Guatemala City
The perfect escape of a few days in Guatemala, this package takes you to the best 4* or 5* hotels in town close to the main attractions and monuments. Take a view from the balcony of your room and enjoy the city. Guatemala City is not the main destination for travelers but it can be taken as a nice getaway if you like the idea to be in a modern environment and treat yourself as a V.I.P.
Guatemala City (or Guate as it’s known), is located in the department of Guatemala, and it’s the capital of the country. It became the capital after the original one, Antigua had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. All the main highways start at Kilómetro 0, located inside Palacio Nacional de la Cultura (National Palace), in Centro Histórico (Historic Center). It is the largest and most modern city in all the country.
Because of the image of a big and modern city, “Guate” is not always part of an itinerary; many travelers skip it and take Antigua instead as their base. Anyway we suggest giving it a chance especially for a short visit. There are three excellent museums: the Archeological and Popol Vuh (which both concentrate on ancient Maya culture) and the Ixchel, dedicated to the country’s terrific textile tradition.
Guatemala City’s central plaza is an excellent starting point to begin your journey onto other Zona 1 sights. Parque Central and the adjoining Parque Centenario are never empty during day time hours, with shoeshine boys, ice-cream vendors, tourist and common people. Facing Parque Central, you can visit the Metropoitan Cathedral, constructed between 1782 and 1815 (the towers were finished in 1867).
It has survived earthquake and fire well, though the earthquakes of 1917 and 1976 did substantial damage but the inside is really worth a look. Recreational activities can be done as well, from climbing volcanoes (Agua and Pacaya), to visit the Lago de Atitlán (lake). For recreation, walk in the Zona Viva, an area of Zona 10 that has become the main center for nightlife. The city offers the tourist all the services and commodities, so if you love shopping, go at the Central Market and every Sunday hundreds of People stroll at the Main Plaza (“Plaza Central”) in Zona 1, where music, arts and food is provided.
Guatemala
Part of the Central America Countries, Guatemala is very small but full of History and Mysteries that still are living in between its borders, testified by a population that still maintains the features, the language and the culture of the different civilizations that have taken place over the centuries.
Also called “the heart of the Mayan world”, its history dates from 4000 years ago, when the Mayan civilization emerges, and whose legacy is still evident.
There are many great reasons that make Guatemala a must to visit at least once in your life. It is probably the most affordable country in Latin America and travelling is very easy and inexpensively. Good infrastructures, organized transportation system, hotels and restaurants for all the budgets create a good combination of factors that can result in a perfect vacation even for who likes the “Do It Yourself” formula.
Its diversity in landscapes and climates allows you to move from hot coastal plains and beaches to cool highlands regions with the amazing Lake Atitlan and more than 30 volcanoes, to the tropical jungle in Peten, to the mystical and magical Mayan Cities, across the modern Guatemala City to the cozy and colored town of Antigua. Because of its pleasant weather, it is also called The Land Of The Eternal Spring.
One of the most unique characteristic of Guatemala is its numerous indigenous population, 65% indigenous made up of 24 different groups speaking 24 different languages. They fought for thousands of years, since the first Spanish conquerors arrived, for their rights and identity. They could be able to maintain over the centuries their language, customs, traditional clothing and religious ceremonies.
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