16 Days Central American Mosaic

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: San Ignacio is a small town in the Cayo region of Belize. San Ignacio is the business and administrative center for the Cayo District, a region of cattle ranches and dense forests, of clear rivers and Mayan ruins. Cahal Pech is a small set of Mayan ruins is San Ignacio’s most visited tourist attraction. The site contains a visitors’ center, restored plazas and temples.

About the destination: Copán is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization located in the Copán Department of western Honduras, not far from the border with Guatemala. The city was located in the extreme southeast of the Mesoamerican cultural region, on the frontier with the Isthmo-Colombian cultural region. The city has a historical record that spans the greater part of the Classic period and has been reconstructed in detail by archaeologists and epigraphers. Las Copán Ruinas are the highlight of Copán. Although quite extensive, they are not as huge as Tikal in Guatemala or Teotihuacan in Mexico, but there is more sculpture here than any other Pre-Columbian city. The ruins are prized for the carved stellae of ancient rulers, and the well preserved hieryoglyphics including the hieryoglyphic stairway. Also in the archeological park is a marvelous Mayan museum (entry $7/person) with a reconstructed temple and fabulous artifacts. It's recommended to be there when it opens at 8AM, as the site gets very hot by mid-day. Hire a guide at the entrance to the ruins for $25 divided between however many people you can collect. Cesar (30s, good accented English) and Antonio (60s, few teeth, excellent English) are recommended if they're around. Besides the ruins, the countryside is attractive. Slow paced local life is quite calm, and farming of corn, beans, coffee, and tobacco is the main vocation.

About the destination: San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, is situated on the foothills of Volcán San Salvador in the centre of the country. It is a big city with some nice museums and a few grand buildings and monuments.In the city centre you will find a bustling street life with a lot of traffic and vendors on the streets. There are several squares and parks and monumental buildings. Plaza Gerardo Barrios, in the heart of San Salvador, exudes grandeur and stateliness. Nearby, we’ll find the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Iglesia El Rosario, one of El Salvador’s architectural gems, and the Mercado Ex-Cuartel, the country’s largest souvenir market. The best museums in San Salvador are in the more modern and quieter parts of Zona Rosa and Colonia Escalón. One of the most enjoyable things to do in and around San Salvador is a visit to the Parque Botánico La Laguna in Antiguo Cuscatlán area. These beautiful botanical gardens, located at the bottom of a volcanic crater, showcase much native fauna. San Salvador provides a convenient location from which to explore the rest of the country. Good restaurants, fine shops, exciting nightlife, and friendly Salvadorians. Come in and explore the city!!

About the destination: Cancun is a city located on the southeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is a major world-renowned tourist destination, as well as being the seat of the municipality of Benito Juárez. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, and is one of the easternmost points in Mexico. Cancún is located just north of Mexico's Caribbean coast resort band known as the Riviera Maya. Cancun, located in the Yucatan region of Mexico, has many great attractions. Start with the white sand beaches of Cancun City. In the jungles of Yucatan lies one of the largest and best preserved archaeological sites in Mexico, Chichen Itza. The world famous Mayan ruins with thousands of years of history are one of the most visited sites in the world. Cancun is surrounded by spectacular scenery. Isla Mujeres, a small gorgeous island close to Cancun, is simply spectacular. The magical underwater natural pools known as Cenotes are a big draw around the Cancun area. Many have rocky edge formations above them. Outside of Cancun we find Tulum, a unique site where you can go for a swim in turquoise waters and visit the famous ruins of Mayan civilizationCancun has lots to offer. With its mix of tropical beaches, ancient ruins and modern resorts, this area is simply the perfect vacation destination for everyone. Modern Cancun offers wonderful white sand beaches and turquoise sea, great restaurants, lively clubs and activities of every type imaginable.