Reasons to Visit Guatemala
Guatemala is all about its people, especially in the highland regions. Their tightly knit Mayan communities, centuries old in tradition with their colourful cultures and costumes, are fascinating for the visitor and getting an insight into the lives of these wonderful, friendly people is one of the main reasons to visit this incredible country.
Easter week is a colourful and fascinating time to be in Antigua. Thousands of visitors come each year to watch the processions and religious festivities. Lavishly decorated floats are carried through the streets followed by musicians and the residents create elaborate carpets of flowers along the route for the processions to walk over.
A quarter of Guatemala is covered by forest and the wildlife, especially in the El Peten region, is prolific. Barking howler monkeys, swinging spider monkeys, screeching parrots and nosy coatis are just some of the wonderful species you will experience here.
Most days of the week you’ll find a market open somewhere in the highlands of Guatemala. They are the main economic focus for scattered mountain communities and locals flock in their hoards in search of a bargain. Everything is sold here, from food to souvenirs to clothing and livestock - you name it, you can guarantee you’ll find it in a market!
Spend a day at the Mayan ruins at Tikal. Surrounded by rainforest, not only is it a haven for wildlife including spider monkeys, howler monkeys and many tropical birds, but there are remains of royal palaces and temples that can be climbed for magnificent views.
Clear, still lakes, steaming volcanoes, lush rainforests and spectacular highland views all make up the stunning and diverse scenery you can experience in Guatemala. It is an absolute joy to travel around the country.
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Central America
The north of Guatemala, known as El Petén, is an area of lush lowland jungle whose depths conceal countless Mayan ruins, half-buried and entwined by tree-roots and lianas.
Take a motorised canoe through flooded forest and mangroves to search for wildlife before visiting the temples of Aguateca.
Tikal is most definitely the most impressive of all the Mayan sites in Central America not only for its historical remains but because it is also a haven for wildlife, making the trip to Tikal all the more enchanting.
A two day / one night excursion visiting the ruins of Uaxactun with a candlelit dinner.
Yaxha, q'equchi' for green water, is located 73 km from Flores. This Maya site, discovered in 1904 by architect Teobert Maler, is situated within the Maya Biosphere Reserve along with the sites of Nakum and El Naranjo.
11 days from £2,210pp
15 days from £3,035pp
14 days from £3,240pp
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Further reading:Tours in GuatemalaWhen to GoHighlightsItinerary IdeasPlaces to GoThings to DoAccommodationAbout GuatemalaCountry Guides
Other countries in Central America, Mexico & Cuba:BelizeCosta RicaCubaHondurasMexicoNicaraguaPanama
