Explore 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.

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.