break between two riding sessions. You spend the day by the ocean and visit the natural reserve of Monterrico and its mangrove swamps. You can also visit the centre for the protection of marine turtles, established by a local NGO dedicated to wildlife protection. Enjoy the Pacific Ocean for a swim at sunset. After enjoying the various Guatemalan culinary delights, you return to your hotel by the beach.

It is time to return. You get on your BMW or Royal Enfield motorcycle for one last riding session. You leave in the direction of Antigua. The route also includes some trail crossings, although without difficulties. You arrive in Antigua and enjoy your free time to walk around in the city. You then meet the team of Jean-François for a debriefing on your trip and to return the bikes. After dinner, you spend the night in a beautiful colonial-style hotel overlooking the mountains.

For the last day in Guatemala (without a bike this time), stroll along the streets of Antigua. Nestled amid the mountains, you will not tire of walking down its charming cobbled streets. Take the opportunity to discover the imposing church of La Merced and the Central Park. Stroll through the markets to find handicrafts, colourful textiles or traditional pottery. The team of Jean-François will accompany you to the airport for your return flight according to your departure time.