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Guatemala

6

Reasons To
Visit Guatemala

  • Indigenous Culture

    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.

    Indigenous Culture

  • Semana Santa

    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.

    Semana Santa

  • Jungle wildlife

    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.

    Jungle wildlife

  • Markets

    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!

    Markets

  • Mayan ruins

    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.

    Mayan ruins

  • Views and volcanoes

    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.

    Views and volcanoes

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Excursions in Guatemala: Yaxha at Sunset

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.

Sunset at Yaxha
Sunset over YaxhaSunset at YaxhaSunset at Yaxha, Tikal area, GuatemalaWlaking through the Mayan ruinsYaxha templesYaxha ruinsView from on top of the temples in Yaxha, Tikal area.Ruins at Yaxha, Tikal areaYaxha, El Peten

Yaxha at Sunset

Tikal & El Petén, Guatemala
  • Culture & History
  • Wildlife & Nature

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. It was occupied from pre-classic (800 BC) to post-classic (1600 AD) times and covers 3 square kilometres with more than 500 buildings discovered, including the only twin pyramid complex outside of Tikal. It was allied to Tikal and an enemy of El Naranjo, from whom it suffered various defeats.

Nearby is Yaxha lagoon, in the centre of which was another Mayan site called Topoxté, where building continued after the classic collapse until 1450. The lagoon is home to the Morletti specie of crocodile, endemic to Petén.

There is extensive restoration ongoing at this site, and some areas and temples have wooden stairways to facilitate access. You can therefore see the archaeologists working away and explore parts which are yet to be uncovered, buried by the vegetation.

Receiving fewer visitors than other sites, Yaxha remains peaceful and there are wonderful wildlife opportunities. The scale of these ruins suggests that it was undoubtedly a very important city during the Mayan reign.

Sunset atop one of the temples on a clear day is simply stunning.

Other countries in Central America, Mexico & Cuba:
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