The Best Places In The World

By far one amongst the foremost visitor-friendly and cheap destinations in Central America, Guatemala nation may be a land of bright colors, autochthonous faces and Mayan ruins and placing inexperienced rural area, erupting volcanoes, soothing, peaceful lakes and lots of budget-traveller friendly hostels. when defrayal ten weeks in Guatemala nation, these square measure our prime five must-see destinations.

1. Antigua

 

Set in an exceedingly spectacular natural depression of 3 looming volcanoes (one of that, Fuego, releases puffs of smoke daily), Antigua is one amongst the best-preserved colonial cities in Central America, associated an absolute should on any Central American nation itinerary and at one hour from the field in capital of Guatemala, an ideal place for guests to conform to Guatemalan life.

Explore

 

Its well-maintained one-storey pastel-colored homes lining a grid system of streets with the Parque Central within the center create Antigua conjointly one amongst the best cities in Central American nation to explore on foot. The city’s ruins ensuing from the foremost severe 1774 earthquake stay to reveal their magnificence and therefore the importance Antigua command because the one-time capital of each Guatemala nation and Central America.

Food, drink and sleep

 

In spite of its comparatively tiny size, Antigua has rather more to supply guests than its cobble-stone streets and pretty colonial buildings with yards stuffed with flowers and fountains. the town conjointly incorporates a droning eating place and bar scene wherever locals, travellers and ex-pats alike meet to talk ‘Spanglish’ and luxuriate in genuinely ready international food from Indian and Thai to French (including fondue), yank bagels and German bread. whereas Antigua may be your 1st stop in Central American nation, it’s conjointly an excellent place to rest and relax when time on the road visiting the remainder of the country, because the vary of budget hotels and hostels in Antigua is out and away the most effective within the country. Careful, though, as several of the permanent ex-pats were conjointly once simply guests, till Antigua slowly became home!

2. Lake Atitlan

 

Lake Atitlan, magnificently represented by writer as ‘the most stunning lake within the world’, ought to get on the list of each traveler to Central American nation. fashioned once the lid of a volcano was blown off throughout associate explosion, Lake Atitlan is found within the scenic Highlands of Central American nation, and like Antigua, is additionally encircled by 3 volcanoes. These 3 are often climbed, as will Indian’s Nose mountain.

Too hard?

 

For less steep hikes, strive hiking between the dozen very little villages detached on the shores of Atitlan. The 3 most well-liked villages for tourists every have a definite feel: San Pedro tends to be for backpackers trying to possess a decent time, with many restaurants, bars, and ways that to relax together with saunas, heated pools and swimming pools. close San Marcos is understood to focus on those within the marketplace for meditation and yoga retreats, and lots of of the tiny village’s restaurants cater to a vegan/vegetarian diet. Panajachel, by default the ‘big city’ to that most travellers arrive, has the foremost hotels, restaurants, bars, and streets square measure lined with typical Guatemalan trinkets and handicrafts. Boats leave from ‘Pana’ to most of the opposite villages round the lake, together with those who most tourists never see.

Handicrafts

 

Despite rising business numbers, Lake Atitlan is home to a huge Maya population WHO move their ancient daily lives aboard commerce handicrafts. Catch a glimpse of the women creating tortillas and weaving the standard costumes or laundry garments within the lake. whereas the lads carry wood on their backs strapped to their heads, choose low and sell their manufacture at native village markets.

3. Tikal

 

The Maya ruins of Tikal square measure usually represented united of the best – if not even the best – and most vital all told of Central America. Once the capital of the Mayan world once in-built the late-classic Maya amount between AD 550-AD900, Tikal is detached across over a pair of.5sq km, giving guests a number of the best soaring pyramids of the whole Maya world, jutting like skyscrapers higher than the jungle tree-line.

Temples, pyramids and monkeys

 

Even if you're not an enormous fan of ancient ruins or, like several backpackers, are following the path of Mayan through Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and Belize, Tikal still manages to not scotch. The temples and pyramids square measure monumental, and virtually take your breath away whereas you climb the many steps to the highest of every. Once at the highest, listen for and take a look at to identify the numerous howler monkeys, spider monkeys, jaguars coatis, crocodiles, pacas, tarantulas and therefore the nice form of stunning birds that decision the park home.

4. Flores

 

Often connected to a visit to Tikal, the limited city of Flores is found on associate island in Lake Peten, and is reached by bridge from its ‘sister city’ of Santa Elena (itself as dirty  and dirty as Flores is charming) – create the journey victimisation the distinctive Guatemalan chicken bus.

Wining and feeding

 

With its red-roofed homes painted all the colours of the rainbow and therefore the bright white church on prime of the Hill, Flores is {one of in every of} the foremost stunning cities in all of Central American nation, particularly once seen from a ship out on the lake. Dine at one among of} the restaurants on the shore and witness the spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the lake every single day. A well-constructed promenade encompassing the island city is tantalizing for long strolls on the water, and therefore the numerous piers square measure good for sunbathing or jumping off for a swim within the lake.

Sleep

 

Flores isn't solely the perfect base for your trip to Tikal; it’s conjointly a pleasurable place to relax for a couple of days. Connect with different travellers at Las Gardenias hostel and persist a hammock and browse. confirm to require a ship ride to 1 of the close beaches or to Petencito, atiny low installation on associate island within the lake that is home to animals autochthonous to the region.

5. Chichicastenango

 

Chichicastenango, or simply ‘Chichi’, because it is often known as, is most known for its vibrant market, survived Thursdays and Sundays. A visit to the market mustn't be lost, because it is that the showcase market in an exceedingly country of fantastic markets. Get nice bargains on typical garments, souvenirs and jewelry.

At the market

 

The market isn't solely thought of the most effective for tourists tho', because the autochthonous Maya come back long distances to sell (in areas off the most square) everything from fruit and vegetables to measure chickens, turkeys, flowers and even kittens.

Sacrificial cola

 

Just confirm to remain the additional day or 2 in stylish , because the city itself is a wholly completely different place on non-market days. Take the prospect to speak with locals, visit the brightly-coloured necropolis commanding the city, or take a hike out of city to Pascual Abaj, a Mayan shrine on a hill higher than city. which means killing Stone in an exceedingly native Amerind, Pascual Abaj may be a shrine to Huyup Tak’ah, the Mayan earth god. guests square measure welcome here because the native autochthonous Mayans come back here often to bring sensible luck or physiological state, and ‘sacrifice’ everything from corn to cola, or if you are lucky to catch the important deal, even a cock is also sacrificed.