Have you learnt the factor I like most about working this little weblog? The truth that it now takes me to new international locations and new corners of the world that I’d have by no means dreamt of going earlier than it existed. The novelty of that may by no means put on off for me. When the fellows from Go to Central America received in contact to ask me on a blogger press journey to Guatemala and Belize, I needed to re-read the e-mail 3 instances to consider it.
This journey excited me for a lot of causes;
- Central America is part of the world I’ve by no means been earlier than
- I’d get to go to 2 completely new international locations in 1 journey (Guatemala and Belize)
- I’d get to go away with a enjoyable group of fellow bloggers (Jen from She Will get Round, Scott from Intrepid Escape, Emily from Emily Luxton Travels and Fiona from Time2Gossip).
To set the scene, Guatemala is a Central American nation that borders Mexico, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. It’s finest identified for its steep volcanos, huge rainforests and historical Mayan ruins. After doing a little bit of analysis, it seemed like the right elements for a Travelista journey, and boy did it ship.
The vacationer board had been answerable for placing collectively our total journey itinerary. As a result of we solely had 5 nights and 4 days in complete earlier than crossing the border into Belize, it was their job to verify we noticed the entire highlights of Guatemala. This journey itinerary contains the entire highlights of Guatemala, nonetheless we solely stayed 1 evening in every place. In the event you’re considering of following this route, I’d advocate going at a slower tempo and spending just a few nights at every location. Right here is the last word Guatemala journey itinerary…
Fly in to Guatemala Metropolis
We flew with United Airways from London to Houston (9.5 hours) after which took a second flight from Houston to Guatemala Metropolis (2.5 hours). We had been met on the airport by our incredible tour information Martin from Marstam Excursions, who stayed with us for the entire time we had been in Guatemala.
Aside from just a few museums, Guatemala Metropolis doesn’t have all that a lot to supply when it comes to tourism and sightseeing. It’s additionally not the most secure place to be in Guatemala, so we stayed in a single day on the Raddisson Guatemala Metropolis and moved on right away the subsequent morning.
Lake Atitlan
Our first vacation spot of the journey was Lake Atitlan within the Guatemalan highlands, identified for it’s vibrant Mayan lakeside villages and water sport actions. Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America and is framed by 3 imposing volcanoes.
All of us piled within the van prepared for the two.5 hour highway journey and to absorb a primary look of the sights, sounds and smells of Guatemala. The roads had been bustling with automobiles, taxis, scooters and the well-known Guatemalan rooster buses. So vibrant and imposing you may’t miss them.
The panorama steadily turned extra lush and mountainous as we made our technique to Panajachel, a vigorous city on the banks of Lake Atitlan.
From ‘Pana’, we caught a protracted boat throughout the river to the normal city of San Juan La Laguna, the place we had our first style of freshly floor Guatemalan espresso. The climate was overcast and humid, so I went for an iced latte to chill down. So scrumptious!
Melvin guided us via the city and took us to a cotton making cooperative known as Casa Flor Ixaco, which had probably the most stunning handmade trinkets, clothes and souvenirs.
After exploring San Juan La Laguna we hopped again on to the lengthy boat for lunch at Posada de Santiago close to the city of Santiago Atitlan.
We spent the evening at Resort Atitlan, which was my favorite lodge of your complete journey. This charming boutique lodge is positioned proper on the lake in a panoramic location. With deep wooden interiors, rustic furnishings and fantastically manicured gardens, it’s a lush boutique escape within the Guatemalan highlands.
On the night of our keep the heavens opened and we had been caught in a tropical downpour, which solely made the setting much more atmospheric. I couldn’t advocate this lodge sufficient.
Antigua Guatemala
The following morning we drove from Lake Atitlan to Antigua, Guatemala’s most iconic, historic and touristic city. Antigua is definitely the oldest city in the entire of the Americas and dates again to 1541. The colonial city has an interesting historical past and is a buzzing fusion of Spanish and Mayan tradition.
Antigua was undoubtedly my favorite a part of Guatemala and I’d have liked just a few extra days to discover it. Even in the event you haven’t heard of it, you’d in all probability nonetheless recognise it, with its vibrant pastel partitions, cobbled streets and the well-known yellow arch of Santa Catalina.
Our guesthouse, Resort El Meson de Maria, was equally as charming because the city itself, which was positioned proper across the block from the Santa Catalina Arch. The placement was wonderful, the rooms had been characterful and the central outside courtyard and roof terrace made it a spot you may actually chill out. Look out for my Metropolis Information to Antigua Guatemala coming to the weblog quickly!
Isle de Flores
After spending the evening in Antigua we drove again to Guatemala Metropolis to catch an inside flight to Mundo Maya Worldwide Airport within the north west of Guatemala. The airport is positioned a 15 minute drive from the favored backpacker vacation spot of Flores, which was our subsequent cease of the tour.
We stayed on Isla de Flores (merely translated to Island of Flowers), which is a well-liked base for travellers planning to go to the traditional Mayan ruins of Tikal. Isla de Flores is surrounded by water and residential to loads of pleasant and low-key visitor homes. The colored partitions and cobbles are harking back to Antigua however a lot much less well-known. Cocktail bars and eating places line the waterfront, attracting locals and travellers alike.
We spent the evening at Isla de Flores Resort earlier than heading off to Tikal early subsequent morning. The drive from Flores to Tikal took about 2 hours
Tikal
Tikal was as soon as a strong Mayan empire that dated again to 800 B.C. Right this moment, Tikal is now a Nationwide Park and UNESCO World Heritage Website and consists of greater than 4,000 Mayan ruins over 16km2 of Guatemalan jungle. Often known as ‘the misplaced world’, Tikal was abandoned and have become misplaced within the huge jungle till it was rediscovered in 1877.
There are 6 main temples that are all extremely preserved, a few of which you’ll be able to even climb up. Being at Tikal feels such as you’ve simply stepped into the movie set of Indiana Jones, and it’s possible you’ll properly see Lara Croft swing previous on a jungle vine at any second.
For the remainder of our time in Central America we crossed the border into Belize to spend 2 nights at Hopkins Seaside. Look out for my Belize submit coming quickly!
The Conclusion
Exploring Guatemala was probably the most inspiring and intrepid journey experiences I’ve ever had. It’s a rustic of color, tradition and a lot spirit and searching again on this submit I can’t consider how a lot we squeezed in in simply 4 days. In the event you’re considering of visiting Guatemala to your self, be sure that the entire locations above are in your checklist. They’re absolutely the highlights of Guatemala, and every place is totally totally different to the subsequent.
What did you consider my Guatemala journey itinerary? Are you planning a visit right here or have you ever already been? I’d love to listen to your ideas! In the event you loved this submit please depart me a remark within the field under x
Disclaimer: My journey to Guatemala was offered complimentary as half of a blogger press journey with Go to Central America. All views are my very own.