5 reasons to visit Guatemala

Located between Mexico and Honduras, Guatemala is a land of dramatic nature, iconic wildlife, and living history. It's one of the best places in the world to witness the bright red sight of active volcanoes, from pumas lurking in the jungles of Petén to emerald quetzals in the dense mountains of the northwest. Travelers interested in history will find some of the largest and best-preserved Mayan ruins in the area, as well as indigenous communities and markets. The country's relatively compact geography means you can experience most of it in one trip. Here's how to get the most out of it.

1. Discover Maya culture old and new

Located at the geographic center of the Mayan world, Guatemala is home to more Mayan ruins than any other country. There are tens of thousands of structures hidden in the jungle, many of them in the largest area of ​​the American tropical forest in the northern Amazon, an area known as the Maya Biosphere. make a reservation. Most famously, the park is located within the vast Tikal National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is easily recognizable by its 180-foot-tall Great Jaguar Temple.

For travelers with more time on their hands, lesser-known options are equally appealing. The ruined hamlet of El Mirador, north of Tikal, is home to the Stone Colossus, one of the tallest pyramids on earth, and can only be reached by helicopter or a five-day hike. Research into how civilizations were able to thrive far from resources continues to redefine our understanding of the genius of the Maya.

Today, approximately 40% of Guatemalans identify as Maya, the largest population in Central America. In the highlands and villages, locals wear clothes hand-woven on backstrap looms. Backstrap looming is a centuries-old technique in which weavers attach their bodies to the rods of a loom. Indigenous markets sell these colorful textiles and offer recipes passed down through generations, such as pepian, a rich, spiced vegetable stew. Visit the highland town of Chichicastenango to visit Central America's largest indigenous market. Thousands of sellers put their products up for sale every Thursday and Sunday. Or consider San Francisco El Alto in Totonicapan.

2. Explore land formed by volcanoes

Sandwiched between tectonic plates, Central America's west coast is traversed by volcanic ridges like the spines on a dragon's back. There are 37 in Guatemala alone, three of which are still active, making the country a geotourism hotspot.

Options range from moderate half-day hikes through lava fields and crater lakes to challenging multi-day adventures climbing the region's highest peaks. The most amazing sight is near the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Antigua Guatemala, where Volcano Fuego, one of the world's most active volcanoes, spews lava into the sky, sometimes every 15 minutes.

Guatemala's volcanoes are not just a challenge to be conquered, they are essential to the country and its people. It built natural defenses during the Spanish Conquest and the Civil War. And today, the descendants of the Maya revere them as sacred, seeing their fiery peaks as gateways to the gods.

3. Experience the ever-changing natural landscape

Guatemala's name comes from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word cuautremaran, meaning “woody place.” The country, which stretches along coastlines from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and includes volcanic peaks, cloud forests, lowland jungles and black sand beaches, was recognized by COP-10 in 2010 for its mega-diversity.

In the rainforests of the northern Petén region, howler monkeys roar from the tree canopies, their calls echoing through paths thick with winding vines and towering ceiba trees. A macaw flashes red as it races across the sky, while a jaguar wanders silently in the shadows. The cool air of the western highlands is perfect for the emerald plumage of Guatemala's national bird, the quetzal, to perfectly camouflage itself in the forest. To the east, the Rio Dulce River, which flows into the Caribbean Sea, is home to manatees.

4. Taste local specialties and international favorites

Guatemalan cuisine has ancient roots and foreign influences. Staple foods include beans, chili peppers, and corn, which the Maya believed the gods used to create the first humans. They are transformed into dishes such as cakic, a tangy turkey soup with samato (wild coriander) and chili peppers, and chile rellenos, a Spanish-introduced chili pepper stuffed with vegetables and beef.

But the highlight for many visitors is tasting familiar favorites: coffee and chocolate. Both are made from beans grown in Guatemala's volcanic highland soils, providing depth and richness. Coffee is Guatemala's main export, famous for its bright acidity, citrus and chocolate aromas, and full-bodied finish. On the other hand, cacao was very important to the Maya people, who used cacao beans as currency. Today, it is lightly sweetened and eaten with flavors such as vanilla, cinnamon, and chili.

5. Participate in community tourism

Pride runs deep in Guatemala's villages and highlands, and community tourism offers travelers the opportunity to discover the country in an authentic way: on its own terms. A well-known example is the town of Santa Catarina Palopó on the shores of Lake Atitlan. As traditional sources of income in the countryside dwindled, families here worked together to paint their homes bright colors and actively attract new tourists.

Their example is being followed across the country. At Laguna Brava, Guatemala's second largest mantle lake, the remote Q'ech Maya community invites visitors to explore its turquoise cenotes and waterfalls while learning about their way of life . Further north, in the Petén region, explore lesser-visited Mayan ruins with an indigenous archaeologist or go birdwatching with a local guide who grew up hearing Guatemala's dawn chorus every day. .