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Cultural Tourism Guatemala
Unlike most of Latin America, the majority of the local people in Guatemala are still indigenous Indian. This unique culture, with its large indigenous Maya population, still live much as they have for hundreds of years and they still retain these beliefs dating back to ancient times. There are 23 different Maya languages spoken in Guatemala and every village has its own distinctive textile using colours and symbols particular to their region.
The country consists of towns surrounded by smaller more remote villages. The town of Compala, just outside Antigua, is an excellent example of this. Compala is at the heart of the Cakchiqel people (one of the many different Indian tribes within Guatemala that dates back to the Maya). On market days they come from their villages with their fruits, vegetables & other foods products to sell their wares & buy the day's needs and is an excellent opportunity to see a bit of everyday life.
The towns within Guatemala are also a great way to interact with the locals and a chance to get under the skin of the country. Almost all the towns have cobbled streets which are lined with superb Spanish colonial architecture. Around Lake Atitlan you have the chance to visit the traditional village of Santiago Atitlan with its curious shrine to Maximon and Santa Catarina where the locals still wear beautifully intricate embroidered clothing. 
Set in an impressive fertile valley and surrounded by giant volcanoes, Antigua is the best that Guatemala has to offer. The cobbled streets are lined with superb Spanish colonial architecture and give a feeling of travelling back in time. 
LakeAtitlan is one of the most enchanting places of natural beauty in the Americas. It lies in an enormous caldera, dominated by three volcanoes and surrounded by numerous Mayan villages. Atitlan has long been a spiritual place for the locals 
Tikal is probably the most impressive of the ancient Mayan cities and is an absolute must. it is encroached by tropical forest, home to the howler monkey and with huge, steep pyramid temples that pierce the jungle canopy.
Where best in interact
Situated on the northern shores of Lake Peten, this is more of a jungle retreat than a hotel. Nitun is run by the owner, Lorena, who after 16 years still has the enthusiasm of someone that has just started. The lodge has 4 casitas
On the other side of the town of Santiago is posada Santiago. The hotel is split between the road, with the rooms and restaurant on one side and the pool and gardens on the other, the latter of which overlooks the lake.
This small hotel is well positioned close to the centre of town. The small entrance leads you through a small water fountain and into the hotel, which has been beautifully decorated with soft furnishings and local art
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