Reviews

  Me and a friend decided to give it a try for the dos aguacates enduro tour. Despite we had no experience in mountainbiking, it was a tremendous day. Really nice... read more views combined with exhausting uphill and downhill trails in the backcountry. We totally enjoyed the tour and keep this adventure in our minds for the rest of our lifes.
Marc

  For those traveling to Antigua and looking to go off the beaten path, I highly recommend booking a bike trip with MTB Guatemala. Brandon and his team are very... read more skilled riders that will help you learn quickly how to ride a mountain bike. My husband and I are both road cyclists and this was an incredibly adventure and we loved each second of our tour. We selected the Tierras de Lujo in order to see the surrounding areas of Antigua, from coffee plantations to corn, to flowers.. and see a bit of the surrounding villages. We got to witness some Mayan rituals in one of the churches and also eat lunch in a very local restaurant. Brandon and his team very talented and kind athletes and truly want to help the locals and the tourist connect through their similar passion of biking the trails of Guatemala. Highly recommend booking and they will formulate your ride according to your fitness and skill levels.

  So after procrastinating in the writing of a review, it is quite apropos that I find myself compelled to to do so now, on New Years eve when many look... read more back on their lives and take stock of what they have done.... or not done with their lives and try and make sense of it all. In doing so I would have to say that my 3 day trip mountain biking in Guatemala was the highlight of my year and though I don't do new years (un) resolutions, I have resolved in general to do at least one biking trip a year from now on.

I just turned 49, live in Atlanta,Ga and have done several local enduro races,50-60 miles over the years, mostly in the Chattahoochee forest in North Georgia. I would consider myself an advanced intermediate to advanced rider, though I did discover that I have little to no ability on technical downhills. It's not something that bothers me, I prefer going uphill anyway and as I told Brendan, Old dog new tricks....not happening here. I would advise anyone who wants to do a trip here to know their level as it definitely is not a jaunt in the park. It's not that Brendan and his staff wont accommodate you, but most of us don't decide to run a marathon after only running a 5K.
My pre trip training comprised of trying to get 3-4 hour uphill rides in Dahlonega, up Coopers Gap and Winding Stairs, twice a week. I think given our first day ride from Tecpan to Panajachel, which was the hardest day, this is the minimum amount of trianing required. The hills are steep and hard and the terrain is definitely not like the well worn trails in the US and the altitude is up there at over 10,000 feet. This is genuine off road cycling.

Brendan,the owner, is a cycling vagabond, a peripatetic pedaling pioneer and through his years of experience has mapped many remote trails and routes. We cycled on ancient Mayan trails, through remote farmland and discovered the real meaning of fields of gold. Maize. It is everywhere. It is a life source and probably the thing that most defines the people that grow it, eat it and respect it. Pabulum, but in a good way. As we drove from Panajachel up the hill past San Andreas to our second day cycling, this is the image that I remember most .As we reached the plateau just how stunningly beautiful the fields of golden corn were. Perfect, perfect weather in the mid 70s coupled with the most perfect panaromic views of the many volcanoes situated around Lake Atitlan.

While the biking was difficult, the rewards were spectacular landscapes ,a privilege to experience. Alex, whom is from Tecpan, took us on a guided tour of the ancient Mayan ruins. He learned us, as we say back home, about his people and ancestors, their customs and beliefs. Eric our driver, a local with in depth knowledge of the area as only a local can have, maneuvered us safely around the Altiplano never missing a pick up point even in the remotest of places.

So yeah the biking was great,spectacular, hard,the pain that makes one a mountain biker and a masochist at the same time I guess. The people were kind and welcoming. Talk had turned after time to the stereotypes of Guatemala that are out there, so I feel compelled to say that at no point during the trip did I feel unsafe, actually quite the opposite. I walked around Antigua and Panajachel at night on my own and felt completely secure. Most of us who come from big cities probably couldn't say the same about our downtown areas.

The only complaint I do have about the trip is that Brendan doesn't know the difference between cake and pie. After arriving in Panajachel and having some dinner, Brendan said there was a lady who made the most amazing pie and hoped she was selling her deliciousness's that night. Fortunately for us she was. So we sat on plastic chairs at a plastic table, on an anonymous street corner eating the most exquisite homemade CAKE. I asked for a coffee and got a plastic cup of simple, but good coffee and somehow I felt like a King.

And finally, you see Brendan once we start talking the writing is the same, in the words of William Wallace who said "They can try and take our BIKES but we'll take their lives" ,or the immortal words of your cousin Christy Moore, RIDE ON!!

  Excellent setup. Our guide team consisting Neftali head biking guide, Erick the driver and Billy, the Spanish culture guide. An email incredible team who showed us Mayan culture up... read more close along with fantastic views and local restaurant knowledge.....

  Having ridden with a couple of outfits, let me say without hesitation that if you want to go mountain biking in Guatemala, you definitely want to choose MBG. The bikes... read more they carry are in a totally different league than what's offered by other tour operators. I had a late-model full suspension with a single front gear and a dropper post, all excellently maintained. Plus Brendan is an awesome guide, knowledgeable about both biking technique and local culture and fauna. Very highly recommended!

  If you are visiting Antigua getting on a Mountain Bike with Brendan, is an absolute must! Not only is his team, equipment, and knowledge top notch - they are all... read more incredibly fun to spend your day with! Me and 9 friends spent the day on the Bike & Coffee Tour and enjoyed every moment (including the uphill climbs). Brendan went above and beyond in communication before our tour and I will be recommending Mountain Bike Guatemala to anyone and everyone!

  The best MTB experience! The weekend was incredible starting with the staff and overall organization, complemented with an amazing scenery and exclusive trails. Definitely coming back for other trips with... read more the MTB Guatemala crew!

  Excelente servicio. Guías profesionales y rutas muy bonitas para varios niveles. Una experiencia genial. Excelent service. Professional guides and beautiful scenic trails for all levels. Overall, an amazing experience.

  For those traveling to Antigua and looking to go off the beaten path, I highly recommend booking a bike trip with MTB Guatemala. Brandon and his team are very... read more skilled riders that will help you learn quickly how to ride a mountain bike. My husband and I are both road cyclists and this was an incredibly adventure and we loved each second of our tour. We selected the Tierras de Lujo in order to see the surrounding areas of Antigua, from coffee plantations to corn, to flowers.. and see a bit of the surrounding villages. We got to witness some Mayan rituals in one of the churches and also eat lunch in a very local restaurant. Brandon and his team very talented and kind athletes and truly want to help the locals and the tourist connect through their similar passion of biking the trails of Guatemala. Highly recommend booking and they will formulate your ride according to your fitness and skill levels.

  2 day custom mtb tour
Great experience, good and plenty food, adventure, awesome place for the overnight stay. Thanks for everything!

  The tour was such a good experience and brilliant way to experience Guatemala. The tour guide was super fun and the trails were rad!!! Bike was a

  This was one of the best trips I've taken in my entire life. Brendan and his team had every single detailed planned to perfection from excellent lunches waiting after... read more our morning ride to amazing accomodations on Lake Atitlan with pools and views of the volcanoes. All the meals were very quality. Brendan's psat experience as a mechanic assures that if anything goes wrong he will be there to help fix it. He also knows the trails like the back of his hand. I will definetley be back for MTB Guatemala.

  This was a very well organized bicycle experience. Brendon tailored the trip to our experience level. We saw wonderful vistas, and rode through some of the small towns... read more outlying Antiqua. The bicycles were good quality.

  Excelente servicio. Guías profesionales y rutas muy bonitas para varios niveles. Una experiencia genial.

Excelent service. Professional guides and beautiful scenic trails for all levels. Overall, an amazing experience.... read more

  Awesome!! We went on a 5 day Enduro tour. Somewhere north of 100 miles in total. Everything exceeded expectations. Brenden and his guides Alex and Nefta are very knowledgeable of... read more the area and are just fun to hang out with. We rode all types of trails including some intense unique winding downhill runs like nothing I've ridden in the US before. The tour took us through many villages and towns so you really felt connected to the locals. We saw so much of the Guatemalan culture by bike. Off-the-beaten-path dining experiences were a great personal touch. All in all it was an amazing experience and highly recommended!

  Our Peru Mtn bike trip was very well organized and a once-in-a-lifetime experience! The rides and scenery were a perfect level for our advanced riders (not always the case with... read more tours in my experience).
Miky the guide is extremely knowledgeable of not only the rides, but the history, ruins & culture of the people and places we visited. He also know great restaurants and ice cream shops in all the villages! I highly recommend planning a Peru Mtn bike trip with this group, you will not be disappointed!!

  The tour was such a good experience and brilliant way to experience Guatemala. The tour guide was super fun and the trails were rad!!! Bike was a bit small

  Awesome experience, great guides, high quality equipment and bikes. The best way to see Guatemala and experience landscapes, villages, and cultures you otherwise would not visit.

  MTB Guatemala may pretend to be a MTB bike guiding company, but it's really an ambitious attempt to make Guatemala an MTB mecca and, in the process, make significant positive... read more contributions to the local community and economy. In just ten years, its owner, Brendan James, has done a remarkable job of getting to know the language, the people, and the trails. Has also assembled a remarkable team of Guatemalans to help him with this ambitious project of his.

A friend and I rode the Day of the Dead tour with Brendan and his crew in October/November of 2022. Unfortunately, I came down with the flu on day one, which limited how much of the riding I could do. Nevertheless, Brendan did his best to accommodate me, which meant I was able to get in at least some riding every day. And when I wasn't riding, I was able to enjoy the company of the drivers/mechanics, Eric and Rudi. I'm just learning Spanish and, thankfully, they were willing to tolerate my assault on their native tongue. (Sorry, guys!)

With respect to the riding, be forewarned North Americans: these are RUGGED trails! None were purpose built for biking and most are ancient agricultural trails. They're steep, often deep, and rarely smooth. But at every turn, the views are stunning! And at every stop, Brendan and El Guía Maria are sharing another tidbit about the local culture or geography. That said, this was a decidedly downhill tour so the trails may be very different on other tours.

On the last day of the tour, we put the bikes away and, after a bit of a drive, arrived at in Sumpango for the Kite Festival. This was a remarkable event where the locals try to launch 300lb kites into the sky. They don't always succeed and I've no doubt a few people were injured by kites crashing into the crowd. Thankfully, we weren't among them.

For anyone wondering, the accommodations on the tour ranged from a remote mountain cabin at close to 3000m in elevation to a unique cliffside hotel right at the edge of Lake Atitlán. There was always ample food to be had, some of it very tasty and some of it purely functional. Admittedly, I'll be happy if I don't see refried beans again for at least another decade, but I may be the only one who feels that way.

All things considered, I thought the price for the trip was quite reasonable, even with the 10% gratuity added on at the end. I'll confess, however, that I was surprised by the cost of the other things I paid for in Guatemala. Beer, food, and other items are priced similarly to North America so, if you're looking for a cheap holiday, you might want to pick a different country.

To sum up, let me say that I hope it won't be too long before I'm able to do another trip with Brendan and the rest of the crew at MTB Guatemala. I learned a lot about the country and got to ride some very different trails (including a lengthy urban downhill). I also got to meet and ride with a some great people from Canada, the US, Guatemala, and Peru. Granted, it would have been better had I not been sick, but I'm still very happy to have done the tour.

  Wow, what a mountain bike vacation. I took the custom 8-day tour with MTB Guatemala in March of 2021. I have not traveled out of the country before,... read more and I cannot think of a better way to do it. Brendan and his crew were outstanding hosts. They always brought a positive attitude that made it feel like we were on an adventure of a lifetime! I have lived in Colorado my entire life and spent the last 7 years mountain biking often. I have been to destinations across the USA and I have to say that Guatemala contained some of my very favorite rides to date. The local knowledge of the area and elaborate trail networks allowed the MTB Guatemala crew to hand select amazing rides for all the members in the group. We barely scratched the surface on the rides in Guatemala, but we experienced a great range of riding from rocky technical descending to fast flowy ripping. The single track always included incredible views! I can’t describe the amount of value that was packed into this trip. The riding was incredible, and the cultural experience centered around Mayan tradition was exceptionally interesting and valuable. Brendan and his team worked tirelessly to provide excellent meals and accommodations. Bouncing from location to location made the trip feel like the ultimate adventure. I cannot recommend a trip with MTB Guatemala enough and I am so grateful for the years of work put in to accomplishing such an amazing itinerary. You need to go check it out for yourself; I can guarantee that if you love mountain biking and adventure, you will love this trip.

  MTB Guatemala is composed of an awesome team - Brendan, the Director, Eric, MTB Guatemala's awesome and safe driver, and Alfredo, the team guide. I contacted Brendan on Instagram... read more and was very swift with his reply. Initially, I wasn't sure if the 2-day Tecpan - Pana trip was going to happen because I was a solo rider, but I informed him about my travel dates and he coordinated to find other riders for the trip and it worked out perfectly. He provided great equipment in the package and took care of all the logistics. He also has E-bikes! The meals included were traditional Guatemalan cuisine and Brendan selected great rest stops to enjoy our meals. Overall, the trip was solid and full of adventure with endless views. Brendan is very knowledgeable in not only Guatemala's best backcountry riding routes, but also in the Mayan history pertaining to the country. He emphasized on sharing about the history and the culture throughout the many stops we made on the riding route. Although I was traveling with my family, only I decided to book a tour. I recommend this MTB crew to any Women on the fence about booking an MTB Adventure in Guate! These guys work as a team and in communication at all times, as safety was never a doubt. MTB Guatemala Also has a cabin base in Tecpan, near where we initiated our ride. There is also a wine bar currently in the works near his Tecpan base cabin, that's owned by his friend, a sweet Dutch Guatemalan lady that's worth checking out if you stay at cabin. Key thing to know, the ride is rain or shine, so make sure you pack a nice rain jacket. It did rain on us towards the end of our trip, but Riding In the rain was fun. I would definitely book again!

  Brendan did a great job on our tour. I really enjoyed riding through the varied microclimates and terrain all in one ride. Would definitely go again!

  For those traveling to Antigua and looking to go off the beaten path, I highly recommend booking a bike trip with MTB Guatemala. Brandon and his team are very... read more skilled riders that will help you learn quickly how to ride a mountain bike. My husband and I are both road cyclists and this was an incredibly adventure and we loved each second of our tour. We selected the Tierras de Lujo in order to see the surrounding areas of Antigua, from coffee plantations to corn, to flowers.. and see a bit of the surrounding villages. We got to witness some Mayan rituals in one of the churches and also eat lunch in a very local restaurant. Brandon and his team very talented and kind athletes and truly want to help the locals and the tourist connect through their similar passion of biking the trails of Guatemala. Highly recommend booking and they will formulate your ride according to your fitness and skill levels. …

  Excellent setup. Our guide team consisting Neftali head biking guide, Erick the driver and Billy, the Spanish culture guide. An email incredible team who showed us Mayan culture up... read more close along with fantastic views and local restaurant knowledge.....

  Absolutely amazing day with Mountain Bike Guatemala. I live in Antigua Guatemala and ride with my friends around the Antigua area but we wanted something different so booked the easiest... read more route from Tecpan to Lake Atitlan. It is not exactly easy but you do not need to be an advanced MTB rider to enjoy it. We are not expert riders and cannot do anything too technical so MBG put together a one day trip from Tecpan to Lake Atitlan that was challenging but safe and suitable for us. In the end, there were my 3 friends and me plus 8 riders It was such a fabulous day. 12 riders plus 3 guides and a massive shout out to the wonderful Maria who took care of us. Despite the weather being cloudy and a little rain, the scenery was spectacular and the trails were a lot of fun with constant changing ecosystems. One of my favourite parts was cycling through the forest through rivers and of course the highlight descending down the steep track to Lake Atitlan.. simply WOW. The truck drove us on the long uphill road sections so this saved our legs. MBG offers many different rides. All fantastic So email them and ask them which one is suitable for you

  Brendan’s team, guide, driver and bikes stuff are perfect. It was a real pleasur to run the pro rental bile to this country. Merci beaucoup. Francois V. Québec, Canada... read more

  Great organization and the best trails! Trully profesional work, have done several Xc in tecpan and antigua as well as Enduro trips

  First rate equipment and guides and a ride on the lower flanks of the Acatanango Volcano that was consistently interesting and provided a wide variety of riding.

  Had an awesome and breathtaking experience riding a bike through Guatemala’s Cuchumatanes!!

Exclusive and secret tracks!!

Team was phenomenal...

  If you are visiting Antigua getting on a Mountain Bike with Brendan, is an absolute must! Not only is his team, equipment, and knowledge top notch - they are all... read more incredibly fun to spend your day with! Me and 9 friends spent the day on the Bike & Coffee Tour and enjoyed every moment (including the uphill climbs). Brendan went above and beyond in communication before our tour and I will be recommending Mountain Bike Guatemala to anyone and everyone!

  Brendan was super accommodating and patient with our group who were of varied interests and skill. He was constantly altering the itinerary to meet our needs. The guides,... read more Neftali and Alex were also amazing, as was our driver. I would highly recommend any trip with them. I would also recommend being as specific as possible as to your groups skill and desires, and to cover less distance in order to actually see more. Guatemala has a ton of elevation change!

  Do this! I had an Amazing experience:
Got picked up at my hotel
Drove to the base of the biking trails
Had a tasty breakfast
Climbed.....and kept climbing... read more
Stopped for views and breaks
Enjoyed some beautiful downhills
Finished with a tasty lunch!

  Had a great day trip outing led by Marcos. We rode down scenic trails and roads I would never have found on my own. I'm petite (5'2") and was very... read more happy that the bike was both high-quality and fit like a glove. The countryside was beautiful and everyone we met along the way was very friendly. Such a great way to get outside and see parts of Guatemala beyond the typical tourism locations!

  If you wanna see Guatemala out of tourist route..this is the best way!!
Look for Alex and Neftjin...the best guides in the world!!
Amazing tour!! They made everything simple,... read more funny, easy..awesome!!

  Excellent service from the guys at MTB Guatemala, the best trails for mountain biking and best views I have ever seen.Everything was organized from the very beginning. Great trip for... read more friends and family. Highly recommended.!

  Absolutely amazing two days of riding around Lake Atitlán! Wouldn't want to miss it! 🙂 Thanks to Brandon and Neftali for this great adventure. 🤙

  This tour is absolutely first class.

Brendan is a professional mountain biker that has carefully curated and mapped out the best MTB trails Antigua has to offer. The... read more rental bikes are very high quality, full suspension with dropper posts. This tour is suitable for experienced riders, total beginners and everything in-between, as each tour is tailored towards the skills of the group.

Really enjoyed it, strongly recommend!

  What a great day I had with Brendan exploring the old Mayan trails in the hills about Antigua. We got way back into areas that don't see a lot of... read more people. Be prepared for some challenging single track though. These trails are not groomed. Also we were at 9000ft so the altitude will get to you. But Brendan is very passionate about what he does so I felt I was in good hands. I will remember this trip for awhile.

  Just had the most amazing day with MTB Guatemala. I am an ex-pat and I live in Antigua Guatemala and have explored the fantastic trails around Antigua quite a bit... read more on my mountain bike but I wanted to explore Tecpan which is just one hour from Antigua. So I book a Full day tour for myself and my friend and wow what a great day we had. It was superb and I cannot wait to book my next trip with them. Everything was perfect Thank you MTB Guate,

  My husband and I squeezed two days of biking during our (short) trip to Guatemala. We choose MTB Guatemala based on the amazing pictures, very detailed trails information on their... read more website and the very good pre-trip communication w Brendan. We had a great time, Brendan and Alex (our amazing guide) tailored exciting rides based on our skill level, but also gave us the opportunity to explore the beauty of Guatemala, its wonderful people and rich history. In addition to that, Brendan also helped us with the itinerary for the rest of our trip, recommending hotels, the guides for our Acatenango hike, arranging transportation (pick-up at airport, transfers etc). Guatemala is a mountain bike paradise and MTB G reveled it to us with passion and professionalism.

  Wow, what a mountain bike vacation. I took the custom 8-day tour with MTB Guatemala in March of 2021. I have not traveled out of the country before,... read more and I cannot think of a better way to do it. Brendan and his crew were outstanding hosts. They always brought a positive attitude that made it feel like we were on an adventure of a lifetime! I have lived in Colorado my entire life and spent the last 7 years mountain biking often. I have been to destinations across the USA and I have to say that Guatemala contained some of my very favorite rides to date. The local knowledge of the area and elaborate trail networks allowed the MTB Guatemala crew to hand select amazing rides for all the members in the group. We barely scratched the surface on the rides in Guatemala, but we experienced a great range of riding from rocky technical descending to fast flowy ripping. The single track always included incredible views! I can’t describe the amount of value that was packed into this trip. The riding was incredible, and the cultural experience centered around Mayan tradition was exceptionally interesting and valuable. Brendan and his team worked tirelessly to provide excellent meals and accommodations. Bouncing from location to location made the trip feel like the ultimate adventure. I cannot recommend a trip with MTB Guatemala enough and I am so grateful for the years of work put in to accomplishing such an amazing itinerary. You need to go check it out for yourself; I can guarantee that if you love mountain biking and adventure, you will love this trip. …

  Amazing Tour, best spots in whole country and the work they have done on the local trails. Highly recommend.

  Absolutely epic riding!! Incredible routes that show the diversity of terrain and the cultural history of the country. I did Tecpan Pana and found it to be the perfect combination... read more of technical single track and cultural touring. Brendan and María were excellent guides and a ton of fun. This is a great way to explore the less touristy towns. Can’t wait to come back and do a longer route!

  Wow, what a mountain bike vacation. I took the custom 8-day tour with MTB Guatemala in March of 2021. I have not traveled out of the country before,... read more and I cannot think of a better way to do it. Brendan and his crew were outstanding hosts. They always brought a positive attitude that made it feel like we were on an adventure of a lifetime! I have lived in Colorado my entire life and spent the last 7 years mountain biking often. I have been to destinations across the USA and I have to say that Guatemala contained some of my very favorite rides to date. The local knowledge of the area and elaborate trail networks allowed the MTB Guatemala crew to hand select amazing rides for all the members in the group. We barely scratched the surface on the rides in Guatemala, but we experienced a great range of riding from rocky technical descending to fast flowy ripping. The single track always included incredible views! I can’t describe the amount of value that was packed into this trip. The riding was incredible, and the cultural experience centered around Mayan tradition was exceptionally interesting and valuable. Brendan and his team worked tirelessly to provide excellent meals and accommodations. Bouncing from location to location made the trip feel like the ultimate adventure. I cannot recommend a trip with MTB Guatemala enough and I am so grateful for the years of work put in to accomplishing such an amazing itinerary. You need to go check it out for yourself; I can guarantee that if you love mountain biking and adventure, you will love this trip.

  The tour was such a good experience and brilliant way to experience Guatemala. The tour guide was super fun and the trails were rad!!!
Bike was a bit small

  Brandon and his team put on a really amazing trip for us, customized for our skill and fitness level. Truly an amazing experience. We saw things that very few... read more people get to see when visiting Guatemala.

  An incredible experience in all regards - the mountain biking, the cultural exposure, the landscape, and the guides.
We felt like we fit so much into 5 days and... read more are so grateful for the time spent with Brendan, Alex, Neftali, Antonio, and Erick!
Highly recommend checking this country and this company out if you're looking for an adventure and a style of mountain biking that you probably won't find anywhere else.

  Brendan did a great job on our tour. I really enjoyed riding through the varied microclimates and terrain all in one ride. Would definitely go again!

  I want to thank you for an amazing adventure that we experienced with you. I would rate it as one my best adventures ever.

  Je suis arriver au Guatemala avec mon velo sans avoir rien planifier. J’ai alors contacter Mtb Guatemala qui ma aider et ma donne un excellent service. J’avais des besoins et... read more des demandes speciales et ils m’ont toujours accomoder. Les guides nous font rider des endroits magnifique et proposent toujours des trails selons les capacites. Les conducteurs et les guides sont tres aimable et toujours la pour aider. Le proprietaire adore le guatemala et aide vraiment la communaute. Je recommande a tous le monde d’aller faire du mtb au Guatemala et c’est certain que j’u retournerai//////////////. i went to guatemala with my bikes and had nothing plan. I contact MTB guatemala and they help me in every ways to make me ride even if i was last minutes. I had specials needs and request and they were always helping with that. We ride in Beautiful places and the guides always bring you in the good trails according to your riding levels. The drivers and guides are always there to help you And are very nice . The owner really love the country and he s doing a lot to help the community. I recommand every one to mtb bike in guatemala at least one and i will be back there for sure !!

  This was one of the best trips I've taken in my entire life. Brendan and his team had every single detailed planned to perfection from excellent lunches waiting after... read more our morning ride to amazing accomodations on Lake Atitlan with pools and views of the volcanoes. All the meals were very quality. Brendan's psat experience as a mechanic assures that if anything goes wrong he will be there to help fix it. He also knows the trails like the back of his hand. I will definetley be back for MTB Guatemala. …

  I am an avid Road cyclist and Intermediate MTB rider with family ties in Guatemala. I found these guys through a country of Guatemala instagram page and their pictures stood... read more out above of the others. So after salivating for over 6 months from their constant breathtaking posts, my sister and I bought the 2 day Tour of Tecpan-Pana & Highlands.

The Scenery:
The pictures do not compare to experiencing the mumbling beauty of Guatemala in person. Everything is so green!!! And the routes are the actual trails of the ancient Mayan cultures that are still used by the locals, who are actually very humble and welcoming as you pass by. The corn fields were a huge eye opener for me. I am sure those who live in urban environments will take away something from seeing that the way of life here.

The Tour Guides:
Our tour guides Alex, and Nefta were beasts on the bike! And they can easily become your best friends. They are Super strong going up hill and they never get off there bikes during the most technical drops. Alex, our main guide gave us, from what I can only describe as very hip/academic lectures of every point interest , which there a lot!! e.g. Iximche. Which is why I dubbed him ”el profesor.”

Eric our driver who drove us from Antigua to the starting point in his very RAD converted school van from Korea, is the sweetest guy and again is someone who can be your best friend. Is always there at check points to make sure everyone feed and safe and will be there to the rescue if need be.

The Ride:
I came some what advanced. I like to climb steep hills and have been able to ride 100+ miles with 6000ft of climbing in one day on a road bike. And I was not let down by the difficulty. This was a rewarding trek which is definitely not for beginners, but seriously something to aspire to.

Nothing beats climbing through cool fresh air. As It helps your ascent. I didn’t even feel much need for water. The hills never felt impossible but very seldom they got to a very steep grade maybe “17,” so I may have walked it up a few times.. but still, it only made me want to improve.

The downhill is challenging, there were some falls but nothing my sister and I couldn’t handle. Luckily there are forks in the road where Alex and Nefta gave us the option to try an intermediate level route. I only did the advanced routes, which were too advanced for me at times, as I am not an avid mtb climber. But having Alex and Nefta there teaching and showing me how it’s done makes me feel confident I can one day do it.

Conclusion:

It all ends at Lake Atitlan, the most photogenic lake on the planet. The photos were spectacular. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the memories. And the guides really are great photographers. Your Instagram will be set!

As of this writing I am currently in Guatemala trying to book a last minute ride with them before I leave. For me, what these guys offer is priceless, I feel more connected to my parent’s country then I ever have before.

I strongly recommend MTB Guatemala! If you are looking to tour a beautiful country without being your standard tourist, then this is for you!

  I brought my two children (ages 11 and 13) and my father on a seven day custom tour with MTB Guatemala. We did several of the standard rides, but also... read more did some new ones that fit the interests of my kids. The challenge of the tour we did was the vast ranges of skill sets in our group, from my 13 year old MTB racer to my 70+ year old father, and everything in between. Brendan and team managed to plan a trip that was challenging for everyone but also allowed for my dad to skip more challenging sections. They also modified the rides and guides to support me and my younger son. The beauty of the landscape and people is impressive and MTB Guatemala does a fantastic job ensuring an amazing cycling and cultural experience. The guides (we had Alex and Neftali) are top notch at riding, safety, and knowledge of the land and culture. The trails are great and Brendan has mapped the trail systems of Guatemala at an intricate and impressive level. His enthusiasm for the country is contagious. Our driver, Erick, was safe and prompt. The whole group was fantastic with all of us and provided for a truly unique, active, and cultural experience.

  MTB Guatemala is composed of an awesome team - Brendan, the Director, Eric, MTB Guatemala's awesome and safe driver, and Alfredo, the team guide. I contacted Brendan on Instagram... read more and was very swift with his reply. Initially, I wasn't sure if the 2-day Tecpan - Pana trip was going to happen because I was a solo rider, but I informed him about my travel dates and he coordinated to find other riders for the trip and it worked out perfectly. He provided great equipment in the package and took care of all the logistics. He also has E-bikes! The meals included were traditional Guatemalan cuisine and Brendan selected great rest stops to enjoy our meals. Overall, the trip was solid and full of adventure with endless views. Brendan is very knowledgeable in not only Guatemala's best backcountry riding routes, but also in the Mayan history pertaining to the country. He emphasized on sharing about the history and the culture throughout the many stops we made on the riding route. Although I was traveling with my family, only I decided to book a tour. I recommend this MTB crew to any Women on the fence about booking an MTB Adventure in Guate! These guys work as a team and in communication at all times, as safety was never a doubt. MTB Guatemala Also has a cabin base in Tecpan, near where we initiated our ride. There is also a wine bar currently in the works near his Tecpan base cabin, that's owned by his friend, a sweet Dutch Guatemalan lady that's worth checking out if you stay at cabin. Key thing to know, the ride is rain or shine, so make sure you pack a nice rain jacket. It did rain on us towards the end of our trip, but Riding In the rain was fun. I would definitely book again! …

  Absolutely amazing two days of riding around Lake Atitlán! Wouldn't want to miss it!

Thanks to Brandon and Neftali for this great adventure.

  If you wanna see Guatemala out of tourist route..this is the best way!!
Look for Alex and Neftjin...the best guides in the world!!
Amazing tour!! They made everything simple,... read more funny, easy..awesome!!

  Amazing Tour, best spots in whole country and the work they have done on the local trails. Highly r

  During my 3 month stay in Guatemala ive been after some mountainbike tours, Ive read about its growing popularity and i was exicted to get down there and on some... read more trails, since i was just getting into biking itself. Sadly ive ran into a slow spell and no tours were available with the few outfitters i had in mind. Until i discovered MTB guatemala.
I found MTB through instragram and since then ive been following all these awesome tours going on with MTB. They would venture all across Guatemalas landscapes and travel by shuttles and bike to tour trails for days in a row. I was thinking to myself ( i have got to do that ). The photos shown along the tours were amazing, showing epic locations and surreal sunrises and locations i dont see to often on Guatamalas social media. I knew these views youd only see off the beaten path. This path with MTB forms long trips on bikes into Guatemalas Backcountry. MTB seemed to be the most out there off the beaten path and the trips seemed to be constantly going. I knew i wanted to go on one of MTBs trips. Im glad i did.
i contacted MTB and there was a whole schedual of tours to kick off the new year. I contacted MTB directly about the tours where i was introduced to Brendan. Hes the manager and tour guide for MTB. After some discussion i was set for one of the first Tours of the year called Cumbre El Mar "The Summit to the Sea"

This tour was the first of its type and the group i was included with was the first group to ever go on such a tour. It would start in the higher lands in Guatemala at Tecpan and ride 54 miles to the end at El Paradon surftown. The tour would provide all bikes with gear, and meals. The group met early in the morning in Antiguas central park where we all greeted and loaded up. We drove to a diner for a good size breakfast and chit chat to know the group better. It was a good size group. We had 2 shuttle vans that rode behind with supplies and any assistance if needed. The tour also included assistant guides to cater to the group and keep everyone safe.

The tour would take you through alot of Guatemalas back country roads and trails from the steep high forest in the clouds, all the way to the lowlands full of tall farm grass. Youll never stop wondering where you becuase the route Brendan designed goes through so much so fast youll feel your in a whole new world every half hour. Crossing bridges, visiting small villages, coffee plants, and go through so many changes in the trails. Youll ride on gravel, dirt, single track, crop fields, pavement, Water, Mud, and finally sand near the beach. This ride was a Jouney and at the end of the day your relaxing on the beach. The ride itself was a ride any skilled or novice rider could enjoy, itle keep you guessing whats next. If you want to see a vast part of Guatamala in 1 day an see it in a unique perspective book a tour, get on the bike and go on this ride. Contact MTB and see what Brendan has to offer.

Brendon pioneers the front for mountainbiking and hes always looking and navigating Guatemalas back country for new trails and tours keeping the game alive and full of adventure. If hes not on a tour, hes out navigating the next route. Hes very proffesional and his crew works very hard to maintain the standards and quality for the equipment. After meeting him and riding with MTB crew ive already planned to return and ride the new routes that he comes up with.

I 100% recommend contacting MTB Guatemala, talk to Brendan. He will have exactly what your looking for. If your planning to bomb down a volcano, he has it and its called the Super Enduro. Ive done it and it was the best decision ive ever made, ill place a review for that seperatly. If your coming to Guatemala and want to try something unique or want the best trails, contact him. You will not be let down.
10/10 im glad to have discovered MTB

  This was one of the best trips I've taken in my entire life. Brendan and his team had every single detailed planned to perfection from excellent lunches waiting after... read more our morning ride to amazing accomodations on Lake Atitlan with pools and views of the volcanoes. All the meals

  We did two days of riding, one to the kite festival (FESTIVAL DE BARRILETES GIGANTES) during day of the dead, and a second day of mountain biking (dos aquacates tour).... read more Both days were amazing, full of culture and amazing views of the area.
The ride to the kite festival was fairly mellow, I brought my 8 year old, who rode most of it. She jumped in the van for the more technical parts, which was a nice option to have. The festival was hard to describe, as it was just so unique and beautiful. It was a special day I will forever remember. I highly recommend this ride as it avoids traffic and is a fun way to get to the event on backroads and trails.
The 2nd day of mtn biking was a more advanced day of riding, but nothing overly technical. The views were stunning, and the guides knowledge of the area is vast, so our route could easily be adjusted based on skill, etc. There was some climbing, in addition to the shuttle, which was nice for the exercise. Lunch was included, and was really tasty, as well as some snacks along the way (fresh banana bread!). I would recommend these trips if you are a mtn biker and want to experience the culture and beauty of Guatemala away from the crowds.

  First rate equipment and guides and a ride on the lower flanks of the Acatanango Volcano that was consistently interesting and provided a wide variety of riding.

  MTB Guatemala is composed of an awesome team - Brendan, the Director, Eric, MTB Guatemala's awesome and safe driver, and Alfredo, the team guide. I contacted Brendan on Instagram... read more and was very swift with his reply. Initially, I wasn't sure if the 2-day Tecpan - Pana trip was going to happen because I was a solo rider, but I informed him about my travel dates and he coordinated to find other riders for the trip and it worked out perfectly. He provided great equipment in the package and took care of all the logistics. He also has E-bikes! The meals included were traditional Guatemalan cuisine and Brendan selected great rest stops to enjoy our meals. Overall, the trip was solid and full of adventure with endless views. Brendan is very knowledgeable in not only Guatemala's best backcountry riding routes, but also in the Mayan history pertaining to the country. He emphasized on sharing about the history and the culture throughout the many stops we made on the riding route. Although I was traveling with my family, only I decided to book a tour. I recommend this MTB crew to any Women on the fence about booking an MTB Adventure in Guate! These guys work as a team and in communication at all times, as safety was never a doubt. MTB Guatemala Also has a cabin base in Tecpan, near where we initiated our ride. There is also a wine bar currently in the works near his Tecpan base cabin, that's owned by his friend, a sweet Dutch Guatemalan lady that's worth checking out if you stay at cabin. Key thing to know, the ride is rain or shine, so make sure you pack a nice rain jacket. It did rain on us towards the end of our trip, but Riding In the rain was fun. I would definitely book again!

  Three days of pure enduro on the guatemalan highlands. Xela, Huehuetenango and Todos Santos. With the best enduro day of my life on saturday... 11 hours on the bike!! Starting... read more with the epic Cuchumatanes climb along 800 other riders and a descent into the sunset through the most epic technical trails!! Im sure I improoved very much my skills as a rider. Thanks to Brendan, Alex and Nefta for their amazing work!! Perfect logistics, service, and the most incredible vibe! Coming back soon!!