Getting there: regular flights from major world cities to La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
What to see: Antigua, Lake Atitlan, Panajchel, Santiago Atitlan, Flores and Mayan pyramids at Tikal.
Currencies: quetzal, US dollar
Official language(s): Spanish
A microcosm
of Central America, Guatemala is often mentioned as having the
region's finest Mayan ruins, the densest rain forests, the most
active volcanoes -- and the friendliest people.
Remembered
for its civil strife and political instability of the 1990's,
Guatemala is once again attracting tourists worldwide for its
Caribbean climate, colorful mix of Spanish and Mayan culture,
and breathtakingly beautiful mountains and lakes.
Although Guatemala
City is a main point of entry, many tourists head right out of
the modern, crime-ridden capital to the old colonial capital
of Antigua,
a respected World Heritage site of cobblestone streets, ancient
ruins, colorful cultural events, and fine restaurants.
Other must-see
Guatemala attractions include the unforgettable Lake
Atitlan, offering spectacular scenic wonders from such lakeside
towns as Panajachel and Santiago Atitlan.
Also don't leave Guatemala without seeing Tikal,
one of Central America's largest and most impressive Mayan pyramid
networks easily accessible from Flores,
a nearby tourist hub.
DID YOU KNOW? Guatemala Travel Fun Facts
On the money.
• Nowhere in Central America is Mayan culture so dominant than in Guatemala, were 21 different varieties of original Mayann are still spoken.
• Guatemalan money is named after the Quetzal, the national bird of Guatemala whose tail feathers were used as currency during the time of the Mayan empire.
• Everytime you put on a pair of jeans thank Guatemala, where blue denim was first invented. Soon after its discovery, Levis began distributing blue jeans around the world.
More about Guatemala tourist attractions around the Web:
Guatemala
Tourism Commission - The official site offering guides to
Antigua, Tikal National Park and other top attractions, tips on
visiting Mayan ruins, birdwatching and ecotourism adventures with
photo gallery, maps.
Guatemala
| Frommers - Get tips and advice from a "best of"
list of recommended hotels, restaurants, outdoor adventures, ancient
Mayan sites, beaches & lakes, with photos, maps & related
resources.
Guatemala travel guide - Wikitravel - Find descriptions of major attractions
plus insider advice on getting around, and practical safety tips.