82. Guatemala: a natural paradise

The natural beauties of Guatemala
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- Staying two weeks in Guatemala gave me only a glimpse of how the country is living and if I had to sum up in one sentence what I think of Guatemala, I would say that this country is a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors.
- There are volcanoes and mountains to give relief, sea and ocean to bring a bit of coolness or warmth according to the seasons, jungle where abandoned Mayan pyramids are scattered, immense lakes with bluish reflections, rural or urbanized plateaus, agricultural or forest plains and even an immense delta. In short, the perfect place for adventurers, backpackers or cyclists in search of out-of-trail roads.
- Here is an overview of the destinations I have been able to visit:
Guatemala City
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- This city will suit lovers of cultural outings, social or more folklore evenings. It is an overpopulated capital, with congested traffic and thanks to the power of the organized crime syndicate, it is above all the city with the highest rate of insecurity in the world.
Antigua Guatemala
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- Translated literally, the "ancient city of Guatemala" has an impressive colonial heritage. Dating back to the 15th century, the city has preserved its heritage well, despite the many earthquakes that have occurred there.
- Visitors can find a huge market filled with more or less traditional clothing. There are also the "comidas" restaurants that offer the basic Guatemalan lunch: a mixture of rice, potatoes and some other vegetables plus meat, usually chicken. The market is also the place to find any kind of objects or souvenirs. In Antigua, the market is gigantic, completely disproportionate to the size of the city. And this, to my greatest joy: every time I explored, I managed to lose my way and had a hard time getting out... The city is also full of museums and I particularly recommend the chocolate museum.
The church of Saint Peter the Apostle
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- The Iglesia San Pedro Apostol is a very pretty church that can give you a small glimpse of everything you can find in this beautiful city.
- The city also has the advantage of being close to volcanoes: let's mention the Fuego volcano (yes, the hyperactive volcano that is making the headlines on this year 2018). Every morning, the Fuego volcano releases a trickle of ash or lava. This makes sunrises and sunsets so grandiose. Next to this hyperactive volcano, the Acatenango and Agua volcanoes look like big mountains that complete the panorama on both sides.
- NB: The volcano of Fuego erupted on June 3, 2018 causing a terrible tragedy where more than a hundred deaths in the surrounding villages. I recommend you to check the state of the situation before attempting the ascent.
Mirador de la Cruz
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- On the other hand, there is a possibility to admire the city from one of its surrounding hills, I recommend a walk on the Cerro de la Cruz (literally the Mount of the Cross).
The Pacaya volcano
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- It is also an active volcano, easily accessible for tourists: within an hour's walk, they can reach the summit. The agency provides a stick of marshmallows so that they can enjoy a marshmallow roasted by the Pacaya volcano.
Lake Atitlan
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- It is the largest lake in Central America. An immense expanse contained within the caldera, the ancient magma chamber of a volcano, active more than a million years ago. This great lake has a long history. When the Spaniards arrived, it was populated by two Mayan tribes: the Tzutujils and the Cakchiquels. The settlers, discovering this corner of paradise, renamed each village with the name of a saint (San Pedro, San Juan, San Pablo, San Marcos, Santa Clara, Santa Catarina, San Antonio, San Lucas). Nevertheless, the villages have preserved a very strong Mayan culture.
- Peaceful, sunny, there is a kind of ideal microclimate.
San Pedro de Atitlan
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- This city, where alcohol and drugs are commonplace, is full of artists of all kinds, including painters. This place is full of restaurants, inns, backpacker hostels, galleries, museums, agencies... It is also possible to climb the San Pedro volcano or the Nose of the Indian, a chain of mountains representing the head of an Indian.
- Hummingbird:
- Vulture:
- I hear San Marcos is very similar, only less crowded. Couldn't verify it, didn't want to hang around the lake for more than two days.
Quetzaltenango - nicknamed Xela
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- This city is on many tourist routes, but the interest of this city is only, in my opinion, its proximity to the volcano of Santa Marià and Lake Chicabal. I recommend tasting the garnachas.
Chicabal
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- It is an ancient volcano whose maar, the crater, now contains a beautiful lake.
Santa Marià Volcano
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- It is an active volcano that peaks at 3772m. The activity takes place mainly on a new crater a few kilometres away: the Santiaguito.
- An ascent of one thousand two hundred meters in four hours (possibly three hours for good climbers not slowed down) with a rather high difference in altitude (as often in Guatemala).
- I was amazed by the presence of the faithful in the middle of a Mayan ceremony, whose video is interesting...
- View of the volcanoes of Fuego, Acatenango, and the small active Santiaguito:
Boy Scout Rule
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- One thing bothered me during the ascent of the Santa Marià volcano: the path was full of rubbish. The locals throw it away and never pick it up. Cristian, my Argentinian companion of the day, being less athletic than me, I took advantage of the descent to pick up the rubbish within sight. Result: about ten plastic bags filled with rubbish and about twenty plastic bottles.
- With this small gesture for the environment, I hope that Guatemalans will be less tempted to throw their garbage on the trail.
Half an exploration of Guatemala
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- With rather limited time, I favoured a breakthrough in Guatemala, which was confined to the west of the country. The result is irrevocable, an adventure to excess in a country with great tourist potential. I wish to complete my exploration with the Petén pyramid in the jungle, the Rio Dulce and Semuc Champey. It will surely be the opportunity to cross Central America again, this time focusing on the eastern part of the continent.

Here the comments of the article!

From Franca - 05/10/2019 19:21
Hi. Looking forward to fly to Guatemala in January. Will follow your ideas (except for climbing volcans!). Love. Bisous
From franca - 08/01/2020 18:37
Guay. Nikel. Merci....!
From franca - 08/01/2020 18:38
Ah, toujours tes volcans. BRAVO

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