Avalon Travel - Moon Central America

detail of the tropics in Ro Dulce National Park

The largest city in Central America, Guatemala City has long history of being overlooked by travelers. Among its numerous attractions are recommended museums, vibrant nightlife, and a range of excellent restaurants and accommodations. The Zona Viva is the place to go for nightlife, pleasant streetside cafs, and some of Latin Americas finest restaurants.

La Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its sublime collection of convents, churches, and monasteries. It features Guatemalas loveliest town plaza, graced by the elegant facade of the Catedral de Santiago, and its pleasant cobblestone streets are lined with restaurants, accommodations, and shops housed in beautiful old colonial homes. The surroundings are perfectly suited to outdoor recreational activities.

The Western Highlands boast not only Central Americas highest mountains and volcanoes, but also its most authentic and vibrant indigenous culture. Youll find colorful Mayan markets, quaint mountain villages, and gorgeous alpine scenery. On the shores of spectacular Lake Atitln are three volcanoes and several Mayan villages. Guatemalas second-largest city, Quetzaltenango, is a popular language-school destination, while Chichicastenango is home to Guatemalas most famous market. An emerging eco- and cultural tourism scene can be found in the Ixil Triangle.

On the western end of the Pacific Coast, Retalhuleu is a hot spot thanks to the twin theme parks of Xocomil and Xetulul. Bird-watchers and nature lovers will find several private reserves, including a fantastic lodge built on the ninth terrace of the Mayan site of Takalik Abaj. East along the coast, youll find the small village of Sipacate, home to Guatemalas emerging surf scene, and Iztapa, Guatemalas sailfishing capital. Monterrico is the regions most popular resort town.

The dry plains of El Oriente are populated by ladino cowboys and cattle ranchers. Heading east toward Izabal is the Caribbean town of Puerto Barrios, the gateway for adventures to the seaside Garfuna town of Lvingston, the Belize cayes, and tranquil Ro Dulce.

A WEEKEND: Spend your time in Antigua Guatemala.

ONE WEEK: Add Pacaya Volcano and Lake Atitln or Tikal.

TWO WEEKS: Add Atitln and Tikal; visit Quetzaltenango and Cobn, saving some time for the museums in Guatemala City. If Quetzaltenango is too chilly, head to the Pacific Coast.

THREE WEEKS: Enjoy all of the above at a more leisurely pace, adding Ro Dulce and Lvingston.

Las Verapaces are Guatemalas green heartland. Here youll find the countrys best-preserved cloud forests in the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve, the Cloud Forest Biological Corridor, which includes the Biotopo Mario Dary Rivera, and the pleasant town of Cobn. Nearby attractions include the spectacular limestone pools of Semuc Champey,