Guatemala´s "Must Visit" Places

Yes, you know Guatemala is a great place for tourists to go, with rich culture, ancient Mayan ruins, volcanoes, etc., but getting down to business, what places should not be missed from the "been there, done that" list of anyone visiting this small yet amazing country?

We at Humanitravels make this simple for you!  check our list out and please contact us about information on tours, prices, driving times or anything else you need to know about these or other places you feel should be in this list:

In order of the amouns of visitors each place gets year round:

1- Antigua: the Colonial Capital of Central America, with so many titles that would take too long to write, but only 1 hour or less drive from the international airport in Guatemala city, with many hotel options to cover all budgets, restaurants for all tastes, shops with all kinds of handicrafts, cheap internet and international call services and easy to set connections to all mayor tourist destinations in the nation and even to Mexico and Central America.  No wonder it is one of the top destinations in Latin America.

2- Tikal Mayan Ruins: Ancient history, amazing archaeology and engineering, all surrounded by a lush tropical rainforest jungle, and with interesting misteries to be uncovered...  Howler monkeys, tucans, live jungle...  What else do you need to get to visit them?  A bit far for driving, but only a 1hr flight away from Guatemala city.  It surely is worth the hastle!

3- Lake Atitlan: Towering volcanos, mayan villages filled with culture, handicrafts and history, great shopping and good food.  Only 2:30hrs away from Antigua over a scenic ride over the mountains, giving you the chance of getting in touch with the modern Maya people.

4- Chichicastenango: The largest indigenous handicraft market in Mesoamerica, that has been taking place in the same place for centuries.  Mayans go there twice a week to sell their produce and get their weekly needs, and of course, pay their respects and bring offerings to the catholic saints inside the colonial temple but also to the Mayan idol in a nearby hill.  As a visitor, you will be able to see the explosion of colors with the women's clothing, flowers sold in the stairway to the temple and vegetables sold in the market.  If you want to visit a real handicraft market, you can't miss it!  Held every thursday and sunday.

These are the "most see" places if you only have a few days, but there are many more that we will be giving information about in this blog in the following weeks.

Please visit our website to see options to visit Guatemala and work as a volunteer.