A tropical home of colorful Mayan culture, impressive ruins of ancient Mayan cities, active volcanoes, diverse jungles, tranquil, scenic lakes and cheap living, Guatemala is the heart of Central America. It is a destination where you can immerse into the beauty of the Guatemalan landscape and the ancient wisdom of the Mayan people.
Central American country located between Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, Guatemala has coastline along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It offers a rich cultural mix that is formed from a long history of interaction between the Indigenous population in the region as well as from the Spanish colonial history. Guatemala is also home to wonderful natural beauty with many different scenic areas from the mountainous highlands of Central Guatemala to the coasts and the lowland jungles of the north. From the world-famous archaeological site of Tikal in the middle of the rainforest and the pristine highland villages with lively markets and fiestas to the colonial charm of Antigua or the bustling capital Guatemala City filled with cultural activities, the exotic Guatemala offers a wide range of wonders to experience.
Cultural & outdoor destinations. There are plenty of fabulous trekking opportunities in Guatemala, from the volcanoes of Atitlán to the cloud forests of Alta Verapaz. Lake Atitlán in the highlands of Central Guatemala offers stunning views, volcanoes and picturesque Indian villages, as well as the old hippie hangout and a current tourist town of Panajachel. Guatemala also hosts some sandy beaches for example in Monterrico in the Pacific Coast and the English-speaking Livingston in the Caribbean coast. The highland town of Chichicastenango is famous for its large traditional market and the small town of Todos Santos for its colorful indigenous dresses.
Magnificent Mayan sites. In the lowlands of Petén in Northern Guatemala, there are rainforests and numerous Mayan archaeological sites. The colonial city and ancient Mayan capital Flores and the nearby world-famous ruined city of Tikal are the main tourist attractions here. The Mayan ruins of Quiriguá are another World Heritage site well worth a trip to Guatemala. There are also many traditional religious festivals in Guatemala, notably during the Holy Week before Easter, which are definitely worth a visit. Guatemala is also a popular and affordable place to learn Spanish.
How to get there. Guatemala has two international airports, in Guatemala City and Flores, that can be reached from The USA, Mexico and other Central American countries. You can also travel to Guatemala by bus, minibus or private car from Mexico and all Central American countries or by boat from Belize and Honduras.
Local transport. Buses are the main form of public transport in Guatemala. There are plenty of long-distance buses going to all major towns in Guatemala as well as to the neighboring countries, and colorful and cheap local buses called camionetas.
Central American country located between Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, Guatemala has coastline along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It offers a rich cultural mix that is formed from a long history of interaction between the Indigenous population in the region as well as from the Spanish colonial history. Guatemala is also home to wonderful natural beauty with many different scenic areas from the mountainous highlands of Central Guatemala to the coasts and the lowland jungles of the north. From the world-famous archaeological site of Tikal in the middle of the rainforest and the pristine highland villages with lively markets and fiestas to the colonial charm of Antigua or the bustling capital Guatemala City filled with cultural activities, the exotic Guatemala offers a wide range of wonders to experience.
Attractions in Guatemala: jungles, volcanoes, lakes and Mayan ruins
Guatemala offers a wide range of attractions suitable for many interests, from the highest and most active volcanoes in Central America to the impressive Mayan ruins and museums, cloud forests and jungles teeming with wildlife and the colorful markets with bargain shopping. The capital Guatemala City is the largest city in Central America and home to many world-renowned museums and cultural sites as well as nightlife and shopping. The old colonial capital of Guatemala, Antigua is a beautiful old town and a popular tourist attraction close to Guatemala City that is surrounded by active volcanoes and has been declared a World Heritage Site.Cultural & outdoor destinations. There are plenty of fabulous trekking opportunities in Guatemala, from the volcanoes of Atitlán to the cloud forests of Alta Verapaz. Lake Atitlán in the highlands of Central Guatemala offers stunning views, volcanoes and picturesque Indian villages, as well as the old hippie hangout and a current tourist town of Panajachel. Guatemala also hosts some sandy beaches for example in Monterrico in the Pacific Coast and the English-speaking Livingston in the Caribbean coast. The highland town of Chichicastenango is famous for its large traditional market and the small town of Todos Santos for its colorful indigenous dresses.
Magnificent Mayan sites. In the lowlands of Petén in Northern Guatemala, there are rainforests and numerous Mayan archaeological sites. The colonial city and ancient Mayan capital Flores and the nearby world-famous ruined city of Tikal are the main tourist attractions here. The Mayan ruins of Quiriguá are another World Heritage site well worth a trip to Guatemala. There are also many traditional religious festivals in Guatemala, notably during the Holy Week before Easter, which are definitely worth a visit. Guatemala is also a popular and affordable place to learn Spanish.
Guatemala travel information and practical tips
Guatemala enjoys a tropical climate with hot and humid coastal and lowland areas and cooler and drier highland regions. There are many variations in the climate of different regions of Guatemala. In general, there is a dry season from November to April that is the most pleasant time for travel to Guatemala, and a rainy season from May to October that can make traveling difficult especially in rural areas. In the northern part of Guatemala the rainy season continues until December. Early spring is especially warm in the lowland areas, whereas the rainy season in the highlands of Guatemala can be quite chilly.How to get there. Guatemala has two international airports, in Guatemala City and Flores, that can be reached from The USA, Mexico and other Central American countries. You can also travel to Guatemala by bus, minibus or private car from Mexico and all Central American countries or by boat from Belize and Honduras.
Local transport. Buses are the main form of public transport in Guatemala. There are plenty of long-distance buses going to all major towns in Guatemala as well as to the neighboring countries, and colorful and cheap local buses called camionetas.
Photo: Bruno Girin, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
You can also find special inter-city shuttle minibuses and tuk-tuks in Guatemala. The only domestic flight route is between Guatemala City and Flores. Boats are a major means of transportation in some coastal and river areas.
Visitor services. Guatemala has a wide range of accommodation throughout the country, from high quality hotels and lodges to cheap hostels and guesthouses. Cheap hotels and restaurants can be found virtually in every town and village. English is not spoken widely in Guatemala outside the major tourism destinations, except in the Caribbean coast. Spanish is the main language in Guatemala, and over twenty indigenous languages are spoken throughout the country.
Safety issues. Recent history of political instability and violence has slowed the growth of tourism in Guatemala, but after the peace agreement that ended a bloody civil war in 1996, Guatemala has been witnessing a rapidly growing numbers of tourists coming to admire the marvels of this beautiful country. Guatemala is generally a safe country to travel, but it is important to exercise caution as the country has high level of violent crime. Armed robberies and car-jackings are not uncommon in Guatemala, and intercity travel and walking around in the bigger towns and cities should be avoided after dark. When in rural areas, you should always ask permission before taking photos of local children, as some tourists who have done this have been assumed to be kidnappers and have subsequently been attacked. Some of the nature tourism destinations in Guatemala have witnessed armed robberies. Always ask for local safety advice before you go trekking.
Short history of Guatemala
Guatemala has a long history of human habitation and civilizations. The country was inhabited some 4,000 years ago and the city states of the Mayan civilization dominated Central America from 250 AC to 900 AC, after which they collapsed mysteriously, leaving behind abandoned cities. The Spanish conqueror Pedro de Alvarado arrived to Guatemala in 1523, starting a colonial period that lasted almost three centuries, although some Mayan areas such as Flores continued to resist the Spanish conquest up until the 1700s. Guatemala became independent from the Spanish rule in 1821.The independent history of Guatemala has been turbulent with many military coups and civil unrest. The Cold War influenced Guatemalan history starting from the 1950s. The US Intelligence Agency overthrew the socialist president in a coup in 1954, which led to successive military juntas and a long and bloody civil war between the army and the leftist guerrillas. Human rights violations by the government forces were common during the 36-year period of civil war, leading to a major refugee problem and severely affecting Guatemala’s international reputation. The conflict ended in a peace agreement in 1996, after which Guatemala has been quite stable and with continuous development and economic growth. However, Guatemala still remains a poor country where the distribution of income is highly unequal.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Copan, Guatemala City, Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan (Panajachel)
