g u a t e m a l a
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Travelers have loved Guate for decades. Long a favorite to ex-pats, students, backpackers, many hold it as a favorite memory, hoping to one day return. Like me, who studied Spanish there about 30 years ago, and have returned at least annually in recent years.
The international airport and highways are in excellent condition, making travel much easier. A mere 45 minutes after landing, you are in Antigua, the ancient capital and a beautifully maintained colonial city, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Antigua looks as it did centuries ago, but now behind those lovely facades are restaurants, bars, handicraft markets, and hotels. It may be the boutique hotel capital of the world, with several for each taste and pocketbook.
The culture of the Guatemalan people is rich in history and tradition. To witness a celebration is almost indescribable, with ceremonies inspired by the ancient Mayans, by Christianity, or some combination of the two. Among the world’s most colorful is Semana Santa in Antigua. Holy Week traditions going back centuries are re-lived each year with alfombras, or carpets, made of colored wood shavings and flowers lining the streets. Processions of men in purple Roman robes and women in black, process through town along the carpets., carrying their burden, a float depicting a scene from Easter.
On any list of the world's most beautiful lakes is Lake Atitlan. It is surrounded by 3 volcanoes, and the climate is perfect and the views stunning. Twelve villages circle the lake can be visited by boat. Each has its own culture, traditions, and native costume.
Anyone interested in textiles will be thrilled by the costumes, each with an historical or geographic meaning; differing from one town or village to the next. Markets in Guatemala are cultural theater in action, and you must make time to visit. At Chichicastenango, the most well known, you can meet the artisans and bargain, as is commonly done, for home textiles, clothing, pottery, and crafts.
JB Journeys is very happy to offer a birding tour in Guatemala like no other. We partner with Community Cloudforest Conservation, an NGO working to educate young Mayan women, and tour with John Cahill, the country's best birder and one of the best bird guides anywhere. We visit private farms that have been set aside for conservation, meet the young women at CCFC, and end up in spectacular Tikal, perhaps the Maya world's best known city. The birding is amazing and we are encouraged by the amount of effort going into conservation.
We are Guatemala Travel Specialists and look forward to helping you with your plans.
TOURS FEATURING GUATEMALA
The international airport and highways are in excellent condition, making travel much easier. A mere 45 minutes after landing, you are in Antigua, the ancient capital and a beautifully maintained colonial city, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Antigua looks as it did centuries ago, but now behind those lovely facades are restaurants, bars, handicraft markets, and hotels. It may be the boutique hotel capital of the world, with several for each taste and pocketbook.
The culture of the Guatemalan people is rich in history and tradition. To witness a celebration is almost indescribable, with ceremonies inspired by the ancient Mayans, by Christianity, or some combination of the two. Among the world’s most colorful is Semana Santa in Antigua. Holy Week traditions going back centuries are re-lived each year with alfombras, or carpets, made of colored wood shavings and flowers lining the streets. Processions of men in purple Roman robes and women in black, process through town along the carpets., carrying their burden, a float depicting a scene from Easter.
On any list of the world's most beautiful lakes is Lake Atitlan. It is surrounded by 3 volcanoes, and the climate is perfect and the views stunning. Twelve villages circle the lake can be visited by boat. Each has its own culture, traditions, and native costume.
Anyone interested in textiles will be thrilled by the costumes, each with an historical or geographic meaning; differing from one town or village to the next. Markets in Guatemala are cultural theater in action, and you must make time to visit. At Chichicastenango, the most well known, you can meet the artisans and bargain, as is commonly done, for home textiles, clothing, pottery, and crafts.
JB Journeys is very happy to offer a birding tour in Guatemala like no other. We partner with Community Cloudforest Conservation, an NGO working to educate young Mayan women, and tour with John Cahill, the country's best birder and one of the best bird guides anywhere. We visit private farms that have been set aside for conservation, meet the young women at CCFC, and end up in spectacular Tikal, perhaps the Maya world's best known city. The birding is amazing and we are encouraged by the amount of effort going into conservation.
We are Guatemala Travel Specialists and look forward to helping you with your plans.
TOURS FEATURING GUATEMALA