Guatemala HOLIDAYS

A holiday in Guatemala is a journey into the heartland of the ancient world of the Mayans. Unlike most of Latin America, the majority of the local people are still indigenous Indian and many still wear their colourful, traditional costume. The landscape is stunning and varied with impressive mountain ranges and some of the regions highest volcanoes, many of which are still active.

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OUR FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO IN Guatemala

MAYAN TEMPLES

The Mayan ruins of Tikal are something special. An area of dense jungle with huge Mayan temples pocking out the top of the canopy. There is wildlife in abundance here and you need to stay inside the park to be first in and last out to avoid the crowds.

LOCAL MARKETS

The colour is the first thing that hits you when you arrive in Guatemala. With a huge indigenous population that still retain its traditions of dress, colour is everywhere. The local markets in both Antigua and around Lake Atitlan are worth exploring

UNIQUE LODGES

Spread through the country are some truly world class places to stay. Some are excellent value for money that allow you to stay in converted colonial buildings in great locations whilst others are sublime for their location, style and service, such as the incredible Casa Palopo overlooking Lake Titicaca.

LAKES

Lake Atitlan is the obvious choice and the most popular, however in the north of the country is Lake Peten, a lake surrounded by jungle.  Here you can take boat trips around the lake, kayak across it and take jungle walks along its shores in the hope of seeing some birdlife.

COLONIAL TOWNS

Antigua is the heart of the country, a small colonial town sat below a towering volcano, gives it an envious setting. Cobble streets, Spanish architecture, colourful local stalls, artisan shops and locals selling colourful weaving make it a great place to explore on foot.

WALKING

There are several volcanoes worth going up in Guatemala, one outside Antigua and another couple on Lake Atitlan. For those that feel that is too much though, the paths around Lake Atitlan are just as good. Here you walk around the lake and interact with locals going about their daily lives

MAP OF Guatemala

Latin Odyssey listened carefully to what we wanted from our holiday and came up with some brilliant suggestions. Would have no hesitation in travelling with them again and recommending them to friends

Neil & Trisha R

OUR FAVOURITE HOTELS IN Guatemala

when to go to Guatemala

SELECT THE MONTH YOU WANT TO TRAVEL

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

This is the best time to visit Guatemala where you will generally find dry conditions with temperatures ranging from 18-28 C depending on where you are in the country.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

This is the best time to visit Guatemala where you will generally find dry conditions with temperatures ranging from 18-28 C depending on where you are in the country.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

This is the best time to visit Guatemala where you will generally find dry conditions with temperatures ranging from 18-28 C depending on where you are in the country.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

This is the best time to visit Guatemala where you will generally find dry conditions with temperatures ranging from 18-28 C depending on where you are in the country.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

You can expect the odd downpour from mid-May onwards and also occasionally at the start of October.  Although this is also the hurricane season for the Caribbean Guatemala doesn’t generally get directly affected. The far north of the country, especially around the Mayan ruins of Tikal, the rains can begin in June and continue all the way through to December.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

You can expect the odd downpour from mid-May onwards and also occasionally at the start of October.  Although this is also the hurricane season for the Caribbean Guatemala doesn’t generally get directly affected. The far north of the country, especially around the Mayan ruins of Tikal, the rains can begin in June and continue all the way through to December.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

You can expect the odd downpour from mid-May onwards and also occasionally at the start of October.  Although this is also the hurricane season for the Caribbean Guatemala doesn’t generally get directly affected. The far north of the country, especially around the Mayan ruins of Tikal, the rains can begin in June and continue all the way through to December.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

You can expect the odd downpour from mid-May onwards and also occasionally at the start of October.  Although this is also the hurricane season for the Caribbean Guatemala doesn’t generally get directly affected. The far north of the country, especially around the Mayan ruins of Tikal, the rains can begin in June and continue all the way through to December.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

You can expect the odd downpour from mid-May onwards and also occasionally at the start of October.  Although this is also the hurricane season for the Caribbean Guatemala doesn’t generally get directly affected. The far north of the country, especially around the Mayan ruins of Tikal, the rains can begin in June and continue all the way through to December.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

You can expect the odd downpour from mid-May onwards and also occasionally at the start of October.  Although this is also the hurricane season for the Caribbean Guatemala doesn’t generally get directly affected. The far north of the country, especially around the Mayan ruins of Tikal, the rains can begin in June and continue all the way through to December.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

This is the best time to visit Guatemala where you will generally find dry conditions with temperatures ranging from 18-28 C depending on where you are in the country.

Guatemala has a very distinct rainy season which runs from the middle of May to October with the rest of the year being fairly dry.

 

This is the best time to visit Guatemala where you will generally find dry conditions with temperatures ranging from 18-28 C depending on where you are in the country.

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AN OVERVIEW OF Guatemala

Guatemala is a small exotic country in Central America located just below south-west Mexico and also bordering Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.  It is has a diverse geography including 33 volcanoes, highland areas, cloud forest and rainforest.  The country offers a unique cultural experience as well as access to some stunning scenery and the world’s most important Maya archaeology sites.

Guatemala has a unique culture with a large indigenous Maya population still living much as they have for hundreds of years and with many traditions & beliefs dating back to ancient times. There are 23 different Maya languages spoken in Guatemala and every village has its own distinctive textile using colors and symbols particular to their region.

Guatemala was conquered and ruled by the Spanish for over 200 years and you can still see the interesting mix of cultures that has emerged from the Spanish conquest and the materials and religions that they brought here.

The capital city is Guatemala City which is also the country’s main international airport and the main tourist areas centre around the Spanish colonial town of Antigua, Lake Atitlan, the market town of Chichicastenango and the rainforest area surrounding the town of Flores and the famous Maya Site of Tikal.

The beautiful colonial city of Antigua is located close to the capital making it an ideal first point of call.  A dramatic setting in a valley with looming volcanoes adds to the atmosphere. Lake Atitlan lies in the central highlands, set in an enormous caldera and dominated by three volcanoes.  It is one of the most enchanting places of natural beauty in the Americas.

Chichicastenango is a well known Indian market town and where Guatemalan handicrafts are renowned worldwide.  This is one of the best places to see the intricate textiles and carved masks and test your haggling skills!

The Peten region is a vast, jungle-clad plateau in the north, where many of the impressive ancient cities and temples of the Mayans are now hidden amid the rich and diverse flora and fauna.  Tikal is the most impressive Mayan site in Guatemala and perhaps in the whole Mayan world.

The tropical Caribbean coast contrasts greatly with the highlands and makes an ideal stopping off point as you head to the temples of the north.  This once important port is now a backwater but retains its charm and a strong character.

Explore GUATEMALA

 

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