Guatemala – The Tourism Destination
Guatemala | admin | June 30, 2010Guatemala is a wonderful country in the Central American region. The nation is surrounded by some big and powerful countries. The country shares its northern border with the bigger and popular Mexico; the east sees another popular hotspot, Belize whereas the southern region is dominated by the Honduras and El Salvador borders. Besides, the nation is also fed by the Pacific Ocean on the southwestern side.
The capital city of the nation is Guatemala City and the entire country is spread over an area of 42,042 sq. miles. The country’s population stands at 13,276,517 people and the official language for communication is Spanish, besides there are some 22 other indigenous languages.
Like most of the Central American region, Guatemala too was ruled by the Spaniards in the past and it was not until 15 September, 1821, when the nation got independence from Spain. At that time, the now nation of Guatemala was incorporated into Mexico and it was only two years later that an independent Guatemala came into existence.
As regards to the climate, the nation falls in the tropical zone and experiences different climates, which vary according to altitudes of the regions. Overall, the nation enjoys two main seasons, the dry and rainy seasons in Guatemala. The rainy season runs from May to October whereas the dry months run from November to April. The average annual temperature of the country is around 75 degree Fahrenheit and this temperature varies slightly as per the altitudes.
The countries location between the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans makes it vulnerable to natural disasters and the nation has suffered numerous disasters in the past few years. The Hurricane Mitch of 1998 and Hurricane Stan of 2005 resulted in the deaths of more than 1500 people. The main reasons for such high casualties were attributed to the mudslides and major floods.
Guatemala has been classified as a developing economy. However, there are some disturbing facts about the economy as well. The country is amongst the 10 poorest nations in Latin America itself and the distribution of income among the people is highly unequal. It is estimated that more than half of the nation’s population lie below the line of poverty. As per the CIA World Fact Book, around 56% of the country lives in poverty.
Nevertheless, the nation has a variety of topography for the tourists to enjoy. The attractions of the country range from ancient Mayan ruins to hot volcanoes and jungles and packed beaches. Most of the nation is full of volcanic and mountainous areas. A famous and must visit site is the Sierra Madre mountains, which is located parallel to the Pacific Ocean. One can reach up to 12,000 feet above sea level. The range is a wonderful sight to the human eye as the entire landscape is dominated by volcanoes, whose actual number stands at 33. Besides, there are thick tropical forests and fertile plains along with wonderful lakes and small rivers. In short, there is a lot is explore here.
For history lovers, the country houses some of the oldest Mayan cities at Tikal and El Mirador in Guatemala. These two ancient cities rank as the greatest of all pre-Columbian cities found in all the Americas.
The country is not just about tall mountains and ruins, there is much more places to see in Guatemala. Let’s go through some of the Guatemala tourist attractions in brief.
Chichicastenango Market:
This market is a very popular place in the nation and comes alive every week on Thursdays and Sundays. The things of sale include textiles and ladies blouses, which are made by the Mayan women. The Chichicastenango market is easily accessible from Guatemala City.
Pacaya Volcano:
This volcanic site is amongst the most, if not the most visited and admired sites in the entire nation. The volcano rises up to a staggering 8,371 feet and has been active since, can you believe it, 1965. You may climb the heights all by yourself, however, as a matter of safety and precaution, it is advised you hire the services of a professional guide, who will also make your trip all the more knowledgeable. The volcano not only provides stunning views of the surrounding areas, it also gives you a chance to have a closer look at the cone of the eruption.
Lake Atitlan:
This Lake is another one of those scenic beauties found in Guatemala. The lake is surrounded by several volcanoes and set at a height of some 5,000 feet above the sea level, the area is wonderful. The area in and around the Lake is quite developed and there are a number of recreational facilities as well.
Monterrico beach:
Guatemala has some wonderful black sand beaches on its Pacific coast. A popular spot here is the Monterrico beach, which is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a scenic sunset with the blue waters in the background.
Besides all the attractions, one can also learn the Spanish language in the cities of Quetzaltenango and Antigua. The rates are also quite affordable. A peculiar part about some of the training programs is they offer a chance to learn the language by staying with a local Spanish speaking family.
Listed below are some of the questions which may be on your mind.
How to Get to Guatemal
The La Aurora International Airport serves the capital of Guatemala City. This airport hosts flights to prominent international destinations. Once in the country, the nation boasts of an adequate transportation system.
Guatemala Accommodation in Guatemala Tours
The nation boasts of good accommodation facilities. The more popular landmarks are Camino Real and Tikal Inn in the town of Tikal, El Convento and Las Farolas in Antigua, Intercontinental and Mercure Veranda in Guatemala City, Cacique Inn and Casa Palopa in Panajachel, Santo Tomas in Chichicastenango, Green Bay and Villa Caribe in Izabel, Marina Copan in Copan Honduras, Pension Bonifaz in Quetzaltenango, Casa Duranta in Coban, Chiminos Island in Aguateca.
Best Time toVisit Guatemala
The country experiences rain showers in the months of July to September and hence it is advisable to avoid a visit during the rains. On the other hand, the months of April and May are very humid and the heat sometimes gets unbearable.
Hence, the best time to visit the country is the dry season of December through February. The nation experiences its best weather during these months.
In conclusion, Guatemala is a wonderful country to visit and has a number of popular attractions for tourists. The nation is developing thick and fast and will be a major player in the world tourism market in the years to come. So, what are you waiting for, just go ahead and plan your trip to this wonderful nation.
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When I visited Guatemala’s for the first time on a tour i tried out Antigua’s candy and found its flavor absolutely new and amazing..During Easter-week processions on the by-lanes you’ll hear percussion bands playing a unique instrument called marimba which sounds so much like the xylophone yet so different and calm..I loved this plce during my week’s stay and will come back again!