Guatemala

The dreamscape island of Guatemala invites all travelers in search of luxurious breathtaking nature, under crowded beaches, rich indigenous culture, appealing variety of historic buildings and a plethora of interesting sightseeing opportunities. Picturesque Mayan ruins, the highest and gravest steaming volcanoes, lush jungles, gorgeous highlands, impressive churches, museums and a wide range of attractions are what make Guatemala a truly unique destination to visit. Whether this is your first visit to Guatemala or not, there is so much to see and experience that you'll simply be lost in the variety of things. Once in Guatemala you will fall in love with this stunning paradise and desire to return again and again.

Guatemala is an independent country, located in Central America. Bordering Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador and lying between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Honduras Guatemala covers an area of 42,042 sq km. The terrain is mostly mountainous with narrow coastal plains and high limestone plateau. Dominant features are volcanoes (34to be exact), broad basins and many valleys. The highest peak is the inactive cone of Tajumulco rising 13,845 ft (4,220m) situated in the Sierra Madre. Guatemala enjoys a temperate tropical climate with average annual temperatures around 27C in the lowlands and 17C in the highlands. May to October are considered the wettest months, while November to April the weather is dry.

To understand Guatemala you 'must' experience 'La Ciudad' or Guatemala City. Housing more than two million inhabitants from overall population of 13,550,440 (2010 estimate), modern Guatemala City is a bustling, fast-paced growing city contributing to the enjoyment of visitors with places such as the Central Plaza or Constitution Plaza, National Palace of Culture, the Cathedral of Antigua, and a number of interesting museums, including Popol Vuh Museum, Archeology and Ethnology Museum, National Museum of Modern Art and National Museum of History.

Antigua or 'Ancient Guatemala' is one of the most popular destinations of Guatemala, an extremely visitor-friendly beautiful town nestled in the middle of three volcanoes. Antigua is famous for the 16th-century exquisite Spanish architecture, countless hotels, restaurants, coffee cafes and shops catering even the most demanding travelers. To see things include some of the best ruins of San Agustin Church, the Cathedral ruins, as well as Lago de Izabal or Nebai and the Lago de Atitlan and many other sites waiting to be discovered. There is a famous celebration in Antigua the week before Easter Sunday which is called 'Semana Santa' or Holy Week with most remarkable brilliantly-colored sawdust carpets laid on the streets for the consumed religious processions to step on. So if you want to take part in this wonderful celebration, you should book hotels far in advance. Another attraction in Guatemala is Monterrico, a black-sand beach situated on Guatemala's Pacific coast, resulting from the volcanic nature of the country. Here you'll meet backpackers from around the globe, swing in a hammock, play with waves which sometimes can be too big for your taste and visit the nearby Biotopo Monterrico-Hawaii animal sanctuary. In Monterrico a long beach area serves as a breeding ground for four species of sea turtles. Monterrico offers fine accommodation options from backpacker hotels to 30star affairs with air conditioning.

Welcome to Guatemala, the 'Land of Eternal Spring' blessed with breathtaking beauty, charm and glorious color!