Travel to Central America

Wajshakib Batz--Mayan New Year

On this day, Mayans celebrate the cycle of life coming full circle. Followers of Mayan ritual practice celebrate in sacred sites placed specially around the country. The new priests are initiated into community service for a full cycle. The uninitiated may observe some (but not all) rituals, and should be respectful at all times. If you are one of the lucky visitors allowed to see one of this rituals, I highly recommend you to take that oportunity and see something you won't forget ever!

Guatemalan Soccer Classic

Here is a soccer rivalry that dates back well over 50 years. Two favorite Guatemalan clubs, Comunicaciones (or "Crema," white) and Municipal (or "Rojo," red), play scheduled Sundays during a season that runs roughly September through May. Matches take place before enthusiastic crowds in Estadio La Pedrera and in the larger national stadium, Mateo Flores. The teams are well-matched with Comunicaciones holding a slight historical advantage. So if you are a soccer fan and happend to be in Guatemala in a boring sunday, here you have a loudly option ;)

Museo Fray Francisco Vasquez

  This petit museum is located at the Iglesia San Francisco houses were the belongings of Fray Francisco Vasquez, a Franciscan friar are. It is not an impressive collection and the museum itself is of lesser importance, however, for those interested, it gives a brief insight into the life of a Franciscan friar during Spanish rule in Guatemala. More interesting is the Iglesia San Francisco next door, definitely worth your visit.

Chichicastenango Market Days

Center of the Quiche department, Chichicastenango is a bit of a trek from Guatemala City but it's worth it, especially for the Thursday and Sunday markets held in the central plaza. Considered the best in Guatemala, these native markets draw hundreds of sellers and thousands of buyers, all haggling over beautiful woolen goods, earthenware and other crafts, flowers, produce and more.

Weekends at plaza mayor

Plaza Mayor gets doubly busy on weekends, particularly Sundays. Locals and tourists crowd the area. Street vendors hawk crafts and souvenirs (often of poor quality), frozen treats and other kinds of food (often quite tasty but be wary). Live and recorded music is floating in the air, and street performers entertain the ones are passing by. Also stroll past architectural landmarks on the square, including the Palacio Nacional and the Catedral Metropolitana. The nearby Mercado Central offers better quality souvenirs and a chance to haggle.

Sundays in Antigua Guatemala

Make a trip to Antigua Guatemala set amid three volcanoes. Formerly the capital of Guatemala, and just 28 miles southwest of Guatemala City, the ancient city reflects the intersection of Spanish Colonial and Mayan cultures. On Sundays, the Parque Central transforms into a busy marketplace with local craftspeople and farmers making bussiness with tourists and locals. You can admire some of Guatemala's most impressive architecture, such as La Merced and the Iglesia de San Francisco. Buses run from Guatemala City daily, including Sundays.

Lake Amatitlán

Heading south from Guatemala City towards the Pacific lowlands, you will find this lake just a few kilometers from the highway. Unfortunately, its waters are now quite polluted, but it is still a beautiful setting for a picnic, a barbecue or even a boat trip (try not to fall in the water though). Its main attraction for tourists is the spectacular scene sights of Agua and Pacaya volcanoes. If you are at the lake on a weekend, take the "bubble-lift" to Parque de las Naciones Unidas for the best panoramic views of both volcanoes.

Puerto Barrios

Puerto Barrios is a seaport on the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala, and it is a very beautiful place. You might want to visit Las Escobas, a local river famous for its crystalline water, in the middle of the jungle, with many natural pools that will make you feel like you are in paradise.

Monterrico

One of the most popular beaches in Guatemala, Monterrico is located very close to Guatemala City and Antigua. It is a very good spot for surfing, great waves, but you need to be careful with the undertow. The sand is black, of volcanic origins, and gets too hot after 10am, so you better remember to bring something for your feet!

Flores

Flores is a very small town in Petén, Guatemala, located on an island in the lake Lago Petén Itzá, connects to land by a causeway. It is a popular starting point for Petén tours and specially for being close to Tikal, the Mayan ruins. Peaceful and quiet, a very safe town, you can explore the whole island by foot in around 15 minutes. Small, but with interesting sights, pay a visit to Ak'tun Kan, the serpent's cave, with rock formations resembling different objects and with stalagmites and stalactites.