Guatemala
With its exotic wildlife and ancient Mayan history, Guatemala is one of Central America’s most captivating and mysterious countries. Bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, it is home to 21 different ethnic groups who speak 23 different languages, creating a fascinating melting-pot of influences. Visit the breathtaking Mayan monuments, come face to face with indigenous inhabitants, volcanoes, and sulphurous lakes; there are enough attractions and awe-inspiring settings to satisfy even the most demanding of travellers.
Guatemala is home to the largest collection of UNESCO heritage sites in Latin America.
At 13,776ft ft, Takamulco is the highest mountain in Guatemala.
There are 21 varieties of the original Mayan language still spoken today.
The first ever chocolate bar was invented during Mayan times.
The Mayans developed the mathematical concept of zero.
Guatemala is the largest and most populous country in Latin America.
What to see
Antigua Guatemala
Located in the central highlands, Antigua Guatemala is famous for its beautifully preserved baroque architecture, brightly coloured buildings, cobbled alleyways and tropical gardens. It’s also home to several spectacular ruined colonial churches, and is recognised as a UNESCO World heritage Site.
Esquipulas
Esquipulas is located on the Honduran border and is famous for its holy Basilica of Esquipulas, which houses the Shrine of the Cristo Negro, or Icon of the Black Christ that dates back to the late 16th century.
Guatemalan highlands
The highlands lie to the west of Guatemala and are home to the largest number of indigenous modern day Mayan civilisations.
Guatemala City
Guatemala’s capital city is home to many fascinating museums and galleries including the Museos de Guatemala, the National Palace of Culture and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The city is divided into 22 zones, making it incredibly easy to navigate.
Top experiences / sites of particular interest
Volcano hiking
Take an unforgettable climb up one of Guatemala’s stunning volcanoes; Tajumulco is Central America’s tallest at 13,776ft, or ascend the less challenging Agua and you can spend the night inside the crater itself.
Fishing
There are plenty of spots to cast off. Try lakes and rivers including El Lago de Izabal, El Petén, Río Dulce and Alta Verepaz or sea fishing off San José and on the Pacific Coast.
Lake Amatitlan
Lake Amatitlan is a volcanic lake located close to Guatemala City. It’s one of the oldest lakes in the world and is ringed by impressive archaeological remains that date back as far as 2000BC.
Mayan ruins
Guatemala is home to many ancient Mayan sites. The staggering ruins of Tikal are among the best and include temples, balls courts, plazas and public buildings. Other sites of note include El Mirador, Quiriguá, Ixlú, Yaxhá, Aguateca and Uaxactún.
Morning coffee
Guatemala produces some of the most celebrated and delicious coffee in the world. An hour spent savouring a cup while you people watch in the plazas of Antigua or Cobán is time very well spent indeed.
Hit the shops
Shop for ceramics, textiles, silverware and leather goods in smaller towns such as Jocotenango, Salamá and Momostenango.
When to go
Weather and Seasons: Along the coast and in north eastern regions the temperature stays at a constant average of at least 20 degrees, occasionally reaching the high 30s. In higher altitude areas, towards the centre of the country, the rainy season stretches from May to September.
Important Dates and Festivals: Day of the Dead on the 1st November is a huge celebration of the lives of deceased loved ones, where cemeteries spring to life with flowers, candy skulls and gifts. Easter is also extravagantly celebrated, with parades, feasting and street celebrations.
Getting there / around
Flights: It takes around 12 hours to reach Guatemala from London and just over five hours flying from New York City.
Boat: Several international cruise lines stop at Guatemalan ports including the major harbours of Santo Thomás de Castilla,Puerto QuetzalandPuerto Barrios.
Coach:Coach travel is cheap and fairly frequent, with services operating between most major towns and cities.
Ferry:Ferries run between Puerto Barrios and Livingston. You’ll also find a reliable service along the Rio Dulce and most large lakes.
Car:Guatemalan roads vary in quality. Care should be taken when driving to Panajachel via Patzun, where delays caused by poorly maintained roads have led to incidents of crime.
Coach:Coach travel is cheap and fairly frequent, with services operating between most major towns and cities.
Ferry:Ferries run between Puerto Barrios and Livingston. You’ll also find a reliable service along the Rio Dulce and most large lakes.
Car:Guatemalan roads vary in quality. Care should be taken when driving to Panajachel via Patzun, where delays caused by poorly maintained roads have led to incidents of crime.
Potential itineraries
7-night stays: Spend a day or two exploring Antigua before visiting the nearby attractions of Lake Atitlán, the market town of Chichicastenango or Chichi. Take an internal flight to the Mayan site at Tikal, before looping back to your stat point or continuing on to Guatemala City.
14-night stays: Start with a few days in Guatemala City before moving on to Lake Atitlán. Follow this with a day trip to the market town of Chichicastenango, before progressing to Cobán and the Alta Verapaz. Next, head to Lago Izabal and the town of Fronteras, before hitting the mysterious Mayan ruins at Tikal and flying on to Antigua.
Our Recommendations
Local Dishes
You’ll find the most delicious food in Guatemala is often the most affordable, usually served at street stalls and low-key local establishments. Speciality dishes to try include guacamole, Kaq Ic(a turkey soup seasoned with local samatspices) and Flan de naranja, a mouth-watering traditional orange flan.
Nightlife
The largest collection of nightclubs and bars can be found in Guatemala City, along with theatres staging English language plays and performances. Music is a large feature of Guatemalan social life, with traditional marimba music played on huge xylophones by groups of players at venues all across the country.
Pre-Trip Practicalities
Language
Spanish.
Currency
Quetzal (GTQ).
Visas
Three-month visa-free stays are available to EU citizens.
Health issues
Vaccinations against tuberculosis and hepatitis B are sometimes recommended. There have been widespread cases of dengue fever in Escuintla, the Pacific coast towns, Zacapa and Petén.
Safety, FO travel advice
FO travel advice: No restrictions. Care should be taken to avoid falling victim to opportunistic crime, particularly in Guatemala City.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Guatemalan country representatives can be found
in the UK at
13 Fawcett Street, South Kensington, London. Tel:- 0207 351 3042.and in the US at
2220 R Street, North West, 20008, Washington. Tel:- 020 745 4952.Thereis a tourist board
in the UK at
13 Fawcett Street, South Kensington, London. Tel:- 0207349 0346.For more information visit: www.visitguatemala.com.
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