Introduction
Mountains and Mayan culture: Guatemala gives you a double shot of Central America. Despite its past turmoil and political instability, travelers are returning to Guatemala because it offers Central America in concentrated form: its volcanoes are the highest and most active, its Mayan ruins the most impressive, its earthquakes the most devastating and its history decidedly intense.
Guatemala is the Mayan heart of Central America, though the government has touted and tortured the Maya - sticking their pictures on brochures and guns in their faces. However, indigenous culture survives in the ancient ruins of Tikal, rituals of Chichicastenango and blazing colors of Mayan dress. It's not wise to put a basket on your head as you will be eaten by a dog. - Mayan proverb
Geography:
Guatemala is Central America's westernmost country, bordering Mexico to the north and west, Belize to the northeast and Honduras and El Salvador to the east. Its volatile topography is a mountainous and forested jumble of volcanoes and jungle. The western highlands are home to over 30 volcanoes, which reach heights of up to 3800m (12467ft) and cast a red glow at night. The area also experiences frequent earthquake activity. The intensively cultivated Pacific coastline is a vast expanse of mostly black-sand beaches, while the tiny Caribbean coastline lacks beaches but is culturally rich. The vast jungle lowland of El Pet é n fills the interior, characterized by a mix of banana plantations and soils rich with dinosaur bones. Guatemala's national bird is the quetzal - a gorgeous creature which is almost extinct due to deforestation and poachers. Puma, jaguar, ocelot, jaguarundi and margay - and their assorted diet of deer, peccary and tapir - survive, though are seldom seen.
Destination Facts
Capital: Guatemala City
President: Á lvaro Colom
Government: constitutional democratic republic
Time zone: GMT -6
Area: 108890
Population: 13100000
People: 56% mestizo/ladino descent, 44% Maya descent
Languages: Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Maya-Catholic fusion
Currency: Quetzal (Q)
GDP: Approx. Q60750000000
Major industries: Coffee, sugar, bananas, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, natural rubber, flowers, cardamom, tourism.
Major Trading Partners: USA, El Salvador, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela, Germany, Japan
Daylight Saving: From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in September
Country Dialing Code: 502
Getting there and away
Major international airlines fly into Guatemala City and Flores. Most flights to the country pass through the North American hub cities of Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Houston, Mexico City or Miami. There's an airport-departure tax of around 30.00 and a variable land-departure or sea-departure tax, depending on your point of exit. To enter the north of the country by land means coming from Mexico on lengthy bus or train journeys. Buses from El Salvador travel directly to Guatemala City, while buses from Honduras and Belize stop at the border. You can also enter Guatemala by sea, traveling from Punta Gorda in Belize to Puerto Barrios or L í vingston. There's also a boat from L í vingston to Omoa in Honduras.
Getting around
Currently, the only domestic flights are between Guatemala City and Flores. Buses link most places cheaply and relatively painlessly, although roads in El Pet é n often turn into muddy mires or disappear altogether during the rainy season. Chicken buses are the beat-up local buses that stop for anyone, and there are more luxurious long-distance buses such as the pullman class. Faster minibus shuttles operate between some of the more popular tourist sites and major towns. Some national parks, and the Caribbean town of L í vingston, are only accessible by boat. River trips, such as the R í o Dulce, can be great experiences.
Visa:
Citizens of most countries no longer need either a visa or a tourist card to enter Guatemala. Depending on the country you come from, stays are limited to 30 or 90 days. Since 2006 Guatemala has been part of the CA-4, a trading agreement with Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. Upon entry to the CA-4 region, most travelers are given a 90-day stay for the entire region, which can be extended once at the Departamento de Extranjer í a (Foreigners' Office; 6a Av 3-11, Zona 4) in Guatemala City.
Places of Interest
Guatemala is a tantalizing mix of natural wonders and Mayan culture. Volcanic vistas, languid lakes, cloud forests and pristine jungles bursting with bird and animal life are some of the natural wonders of Guatemala. Ancient Mayan ruins, such as temple-filled Tikal, rise from the lowland jungles, while highland villages host colorful markets and fiestas.
Despite its past turmoil and political instability, travelers are returning to Guatemala because it offers Central America in concentrated form: its volcanoes are the highest and most active, its Mayan ruins the most impressive, its earthquakes the most devastating and its history decidedly intense. Guatemala is the Mayan heart of Central America, though the government has touted and tortured the Maya - sticking their pictures on brochures and guns in their faces. However, indigenous culture survives in the ancient ruins of Tikal, rituals of Chichicastenango and blazing colors of Mayan dress.
Weather
The Pacific coast swelters year-round, with temperatures often hovering around 38 ° C (100 ° F). The seemingly constant high humidity diminishes a little in the dry season (verano; November to April). Depending on the altitude, the highlands are pleasantly warm during the day but can be freezing at night. During the rainy season (invierno; May-Oct) the mountain areas tend to be damp and chilly, but dry and warm during the dry season. The climate in the lowland jungles of El Pet é n varies only from hot and humid to sweltering and dry. In the rainy season, the mud can make roads and walking tracks very sticky.
Events
Religious festivals - both Christian and Mayan - abound in Guatemala. The biggest is Semana Santa (Holy Week - the week before Easter), featuring processions and celebrations throughout the country. Rabin Ajau is a traditional Q'eqchi' (Kekch í ) Mayan festival which takes place in late July or early August. Chichicastenango commemorates Santo Tom á s in December.
Warning
Travel in Guatemala is generally safe, but a relatively high level of violent crime is committed against foreigners. Travelers, especially female travelers, are advised not to travel alone on intercity buses after sunset, as they are placing themselves at risk of attack and/or possible sexual assault. Vehicle-jackings are almost an everyday occurrence, especially in Guatemala City. Travelers should exercise extra caution on the roads in rural areas, particularly in the northern and western regions. When taking photographs in rural areas, be aware that some locals believe foreigners come to kidnap children.
Mountains and Mayan culture: Guatemala gives you a double shot of Central America. Despite its past turmoil and political instability, travelers are returning to Guatemala because it offers Central America in concentrated form: its volcanoes are the highest and most active, its Mayan ruins the most impressive, its earthquakes the most devastating and its history decidedly intense.
Guatemala is the Mayan heart of Central America, though the government has touted and tortured the Maya - sticking their pictures on brochures and guns in their faces. However, indigenous culture survives in the ancient ruins of Tikal, rituals of Chichicastenango and blazing colors of Mayan dress. It's not wise to put a basket on your head as you will be eaten by a dog. - Mayan proverb
Geography:
Guatemala is Central America's westernmost country, bordering Mexico to the north and west, Belize to the northeast and Honduras and El Salvador to the east. Its volatile topography is a mountainous and forested jumble of volcanoes and jungle. The western highlands are home to over 30 volcanoes, which reach heights of up to 3800m (12467ft) and cast a red glow at night. The area also experiences frequent earthquake activity. The intensively cultivated Pacific coastline is a vast expanse of mostly black-sand beaches, while the tiny Caribbean coastline lacks beaches but is culturally rich. The vast jungle lowland of El Pet é n fills the interior, characterized by a mix of banana plantations and soils rich with dinosaur bones. Guatemala's national bird is the quetzal - a gorgeous creature which is almost extinct due to deforestation and poachers. Puma, jaguar, ocelot, jaguarundi and margay - and their assorted diet of deer, peccary and tapir - survive, though are seldom seen.
Destination Facts
Capital: Guatemala City
President: Á lvaro Colom
Government: constitutional democratic republic
Time zone: GMT -6
Area: 108890
Population: 13100000
People: 56% mestizo/ladino descent, 44% Maya descent
Languages: Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Maya-Catholic fusion
Currency: Quetzal (Q)
GDP: Approx. Q60750000000
Major industries: Coffee, sugar, bananas, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, natural rubber, flowers, cardamom, tourism.
Major Trading Partners: USA, El Salvador, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela, Germany, Japan
Daylight Saving: From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in September
Country Dialing Code: 502
Getting there and away
Major international airlines fly into Guatemala City and Flores. Most flights to the country pass through the North American hub cities of Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Houston, Mexico City or Miami. There's an airport-departure tax of around 30.00 and a variable land-departure or sea-departure tax, depending on your point of exit. To enter the north of the country by land means coming from Mexico on lengthy bus or train journeys. Buses from El Salvador travel directly to Guatemala City, while buses from Honduras and Belize stop at the border. You can also enter Guatemala by sea, traveling from Punta Gorda in Belize to Puerto Barrios or L í vingston. There's also a boat from L í vingston to Omoa in Honduras.
Getting around
Currently, the only domestic flights are between Guatemala City and Flores. Buses link most places cheaply and relatively painlessly, although roads in El Pet é n often turn into muddy mires or disappear altogether during the rainy season. Chicken buses are the beat-up local buses that stop for anyone, and there are more luxurious long-distance buses such as the pullman class. Faster minibus shuttles operate between some of the more popular tourist sites and major towns. Some national parks, and the Caribbean town of L í vingston, are only accessible by boat. River trips, such as the R í o Dulce, can be great experiences.
Visa:
Citizens of most countries no longer need either a visa or a tourist card to enter Guatemala. Depending on the country you come from, stays are limited to 30 or 90 days. Since 2006 Guatemala has been part of the CA-4, a trading agreement with Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. Upon entry to the CA-4 region, most travelers are given a 90-day stay for the entire region, which can be extended once at the Departamento de Extranjer í a (Foreigners' Office; 6a Av 3-11, Zona 4) in Guatemala City.
Places of Interest
Guatemala is a tantalizing mix of natural wonders and Mayan culture. Volcanic vistas, languid lakes, cloud forests and pristine jungles bursting with bird and animal life are some of the natural wonders of Guatemala. Ancient Mayan ruins, such as temple-filled Tikal, rise from the lowland jungles, while highland villages host colorful markets and fiestas.
Despite its past turmoil and political instability, travelers are returning to Guatemala because it offers Central America in concentrated form: its volcanoes are the highest and most active, its Mayan ruins the most impressive, its earthquakes the most devastating and its history decidedly intense. Guatemala is the Mayan heart of Central America, though the government has touted and tortured the Maya - sticking their pictures on brochures and guns in their faces. However, indigenous culture survives in the ancient ruins of Tikal, rituals of Chichicastenango and blazing colors of Mayan dress.
Weather
The Pacific coast swelters year-round, with temperatures often hovering around 38 ° C (100 ° F). The seemingly constant high humidity diminishes a little in the dry season (verano; November to April). Depending on the altitude, the highlands are pleasantly warm during the day but can be freezing at night. During the rainy season (invierno; May-Oct) the mountain areas tend to be damp and chilly, but dry and warm during the dry season. The climate in the lowland jungles of El Pet é n varies only from hot and humid to sweltering and dry. In the rainy season, the mud can make roads and walking tracks very sticky.
Events
Religious festivals - both Christian and Mayan - abound in Guatemala. The biggest is Semana Santa (Holy Week - the week before Easter), featuring processions and celebrations throughout the country. Rabin Ajau is a traditional Q'eqchi' (Kekch í ) Mayan festival which takes place in late July or early August. Chichicastenango commemorates Santo Tom á s in December.
Warning
Travel in Guatemala is generally safe, but a relatively high level of violent crime is committed against foreigners. Travelers, especially female travelers, are advised not to travel alone on intercity buses after sunset, as they are placing themselves at risk of attack and/or possible sexual assault. Vehicle-jackings are almost an everyday occurrence, especially in Guatemala City. Travelers should exercise extra caution on the roads in rural areas, particularly in the northern and western regions. When taking photographs in rural areas, be aware that some locals believe foreigners come to kidnap children.
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