Three Best Places to Visit Guatemala

Guatemala is one of the most beautiful countries in the world that few people know very much about. It only takes one visit to realize that it’s under-served by the traveling public. It has a laid back atmosphere, cultural diversity, adventure, history, fabulous cuisine and a romantic vibe. With Valentine’s Day almost here, maybe you should consider a special romantic holiday here. Guatemala’s beautiful ancient Maya culture and Spanish Baroque architecture is evident and everywhere. And they have the best coffee in the world!

Here are the three best reasons to visit Guatemala.

La Antigua, Guatemala

The first place to visit in Guatemala is La Antigua or Antigua. Antigua is a charming, atmospheric colonial city in Guatemala. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala. The Kingdom of Guatemala was an area that included most of Central America and Chiapas. An old colonial wall surrounds the city of Antigua. There you’ll find cobblestone streets, as you can see in the picture above. Three picturesque volcanoes surround the city. It’s perfect for a romantic relaxing stay. For people who are foodies, the cuisine fabulous. Eat at a different local restaurant every night and you’ll taste the best of what La Antigua has to offer.

There are many fine restaurants to choose from. But here are three recommendations from my personal experience.

Almacen Troccoli

Elú Restaurant, inside El Convento Boutique Hotel

Pistilos, inside MilFlores Luxury Design Hotel

DISCLAIMER:

The next two reasons to visit Guatemala are places we did not go. That was because I was there on business and there wasn’t time to include side trips this time. But I would definitely go back to see Tikal and Lake Atitlan and then I know I’ll feel like I have truly seen Guatemala. And that is why I’m telling you about them. I don’t want you to miss a thing.

Tikal Park

The second place to visit Guatemala, is to see Tikal, an ancient ruined city of the Maya civilization. Superlatives describe what you see there. The largest archeological excavation of ancient Maya civilization in the Americas. Most famous ‘cultural and natural preserve’. The Sanctuary and Ceremonial center are used today by Mayan priests.

A good physical condition for walkers and hikers. Tikal is 222.3 Square Miles! Ten square miles of structures are cleared. It’s surrounded by the jungle of the Maya Biosphere Reserve. Excavation of Tikal was quite a task that took the University of Pennsylvania over 13 years to complete.

Spend at least two days here because you will need the time to see as much as possible. Two nights accommodations nearby should be enough to take it all in. Driving at night is not recommended so spend that second night and leave in the morning. If you are there during the full moon, you’ll want to go into the park to see the full moon over the ruins. There is also a possibility of entering the park early in the morning for the sunrise. Sunrise and sunset visits are extra and require prior arrangement.

Lake Atitlan

The last place to visit is Lake Atitlan! This volcanic lake is the most beautiful lake in the world! Lake Atitlan means ‘at the water/the place where the rainbow gets its colors.’ Small villages surrounded the shores of Lake Atitlan. Colorful clothing represent the region the residents come from. They love their native style and wouldn’t wear anything else.

There is a wide range of accommodations to fit your tastes. Why not have a lake view room with a balcony? See the sunrise in the morning over the lake, and the moon at night. How romantic is that!

Those who enjoy outdoor sports will be happy here. Kayaking, paddle-boarding, hiking, and zip lining. Or you can relax and enjoy doing nothing at all. Keep in mind that you could be as high as 9,000 feet about sea level.

If you have been to any or all these destinations, please let me know how you enjoyed your experience.If you haven’t been there yet, make an appointment to begin the planning process for your next get away to this or some other place you’re ready to visit. At Personally Yours Travel we make sure you don’t miss a thing you need to see.