10 Day Highlights of Guatemala

About the destination: Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala, and it's the largest and most modern city of the country. Guatemala City is a sprawling city with a mix of modern, colonial and traditional architecture. It has an interesting Old City, great Churches, some good museums and markets, and it´s a good place to see the real Guatemala with its mixtures of Ladino and Indian culture.In zona 13 and 14, in the southern part of the centre of Guatemala City, you will find the impressive Avenida las Americas. This wide boulevard is a tribute to every country in Latin America, from Mexico to Argentina and Chile. It runs from Calle 1 to Calle 20, through what is called the cultural area of the city.The central square in Guatemala City known as Parque Central is the heart of the city and is always a centre of activity. It is also one of the most attractive areas for visitors since many of Guatemala City's most notable features, such as the Cathedral, many museums, the National Palace, and the National Library, surround the Plaza. Most of the Plaza is an open paved area, perfect to do some shopping, or just sit back and watch everyone else go about their business. There are also splashing fountains where children play and quieter shaded areas, where young lovers seem to occupy every bench. Nearby we have the Central Market, huge market for Guatemalan handicrafts. The genuine and profound hospitality of its inhabitants combined with the city's outstanding cultural legacy and astonishing natural beauty makes Guatemala City a compelling place for travellers.

About the destination: Antigua Guatemala is a beautiful and magical colonial city that has almost 500 years of history, with a privileged climate and an exceptional view of the Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes. The beauty of this city is impressive, so much so that it was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1979. I assure you that if visitors will be fascinated by its historical, gastronomic and cultural attractions. It was built in the Panchoy Valley and named the third seat of the capital of Guatemala. This city is frozen in time, trapped between the thick walls of its temples, still preserving restored buildings from the 16th century. The main attractions of the city are the Palace of the General Captains, the Santa Catalina Convent and Arch, the Plaza Mayor, the Jade Museum, the Antigua Cathedral of Guatemala, the Museum of the University of San Carlos, the Ruta Santa del Hermano Pedro, among others. I recommend you climb Cerro de la Cruz to have an impressive view of the entire city.

About the destination: Flores is the capital of the Petén Department, Guatemala's landlocked, northernmost department. The population is 13,700 (2003). Flores is the seat of the municipality of Flores (population 22,600). Its Catedral Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios y San Pablo Itzá is the cathedral episcopal see of the Apostolic Vicariate of El Petén (formerly a territorial prelature). Catedral Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios y San Pablo Itzá The old part of the city is located on an island on Lake Peten Itza, connected to the mainland by a short causeway. On the mainland is the suburb Santa Elena and, to the West, the contiguous municipality of San Benito.

About the destination: Tikal is a large archaeological site in the Guatemalan department of Petén. In the heart of the jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation, lies one of the major sites of Mayan civilization, inhabited from the 6th century B.C. to the 10th century A.D. The ceremonial center contains superb temples and palaces, and public squares accessed by means of ramps. Remains of dwellings are scattered throughout the surrounding countryside.