This is a land of extraordinary culture and colour, which sews together ancient Mayan, Spanish colonial and modern influences with a rich indigenous thread. It\u2019s the heart of Mayan culture in Central America, with hundreds of ruins and treasures to explore. Some are famous \u2013 El Mirador, Quirigua \u2013 others are hidden deep in the jungle and rarely seen by tourists. Tikal is the best known of them all \u2013 a UNESCO listed city enveloped by rainforest, with towering 70m-tall temples and King Jasaw Chan K\u2019awii\u2019s tomb. Serene Lake Atitlan will stir your soul, whether you paddleboard and kayak across it, mountain bike around its traditional villages or paraglide over the top.<\/p>\n
The skyline is dominated by volcanoes, some of them still active: climbing Volcan San Pedro as smoke plumes rise and orange lava glows. Antigua Guatemala is a gem of a city which remains rooted in the past, all gorgeous cobbled streets, elegant plazas and bright yellow archways. Locals are warm and friendly, and you\u2019ll see traditionally-clad people wherever you go; the rich hue of their garments denotes which village they\u2019re from. Visit vibrant markets such as Comalapa to buy indigenous handmade textiles and crafts, and to witness colourful fiestas and processions accompanied by marimba orchestras. To be here is to be dazzled.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":3890,"template":"","format":"standard","country_category":[190],"when-filter":[],"type-filter":[],"who-filter":[],"appeal-filter":[],"class_list":["post-4182","destination","type-destination","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","country_category-central-america-en-us"],"yoast_head":"\n