Visit 6 Magical Wonders in Guatemala

Guatemala is Central America’s most diverse country. It captivates travelers with its extraordinary landscapes and a civilization-spanning culture that reaches back centuries. It is home to volcanoes, rainforests and shade-grown coffee beans – and is a nature lovers paradise.

Land of the Maya

The pyramids of Tikal are Guatemala’s most famous attraction and are a mighty monument to Central America’s greatest civilization. But those who stop to ask whatever happened to the Maya are sometimes surprised by the simple answer: Nothing. The Mayan culture continues to evolve today and their villages in the highlands, where locals still wear traditional dress, are the most visible indicators of this centuries-old culture. If you look closely when you’re visiting an archaeological site, you’ll see altars with modern offerings to ancient spirits.

Colonial Influences

The Spanish left behind plenty of footprints from their colonial conquest of Guatemala – the most visible being the stunning architecture. The most elaborate evidence of colonial structures are dotted around Antigua, the old capital, with its neat plazas and crumbling ruins. From the grandiose coffee-boom buildings of Quetzaltenango, to Guatemala City’s stately cathedral, to the churches and municipal buildings clustering around central squares in even the smallest towns, Guatemala bears the marks of its European encounters in vivid brick and tile.

Natural Highs

With very little of its landmass urbanized, it’s not surprising that this country offers some breathtaking natural scenery. There are only a few national parks but they are impressive. The lush canyons of the Río Dulce and the natural beauty of the volcanoes have been captivating visitors for centuries, and you can go high in the Cuchumatanes mountains or below ground in the cave-riddled Verapaces. Semuc Champey which literally means “where the river hides under the stones” has to be seen to be believed – its extraordinary raw beauty is unsurpassed and you can dip your toes in both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Adventure Awaits

Active visitors will behold stunning trekking routes through the jungles and up volcanoes, white-water rafting, miles of caves to explore, and a massive network of zipline cables for tree-top surfing. Also available are paragliding and scuba diving around high-altitude Lago de Atitlán. You might even enjoy the surfer-friendly Pacific coast or just find a hammock or blanket and snooze away the afternoon.

Here are Six recommendations of places to visit and enjoy in this magical country of Guatemala. There is something interesting for everyone from the nature lover to the active outdoor enthusiastic to the historian….and don’t forget the coffee lover. This country is filled with history and culture and ethnic riches. Some of us…may never want to leave.