Guatemala

Guatemala, is a Central American country located to the south of Mexico. It is a nation of volcanoes, rainforests and ancient Maya sites. Guatemala City, the capital, is the home to the stately National Palace of Culture and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Antigua, west of the capital, has many preserved Spanish colonial buildings. Lake Atitlán, formed in a enormous volcanic crater, with coffee fields and villages all around it.

Guatemala heralds a rich Maya culture. It was home to the ancient civilisation of the Maya. This was a powerful and advanced civilisation that built many pyramids that still stand majestically. The Maya civilisation was most prominent from around 250 AD to 900 AD and during the Classic Period. In the 14th century, the Europeans arrived and the Mayan civilisation was already declining. In 1524, the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado defeated the Maya and the area became a Spanish colony.

Guatemala has wonderful colonial towns full of charm and vibrant rainforests brimming with life. There are ancient ruins, stunning lakes and volcanoes. If you like adventure or the pure gratification of traveling off the regular path, Guatemala is worth a visit.