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WORLD ▫
NORTH AMERICA ▫
GUATEMALA ▫
GUATEMALA
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Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in the Central America region of North America. It has borders to Mexico in the north/north-west, to Belize in the north-east, to Honduras in the south-east, to El Salvador in the south. It also has a Pacific coastline to the south-west, and a tiny piece of Caribbean coastline to the east.
Regions
Central Highlands: Around Guatemala CityWestern Highlands: Many modern Maya townsCaribbean Coast: Hot and steamyPetén: Hot jungle in the north, with most impressive ancient Maya ruinsPacific Highlands: Hot, going down to the Pacific beaches
; Administrative divisions : 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa
Cities
La Antigua Guatemala: Colonial Spanish capital of Central America, a World Heritage site, and the most popular amongst touristsPanajachel: Doorway to Lake Atitlán, paradise on Earth, and its surrounding towns.Cobán: In Alta VerapazEscuintlaFlores: Island city capital of PeténGuatemala City: Capital and largest city with many amenitiesHuehuetenangoMelchor de Mencos: Border cityPuerto Barrios: Caribbean seaportPuerto San José: Pacific seaportQuetzaltenango: Second largest city, in the western highlandsSayaxché: River gateway in PetenSantiago Atitlán: Small town on the southern shore of Lake Atitlán
Other destinations
Chichicastenango: Highland Maya town famous for its traditional marketLake Atitlán: Beautiful lake in the mountains surrounded by picturesque villages and volcanos, which is becoming more and more touristic * Panajachel, small tourist-oriented town that is good starting point for Lake Atitlán* Santiago Atitlán, small town on south side of Lake Atitlán, famous for a shrine to Maximón* San Pedro la Laguna (also known as San Pedro de Laguna), small town on southwest side of Lake Atitlán, offering low-cost living, great views, and a modest Spanish-language training industryLake IzabalLivingston: Caribbean coast town with Garifuna cultureMonterrico: The beach closest to Guatemala City and Antigua
Rio Dulce
Maya ruinsAguatecaCancuénCeibalDos PilasEl MiradorEl Peru/WakáEl ZotzGumarcaj: Also known as Utatlán, near Santa Cruz del QuicheIximchéMixco ViejoNakbéNakúmNaranjoPiedras NegrasQuiriguá: Impressive Classic Maya sculpturesSan Bartolo Pre-Classic MuralTikal: The Largest of Maya ruins, this ancient Maya site is probably worth the trip to Guatemala by itself.UaxactunYaxháZaculeu: Near Huehuetenango
VolcanoesVolcán Tacaná (4093m)Volcán Tajumulco (4220m)Volcán Santa MarĂa (3772m)Volcán Atitlán (3537m)Volcán Acatenango (3976m)Volcán de Ipala (1650m)Volcán de Pacaya (2500m) - this is an active volcano about 30 minutes outside of Antigua. Some days it will not be accessible as the volcano may be too active to observe safely. Bring a jacket since it will be windy and cold at the top (although the ground will feel warm) and wear long pants as the volcanic rock can easily give you a nice cut.Volcán San Pedro (3450m)
Understand
Guatemala has a rich and distinctive culture from the long mix of elements from Spain and the native Maya people. This diverse history and the natural beauty of the land has created a destination rich in interesting and scenic sites.
When to go
It is difficult to travel in the more remote areas during the rainy season between mid-May to mid-October and into mid-November in the north.
The elaborate ceremonies in...
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| Tikal Maya Ruins Explorer from Flores |
8 hours |
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The Tikal Explorer is a comprehensive visit to the most impressive and important Maya site and its natural surroundings. The ancient Maya began building Tikal around 600 B.C., and for the next 1500 years the area was an important religious, scientific, and political center.
The ruins of Tikal include more than 3,000 structures extending over six square miles and including palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, plazas, avenues and steam baths.
Because of its importance and magnificent combination of nature and archaeological remains, Tikal has been declared a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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3 hours |
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The Atitlan Explorer takes tourists to one of three of the indigenous towns surrounding Lake Atitlan. Each of these towns has a unique textile pattern, language and traditions. You will visit either San Pablo, Santiago or Santa Catarina Palopo, but these may vary due to season or other conditions. Commonly referred to as 'the most beautiful lake in the world', Lake Atitlan was formed in an immense volcanic explosion 85,000 years ago. An immense hole was left in the earth's crust, leading to Atitlan being one of the world's deepest lakes. Large fissures were formed during the explosion, out of which the water flows, making Atitlan unique in that it is a fresh water lake with no river outlet.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Deluxe Walking Tour of Antigua |
6 hours |
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This tour is specifically designed for those passengers wishing to have a more profound experience in the beautiful city of Antigua!
The Deluxe Walking Tour visits a number of Antigua's points of interest and popular monuments.
On this tour, you will visit the following places:
- Plaza Central: center of Antigua, where the Town Hall is located.
- Cathedral: the original Cathedral, which was noted as the largest and most luxurious in Central America, was partly destroyed and the remaining ruins were used as a foundation for the new Cathedral which stands in its place today.
- La Merced: continually rebuilt due to earthquakes between 1500 - 1700, the original beautiful altars and organ are still found here today.
- Capuchinas: a magnificent example of an eighteenth century convent, surviving the earthquakes of 1751 - 1773, much of the original building is what you see today.
- San Francisco: the ruins of the 15 - 16th Century monastry, most of which still remain untouched, the church of San Fransisco was reconstructed in the early 1800's.
- Jade Museum: housing a collection of jade pieces from the ancient Maya ruins from around the country.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Tikal Maya Ruins Explorer from Antigua |
15 hours |
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The Tikal Explorer is a comprehensive visit to the most impressive and important Maya site and its natural surroundings. The ancient Maya began building Tikal around 600 B.C., and for the next 1500 years the area was an important religious, scientific, and political center.
The ruins of Tikal include more than 3,000 structures extending over six square miles and including palaces, temples, ceremonial platforms, ball courts, terraces, plazas, avenues and steam baths.
Because of its importance and magnificent combination of nature and archaeological remains, Tikal has been declared a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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