Things to do in San Juan del Obispo

Our first stop on this tour is ¨El Cerro de la Cruz¨ this is one of the best known attractions sites in the city of Antigua, maybe even Guatemala. At the ¨Cross¨ we get a birds eye view of Antigua and the wonderful architecture of the city, not to mention the Volcanoes. Once finished taking pictures and walking around the park, we will get back on our ATVs and head up to ¨Hobbitenango¨ a lord of the rings themed Eco-Park to have some fun.  We will leave our ATVs parked in our parking lot in the mountain of El Hato and head up to Hobbitenango on a pick-up truck to sightsee, enjoy great views and other activities in this enchanted little forest.  Once finished at Hobbitenango we will take the pick up truck back to our ATVs in El Hato and go to the opposite side of the valley to a village called San Juan del Obispo.This village is located on the foothills of the Agua Volcano. In San Juan we visit a popular chocolate factory called Chocolateria Antigua, where they show us part of their chocolate making process, taste various flavors, and we have a chance to purchase the ones that we liked. Once finished we visit the main plaza of the village, where we can get a nice view of Antigua below us. After a few pictures, we will head to a local restaurant and be able to taste Guatemalan cuisine for some lunch before heading back to our office.

This tour will take us all over the Panchoy Valley around Antigua. We start off going to San Juan del Obispo. It is one of the highest villages around Antigua located on the foothills of the Agua Volcano.. Here we will visit a local chocolate factory named “Chocolate Antigua” where they will show us the chocolate making process as well as get to taste the finished product. During this stop we will also visit a local wine shop which sells wines made out of a local fruit named “Nispero.” After visiting these two spots we will also head to the central plaza of the village and get a birds eye view of Antigua below us. Our next stop is the village of San Pedro de la Huertas. Here we park by the Plaza and visit a local jade shop. At the factory we are shown the processes it takes to turn raw Jade rocks and convert them into fine jewelry. A small shop is located at the factory where we can see a selection of finished products such as “Nahuales” made into necklaces, bracelets, and even keychains. After a little bit of shopping, we hop on our ATVs and head to the next stop on the tour, the first capital city of Guatemala, which is called “Ciudad Vieja” or in English it would be the “Old City”. We park by the central plaza and are able to walk over and visit the first cathedral built in Central America in the year 1534. After a small walk in the plaza we arrive at the local market and while we are there we are shown how to make tortillas like the locals. Once we finish at the market and taste our own tortillas we get on our vehicles and head over to San Antonio Aguas Calientes; in this village we visit a local and traditional textile museum and market where you can purchase local gifts,clothing, and textiles. This stop has some of the best views of the Fuego and Acatenango Volcano due to its vicinity to this small artisan town. Our last stop is the food stop, in this tour we visit a local restaurant in the village of San Pedro El Panorama that serves guatemalan dishes. When we arrive, we will be given a sample of a local dish called “Ceviche” and we are able to try their famous drinks called “Picositas”, Once finished with lunch we will head back to our office in Antigua.

Visit the village of San Juan del Obispo and enter a Chocolate Artisanal Workshop. Discover how 5 generations have made this famous chocolate beverage that every Guatemalan family prefers to drink. Sample this handmade treat and enjoy alongside a locally made sweet bread. Continue on your journey with a stop at the Museum of Loquat. San Juan del Obispo is famous for its production of giant loquats which are made into wine, jam, and other edibles which you will get to sample. Take a trip to the village of San Pedro Las Huertas. Witness this tiny village whose namesake arrives from the growing of tomatoes, lettuce, beans, and more. Take memorable photos at a popular communal laundry area and baroque Spanish Colonial church. Experience what a pueblo life is like in Guatemala as you stroll through the main drag of the village. Look around and get perfect views of two volcanoes - Fuego and Agua. Take a trip to Ciudad Vieja, the first capital of the Spanish Crown in the territory and be treated to panoramic views. See flower and vegetable crops made for the locals at San Miguel Dueñas. Stop at the Valhalla Macadamia Farm, an amazing project dedicated to supporting and helping local indigenous communities and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. Use your spare time and visit a local restaurant that comes highly recommended. In today's adventure, we'll keep one village as a surprise. It could feature a weaving school or a coffee laboratory, tailored to our group's preferences and interests. Discover the different weaving practices, patterns and colors that offer meaning to the Mayan Culture. Watch as traditional weaves show you how to make an authentic back-strap loom. It will be a sensory journey through the coffee universe, guided by the insights of local producers. Rediscover the profound connection between coffee and our bodies, and the intricate role it plays in our communities including the process to taste a sample of coffee cup.

"Camionetas" are the public transportation vehicles throughout Guatemala. They originally come from the United States and/or Canada and, upon arriving in Guatemala, they are uniquely decorated. During the tour, you will board a chicken bus at a bus stop and wait for about 5 to 10 minutes, as locals do, to depart to San Juan del Obispo. The bus ride will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Upon arrival, you will visit: Chocolate factory, where you will learn the process of turning chocolate from a plant into a consumable product. Artisanal wine shop, where you can taste níspero wine made by the locals, and you will be explained the entire production process. Museum, which was the residence of Guatemala's first bishop, and the central square of the village. Afterward, you will take another bus back to La Antigua Guatemala. Don't forget to bring extra money to purchase chocolate or wine that you loved.

This tour will take you up to the base of the “Volcan de Agua” at the indigenous town of Santa Maria de Jesus with an altitude of over 2,070mts above sea level. You will get to visit the local market at the town’s square. As you make your way back down to Antigua, we will stop in the town of San Juan del Obispo where we visit a local chocolate factory Chocolateria Antigua while here, we will be given a short demonstration of the chocolate making process. After our chocolate rush, we peak our heads next door to a local wine store. Here we can taste and purchase wines made from local fruits such as Nispero, Manzanilla, Mango, and the traditional grapes. Our last stop in this colorful town will be the plaza of San Juan where we are able to see most of the valley from the south side of town. Our next stop is San Pedro de las Huertas, where we visit a local jade factory and are able to see and learn about making these rocks into fine jewelry. Our next and final stop is the food stop. We visit a local restaurant where we are able to taste local food and some delicious drink