82. Guatemala: a natural paradise

  • The natural beauties of Guatemala

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    An image showing 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.
  • Guatemala City

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    An image showing 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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    An image showing 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.
  • The church of Saint Peter the Apostle

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    An image showing 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.
  • Mirador de la Cruz

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    An image showing 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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    An image showing 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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    An image showing 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.
  • San Pedro de Atitlan

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    An image showing 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.
  • Quetzaltenango - nicknamed Xela

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    An image showing 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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    An image showing It is an ancient volcano whose maar, the crater, now contains a beautiful lake.
  • Santa Marià Volcano

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    An image showing It is an active volcano that peaks at 3772m. The activity takes place mainly on a new crater a few kilometres away: the Santiaguito.
  • Boy Scout Rule

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    An image showing 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.
  • Half an exploration of Guatemala

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    An image showing 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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