Guatemala Tourism - Travel to Guatemala
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| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | Guatemala |
| Government | constitutional democratic republic |
| Currency | quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed |
| Area | total: 108,890 sq km water: 460 sq km land: 108,430 sq km |
| Population | 13,314,079 (July 2002 est.) |
| Language | Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) |
| Religion | Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs |
Guatemala is a country in the Central America region of North America. It has borders to Mexico in the north/north-west, to Belize in the north-east, to Honduras in the south-east, to El Salvador in the south. It also has a Pacific coastline to the south-west, and a tiny piece of Caribbean coastline to the east.
Map of Guatemala
| Table of contents |
Regions in Guatemala
- Central Highlands: around Guatemala City
- Western Highlands: Many modern Maya towns
- Caribbean Coast: hot and steamy
- Petén hot jungle in the north, with most impressive ancient Maya ruins
- Pacific Highlands: hot, going down to the Pacific beaches
Cities in Guatemala
- Antigua Guatemala: Colonial Spanish capital of Central America, a World Heritage site, and the most popular amongst tourists
- Coban in Alta Verapaz
- Escuintla
- Guatemala City: capital and largest city with many amenities
- Puerto Barrios: Caribbean seaport
- Huehuetenango
- Quetzaltenango: Second largest city, in the western highlands
Other destinations - Travel to Guatemala
- Chichicastenango: Highland Maya town famous for its traditional market
- Flores: Island city capital of Peten
- Lake Atitlan: Beautiful lake in the mountains surrounded by picturesque villages and volcanos
- Lake Izabal
- Livingston: Caribbean coast town with Garifuna culture
- Monterrico: The beach closest to Guatemala City and Antigua
Maya ruins
- Gumarcaj also known as Utatlán, near Santa Cruz del Quiche
- El Mirador
- Iximche
- Mixco Viejo
- Naranjo
- Quirigua: impressive Classic Maya sculptures
- Tikal: largest of Maya ruins, this ancient Maya site is probably worth the trip to Guatemala by itself
- Uaxactun
- Zaculeu: near Huehuetenango
- Yaxhá
Understand Guatemala Tourism
Guatemala has a rich and distinctive culture from the long mix of elements from Spain and the native Maya people.
Get into Guatemala
Travel to Guatemala By Plane
Main airport is at Guatemala City (La Aurora International Airport)Flores, Petén
Travel to Guatemala By car
From Mexico, or Honduras, El Salvador, via Pan-American Highway, also possible with more difficulty from Belize.Travel to Guatemala By Bus
From Belize City to Flores (5 hours) and Guatemala City (14 hours).El Salvador: San Salvador, Santa Ana
Honduras: Copan, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, Tegucigalpa
Nicaragua: Managua
Costa Rica: San José
Panama: Panama City
Mexico: Tapachula, Palenque, Chetumal, Tulum, Cancun, Mexico City
Travel to Guatemala By Boat
Puerto Barrios, from Punta Gorda, Belize
Get around in Guatemala
By car or bus, airplane to the Peten.Many regular intercity buses.
Guatemala Talk
Spanish. Maya languages are still spoken, especially in towns in the western highlands, but most of the Maya people have least a working knowledge of basic Spanish as well. By the Garifuna people in Livingston, Garifuna and English are the main languages (but Spanish is spoken as well).
Buy
The national currency is Quetzal(es). The rate of change is approximately 8 Quetzales for 1 US Dollar (may 2004). It is not common to use dollars in everyday life. You will most likely have difficulties in changing other currencies than US Dollars.It is common to bargain for the typical tourist purchases. If a store has fixed prices for these type of products, you will see a sign saying so (precios fijos).
Things to buy in Guatemala
Ron Zacapa Centenario, Guatemalas prize-winning rum
Fabrics and Traditional textiles
Eat - Travel to Guatemala
Typical food: Kaq Ik, Pepián, tortillas, frijoles (beans),
Drink
Guatemalans usually dress down when they go out.
Sleep - Guatemala Tourism
Learn
Guatemala is a great place to learn Spanish. The prices are low, and the Guatemalan Spanish is considered nice. Antigua has the highest number of Spanish schools and is also the most popular place for tourists. But if studying Spanish is your main concern, you might be better of elsewhere, because you can actually go around in Antigua for a whole day without hearing anything but English. And the quality of the teachers and the schools might not be up to the standard you would want and expect.
Work
Stay safe - Guatemala Tourism
Dangerous traffic.High crime rate (in Guatemala City).
Human rights conditions are bad, but this is mostly of concern for locals.
Stay Healthy While You Travel to Guatemala
Be aware of potentially malaria in the tropical lowland.Be careful with the hygiene.
Only drink purified water (agua pura).
Respect
Address people you don't know in a formal manner (Señor, Señora, Usted).
Contact
Guatemalas international calling code is 502.The post system is traditionally not reliable, but your post cards usually get through. A stamp for Europe is Q5
External Links for Guatemala Tourism
