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Guatemala
TRAVEL GUIDE IN GUATEMALA: THE BEST PLACES AND CITIES OF THE COUNTRY.
Guatemala
Vacation in Guatemala is a trip deep into the history of Latin America, to the Mayan pyramids in the Pre–Columbian era. The ancient settlements of Tikal, El Mirador, Seibal, Ishimche, as well as the ruins of the city of Yashkha are grandiose monumental archaeological complexes, once hidden from the eyes of people among the impenetrable Guatemalan jungles. They still harbor a lot of unsolved mysteries that excite the minds of not only scientists, but also ordinary tourists. The sights are not limited to pyramids or colonial monuments, they are also amazing natural attractions – the Pacaya volcano, Peten Itza Lakes, Atitlan, Quetzal National Park, Agua, Fuego, Akeitango volcanoes. Bright bazaars of the country and numerous souvenir shops of Guatemala abound with handmade goods. Therefore, shopping lovers will definitely be able to bring something from the country: clothes with bright ornaments, jade products, painted masks. as well as antiques. To do this, we advise you to go to the Chichikastenango market. The cities of Guatemala are interesting for their color, for example, Antigua Guatemala is, first of all, an open-air museum of colonialism. The picturesque town of Flores, located on Lake Lago de Peten Itza, combines a mix of attractions – these are Indian settlements, colonial buildings, and the natural beauty of the Actun Can caves. Another cave sacred to the Maya is the Lankin stalactite "complex", along the underground river of which you can even take a boat trip! One of the other picturesque corners of Guatemala's nature are the Semuk Champey waterfalls, and the Quetzal Biosphere Reserve is literally created for eco-travelers. There are two trails leading through the park – the "Moss Trail" and the "Fern Trail", where you can see the legendary Quetzal bird in all its magnificent plumage. Few people know, but Guatemala is also a beach holiday. The most famous beach in the country of Montericco is black! Here you can not only soak up the sun on the shore, but also watch the sea turtles that breed offspring on the Guatemalan shores. Lovers of outdoor activities will enjoy hiking trails that are laid on volcanoes. We especially love Pakaya in this sense. A trip to Guatemala is a varied and rich vacation in the amazing exoticism of Central America!
TOURS TO GUATEMALA, CHOOSE A TOUR ACCORDING TO THE PARAMETERS
Tours to Guatemala
Choose the country, route duration, budget, type and subject of your future tour. Pay attention to our regular combined programs for several countries
GUATEMALA HAS ABOUT 11 MAJOR CITIES
Cities of Guatemala
The most famous tourist places in Guatemala are Tikal, Antigua Guatemala, Flores, Quetzaltenango, Pacaya Volcano, Livingston City, Peten Itza Lake, Fort San Felipe de Lara, Solola, Quetzal Park, Atitlan Lake
EXCURSIONS IN GUATEMALA WITH A LICENSED ENGLISH GUIDE
Excursions
We know the most interesting corners of Guatemala - among the impenetrable jungles, hidden paths to the pyramids and Mayan settlements, to delightful lakes and volcanoes, walking routes through the shopping streets of cities and markets. We will develop for you an original route on any of your requests!
REMINDER IN GUATEMALA FOR TRAVELLERS
It's useful to know
Highlights
Guatemala city with the old ruins of the Mayan city of Kaminaljuyú
Tikal and its well-preserved archaeological sites
Lake Atitlan and Chichicastenango with its Indian market and cobbled stone streets
Antigua is a colonial-style city, full of historic buildings
Geography
The northernmost of the Central American nations, Guatemala is the size of Tennessee. Its neighbors are Mexico on the north and west, and Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador on the east. The country consists of three main regions—the cool highlands with the heaviest population, the tropical area along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and the tropical jungle in the northern lowlands (known as the Petén).
Language
Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Money
The monetary system of Guatemala is decimal based, with the primary unit of Guatemalan money being called the Guatemalan Quetzal. As of March 2019, 1 U.S. dollar is worth about 7.7 quetzales.
Climate
The rainy season is generally from May to November. Climate variations are due to altitude, but it is generally hot throughout the country. The north has a hot, tropical climate with maximum rainfall between May and September. The coastal regions and north east are hot, with a dry (November to April) and rainy season, with temperatures averaging 68°F (20°C). The highlands, including Guatemala City and Antigua, have a pleasant climate with less rainfall than the coast, and cold temperatures at night
Gastronomy
The Guatemalan cuisine incorporates Mayan ingredients such as herbs, species and vegetables blended with ingredients from the Spanish gastronomy. The Guatemalan gastronomy uses corn, the sacred grain in Mayan cosmology, as an important ingredient for many meals. Beef, chicken, pork or turkey meat is commonly used with savory sauces. Other staples used frequently are beans, avocado, rice, and many vegetables and herbs that make a colorful delight.Although you can taste the eclectic Guatemalan food in numerous restaurants, perhaps the best place to taste it is inside a market, but beware, a strong stomach is required when you eat in a marketplace.
History
The history of Guatemala can be traced back to the arrival of the first human settlers, presumed to have migrated from the north at least 12,000 years ago. For much of that time, the civilization that developed there flourished, with little to no contact with cultures from outside of Mesoamerica. The Maya civilization dominated the region for nearly 2000 years before the Spanish arrived in the early 16th century, although most of the Great Classic Maya cities of the Petén region of Guatemala's northern lowlands were abandoned by the year 1000 AD. The states of the central highlands, however, were still flourishing until the arrival of the Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Alvarado, who subjugated the native states, beginning in 1523.Guatemala remained a Spanish colony for nearly 300 years, before gaining its independence in 1821. It was then a part of the Mexican Empire until becoming fully independent in the 1840s. Since then, Guatemala's history has been divided into periods of democratic rule and periods of civil war and military juntas. Most recently, Guatemala emerged from a 36-year civil war, reestablishing a representative government in 1996.
Religion
Catholic 50-60% also Protestant 40%, Mayan 1%. Christianity was the only religion during the colonial era. The practice of traditional Mayan religion is increasing as a result of the cultural protections established under the peace accords. The government has instituted a policy of providing altars at every Mayan ruin found in the country so that traditional ceremonies may be performed there.There are also small communities of Jews estimated between 1200 and 2000, Muslims (1200), Buddhists at around 9000 to 12000, and members of other faiths.
Culture
Guatemala's culture is a unique product of Native American ways and a strong Spanish colonial heritage. About half of Guatemala's population is mestizo (known in Guatemala as ladino), people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry. Ladino culture is dominant in urban areas and is heavily influenced by European and North American trends. But unlike many Latin American countries, Guatemala still has a large indigenous population, the Maya that has retained a distinct identity. Deeply rooted in the rural highlands of Guatemala, many indigenous people speak a Mayan language, follow traditional religious and village customs, and continue a rich tradition in textiles and other crafts. The two cultures have made Guatemala a complex society that is deeply divided between rich and poor. This division has produced much of the tension and violence that have marked Guatemala's history.
Music
Guatemala's national instrument is the marimba, an idiophone from the family of the xylophones, which is played all over the country, even in the remotest corners. Towns also have wind and percussion bands that play during the lent and Easter-week processions, as well as on other occasions. The Garifuna people of Afro-Caribbean descent, who are spread thinly on the northeastern Caribbean coast, have their own distinct varieties of popular and folk music. Cumbia, from the Colombian variety, is also very popular especially among the lower classes.Guatemala also has an almost 5 century old tradition of art music, spanning from the first liturgical chant and polyphony introduced in 1524 to contemporary art music. Much of the music composed in Guatemala from the 16th century to the 19th century has only recently been unearthed by scholars and is being revived by performers.
Wildlife
Flowers of the temperate zone are found in great numbers. Of particular interest is the orchid family, which includes the white nun (monja blanca), the national flower. There is also an abundance of medicinal, industrial, and fibrous plants.Indigenous fauna includes the armadillo, bear, coyote, deer, fox, jaguar, monkey, puma, tapir, and manatee. The national bird is the highland quetzal, the symbol of love of liberty, which reputedly dies in captivity. Lake Atitlán is the only place in the world where a rare flightless waterbird, the Atitlán (giant piedbilled) grebe, is found; this species, classified as endangered, has been protected by law since 1970. There are more than 900 other species of native birds, as well as migratory varieties. Reptiles, present in more than 204 species, include the bushmaster, fer-de-lance, water moccasin, and iguana.
Vacation in Guatemala
Discover Guatemala with Ada Tours Tour Operator!
Ada Tours travel agency is happy to organize your unforgettable vacation in Guatemala, as well as excursions to the best attractions of Guatemalan cities: Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango, Livingston, Huehuetenango, Flores, the settlements of Tikal and Peten. We invite you to enjoy the nature of the unique eco-systems of the country and its natural parks, volcanoes and pearl-turquoise lakes – San Pedro de Laguna, Lago Isabel, Lago de Atitlan. Beach tours to the ocean, turtle watching, volcano climbing, hiking trails and swimming in waterfalls are waiting for you in Guatemala! Shopping tours, cultural tours to festivals and holidays, as well as combined routes with neighboring countries Honduras and Mexico. We will be happy to develop a route through the delightful exotic Guatemala, where you can effectively combine a beach holiday with a tour of cultural and historical attractions and wonderful corners of wildlife.
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Whatsapp +5521988484456
+55 2134356408
info@adatours.com
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