Spanning a rugged mountain cordillera and tropical lowland forests between Mexico, Belize and Honduras, Guatemala for many offers an idealised vision of Central America.
Its puffing volcanoes, sleepy colonial towns, bustling colourful markets and network of ancient jungle temple cities — some still to be uncovered — show just why Guatemala has such a remarkable natural, historical and cultural appeal.
Birthplace of the ancient Maya civilization, Guatemala is even today marked by the legacy of these remarkable people. Their rainforest cities may have been abandoned long ago, but the Maya continue to thrive in the highlands today. Their traditions and religious rituals constitute one of the richest and most distinctive indigenous identities in the Americas. While Guatemala’s history is bloody and its society beset by deep-rooted inequalities, most Guatemalans are incredibly warm and welcoming. It’s this genuine and profound hospitality combined with the country’s outstanding cultural legacy and astonishing natural beauty that makes a journey to Guatemala so compelling.
"Even in this most visited part of the country, there are ways to escape the tourist hordes."
On arrival in Guatemala, most will sensibly avoid the capital and travel 20 minutes further to start their journey in highland Antigua, one of the oldest (and most exquisite) colonial towns in the Americas. Its shady colonnades, cobbled streets and plazas offer culture aplenty and tantalising glimpses of the rural volcanic landscapes beyond. One could spend well over a week exploring the highlands with their colourful markets, festivals and craft communities, finishing up with some R&R on gorgeous Lake Atitlan.
But even in this most visited part of the country, there are ways to escape the tourist hordes. A hike of a few days, staying at luxury private tented camps along the way, will immerse you deeper in traditional highland life, taking you through fertile rural landscapes and coffee farms to remote communities, volcanic craters and lush cloud forests.
The vast lowlands of the Peten are an entirely different land. But it’s here that you’ll find some of the Maya world’s greatest and most atmospheric monuments: Tikal, Uaxactun, El Ceibal and Yax-ha to name just a few. Some, less well known, are shrouded in rainforest, awaiting discovery. It’s also a place of rich and varied wildlife. Big cats, primates and myriad bird species haunt its jungle trails, while crocodiles and freshwater sharks cruise its waterways.
While, in general terms, accommodation and infrastructure are poorer than in the highlands, our use of private camps, villas and helicopters along with world-class archaeology or wildlife guides, means that you need not sacrifice comfort even when exploring the Peten’s remotest reaches.
