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We looked through some popular websites for travel suggestions 2023 and found a few peculiar ones.
So, we decided to make series of post on the most unusual destinations we could find.
And we are going to start with Guatemala.
Guatemala is getting international attention as a popular tourist destination. In terms of unique things, Guatemala is at the top of our list of all Central American countries.
Why going?
One of the most colorful countries in Central America, one of the centers of the Mayan civilization, exotic and tropical rainforests – all this is amazing Guatemala. It is worth going to Guatemala if you have an unbearable desire to meet real Indians, take part in mystical shamanic rituals, see with your own eyes the villages where the descendants of the legendary Maya live, immerse yourself in local customs and visit a pagan holiday that strikes the imagination with bright colors and unusual traditions. . Tourists from all over the world rush to Guatemala to enjoy the beauty of the local nature and ancient monuments.
How to get there?
La Aurora International Airport is located 6 km south of the historic center of Guatemala City. Most flights here come from cities in North America. Bus service is established with Mexico, El Salvador, Belize and Honduras, rail – only with Mexico. And the last option for the most restless is to get to Guatemala by sea from Belize.
Transport of Guatemala
Public transport in Guatemala is called camioneta and is a fleet of old US school buses. The main person in such a bus is the conductor, who, leaning out of the open door, shouts out the route (many locals are illiterate) and functions as turn signals and brake lights. Landing can be done even at the crossroads, the fare is a bit.
Even a short trip will allow you to fully experience the Guatemalan flavor: a crowd of people, a lot of pickpockets and a chance to be attacked.
It is more pleasant, safer and more expensive to travel on tourist shuttles, they run between the main cities, pick you up at the hotel and bring you back. All seats are seated, buses are divided into classes according to the degree of comfort. There are also taxis, we recommend that you negotiate the price before boarding. Some national parks can only be reached by boat.
The railroad connects the cities of Puerto Barrios and Santo Tomas de Castilla on the Caribbean coast with the capital and the Pacific coast. Minor railway lines depart to the north and south of the country. Domestic flights connect the main cities. For example, 4 flights depart from Guatemala to Flores every day.
Rent a Car
There are no problems with car rental in Guatemala, you will need to leave a deposit, but a bank card is not necessary. The driver must be over 25 years old. The insurance does not cover damage from theft, so you should only leave your car in paid parking, and drive in the capital with your windows closed and doors locked. It is pointless to take a passenger car, country roads are too tough for her. Lost in the labyrinth of the streets of a small town, you should not ask women for directions – they are rarely in the know, and men can give false directions with the most serious look.
When to go
The best time to travel is from November to May. During these months, the weather is comfortable and there is practically no rainfall. From warm clothes, a sweater or cape is useful in case of cool evenings, otherwise a regular summer wardrobe will do.
If you plan to climb volcanoes, take mountain boots, thermal underwear, and a warm windproof jacket with you. A hat and gloves will be useful, as a piercing wind blows in the mountains. Sunglasses and a high SPF cream are a must. Sunscreen cosmetics will come in handy for the beach and hiking. Tours often start at noon, when the sun is at its zenith and most active.
What to see
The country has 11 national parks and reserves with diverse flora and fauna. The deepest lake in Central America, Atitlan, is also located here, its depth is 340 m. At the foot of the volcanoes in the vicinity of the lake, the descendants of the Mayan tribe live. All lakes of the country are clean and picturesque. Guatemala City looks very unusual in terms of architecture: modern skyscrapers made of glass and concrete are mixed on city streets with old mansions built during colonization, and new wide avenues are accompanied by ancient temple buildings. Treasures of the Maya are presented in large numbers in the National Museum of Archeology and Anthropology.
Hike to Akatenango Volcano
If you talk to someone who has done this hike, you’ve probably heard some rave reviews.
Get
Get it at The Container Store 🙂
City of Antigua
The small town of Antigua has become a famous tourist destination due to its location on three volcanoes, its turbulent past, and the ruins of ancient monasteries. Another city beloved by tourists is Tikal with its palaces, temples and pyramids.
Antigua is where tours to the Acatenango Volcano begin, but there’s so much more to it. When one thinks of Guatemala, Western fast food chains, upscale bars and restaurants don’t usually come to mind – but Antigua has it all.
Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlán is a unique place in Guatemala. It is literally a huge lake, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, in which small towns cling to the sides. This is a recreation area for travelers to relax for a couple of days.
Semuc Champey National Park
Many travelers miss it due to the long bus ride from other places close to the Antigua area and it’s a shame because it’s fantastic! Semuc Champey is an area of bright turquoise water that flows through hundreds of small waterfalls.
Tikal Mayan ruins
The northern part of Guatemala is home to what many consider to be “the best Mayan ruin site in the world.”
This is interesting considering that Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the world, is also a Mayan ruin just a few hours from Tikal. But after visiting both sites, I would agree that Tikal has more to offer tourists. It was a different experience of destruction that would even thrill those who don’t find history the most interesting topic.
A visit to the ruins of Tikal was special for many reasons. One of them is that the ruins are in a protected national park, which is why there are so many animals around. The ruins are also in dense jungle with small footpaths for navigation.
