5 reasons why you shouldn’t miss Guatemala

​The first thing that struck me when I arrived in Guatemala was how friendly the people were. Shopkeepers, drivers, guides and people you just happen to meet in the street. Everyone is equally helpful and friendly. On my first evening in Antigua , I had a wander around and ended up at the main square. There were lots of people in the square and it looked lively, so I decided to sit down on a bench for a while and take in the spectacle. It wasn’t until two hours later that I left the square. In the meantime, I’d been approached by various people who were curious to know what I was doing there and what I thought of their country. And to round off the evening, I joined others in the square to listen to a performance by a young band. That evening made me feel instantly welcome in Guatemala.

​Every Guatemalan has a smartphone in their pocket, Wi-Fi is available everywhere, and the top 40 charts feature the same music as here in the Netherlands. Although the population is embracing new technologies, you can still see many of their traditions, of which they are very proud, and that’s wonderful to witness. They take great pride in their heritage and still consider their culture to be of great importance. During my trip through Guatemala, I was able to experience much of its rich culture. Women in traditional dress, the local markets where unique handicrafts are sold; we visited a weaving workshop and saw a local coffee plantation. We were even invited to the plantation owners’ home to see how the coffee beans are processed further.

​Guatemala, together with Mexico, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras, was considered the heart of the Mayan world. As such, you’ll find impressive archaeological sites scattered across the country. The most famous site is Tikal. A beautiful and impressive place, but there’s more to discover. Not far from Tikal, deep in the jungle, lies the Mayan village of Uaxactún. The inhabitants here still live off the jungle, and their village is surrounded by impressive Mayan buildings. During my trip, I visited this place; we were invited to eat at people’s homes and I spent the night at a luxury campsite, or ‘glamping’ site. We were given an extremely warm welcome and, whilst enjoying dinner by the light of dozens of candles, not far from a Mayan temple, we were told some fascinating stories about the past.

​In the south-west of the country, you’ll find the high mountains, where the sun shines gently and the temperature hovers around 15 degrees. Volcanoes dominate the landscape, and at Lake Atitlán, it feels as though you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. The lake sparkles in the morning sun and the small villages cling to the surrounding hills. From Guatemala City, you then fly north for just under an hour, where the mountainous landscape gives way to a forested jungle, with the sun shining brightly and temperatures that can reach 35 degrees. Howler monkeys are your natural alarm clock, and a toucan regularly flies past. Two completely different worlds in one and the same country, and both equally special.

​It’s not just Guatemala’s natural beauty that’s special, but also the accommodation I was lucky enough to stay in. Enjoying a delicious breakfast with my face in the sun and my gaze fixed on Lake Atitlán, waking up on the banks of a lagoon in the jungle and sleeping just a few steps away from the Arco of Antigua. The staff ensure you want for nothing during your stay, and in between busy days you can relax in the hotel’s spa. Lovely.

Would you like to organise your own trip of Guatemala and are you curious about the options? Then do have a look at the tours we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.

Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.

View our tours

Luxury holidays in Guatemala