Mayan Gateway Reviews 31

Fantastic trip to Costa Rica for me and my parents as a private 10 day tour! Very well organized, extremely accessible team, amazing hotels in Tortuguero, La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, incredibly dedicated tour guides for all the national park tours, comfortable vans for transfers, everyone was on time, and everyone we have met during the trip were very kind and welcome. Highest recommendation! I am absolutely planning to use them again for traveling in Central America.

Mayan did a great job on the trip. They were extremely organized and responsive. We also like the staff that took us to see the sites. I highly recommend them. Al

Mayan Gateway made our travel smooth and easy

I've been in Guatemala for two weeks with Mayangateway and I can't praise enough the way everything was perfectly organised. I travelled with a friend and booked the trip directly with the agency. Everything was exactly as we had planned! And we had the extra bonus of getting the best guide in Guatemala, Eli Ramírez.
Gracias Eli por hacer este viaje memorable!

Mayan Gateway provided an exceptional experience as I explored Central America. Their expertly curated itinerary, professional guides, and seamless logistics made this journey through Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua unforgettable.

My adventure began in Guatemala, where I was greeted in Los Flores and transported to the ancient ruins of Yaxha. Walking through the ruins, I learned about the alignment of temples with solstices and equinoxes, showcasing the advanced astronomical understanding of the Mayan civilization. The guide's explanations about the limestone construction and temple evolution added depth to the experience. A highlight was climbing to the top of a temple to enjoy breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding jungle. At Tikal, I bypassed long lines and marveled at the Ceiba tree—Guatemala’s national tree. The temples here were awe-inspiring, with intricate carvings and unique acoustics demonstrated by groups clapping. The sunrise from the top of a temple provided a serene moment, surrounded by the jungle's sounds.

The journey continued to the Castle of San Felipe de Lara on Lake Izabal. This Spanish colonial fort, built in the 1600s to protect trade, offered fascinating insights into Guatemala’s history. Exploring its religious area, jail, and kitchen, and viewing the canons atop the fort, was captivating. Later, I enjoyed Tapado, a coconut soup popular on Guatemala’s Caribbean coast, served with a medley of seafood that was both delicious and authentic.

In Honduras, the visit to Copán was a masterclass in Mayan artistry and culture. The intricately carved hieroglyphic stairway and the ball courts revealed the sophistication of this ancient civilization. The guide’s explanations made each structure more meaningful, highlighting the unique features of Copán compared to other Mayan sites.

El Salvador offered vibrant colonial towns and volcanic landscapes. Joya de Cerén, known as the "Pompeii of the Americas," was a remarkable archaeological site that provided a glimpse into the everyday lives of its ancient inhabitants. Walking through preserved houses and fields was like stepping back in time, and the guide’s detailed commentary enriched the experience.

My journey concluded in Nicaragua, where the colonial charm of Granada captivated me. Exploring its colorful streets, historic churches, and bustling markets was a delightful experience. The volcanic wonders of Masaya and Ometepe added natural beauty to the itinerary. Learning about the unique ecosystems and cultural significance of these areas was both fascinating and educational.

Throughout the trip, Mayan Gateway ensured every detail was meticulously planned—from comfortable transportation and knowledgeable guides to immersive experiences that blended history, culture, and nature. Whether navigating ancient ruins, savoring local cuisines, or witnessing the stunning landscapes of Central America, every moment was enriched by their expertise and care.

Mayan Gateway made my exploration of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua seamless and memorable. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking a thoughtful, enriching, and adventurous journey through these incredible countries.

We have just returned from an absolutely incredible 2-week tour of beautiful Guatemala with Mayan Gateway. Everything went seamlessly right from the start, and Mayan Gateway were very responsive and extremely helpful arranging a bespoke itinerary to include Semana Santa in Antigua followed by the “greatest hits” around the country, taking in many natural spectacles and, of course, several Mayan sites.

Mayan Gateway’s choice of locations, activities and hotels was superb, and they took care of organising absolutely everything, giving us complete peace of mind so we could spend all our time and energy enjoying this fabulous country! Our guide (Eli) was incredible - so insightful, knowledgeable and helpful - and really elevated our experience beyond a regular holiday. I’d recommend Mayan Gateway without hesitation to anyone looking to get the best experience possible touring Central America.

My partner and I have just returned to the UK from the most incredible 14-day adventure in Guatemala, flawlessly planned and executed by Mayan Gateway. Their team suggested the ‘Guatemala for First Timers’ package, and it exceeded every expectation (which was high to begin with!). From start to finish, the team was responsive to questions and kept in touch during the tour via a WhatsApp group, which was hugely reassuring in case anything came up (though everything ran perfectly!).

Our itinerary was packed with incredible experiences: the Easter processions in Antigua, hiking the Pacaya volcano, exploring the villages of Lake Atitlán by boat, visiting the Chichicastenango market, swimming in the gorgeous Crater Azul and Semuc Champey, visiting the ancient Mayan temples at Yaxhá and Tikal, taking a river tour along the Río Dulce, experiencing Garifuna culture in Livingston, and exploring the ancient monuments and ruins at Quiriguá.

Our guides were truly extraordinary; they were energetic, friendly, respectful, and deeply passionate about their country, and their knowledge spanned archaeology, ancient and contemporary Mayan culture, geology, flora and fauna, cuisine, astronomy, geopolitics, agriculture, literature…you name it. They were licensed professional guides through INGUAT (Guatemala’s tourism board) which requires years of study and exams, and their expertise added real depth to the entire journey. It felt like travelling with a fun but very responsible friend who is also a professor/walking encyclopaedia!

Beyond the main itinerary, our guides added spontaneous activities tailored to our interests that made the experience even more special. We visited some off-the-beaten-path villages, the ruins of Iximché, a colourful cemetery near Chichicastenango, and even hiked up to Pascual Abaj, a sacred Mayan shrine site. We participated in workshops and demonstrations: natural dyeing, spinning cotton on a drop spindle, backstrap weaving, chocolate-making, Mayan beekeeping [these were at various cooperatives around Lake Atitlan], and a beautiful cultural encounter with Doña Magdalena, an elderly Tzʼutujil woman who explained the significance of her handwoven headdress. We sampled fresh organic coffee, learned about jade and obsidian (even stopping roadside to chisel pieces from a cliff!), spotted native birds, trees and agricultural crops, and received fantastic (and safe) food recommendations throughout from our guides. They even helped us track down authentic Guatemalan ingredients and foods to take home like Cobanero chilli power, chicle (natural chewing gum from trees), allspice tea, organic coffee, ethically-produced chocolate, honey and handpainted local pottery.

We can’t thank the organising team at Mayan Gateway enough for choosing such a lovely variety of accommodations. We loved our volcano-view rooms in Antigua and Lake Atitlán, our jungle stay in Tikal, the historic hotel with amazing rooftop bar in Flores, and a riverside cabin in Río Dulce. All the lodgings were clean, safe, and comfortable and all included fabulous Guatemalan breakfasts, and it was amazing to wake up each morning to the singing of tropical birds. Considering we booked during the busy Easter season on fairly short notice, we really appreciated the effort that went into securing such lovely places for us to stay.

Transport was fantastic as well - driving in Guatemala takes some courage! We were met at the airport and safely and confidently driven around in comfortable, modern vans with by our amazing guides, Eli and Selvyn. Booking with Mayan Gateway was hands-down the best decision. The itinerary was so thoughtfully planned that we covered a lot of ground and made a lot of memories in 2 weeks without it feeling rushed at all. We felt safe, relaxed, and cared for at all times. The handover between guides was also seamless.

If you’ve been dreaming about visiting Guatemala…GO! The people are so warm, friendly and polite (not to mention incredibly hardworking and creative!!), the food is amazing, the landscapes are spectacular, and the blend of living and ancient culture is really special. We wholeheartedly recommend Mayan Gateway to anyone considering this trip, and we’re already thinking about booking another destination with them in the future. They took all the stress out of planning and travel so we could just soak it all in and enjoy. Muchas Gracias to the entire Mayan Gateway team!

Just completed an excellent tour with Mayan Gateway Travel Agency. Their 12-Day Best Mayan Ruins itinerary hit most of the major sites in Guatemala and Honduras, including (optional) El Mirador. Guides and drivers were top-notch; hotels excellent and while traveling solo always felt safe and secure. Everything came off as planned and as advertised; only positives to report, no negatives. Company owner and office staff kept in touch regularly to ensure things went well. Highly recommend this tour and company. Dr. J. Moyer

We spent over three weeks traveling through Belize, Guatemala and Honduras with Mayan Gateway. The guides were well versed in English and knowledgeable. The drivers were punctual and friendly. Border crossings were seamless. Some of our accommodations were fantastic and others good. To be fair we planned this holiday only a few weeks before the start date so hotels may have been limited.
I would encourage more people to check out this part of the world. The people are sweet, the sights are ancient, the food is deliciously fresh and landscape is beautiful. It is a shame that consulate warnings are so unfair. I believe this is what keeps people from visiting.

Guatemala was our absolute favorite. Lake Atitlan, Antigua, and Tikal were amazing but the highlight was Yaxha. We explored this Mayan site alone (me, my husband and the guide); it was magical. Belize was more enjoyable for us on the mainland; the islands were tourist traps. In Honduras we loved Copan and the Pico Bonito National Park. The Jeanette Kawas National Park was underwhelming. Snorkeling in Roatan and Belize was great.

Fantastic tour with a great guide (Eli Ramirez)
Well organised, respectful, well informed. A lot depends on the guide and we were very very lucky
Good hotels, fantastic foods, relaxed transports

Mayan Gateway arranged an amazing 4 day trip to El Salvador including tours, transfers and hotels. I got to explore the Concepción de Ataco area along with its Ruta de Los Flores, the Suchitoto area and its lake, and San Salvador with its volcano. Along the way I learned about the history and culture of El Salvador. The logistics and timing were exactly right for me. The hotels in Concepción and Suchitoto were former haciendas and wonderful places to stay. The guides were superb, friendly, experienced and very knowledgeable. This was a terrific trip and I really appreciate Mayan gateway’s attention to all the details.

This was a bucket list trip for me to visit all the major Mayan ruins and my sons came along for the ride. It was a grueling 23 day schedule, as we added trips to El Mirador and Cabo to the basic 21 day itinerary. In general, it went very smoothly and there were enough slower days to recuperate. Any issues that arose were swiftly dealt with by the guides or by Elias. The guides were excellent with deep knowledge of Mayan history and the ruins we were visiting. They also did most of the driving and negotiated the challenging road conditions with aplomb. The hand-off between guides at the international borders we crossed went very smoothly, even though the border crossings themselves are quite confusing. Our guide in Guatemala had a thorough knowledge of the present day Maya as well as Guatemalan history and culture which added a lot of depth to that part of the trip. Though the focus of the trip was the Mayan ruins I am also a keen birder. Several of the guides were also birders and were more than happy to accomodate me, so I probably saw a lot more species than I would have on my own. There were definitely places where I would have liked to spend more time, which means I just have to go back on a less intensive tour. I would be more than happy to travel with Mayan Gateway again. They are very efficient, very good at communication, and the accomodations overall were very good considering some of the locations we were in.

The trip organized by Mayan Gateway was fantastic. Many thanks to Elias who helped us build the trip tailored to our requests, to the support received 24 hours a day during the entire trip, to the guides and drivers who provided us, professional and kind like all the Guatemalan people. Everything was a perfect success. Thanks Elias and thanks to the entire Mayan Gateway team

Mayan Gateway is an A+++ travel agency!! From start to finish, Elias, Josue, & our guide Robert went above & beyond. Elias was receptive & professional during the planning stage of our trip to El Salvador. He always replied to my questions in a timely & professional manner, making sure our itinerary made the most of our time. Our guide Robert was kind, knowledgeable, & made us feel like we were traveling with a friend. He was fantastic! I had been wanting to take my family to El Salvador for many years & Mayan Gateway made sure our trip exceeded my expectations! I’ve already recommended them to family & friends, & look forward to working with them again. Thank you Mayan Gateway & Robert! You guys are the best!!!

My experience with Mayan gateway was exceptional from start to finish. They provided excellent customer service, making sure all my travel arrangements were seamless and stress-free. The booking process was straightforward, and their agents were knowledgeable and helpful in suggesting the best options for my trip.

Mayan Gateway facilitated an incredible tour of El Salvador for my wife and I. From the moment of my fist inquiry until we boarded the plane home Mayan Gateway was a fast, responsive, and thoughtful agent that went above and beyond. Luxury touches with spectacular service that made travel such a breeze. I Would highly recommend them for any of their destinations.

Eli was my tour guide over 2 weekends in Guatemala. He was spectacular in every way and made our trip exponentially better. He is knowledgeable in historical and cultural matters, he is adventurous and has a great sense of humor, he is respectful and tactful, I could go on and on. I would go to Guatemala and trust my trip with Mayan gateway ten times over!!!

Our guide is really helpfull and makes it really OUR trip, not a regular one. And he knows the country extremely well. It is a recommend, but a bit pitty that we have very long hours in the bus.

Had a brilliant time, the people are very nice and friendly- hospitality is amazing. Our tour guide (Edeoni & Raul) made our stay UNBELIZABLE - they always helped us out with everything.