Travelling to Guatemala: Bringing History to Life
Considering its somewhat modest size - more or less the same size as The state of Tennessee -
Guatemala is
full of folklore and impressive sights. From clicking photographs of the
Mayan Ruins of Tikal to sauntering across a park as you get chirped to by birds, you will
probably find no better - or more original - place than Guatemala for your next
trip.
Mayan Ruins. Go on a tour through the Mayan Ruins and feel as though you have
gone back to a time when the Mayan’s ruled, about 700 BC to 900 AD. Tikal is acknowledged as one of “the worlds travel
wonders,” and pulls in hundreds to thousands of travelers every year with its awesome
ruins and rich historical significance. Historically a lively city, Tikal is nowadays an
archeologists dream with over three thousand buildings. You are bound to view royal
plazas, markets and steam baths, just to name a few. Constructed in 500 B.C.,
the ancient Mayan city of Tikal thrived for a little more than 1500 long years. Today it has
been appointed to UNESCO’s listing of Heritage of Humanity.
If you enjoy critters, then the Tikal National Park is a must visit. While you
Tour the ancient Mayan City by way of the plaza, you may be surprised by the shriekings,
whistles, and cacophony of occupant howler monkeys, tropical birds, toucans, and macaws.
You could even watch a doe crisscross the path in front of you. Auspicious tourists remember
beholding a jaguar nearby.
Panajachel. Lake Atitlan is maybe one of the most dramatic lakes in all of
Central America. Looking across Lake Atitlan are three volcanoes - San Pedro, Toliman, and Atitlan.
The area was
Onetime the centerpiece for locals seeking to convert Indians to Catholics.
With coffeehouses and restaurants running along the roads, Panajachel has great shopping
and an dynamic nightlife. There are also a few Classes for students who wish
to learn Spanish.
Chichicastenango. Only two and a half to 3 hours from
Guatemala City, Chichicastenango is a scenic, little town rested on
the moutains, well known for its enchanting stucco buildings. If you adore browsing at
flea markets, you will find no better market than Chichicastenango’s craft market.
It is by far the foremost in Guatemala, commonly drawing visitors from all
over the country. You will see delicate hand woven shirts, masks and wood carved
trinkets.
Santo Tomas, a 400 year old church building, is another must see in Chichicastenango. To
go in, you must climb 18 steps - symbolizing every month on the Traditional Mayan calendar. A
Roman Catholic Church, Santo Tomas is acknowledged as the last remaining church in the land where
Guatemalan people may worship the Mayan Gods.
La Antigua. In a place that cares for its
ancient history, Antigua is a respected possession. One of the most fascinating
colonial cities in all of Latin America, its appeal and tranquil atmosphere
attract Language students and travelers from all over of the globe.
Antigua is home to plenty of
Spanish language schools and people of all backgrounds travel to Guatemala to
learn The Spanish language. Figuring out what
language school is best for you can be a
tough problem, so you will really need to investigate AmeriSpans support services
(www.guatamaleschool.com). AmeriSpan
Guatemala makes picking a center and planning your
vacation not as difficult and more affordable.
Located roughly forty-five mins. from the Guatemala City airport and 2.5 hrs from
Panajachel, tourists are able to study at an
Antigua Spanish immersion center
while seeing the sights in Guatemala
In addition, numbers of college students return to
volunteer in some of
the countless volunteer
projects in
Guatemala.
No matter what your reason for visiting Guatemala, remember to pack your camera.
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