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Cove Team
Cove Team
Guatemala, Central America, is a hidden gem that tends to go unnoticed by many dedicated travellers, although it embraces some of the world’s fascinating countries. Guatemala is a rare find in Central America, offering its visitors myriad options to keep them entertained and looking for more. Although it lies on the southeast borders of Mexico, Guatemala never earned the same extravagant publicity.
You will probably find it here no matter what you are looking for. You can have a unique cultural experience, exploring the raw beauty of the small towns. Since weaving is a popular business here, you’ll come across brand-new local goods that inspire you. There is also a lot of rich history in the air waiting for you to uncover. If you happen to be a nature lover, well, plenty of destinations will induce your enthusiasm.
Thanks to its strategic location, Guatemala is an ideal spot for nature lovers. Some beautiful natural forms it bestows upon the world include active volcanoes, tropical jungles, coral reefs, splendid beaches, and mountain lakes.
Walk through this exhilarating list of the best things to do while unearthing the secrets and history of Guatemala:
1. Explore the Mayan Ruins of Tikal
Many civilizations have walked our earth thousands of years ago, some of which we have never encountered or, in some cases, heard of. The Mayan culture is one of the most significant civilizations that inhabited Guatemala thousands of years ago, leaving traces of their existence behind.
If you’re into history, Tikal is one of the prominent destinations in Guatemala that will draw you to a place where the breeze is laden with historical tales. It is home to the renowned Mayan ruins, as well as numerous temples and pyramids that were excavated. This fascinating area represents the ancient city once home to the Maya civilization.
Besides the fantastic historical information you will encounter in this spot in Guatemala, birdwatching and observing wild animals are other activities you can do there. This place is home to red coats, grey foxes, and howler monkeys. Moreover, don’t miss the beautiful lake town of Flores.
2. Attend An All Saints Day Kite Festival
One of the annual celebrations in Guatemala is All Saints Day. It occurs on November 1st or 2nd every year and resembles the well-known Mexican festival, the Day of the Dead. On this day, all of the cities in Guatemala honour their beloved ones who passed by, visiting their graves and bringing their favourite food and drinks.
In Santiago, a kite festival takes place. People gather and fly giant kites, displaying vibrant colours in the sky. They also put on bright clothes and bring along beautiful flowers. This festival usually takes place near the Sacatepéquez cemetery in Santiago.
You can attend this festival if you happen to be in Guatemala around the time of the celebration, November. It is an excellent opportunity to explore Santiago differently. You will also immerse in a tradition that may not occur wherever you come from, ensuring a unique cultural experience.
3. Climb to Cerro de La Cruz (Hill of the Cross)
Mountains are your way to behold a city’s raw beauty without obstructions. Antigua is a Guatemalan city with pristine allure; observing it from a relatively high point is an experience you don’t want to miss. And that is when Cerro de La Cruz mountain comes to grant you your wishes. It is the highest hill situated north of Antigua.
Climbing to the top of this mountain is an easy hike suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. On an elevated spot of this mountain stands a stone cross. It was built as a tribute to the city’s patron saint. This hill offers picturesque views over the cityscape of Antigua. It is nice to deeply examine the city before exploring its different parts.
4. Settle In Antigua Guatemala
Antigua, the old capital of Guatemala, is a big city where unspoiled natural landmarks are everywhere. Volcanoes surround the old city, creating fascinating scenes that work as splendid backdrops in photos. In fact, the whole city became one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, rapidly becoming one of the most popular cities not only in Guatemala but in all of Central America.
The city pulsates with life, offering many adventurous activities and exhilarating things to keep you occupied and joyfully immerse you in the culture. Whenever you decide to fly to Guatemala, we encourage you to settle in Antigua. That way, given all the fun activities it offers and the rich history you’d like to discover, you will take your time exploring the city.
5. Go Swimming in Semuc Champey
Semuc Champey is the heaven you dream about when looking for a paradise-like spot to relax. It is a natural monument that sits in Alta Verapaz near Lanquin town. Semuc Champey is not just a hyped-up destination that doesn’t meet your expectations. On the contrary, it exceeds your expectations in the best ways possible.
This attraction is ideal for relaxing in the waters and shaking the stress off your system. It is home to fascinating swimming spots with splendid views. You can swim in vast natural pools and blend with cascading waterfalls. There are also splendid parks around the waters where you can explore and enjoy the pretty nature.
6. Have An Authentic Caribbean Holiday at Livingston
Livingston is the place to go if you are looking for some Caribbean vibes for your holiday. It is a town in eastern Guatemala embracing an exciting diversity of cultures. Nonetheless, its location on the Caribbean coast makes it one of the best tourist attractions in Guatemala, given its authentic summer vibes.
Beaches are everywhere in Livingstone. It is an ideal spot to enjoy the serene shores, swim in the Caribbean Sea, and have some palatable seafood meals. We should also declare that the cultural diversity here extensively contributed to creating spiced-up cuisine. There is much to enjoy around this beautiful town; we promise boredom will never seep into your day.
7. Embark on A Journey in Lanquín Caves (Grutas de Lanquín)
The Lanquín Caves are one of the incredible natural wonders that Guatemala offers to the world. They are located in the Central Highlands outside the town of Lanquín. These limestone caverns were considered sacred by the ancient people of the Maya civilization, believing they were the doorways to the underworld.
Before you venture into the marvellous Lanquín Caves, you will walk through natural landscapes in some impressive scenes that make you one with nature. The area in which the cave is located was declared a national park in the ‘50s.
Lush green forests and blue waters surround the cave, adding a more scenic view to the splendid area, especially when looking from inside the cave to the outer world. We promise all you do here will leave you astonished and spellbound.
8. Travel Back in Time at the Ixchel Museum of Mayan Costumes
Booking a guided tour in the Ixchel Museum is a unique cultural experience if you are interested in learning about the ancient civilization of the Maya. Located within the campus of Francisco Marroquin University, this museum is just like any regular museum you have visited. It is an unconventional museum of textiles and clothing, exploring the timeline of dressing in the Mayan civilization throughout the years.
Your tour around this museum usually takes an hour or so. However, your visit can be extended if you are curious about the other exhibitions. Clothing and attire are not the only collections on display. A wide array of notable objects, including books, ceramics, jewellery, and textiles.
9. Hike to the Pacaya Volcano
Guatemala’s culture is relatively affluent. Since it’s home to many natural landscapes and volcanoes, hiking is a massive part of Guatemalan life. Volcanoes are an enormous part of this country’s geography; some are still active, yet Pacaya Volcano stands out.
It is a popular hiking spot among visitors and locals, drawing thousands of adventurous tourists annually. Knowing it is an active volcano will add more fun to your significant venture if you have a venturesome soul. You just need to have permission from the authorities since, depending on its activity, summiting the volcano is sometimes prohibited.
10. Enjoy the Great Outdoors at the Biotopo Monterrico-Hawaii (Monterrico Nature Reserve)
The Biotopo Monterrico Hawaii is an ideal spot to enjoy yourself, for it offers more than a few things to do, all of which are satisfying for daring souls. Located in Monterrico on the southern coast of Guatemala, the area has humid weather and is home to some fantastic wildlife and aquatic life.
Once you step a foot into the 20km-long nature reserve, you will start spotting magnificent species of birds, embellishing the already splendid trees and drawing your attention to the vast sky. You can also go on a boat tour and observe the fascinating lagoons while appreciating the beautiful turtles and other aquatic life species. Other activities in this awe-inspiring area include kayaking, horse riding along the beach, and exciting birdwatching tours.
