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Things to see and do
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Guatemala :
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Guatemala Travel guide
Guatemala : Michelin's recommendations
Located in the north of Central America, Guatemala is a showcase of Maya civilisation past and present. Although it is a small country its terrain ranges from jungle-covered lowland to high plateaux scattered with mountains and volcanoes peaking at over 4 000m; it abounds with natural and archaeological treasures, some of which are yet to be explored. One of the sites you can visit in the dense Petén forest is Tikal, a designated archaeological UNESCO World Heritage Site which has to be seen to be believed. Any trip to Guatemala is also an opportunity to meet the inhabitants of remote villages, dine side by side with the locals in a comedor, mingle with the colourful crowds at a village market on the banks of Lake Atitlán or attend one of the numerous local festivals, where you can witness age-old Maya customs. Be sure to go to mass at the church in Chichicastenango, which perfectly illustrates the syncretism of Catholicism and the Maya religion. Another of Guatemala''s highlights is Antigua, a ravishing colonial city which during Holy Week is the scene of a religious fervour reminiscent of Sevilla in Spain.
To make the most of your time in Guatemala, it is advisable to prepare every aspect of your holiday beforehand and get travel and safety tips from the relevant organisations.
Guatemala : Must-see towns and regions
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Ciudad de Guatemala has all the traits of a Central American capital: it is vast, busy, polluted and noisy. It has shopping districts, especially in Zona 1, where the Mercado Central is held, as well ...
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Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a dynamic and indisputably charming city. Made the capital by the Spanish, but demoted further to the earthquakes in the 18C, it owes its resurrection to the ...
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Don't miss Chichicastenango, where attending mass at Santo Tomás Church makes for a fascinating insight into the religious syncretism of the Quiché people. Head to the market, which is among the fines...
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Dominated by high volcanic peaks, Quetzaltenango is an ideal base camp for exploring the region and surrounding mountains. This active city is the second largest in the country and, with its interesti...
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A village high up in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Todos Santos is the region's commercial hub. Very much in touch with their traditions, the Mam wear traditional dress and celebrate ancestral rites...
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Set back from the Pacific Ocean, Retalhuleu has good reason to be proud of the charming Parque Central, with its benches where you can relax and soak up the city's atmosphere. Enthusiasts can head to ...
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Nowhere in the whole of Guatemala is quite like Lívingston, a town at the mouth of the Río Dulce. Visitors come (by boat, as there is no road suitable for vehicles) to soak up the unusual atmosphere d...
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In spite of the chipi chipi, a persistent drizzle that envelops the city in clouds, Cobán is awash with colour: its lush natural setting, Kekchi costumes (festival late July-early August), orchids in ...
