Graced with breathtaking scenery of smoking volcanoes and beautiful lakes, rich colonial heritage and indigenous culture, an interesting mixture of fauna and remarkable Mayan ruins, and still alive in its colorful people, Guatemala is a small Central American country and an excellent destination to spend active, adventure or theme holidays. What can be more memorable that a visit to one of the 33 volcanoes of the country, picturesque Spanish colonial villages, lush green rainforests, the crystal-clear turquoise Caribbean Sea and deep blue Pacific – and all this in an area the size of Tennessee?
There are many attractions in Guatemala that you will not like to miss but with so many dreamscape places of interest to visit, your vacations must be well planned. To help you design a memorable Guatemalan escape, TravelVivi is glad to introduce the best the country has to offer.
Antigua
Antigua is perhaps the best place to begin your trip to Guatemala. It’s a charming ancient town of exclusive architectural wonders, surrounded by volcanoes and abundant in flowers. In colonial times Antigua was considered to be one of the most splendid cities of the Spanish Empire. Today the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great place to wander about. The town is where visitors will find Guatemala’s prime attraction – Tikal Pyramids, which is considered the greatest Maya religious center ever discovered. An added value to Tikal is its wildlife, and superb opportunities for hiking, bird watching and of course photography. Other points of interest include: the Iglesia de San Francisco, La Merced and the Las Capuchinas.
Island of Flores Guatemala
Another beautiful attraction that is the gateway to Tikal Guatemala is the tiny island of Flores, which will treat you to a charm of its own. Located on Lake Peten Itza, the island dates back to the 9th century and is well worth a visit for its charming lakeside restaurants and comfortable lodgings, lovely streets and alleys and a variety of stores, selling handicrafts and souvenirs. When visiting Flores do not miss out to ride a boat in the famous Lago Peten Itza, which will enable you to admire the country’s nature at its best, along with small villages with tiny ramshackle huts, where local people live.
Guatemala City
A bustling metropolis of approximately 3 million people, Guatemala City is a place to be. Being a highly modern city, Guatemala City plays an important part in the country, as it takes the role of Guatemala’s administrative, economic and cultural capital. The city is packed with shops, great dining venues, museums, theaters art galleries and hotels, as well as other attractions, which include everything from churches to government buildings. However, we should note that despite its amazing arts scene and attractive facade, the city often is missed out by many travelers from around the world, due to the high crime rate.
Where to Stay?
Staying in Guatemala is itself an experience not to be missed, as there is no shortage of accommodation options to choose from, that include everything from inexpensive tourist lodges to middle-range hotels and guest houses to five star international-class luxury hotels, all with high-end restaurants, swimming pools, business desks, shopping arcade and more.
Best Time to Visit
Being a tropical country, it’s natural that climate in Guatemala has wet and dry seasons; with the rainy season normally falls May through October, and the dry season that usually falls between November and April. The best time to go to Guatemala depends on what you want to experience. Those interested in a variety of events and land and water adventures should visit the country between December and March.
A country with more than 800,ooo annual visitors, Guatemala or the so-called ‘Place of Many Trees,’ truly lives up to its name, giving visitors a thrilling view of Central America!
