Must See

Caribbean Coast

The Caribbean coast offers unspoilt coastal villages and a shore line for sailing, fishing and scuba-diving. This area retains a strong Afro-Caribbean feel due to the settling of the descendants of slaves (garifunas), which is particularly evident in the area's music, festivals and cooking.

Guatemala City

A somewhat polluted, sprawling urban agglomeration, Guatemala City is the largest urban centre in Central America with over 2.5 million inhabitants. The city's historic centre is home to Spanish-colonial architecture, with museums, churches and heavily populated street markets radiating from the Plaza Mayor. Some of the most interesting neo-classical or Baroque religious buildings include the churches of Las Capuchinas, La Merced, Santuario Expiatorio, Santo Domingo, Santa Rosa and Capilla de Yurrita (built in the first half of the 20th century) and the 17th-century Hermitage of El Carmen.

The modern part of the city is reminiscent of upmarket North American districts, with many buildings incorporating mosaics and murals into their architecture. Dozens of good restaurants, bars, and clubs are found in Zona Viva in the modern section of town.

Highlights of the city include Parque Central, bordered by the National Palace, the Cathedral and the National Library. Kaminal Juyú is a city buried under one of the most commercial areas of Guatemala City.

In the south of the city are the Ixchel Museum, which houses a good collection of handwoven textiles, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Parque la Aurora, which contains the zoo. Other museums include the National Museum of Modern Art and the Popol Vuh Museum (a private collection of Mayan and Spanish colonial art).

The Highlands

The Highlands of Western Guatemala (known in Spanish as El Altiplano) are home to the greatest numbers of indigenous Mayan groups, who still retain the language and rituals of their ancestors. Many of the villagers in more remote areas still wear traditional handwoven garments. The best times for visitors to appreciate their vibrant colours is during fiesta celebrations or market days.

La Antigua Guatemala

Despite widespread devastation in numerous earthquakes, La Antigua Guatemala, the former capital, is one of the oldest and most appealing cities in Central America. Originally called Santiago de los Caballeros Guatemala, Antigua Guatemala (Old Guatemala) is situated southwest of Guatemala City, and is a beautiful place of multi-coloured, single-storey buildings, tropical plazas, cobbled streets, gardens and fountains.

Many of Antigua's churches have lost much of their splendour due to earthquake damage and post-earthquake reconstruction, and the city's principal monuments are often preserved as ruins. Former palaces, convents and churches that have survived in varying degrees of intactness include the Cathedral, Main Square, University of San Carlos (containing the Museum of Colonial Art), Palace of the General Captains (the centre of Central American government for 230 years), and the churches of Santa Clara, La Merced, La Recolección, Las Capuchinas and San Francisco. A bustling market is held in Parque Central on Sundays, when visitors and locals gather.

Antigua is especially beautiful during Semana Santa celebrations, when the city's streets are carpeted with elaborate decorations of flower petals and coloured sawdust.

Lake Amatitlan

Lake Amatitlán is one of the most ancient lakes in the world, and archaeological remains dating back to 2000 BC have been found along its 11 km long and 3.5 km wide rim. The lake is frequented by weekenders from Guatemala City. Although it may be too polluted for swimming, it can be appreciated from the lookout reached by a cable railway from Las Ninfas Park.

Lake Atitlán

Described by many as the most beautiful lake in the world, Lake Atitlán is located 1,538 m (5,125 ft) above sea level, has a depth of 480 m (1,600 ft) and covers an area of 129 sq km (50 sq mi). The lake was formed in a volcanic crater and is surrounded by olive-green mountains, purple highlands, and three distinctive volcanoes - Atitlán, San Pedro and Tolimán.

Although there are some small hotels around the edge of the lake, most visitors stay at the key tourist centre, Panajachel, home to a long strip of restaurants, cafes, guest houses, bookshops and banks. The lake is a centre for water sports including fishing, water skiing, swimming, diving and boating. The people living on the shore villages of Lake Atitlán are famous for their crafts.

Tajumulco Volcano

You can hike to the top of this dramatic 4,220-metre peak, the highest point in Central America. Despite its height, it is a technically easy climb, and offers views of the volcanic chains and the Pacific Lowlands.

Tikal

Tikal (City of Voices) is home to some majestic and massive Mayan ruins in the middle of green jungle and located in the heart of Tikal National Park. Within its unique jungle location, steep-sided pyramids rise above the canopy to heights of over 44 m (144 ft). Tikal was an inhabited city for 1,000 years before being abandoned, leaving behind a vast complex of pyramidal temples, causeways, public buildings, temples, ball courts and plazas that extend over some 16 sq km (6 sq miles). While there are about 3,000 known structures, many more lie buried under dense jungle vegetation. Copies of some of the more elaborate friezes, bas-reliefs, sculptures and stelae, are found in the on-site Sylvanus Morley Museum. Visitors are recommended spend at least 2 days in Tikal to see all of the archaeological sites.

The 142,000 acre Tikal National Park is covered with forests of varied plant life in which deer, monkeys,and coatis can be seen. Reptiles are also abundant; especially snakes. Over 300 species of birds have been studied in the park, from birds of prey to humming birds. The park is home to nature trails, two museums, campgrounds, hotels and a restaurant. It is the only place in the world named World Cultural Heritage Site and World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Xela

Also known as Quetzaltenango, Xela (pronounced (SHAY-lah) is Guatemala's second-largest city. Located in Northern Guatemala and set amongst a group of high mountains and volcanoes, Xela contains broad avenues, narrow colonial streets, fine public buildings and a pleasant central square. Some of the town's highlights include the Parque Centroamerica and the neoclassical buildings that surround it. These buildings, such as the City Hall and Municipal Theatre stem from the era in the 19th century when Xela was a major trading and artistic community.

Xela is a good base for excursions to nearby hot springs and picturesque handicraft-making villages. Many eco-tourism organisations offer hiking and camping in the mountains, with its altitude of 2,333 m (8,000 ft) ensuring warm days, cool nights and no mosquitoes.