I’ve been to Guatemala several times, learned Spanish in Antigua Guatemala and travelled almost around the whole country. Guatemala is an incredibly diverse country and by far my favourite in Central America. In this blog, I would like to introduce some of the places you definitely should visit if you are planning to travel around Guatemala.
Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala was once the capital of Guatemala until it was completely destroyed by a terrible earthquake in 1773 and the capital was moved to today's Guatemala City. The town only slowly recovered from the serious damage and was gradually rebuilt. Today, the Baroque colonial-style city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful cities in Central America. It is borderd by the three volcanoes Fuego, Agua and Acatenango and offers its visitors a perfect climate all year round. Antigua is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Guatemala and many travellers come here to study Spanish in one of the many language schools.
Cerro de La Cruz
During a visit, you should definitely visit the Cerro de la Cruz. By foot on a narrow path or with the Tuc Tuc, you reach this out-of-town hill in a few minutes and be rewarded with a breathtaking view over the city. Antigua is also the perfect starting point for a tour to the volcanoes Acatenango or Pacaya.
(Insider tip: Take one of the shuttles to Restaurant Cerro San Cristobal. The food is cheap and delicious and the view over Antigua and its surroundings just beautiful.)
Restaurante Cerro San Cristobal
Semuc Campey
If you visit Semuc Champey, you can either stay overnight in the small village of Lanquin or in one of the many hostels in the middle of the jungle, close to Semuc Champey. These natural pools are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country and definitely worth a visit. Make sure to climb up to the Mirador (observation deck), the view from above is breathtaking.
The view from the mirador is stunning
Volcano Acatenango
A tour to the volcano Acatenango is best started from Antigua or San Pedro La Laguna. It is possible to make the tour in one day, but normally undertaken by most travellers as a two-day tour.
The view from the top of Volcano Acatenango
The active Volcano Fuego
The ascent takes about six to seven hours, depending on your physical condition, and is quite exhausting as the tent, sleeping bag and sufficient water and food have to be carried. You reach the base camp in the late afternoon, spend the night in a tent and then the next day at dawn you climb up the last few hundred meters to the summit at almost 4000 meters and enjoy the sunrise there. The active volcano Fuego, whose located just three kilometers away, can be seen spitting lava all night.
Volcano Fuego spitting lava
The ascent should not be done on your own but always with a guide. Be sure to pack warm clothes as the temperatures can drop below zero and plan the climb if possible in the dry season.
Quetzaltenango
Xela, as Quetzaltenango is also called, is the second largest city of Guatemala and the capital of the department of the same name. A beautiful baroque colonial-style main square reminds a lot of Antigua Guatemala and is one of the city's main attractions. Compared to Antigua, Xela is less crowded with tourists, but also offers a variety of Spanish schools.
You should visit at least one of the surrounding volcanoes during a visit. Among a lot of activities tourist offices offer tours to the volcano Tajumulco, with 4220m the highest mountain in Guatemala and Central America, to the Laguna de Chicabal or the Mirador Santiaguito.
Eruption of the Volcano Santiaguito
Tikal
This once important Mayan city is located in the rainforests of Petén and far to the north of the country. The overnight bus from Guatemala City takes about 8 hours to reach Flores, a small town on Lake Petén and from there it takes another hour to get to Tikal. For those of you traveling to Belize or Mexico, Tikal is the perfect last stopover (or the perfect first stopover when you arrive from Belize).
Pirámide del Gran Jaguar
Considered as one of the largest and most powerful capitals of its time, Tikal is one of the best-researched Mayan ruins. Many of the buildings (it is estimated that there are over 10,000) have not yet been excavated, but especially the buildings and temples around the central square are impressive and at least some of them can be climbed.
The view from the top of one of the temples
For all those Tikal is not enough should hike the multi-day tour to El Mirador. This gigantic Mayan city is still under research, but it is considered to be the largest Mayan metropolis ever. Among other buildings, there is the gigantic pyramid La Danta: with 72 meters higher than the sun pyramid in Mexico or the Ceops pyramid in Egypt!
Lago Atitlan
What would a trip to Guatemala be without visiting the famous Lago Atitlan. Described by many as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, everyone visiting Guatemala should spend at least a few days here. Here the indigenous culture and language is still very dominant and most of the locals are dressed in the traditional colourful clothing. A variety of small villages around the lake offer the right ambience for every traveller. Panajachel, San Pedro La Laguna and the dropout village of San Marcos should certainly be visited.
Volcano San Pedro
San Marcos, Lago Atitlan
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