Why Guatemala?

ARIANA ARCE TRAVEL CONSULTANT

In Guatemala, you’ll stand awestruck amidst the ruins of ancient Mayan kings.

Smoking volcanoes, windswept mountain lakes, cobblestone colonial streets: Guatemala is one of the most gorgeous spots on the planet. But its crowning glory is its Mayan cities, whose silent jungle setting only deepens their timeless mystery.

Those lost cities are hidden in the Petén, a remote rainforest region in the north. But the rest of Guatemala is no less dazzling: from the museums of the capital to the bustling markets of the Maya town of Chichicastenango, from colorful textiles to the relaxed coastal rhythms of the Garifuna people in Lívingston, this Central American kingdom is wondrously diverse.

Once an intimidating travel destination, volcanic Guatemala has now become a laid-back country filled with rainforests, ancient ruins, vibrant markets, and steamy beaches ideal for a Central American hiking adventure.

From the small stretch of Caribbean beaches in the east, over the central mountains, to the black sands of the Pacific coastline, Guatemala is a wild country of coffee, sugar cane, cotton and banana plantations, picturesque colonial towns, and magnificent Mayan heritage.

Bordering Mexico, Guatemala is heavily influenced by the ancient Maya and more recently, the Spanish. The rugged landscapes here are dotted with pre-Colombian relics, such as the ancient ruins of Tikal. These tiered limestone palaces, pyramids, platforms, and monuments topped with shrines sit on open grassland in the middle of tropical rainforest. It is an atmospheric and utterly mesmerizing primeval town.

As for cities, the cobbled streets and pastel-colored, Spanish-style buildings of colonial Antigua nestled between volcanoes in the south are a must-see. With this as a base, visitors can climb volcanoes, venture through Petan’s jungles, and trek to Lake Atitlan in the highlands. Moving to the central Quiche mountains, the stucco-white town of Chichicastenango hosts a colorful Indian market on Thursdays and Sunday: a great insight into Guatemalan tradition and daily life.

Here are just a few of the jewels in this vibrant land of volcanoes:

•  Antigua is the former capital of Central America. Its colorful colonial houses, earthquake-shattered convents, and international eats are so captivating, many visitors never leave.
•  Tikal, with its jaw-dropping step pyramids, was the major Maya power from 200 to 900 A.D. But Guatemala is dotted with dozens of other ruins—some of which have barely been explored.
•  Once a volcanic crater, Lake Atitlán is today a lake of spectacular beauty. In the market for high-quality handicrafts? Villages of modern-day Mayas line the shores.
•  Looking for a bit of Venice in Central America? Flores, the gateway to pre-Columbian ruins in the north, is a colorful island town set in the middle of lovely Lake Petén Itzá.