.png "English"){kind=small}
Mysterious
and often challenging, Central America’s most diverse country offers
landscapes and experiences that have been captivating travelers for
centuries. The Timeless Maya
While many ask whatever
happened to the Maya, the simple answer is nothing – they’re still
here, and some traditions continue to thrive. If you’re interested in
archaeology, the must-see sites are Tikal, Copán (in Honduras), and Guatemala City’s superb selection of museums.
Living
Maya culture can be witnessed in its 'pure' form in towns like Rabinal
and sacred sites such as Laguna Chicabal. And the Maya themselves?
Well, they’re everywhere. But the most traditional villages are in the
highlands – the Ixil Triangle is a good place to start.
Natural Highs
With
not even 2% of its landmass urbanized, it’s not surprising that
Guatemala offers some superb natural scenery. National parks are few
but impressive, particularly in the Petén region and the lush canyons of
the Río Dulce make for an unforgettable boat ride. The natural beauty
of the volcano-ringed Lago de Atitlán has been captivating travelers
for centuries, while the swimming hole that launched a thousand
postcards, Semuc Champey, has to be seen to be believed.
Colonial Grandeur
Say what you like about
the Spanish in Latin America, you have to agree that they left behind
some stunning architecture. From Antigua’s crumbling ruins to the
stately cathedral in Guatemala City’s central plaza, there are plenty
of opportunities to get snap-happy. In even the smallest towns you can
find picturesque buildings – the small coastal town of Retalhuleu has a charming central plaza, while larger coffee-boom towns like Cobán and Quetzaltenango maintain vestiges of their glory days in their cathedrals, town halls and other public buildings.
Adventure Awaits
Active
souls tend to find their agenda very full once they get to Guatemala.
Stunning trekking routes through the jungles and up volcanoes, world
class white-water rafting, more miles of caves than you could possibly
explore in one vacation, and what seems like a zipline strung between
every two trees in the country are just the beginning. Like to take
things up a notch? How about paragliding into a volcanic crater at Lago
de Atitlán? Or scuba diving in the same place? You might even luck
onto some good swell on the Pacific coast. Or you could just find a
hammock and think about doing all that. Your call.
Show In Lonely Planet
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий