A trip to Guatemala allows visitors the chance to explore cities which are culturally and historically important as well as the chance to see an abundance of Mayan ruins and experience Mayan life. You will also find nature reserves, ancient capitals, religious icons and active volcanoes within easy reach. It is this variety that makes the country so interesting and guarantees that whatever your taste, you’ll be spoilt for choice with regards to sightseeing opportunities.
Esquipulas
This important and historical town can be found in the Chiquimula Department and is one of the most significant towns in Central America. Second only in importance to the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe outside Mexico City, the Basílica of Esquipulas contains an Icon of the Black Christ dating back to 1594. Pilgrims from all over Central America gather here on 15 January to worship. Esquipulas is also the seat of the Central American Parliament and has seen several important peace agreements signed. Other attractions include the Franciscan Sanctuary, Belén Convent and colonial Little Bridge.
Guatemala City
Guatemala City is the capital and houses a number of spectacular and historical sights. Some of the most popular include: Parque Central, which is bordered by the National Palace, the Cathedral and the National Library. Kaminal Juyú is a city which has been buried under one of the most commercial areas of Guatemala City and is a fascinating spot to visit. The Relief Map of the Republic can be found in Minerva Park and is the largest of its kind in the world. If you are a fan of neo-classical or Baroque architecture, you will find a wealth of examples here. Some of the finest include: the 17th century Hermitage of El Carmen and the churches of La Merced, Santo Domingo, Santuario Expiatorio, Las Capuchinas and Santa Rosa. Travel to the south of the city where you will find the national racecourse, Parque la Aurora as well as the city zoo, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Ixchel Museum. Other museums with impressive collections include the Popol Vuh Museum and the National Museum of Modern Art.
La Antigua Guatemala
This city is the former capital and a visit here should be high on your list of priorities. It was considered to be one of the grandest cities in Central America before it was partially destructed by the earthquake of 1773. Mass devastation was caused by the earthquake in 1976 and the town is now a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. Despite the damage of earthquakes, floods and fires, Antigua is a beautiful city full of multi-coloured buildings, tropical gardens, fountain squares and cobbled streets. It is a popular hub for tourists and boasts a number of good hotels as well as restaurants, shopping facilities and a lively nightlife. A few building have managed to survive the devastation and they now stand proud amidst modern shopping centres and hotels. They include: The cathedral, Palace of the General Captains, University of San Carlos and the churches of La Merced, Santa Clara and San Francisco.
Mayan Sites
A number of ancient Mayan sites can be found in the vast tropical jungles of the Petén Department. This area borders Belize and Mexico and it is possible to visit the Mayan sites in all three countries. Flores, which houses an international airport, is a former Mayan ceremonial centre which was built on an island in the middle of Lake Petén Itza. Unfortunately no Mayan structures survived the conquistadors’ arrival. The stunning Mayan ruins of Tikal (City of Voices) include enormous temples, ball courts, causeways, plazas and public buildings. The city boasts about 3000 known Mayan structures, although many more lie buried under dense jungle vegetation. The city was first occupied in 800 BC but was eventually abandoned around 1000 years later. It is recommended that you spend at least two days here so that you get to see the majority of the sites. You will find park lodges in Flores, Santa Elena or El Remate and guided tours can be arranged.
Several other Mayan sites located in north Petén are currently under excavation. One of the most impressive is Uaxactún (Eight Stones), which shows how developed the Mayan civilisation had become by the 9th century AD. Further east, Yaxhá (Green Water) is home to an extensive selection of Mayan terraces, plazas and causeways while Ceibal houses a small observatory that was designed to pinpoint the exact location of galaxies, planets and stars.
National Parks
The impressive Tikal national park is home to over 125,000 acres of forest and tropical vegetation. An abundance of wildlife can be observed here including howler monkeys, tropical birds, ocelots, jaguars and brocket deer. Cerro Cahuí Biosphere is a 1482-acre nature reserve housing cedar, sapodilla, indigo, orchids and a range of wildlife such as white-tailed deer, armadillos, spider monkeys, parrots and toucans. Lanchúa National Park can be found 200kms away from Cobán. This is a subtropical rainforest which is literally teeming with a whole host of mammals and amphibians. If you decide to visit the park, you will need to bring full camping equipment and a tour guide. The town of Purulhá is home to the Mario Dary Biotape Reserve which was set up to protect the Quetzal, Guatemala's national bird. It boasts a wide variety of tropical birds such as hummingbirds, toucans and macaws. Montecristo National Park is located in the Chiquimula Department and extends across three countries. Over half of the subtropical forest can however be found in Guatemala.
Volcanoes
Guatemala has 33 volcanoes, of which three are still active. Without doubt, the most dramatic is the Pacaya Volcano, which can be found halfway between Guatemala City and Escuintla. During periods of volcanic activity, guided tours are organised to allow visitors to watch the eruptions and the lava flows, from a safe distance of course. When inactive, it is possible to climb the volcano.
Western Guatemala
It is possible to explore the unique highlands of Western Guatemala, which are also known as El Altiplano. The towns and villages across the region are inhabited by a significant number of modern-day indigenous Mayan groups, many of whom still speak the languages and follow the sacred rituals of their ancestors. Many of the villagers still wear traditional hand-woven garments and visit their local markets daily. While the main towns are connected with paved highways, some of the villages on the outskirts are accessible only by mud tracks.
Climb a volcanic mountain
It is possible to climb all of Guatemala’s 33 volcanoes (unless of course they are active). The Tajumulco in the San Marcos region is the highest volcano in Central America, although it is a relatively easy climb for experienced mountaineers. If you are looking for something slightly more challenging, you should head for the Tolimán with its twin peak summit. The San Pedro volcano affords stunning views once at the top and can usually be climbed in about six hours. One of the most visited volcanoes is Pacaya. However, if you want to visit, you must hire a guide and check whether the volcano is active. The ascent of the Agua volcano allows climbers to spend the night in the crater, where there is room for 30 people.
Embark on the Spanish Rural Tourism Plan
Visitors looking for adventure when they arrive in Guatemala can choose to embark on a tour through the countryside either on horseback, bicycle, foot or by 4-wheel drive. Tours start in Quetzaltepeque, travel through San Luis Jiltepeque and end up at the attractive Jalapa, families open their doors and invite trekkers to stay with them all along the route.
Get active in the water
There is plenty of opportunity for water sport fanatics to indulge in some sports while they are on holiday. Río Dulce and Lakes Izabal and Atitlán are excellent spots for windsurfing, with Lake Atitlán also popular for diving. Guatemala's fast-moving rivers are ideal for white-water rafting. Lakes and rivers offer keen fishermen hours of fun, while fishing in the Pacific is very popular. Swimming, snorkeling, jet skiing and scuba diving are all popular pursuits along the coast and offer the chance to get up close with some of Central America’s tropical sea life.
Step back in time in Huehuetenango
This departmental capital is home to the isolated village of Todos Santos Cuchumatán. The people in the village still live life as they would have over 100 years ago. The men's traditional costumes of high-necked red shirts, red and white-striped trousers, black capes and red fabric tied under straw hats are particularly smart and should definitely be seen. On the Day of the Dead (1 November), a traditional horse race takes place in the village. Fuelled by quetzalteca, the local sugar cane brew, riders race up and down a dirt track at the far end of the village. The winner is the last man still on his horse.
Take a boat trip
Take a boat trip along the Río Dulce, a jungle river that has its source in Lake Izabal and flows between steep cliffs and dense vegetation into the Amatique Bay. Along the river, you’ll find the fort of San Felipe, which was constructed by the Spanish in the 17th century as a defence against pirate attacks. The river also passes through a number of mangrove swamps and lagoons which house the endangered manatee, Guatemala's largest aquatic mammal.
Take a break
If you are warn out from sightseeing and trekking, take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee. There are a number of cafés all across the country serving up very good cappuccinos, lattes and espressos. Cobán and Antigua both compete for title of the best coffee in Guatemala.
