Travel

#Guatemala Itineraries

Ancient Maya

Western highlands

A holiday in Guatemala but don t know where to start? Our Grand Tour puts you on the right track.

1 Antigua

Guatemala s former capital – a mandatory stop – is a heady vision of cobbled streets, colonial mansions, Baroque churches and the nation s best dining scene.

2 Chichicastenango

Highland town renowned for its unique blend of Maya and Catholic religion and a huge twice-weekly market.

3 Lago de Atitlán

Idyllic lake, surrounded by volcanoes and dotted with Maya villages, with all kinds of activities on offer – from scuba diving to studying Spanish.

4 Flores

Refined and very easy on the eye, Flores is a pocket-sized colonial gem that juts into the azure Lago de Petén Itzá.

5 Tikal

The Maya World s number one archeological site, the ancient name for this pivotal Classic Maya city may have been the aptly named Place Where Gods Speak .

6 Semuc Champey

Gorgeous kingfisher-blue series of limestone pools in the tropical forests of Alta Verapaz; close by you ll find some impressive cave systems and a forest-fringed river to tube.

7 Río Dulce

An astonishing sight, this magisterial gorge system is the highlight of Guatemala s Caribbean region.

8 Guatemala City

An untamed capital that gets a bad press, but contains the nation s best museums and a lively cultural life.

Guatemala s northernmost department of Petén contains hundreds of astonishing Maya sites; other ruins are scattered around the country.

1 Lago de Petexbatún

Stunning jungle-fringed lake ringed with Maya ruins – Aguateca is the main attraction but Dos Pilas also has a fascinating history.

2 Yaxhá-Nakúm-Naranjo National Park

This protected reserve harbours the huge Maya site of Yaxhá in a breathtaking location on the banks of an emerald lake, and Nakúm, with well- restored ceremonial buildings.

3 Tikal

Lording it above the surrounding rainforest, Tikal s giant temples, palaces, plazas and monuments make it a superstar Maya attraction.

4 El Mirador

Two thousand years ago this Preclassic city was approaching its peak, today it s the most enigmatic, remote and ultimately rewarding of all Petén s ruins.

5 Cancuén

This affluent Maya trading town is little-visited but worthwhile, with a stupendous palace and a lovely location.

6 Quirguá

A modest site in the south of the country, with a collection of giant, carved stelae out of all proportion to its size.

7 Copán

Just over the border in Honduras, Copán boasts an astounding hieroglyphic stairway, some exquisite carving and, close by, the lovely town of Copan Ruinas.

1 Chichicastenango

If you ve an eye for a souvenir, this market (Thurs Sun) is bursting with colourful clothing, eye-dazzling textiles, ceramics and leather.

2 Ixil

An isolated region of evergreen hills and forested mountains, bowl-shaped valleys and some of the most traditional Maya villages in the nation – it s a huge draw for trekkers.

3 Todos Santos Cuchumatán

Only reached at the end of a vertiginous journey from Huehuetenango, this Mam village is famous for its textiles, walking trails and breathtaking scenery.

4 Quetzaltenango (Xela)

Guatemala s second city is coming into its own with an expanding cultural scene, a great base for forays to the region s sights.

5 Laguna Chicabal

A short ride from Xela, this near-circular volcanic lake makes a perfect day-trip.

6 Fuentes Georginas

A high-altitude natural hot-spring spa, half-way up a volcano – the ideal place to soak away an afternoon.

7 Sololá

8 Lago de Atitlán

Not only is the volcanic scenery out of this world, this lake is also the ideal place to kick back and paddle a kayak, learn some Spanish or just invest in some hammock time.