"Guatemala" a Guatemala Travel Page by Vbort44

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Antigua

A Colonial City: Antigua

This was one of my most favorite cities in Guatemala. The landscape is beautiful, along with cobble stone roads and cheerfully colorful houses/shops. I would recommend Antigua to anyone who is new to Guatemala and wants to get a minor feel for the culture and people. On the downside, it is very touristy consequently it is a little more expensive than the less popular cities.

While in Antigua, I recommend that you:

• Browse the local market.

• Also, visit “Cerro De La Cruz” situated on a hilltop over looking the City. But beware; criminals have been known to frequent such an isolated area to take advantage of ignorant tourists. I suggest that you ask the tourist police to guide you up to the top and back down; they can be of great assistance and will be more than willing to oblige.

• If you have time, catch a bus out to Pacaya Volcano “Volcan Pacaya”. The trip is economically priced and well worth every penny. The hike is rather tedious, but the view is simply gorgeous. Volcanoes are hot, enough said…

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Lakeside on Panajachel

A hidden gem: Panajachel

The laid back town of Panajachel is situated in the highlands of Guatemala; without a doubt, my most favorite spot. Boats leave every morning for the various villages on the shores of the lake. Panajachel is the main departure point to the various indigenous villages on Lake Atitlan. We went to a small town called Santiago, not very impressive. Across the lake one can see three volcanoes, San Pedro, Toliman, and Volcan Atitlán. The landscape is simple breathtaking. Imagine a small lakeside town, surrounded by enormous volcanoes and mountains. Do not miss this hidden gem, you will be sorry.

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Tikal's Great Plaza

The magnificence of the Tikal National Park

If there is one single tourist attraction you are planning to explore while in Guatemala, make it the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal; a city that flourished over 2,000 years ago.

Looking out from the top of the Temple IV, (it towers over 200 feet above the jungle floor) over the jungle canopy, it is possible to see the Great Plaza and many of the smaller temples in the distance. The ancient city is truly a majestic sight.

Worth the visit, however, my only complaints would be that we did not encounter as much wildlife as I had anticipated. Note: a half day trip is more than enough time for the experience, unless of course, you have a great passion for archaeology and/or anthropology. If you do indeed stay for the whole day, you will be able to catch the sunset from a top Temple IV. Sadly, we did not stay, but I have heard that it is spectacular.