Guatemala has SO much to offer!

When I saw a great airfare deal on YVRDeals.com from Vancouver to Guatemala, I jumped on it. Guatemala has been on my travel list for some time, but this was a great opportunity to bump it to the top of my list.

When I started to research the country, I noticed Antigua and Tikal right away.  It was only about a month before I was supposed to leave that I realized Guatemala has so many other wonderful places that I really wanted to extend my stay.  I want to know how people change their plane tickets without all the penalties! 

Here are my trip highlights: 

Antigua is a wonderful small Spanish colonial town.  It is protected by UNESCO.  I can really feel the small town vibe: the cobblestone streets, the many handicraft markets, the family owned restaurants and bakeries, the many churches, former convents and Central Park.  It's easy to walk around and enjoy the sunny day.  The volcanoes are visible from town and when I walked up Cerro de la Cruz, you can get a great view of the town, even if it's hazy.

You can take a salsa dancing lesson, listen/dance to live music every night at Las Palmas restaurant/club,

go to a chocolate making class at Choco Museo (I highly recommend it, it was super fun!)

take a tour of the Jade Museum (who knew they have Jade in Guatemala!  It's different than BC or Chinese jade.)

or sip the world's best rum at Ron Zacapa's tasting lounge.  There's lots of souvenir shopping available at the many handicraft markets also.

Guatemala has many volcanoes and Pacaya volcano is close by, about an hour from Antigua.  It's a popular one because it's only a half day tour.  It is a very steep climb but well worth the view above the clouds!  

Climbing Acatenango volcano would be 2 days but you get to be on top of one volcano looking at the next one beside it!  I heard people can see the lava.

We went to a macadamia nut farm called Valhalla.  Apparently macadamia nut oil is the secret to younger looking skin!

We went to Lake Atitlan, apparently one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.  It is definitely picturesque!

We went to visit several villages around the lake, each has it's own signature thing (weaving, state of dress, etc.)

State of dress for a man and a woman.

Take a tuk tuk around the town.

Weaving

A long woven strap like a belt,
woven into a hat.

One of my favourite spots was the women's weaving co-op.  Everything here is hand made from local organic cotton, dyed with natural plants and flowers and made into lovely textiles with a label telling you which person/family made it and how long it took.  I loved it!

Onwards to the Lake Peten region and the infamous Tikal, one of the largest Mayan ruins in the world.

 And finally  Guatemala City on my way home.

I already plan to return, there was so much more to see and do.

Rio Dulce and Livingston - this is the gateway to the Guatemalan Caribbean culture.

Semuc champey - tons of natural pools in the jungle, including underground cenotes.

Mirador - another mystical Mayan ruin

I never knew how much Guatemala had to offer, and I'm so glad I went.  Here's an article with more detail.
http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/guatemala-gua.htm