What to See in Guatemala
City tours.
It is worth visiting various cities of Guatemala. You can choose, depending on your interests, either ancient cities and areas with Mayan ruins, which will tell about the life and culture of the Indians, or cities built after the 16th century, when the country became a Spanish colony. The first include Tikal, Curigua, Aguateca, the second – Antigua, Guatemala City, Chichicostenango. Check top-medical-schools.org for travel information in Guatemala.
Tikal.
This is the world-famous center of Maya culture. It is located in the tropical rainforest zone within the National Park. The park occupies 600 sq. km. The history of the city begins from 550 BC. Now here you can see the ruins of the former pyramids, temples, ceremonial squares, baths (more than 3,000 objects). And this is only a small part of what remains buried underground. Now the city is recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The large square is the central place in the city. It is surrounded by steles, altars, ceremonial premises, residential and administrative buildings. An incredible number of temples are striking: the Temple of the Great Jaguar, the Temple of the Priest of the Jaguar, the Temple of the Inscriptions, in which the longest hieroglyphic inscription was found. The Great Pyramid Square houses the largest pyramid in the city. It is part of the astronomical complex. Tikal National Park is a favorite place for tourists. Coming here from Flores, where you can spend the night and hit the road in the morning. If you are traveling during the rainy season, which lasts from May to October, it is best to refrain from visiting Tikal National Park in the afternoon. Usually at this time there is a short, but heavy tropical downpour, which can spoil the impression of the trip.
Curigua.
The region closest to the capital. It is known for the tallest stelae found in Mayan areas. In total there are 9 stelae, one of which has a height of 8 meters.
Aguateca.
There are no outstanding temples and imposing ruins. However, the attraction is the opportunity to see the sights on boats.
Antigua.
The city is located at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level in the Panchoy valley. It was founded in the early 16th century by the Spaniards and immediately became the capital of the state. However, in 1773, after a powerful earthquake, the city was significantly destroyed. Most of the sights have survived to this day only in the form of ruins. Now the map of the city resembles a notebook sheet in a cage, this is how the streets are located. Due to frequent earthquakes, all buildings are one- or two-story. The architecture shows the colonial Spanish style. In the center of the city is the Main Square, where the building of the Municipality, the Palace of the Captains and the Cathedral of the Captains are located. Antigua has many monasteries and churches.
Chichicostenango.
Located at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, 140 km from Guatemala City. Its main attraction is the market, which is open on Thursdays and Sundays. Vendors come from all over the country. This is a very colorful sight that takes you to the colonial era. Local Indians, dressed in Mayan national clothes, put on the shelves all kinds of handicrafts made of wood, stone, hand-woven fabrics. The greatest demand is for textile products, especially women’s blouses, as well as original masks used in national dances, figurines. Another attraction of the city is the church of Santo Tomas, which is already about 400 years old. 18 stairs lead to it, each of which symbolizes one of the months in the Mayan calendar year.
Volcanoes.
AT Guatemala has over 30 volcanoes. The most visited volcanoes are Agua, Fuego and Akeitnango. Agua and Akeitnango are extinct volcanoes, their peaks are already overgrown with forests. And the bare peak of Fuego and a small cloud of ash above it indicates that he is not sleeping. Akeitnango is considered the easiest volcano to climb. The active volcano Pacaya, which until recently threw out clouds of ash on Guatemala City, is also popular among tourists. Three more volcanoes are located in the area of Lake Atitlan: Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro – Nearby is a smaller volcano – Sero de Oro. Once in its crater there was one of the Mayan villages. One of the most beautiful volcanoes is considered Santa Maria. Nearby is the city of Quetzaltenango. On the south side of Santa Maria rises the active volcano Santiaguito.
Lakes.
Along with climbing volcanoes, recreation on lakes is popular.
Lake Atitlan.
This lake is of volcanic origin. It is located in the mountains 150 km from the capital. This is the deepest (320m) and most beautiful lake in Central America. Its area is 125 sq. km. It is surrounded by the three volcanoes Toliman, Atitlán and San Pedro. There are several Indian villages in the area. On the waters of the lake, various competitions in rowing, water skiing, and swimming are organized. Fishing is also very popular here.
Lake Peten Itza.
It occupies an area of about 100 sq. km. A city was built on an island within it. Flores.
Lake Isabal.
This is the largest lake in Guatemala (590 sq. km). A rare mammal lives in its waters – a freshwater sea cow (manatee). The lake is surrounded by tropical forest.
