consider Antigua, Guatemala the most well-preserved colonial city in the Spanish Americas. Backpackers consider Antigua a budget traveler's mecca, an equatorial Europe filled with coffee shops, pubs, international restaurants, Spanish schools, and hostels, yet in easy reach of Guatemala's incomparable outdoor attractions. While Antigua doesn't offer true Mayan immersion like other Guatemalan villages, it does offer a one-of-a-kind blend of cultures, against a superbly stunning backdrop.
Each of the villages edging the shores of Guatemala's heartrendingly beautiful highlands lake, Atitlan, is a Central America backpacker's haven in its own right. However, San Pedro La Laguna is the hub of them all. Wedged at the foot of one volcano with a staggering view of another, shaded by temperate green and dancing with butterflies, the village is notorious for its international denizens who made the pilgrimage to this lakeside wonderland years ago, and remained. The backpacker community is unsurpassed.
If you're in Guatemala and enjoy outdoor adventure, then you must hike Acatenango! While the climb is difficult, it is worth it and the views from the summit are absolutely incredible. I would strongly suggest getting a guide and going up with a group, just as a safety precaution. Old Town Outfitters takes groups up to the peak every Friday and their guides are knowledgeable, friendly, and speak both Spanish and English. This is a journey you should not pass up!
Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It is located in the archaeological region of the Petén Basin in what is now northern Guatemala
Tikal is the largest excavated site in the American continent. It is Guatemala's most famous cultural and natural preserve. Tikal possesses a certain magic... Like all puzzles without answers it fascinates everyone and we dare say... Tikal is so irresistible once you are here, you'll find yourself wanting to stay just a little longer!
This majestic archaeological gem comprises 222 square miles of jungle all around the ceremonial center. It took the University of Pennsylvania 13 years to uncover about 10 square miles of structures at Tikal. However, much of it is still left to be unearthed. So, do take some advice... Don't try to see all of Tikal in one day, even if you are in excellent shape!
Semuc Champey is a very remote paradise of waterfalls and swimming pools, set in a jungle of trees within a gorge.
As I watched the entrance to the cave disappear behind us, it became clear that the candles would be the only thing keeping us from being enveloped in total darkness. What started as an easy hike through the cave soon turned into some difficult maneuvering. Not only did we scale walls and climb up and over waterfalls, but at some points we needed to hold our candle above our head with one arm and use the other to swim through dark waters where our feet no longer touched the ground.
We moved through the cave until reaching a waterfall that some daring people climbed and jumped off of.
