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| Guatemala Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Antigua Antigua Steve Thurgood Guatemala is a compact country in Central America. Located to the south of Mexico, the big neighbour in the north, you find Belize in the east and in the south Honduras and El Salvador. Guatemala has a surface area of 108.889 square kilometers (42,042 square miles). It is located in the tropical zone, and has a range of climates that varies according to the altitude. There are two seasons: the rainy months run from May to October, and the dry ones from November to April. The average temperature is 75° F, with small variations in the lowlands and in the highlands. Guatemala has approximately 10 million inhabitants. A large percent belong to 21 ethnolinguistic Mayan groups who have retained the cultural traditions they have inherited from their ancestors. A lot of very interesting sights can still be seen, most of them in the northern department called "Peten". There are also mestizo, and the Carribean coast population, which has retained its afrocarribean roots. Guatemala is a small country with a striking variety of topographic features. Nearly two-thirds of the country is mountainous and volcanic. Parallel to the Pacific lies the Sierra Madre mountain range, with peaks that rise to an elevation of up to 12.000 feet. 33 volcanoes dominate the landscape, and these, coupled with the lush tropical rain forests to the north, the fertile plains of the south and east, the beautiful lakes, and the wonderful rivers, make this a land of varied contrasts. To this rich array of contrasts, one must add a major contributing factor to Guatemala's unique brand of beauty: its wealth of traditions, and the striking colors and patterns of the weavings of the Mayans. Noted for its lush colors and intricate design, the cloth is made into blouses called "huipiles", sashes, skirts and headdresses. Every group or town has its own particular native costume. Woven by its women, usually on a stick loom, its patterns feature the traditional symbolism that identifies their history and ancient gods. Individuals such as Miguel Angel Asturias, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, and Rigoberta Menchú, the Nobel Peace Price recipient, have brought Guatemala international fame, but the country has given birth to many other great artists in all fields of art. The marimba, which looks like a large xylophone and has a wooden keyboard which produces a unique sound, is the national instrument of Guatemala. Possibly of African origin, the Indians played a simplified version before the coming of the Spaniards. A large modern marimba requires up to nine players. In the highland region of Cobán, very much in seclusion, lives a bird of rare beauty called the quetzal. If it is kept in captivity, the quetzal dies; hence, it has become the national emblem that symbolizes freedom. With courtesy of the Guatemala Tourist Commission _________Sights Edit This i_1 It is hardly believable that a country so small in territory can harbor such a wide variety of attractions of interest to tourists. There are the Mayan archaeological sites, so vast and fascinating as to make it possible to organize study trips that concentrate on this area alone. The Colonial architecture, some of it in ruins and much of it still intact, is another plus that makes Guatemala an ideal tourist destination. The beautiful lakes, the towering volcanoes, the rugged mountains and gorges, the changing scenery, the beautiful clusters of villages, plus the exotic varieties of plants, flowers and birds all make Guatemala a very exceptional place where virtually everyone will find plenty to see and do in his or her particular line of interest. Guatemala was the cradle of the Mayan civilization. Although there are many Mayan temples in Yucatan in Mexico, the best remains are to be found in Tikal in the northern jungle of Guatemala, near Flores. What impresses most visitors to Guatemala is the fact that the people are really easy going and friendly to travelers. The capital of Guatemala City is an ideal starting place to explore the country. From it you can reach most of the Indian highland villages with their colourful markets as well as Tikal in the nort within a day. Antigua_Guatemala is very close to Guatemala City and has some of Central-America's best colonial architecture. ________History Edit This The history of Guatemala can be broken down into three well-defined periods: 1. A million years ago, the Mayan person whos name was Yong Bin 2. The least important period in the history of Guatemala is marked by the arrival of Pedro de Alvarado, conqueror of Guatemala, in 1524. In July of that same year, he founded the first capital of the kingdom of Guatemala at Iximché (presently Tecpán). From there, it was moved to Almolonga (then Ciudad Vieja) in 1527 and to La Antigua Guatemala in 1543. The capital of Guatemala was then the seat of government of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, that stretched from Yucatán to Panama. Agriculture and livestock were the major economic activities and the Captaincy General of Guatemala enjoyed a period of splendor, until its capital was destroyed in 1773 by an earthquake, requiring it to be transferred to Guatemala City, where it has been ever since. 3. The third important period in the history of Guatemala commences with its independence from Spain, on September 15, 1821, when together with other nations of Central America, it became a member of the United Provinces of Central America. Guatemala seceded from this federation in 1839, and was proclaimed a Republic in 1847 a few years after. Contributors December 13, 2006 change by giorgio [Add New] lil beezy Edit This It's Hot World66 rating: [rate it] kaydizzle Edit This it was ALRITE... World66 rating: [rate it] Madamoiselle. Edit This Ummmh,, soo yeaaah. BORING! And I dont get the first sentance. "A million years ago, the Mayan person name was Yong Bin" What the poo? World66 rating: [rate it] _________Practical Information Edit This Tipping and taxes: A 10 to 15% tip is usually recommended. More often than not, tips are not included in the prices of meals or other services. The sales tax (VAT) is 10% of the total amount of the purchase. The hotel room tourist tax is also 10%. National holidays The following dates are national holidays in Guatemala: January 1st – New Year March/April – Easter (wed, thur & friday) May 1st – Labour Day June 30th – Army Day August 15th – only Guatemala City September 15th – Independence Day October 20th - Celebration of the Revolution of 1944 November 1st - All Saints Day December 24th – Christmas Eve (afternoon only) December 25th – Christmas December 31st – New Year’s Eve (afternoon only) Celebrations: In Guatemala every town celebrates its own fiesta with folkloric dances as well as social, cultural and sports events that vary little throughout the country. Have a look at the highlights: Easter Week in Guatemala Folkloric Festival in Cobán All Saints Day in Todos Santos Celebration of Santo Tomás Electricity: The visitor will generally find standard American outlets. The current used throughout the country is 110 volts, 60 Hz. European travellers might be advised to bring a voltage converter with them if their appliances do not have one built-in. Currency: The official currency is the Quetzal. It is divided into quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies. US dollars and credit cards are welcome in most places. Exchange rate december 2000: US$ 1 = 7.63 Q Money exchange: When you arrive at the airport you can exchange money, as well as in the hotels or any bank within the country. You must fill out the respective forms. If the traveler is leaving the country and wishes to exchange quetzales for dollars, the following rules apply: Any amount will be exchanged in the bank located in the airport, which is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Banking Hours: Most banks open at 9:00 a.m., and some banks close at 3:00 p.m., but others close as late as 7:00 and 8:00 in the evening, from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, they are usually open only from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Automatic Tellers are open for the convenience of their customers 24 hours a day, especially for those tourists who travel to the interior of the country. National Tourist Board (INGUAT) If you have any problem, they are there to help you. Please call INGUAT's offices at: In Guatemala City Daily: 8am - 4pm – Tel. 33 130 75 Daily: 6am – 8am & 4pm – 9pm – Tel. 33 142 56 Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: Tel. 33 142 56 Faxes: 3318893 and 3322881 Antigua: 8320763 Quetzaltenango: 7614931 Panajachel : 7621392 Flores Petén: 9260533 Currency The local currency is the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) ___________Getting Around Edit This By air: Flores is served three times daily at 7:30 AM, 10:40 AM, and 6:00 PM by INTER air. The cost is listed at $110 round trip. Contributors February 22, 2004 new by javaboy (1 point) [Add Local transport mode] Local Transport in Guatemala Edit This Traveling around Guatemala by bus in these modern times is completely different from the chicken bus days that we have all heard about or experienced in the past. Today the buses are modern, with comfortable seats, and they run on schedule. Just about any point in the country can be reached the same day in reasonable comfort and at a reasonable price. Connections are easily made and most of the staff that run the buses are courteous to the traveller. Also, crossing the borders to neighbouring countries has been made easier and much more more.. World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 502-5398-0908 / 7947-3930 url: www.dennysbeach.com address: Denny's Beach email: info@dennysbeach.com ___________National Parks Edit This The Nahuatl expression Quauhtitlan, which means "between the trees," gave the name to what we now know as Guatemala. That was the name the Tlaxcaltec soldiers who accompanied Pedro de Alvarado during the Spanish Conquest gave to this territory, perhaps translating into their language the word "Quiche," which means "many trees." The origin of the name Guatemala alludes to its natural riches, and rightly so. This country, with only 108,889 square kilometers, is one of the regions with the greatest biological diversity in the world. Its geographical location, in the northern part of the "bridge" which joins the Americas, favors it in this sense. It permitted a genetic exchange between the continental masses of North and South America, which had been separated for millions of years. Its topography with altitudes up to more than 4,000 meters above sea level and its coasts on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, as well as its rainfall (from 500 to 5000 mm), make Guatemala one of the centers of greatest diversity in the natural production of genetic resources in the world. In scientific circles these are known as "Vavilov Centers." To conserve its natural heritage in situ and to protect the beauty of its landscapes, Guatemala established its first National Parks in 1955. Today, the country has more than thirty legally declared protected areas and more than forty areas being proposed. All of them cover a broad range of natural regions, from forests to mangrove swamps on both coasts to cloud forests in the mountains. They also include regions which are practically unchanged, such as the summits of the Sierra de las Minas, and others where humans interact with nature, such as Lake Atitlan. Among Guatemala's protected areas there are from small parks of natural and cultural interest, such as Iximche or Quirigua, to large Biosphere Reserves, such as the Maya Reserve in the north of the country, covering close to two million hectares, which includes seven National Parks and Protected Biotopes, various settlements and hundreds of important archaeological sites. Its natural beauty and the efforts being made to conserve it make Guatemala one of the most attractive destinations for the tourist oriented toward nature, and more so when this heritage contains a mixture of cultural riches, represented by pre-hispanic and pre-colonial vestiges and monuments, in addition to more than twenty living native cultures. _________Language Edit This Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, but 21 ethno linguistic Mayan groups have kept their ancestral languages alive. Garífuna and Xinca are also spoken. These languages also have their own phonetic, grammatical and structural base. English is spoken in all main tourist centers. Spanish is, together with English, one of the most important languages in the World, currently spoken by more than 300 million people worldwide. This fact makes it worthwhile learning, and Guatemala offers the best prices and opportunities to do so. Placement with a Guatemalan family is the most popular arrangement for students because it is the best way to learn the language. The family will help you to practice your Spanish and at the same time you will learn more about the country, its culture and its customs. Should you rather not live with a Guatemalan family, most of the schools will help you find an apartment, a house or a hotel. Generally, classes are given on a weekly basis at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Classes usually begin on Mondays and students may enrol at any time during the year. However, it is advisable to make your reservation in advance and ask about starting dates. Generally, classes are given on a weekly basis at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Classes usually begin on Mondays and students may enrol at any time during the year. However, it is advisable to make your reservation in advance and ask about starting dates. Most language schools in Guatemala have one teacher for each student, in order to assure you the best individual training, and enable you to learn at your own pace and without pressures of any kind. This is a fast and well-proven way to learn a language. There is a great diversity in prices, but generally, these fluctuate from US$60 for 4 hours daily, up to US$100 for seven hours daily. If you choose to live with a Guatemalan family you can expect to pay about US$50 more per week for a private room and three meals daily (except Sunday) . The language schools are located in different villages, each with different cultural backgrouds. This facilitates learning the language and discovering the charm at the same time. The following towns have the best Spanish language Schools: La Antigua Guatemala La Antigua Guatemala, Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, Panajachel, Solola, San Andrés, El Peten. Language Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca). __________Nightlife and Entertainment Edit This photo [Add Entertainment place] Bar El Establo Edit This photo One of Guatemala's oldes hangouts. Good drinks, good music. Michael is the coolest person in the world Good finger food, too! holger is the best. type: Casinos World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.barelestablo.com ________Things to do Edit This Because of its geographical location, Guatemala has a great variety of climates, vegetation and birds and animals in general, and it has more than nineteen ecosystems with their own varieties of flora and fauna. Sometimes these ecosystems are only separated by a river, a valley or a row of trees, but being in the same region, they offer a unique opportunity for interesting sightseeing. The diversity of the geographic, climatic, cultural and historic features of Guatemala make it ideally suited for a large number of activities and sports. - Fishing, Caving, Horseback Riding, Hang Gliding, Trekking, Mountain and Volcano Climbing, Bird-watching, Pilgrimages, Cycling, Rafting, Diving [Add Activity] Costa Rica Edit This Discover suggested travel itineraries to assist in travel planning - visit Mayan ruins, wildlife viewing, volcanoes, colonial cities and beach resorts. type: Spa and Sauna World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.bigtravelweb.com crazy111 Edit This swimming snow bording shopping eating at resturants castles site seeing every type of massageing type: Spa and Sauna World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 843-0173 address: 261 morse st email: Lexy217@gmai.com shaun Edit This hunting spear fishing type: Other World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 651-768-9932 address: 9681 _____________Antigua Guatemala Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Cathedral of San Francisco Cathedral of San Francisco Benjamin Salazar Antigua Guatemala, founded in 1543, was the seat of Spanish colonial government for the Kingdom of Guatemala, which included Chiapas (southern Mexico), Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The city grew into the most important city in Central America, filled with monumental buildings of ornate Spanish colonial architecture. By 1773, in addition to the cathedral and government palace the city could boast of over 30 churches, 18 convents and monasteries, 15 hermitages, 10 chapels, the University of San Carlos, five hospitals, an orphanage, fountains and parks, and municipal water and sewer systems. It was the “the most noble and loyal city of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala", as it was titled by royal decree. Antigua Guatemala sits 1530 meters above sea level and was third (after Mexico City and Lima, Peru) in importance and splendor in the Americas, until it was destroyed by the earthquake of 1773. Holy Week is the most spectacular time in La Antigua, with colorful processions winding their way through the streets of the city. Of particular beauty are the sawdust carpets made on the streets for the processions to step on. The sawdust is dyed different colors. Then, beautiful designs are cut out of cardboard, and the sawdust is sieved through these cuttings. The result of this painstaking work is truly striking. Visitors who wish to visit La Antigua during Easter week should make hotel reservations far in advance, as many people come to Antigua to enjoy these beautiful traditions. La Antigua Guatemala is famous for its jade factories, where beautiful pieces can be found. It is also known for its ceramics: the beautiful hand-painted birds and butterflies come from La Antigua. The woodwork from La Antigua is well known, as is its typical candy. There are several schools for intensive Spanish study, with a choice of study plans that range from one week of 4 hours per day to four weeks of 7 hours of intensive daily classes. Some of these plans include lodging for the student with a Guatemalan family. Only 4 miles from La Antigua, you will find Ciudad Vieja. Ciudad Vieja is the site where the second capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala was founded (see chapter on History). In 1541, it was destroyed by volcanic eruptions that engulfed the town. The original church was excavated intact. The remains of the Governor's Palace (1527) are behind the school. The third story is exposed, but the first two floors are still buried. :::::::::Sights Edit This i Buildings with Spanish facades, patios and arcades, reconstructed buildings and ruins that tell an important part of Guatemala's history, have made La Antigua Guatemala one of the country's foremost tourist centers. It has kept its original character, preserved its monuments, and has kept its original architectural form intact, as a consequence of which, in 1979, UNESCO declared it a Common Heritage of Mankind. A few mansions of the Colonial period have been restored. Casa Popenone, at 5a. Calle Oriente and la. Avenida Sur, is a fine example of an elegant home. Others include the House of the Bells and the House of Lions. They all feature colonial architecture, with an austere outer wall that encircles a patio with gardens and fountains in the center. The rooms are located around this beautiful and one of a kind patio. Display all or display just: Churches Hotspots Palaces Show best rated on top | Show in alphabetical order [Add Sight] Casa Popenoe Edit This A private home that is open to the public on specified hours is the Casa Popenoe, originally constructed in the first half of the 17th century for don Luís de las Infantas y Mendoza, a Spaniard and judge in the Royal Audiencia. This house had fallen into ruins and was lovingly restored by Dr. Wilson Popenoe and his wife Dorothy in the 1930s. The Popenoes furnished the house with period antiques collected over the years. Like many colonial residences, the home is built right up to the sidewalk and presents massive walls to the public. But the interior is graced with flowered more.. type: Palaces World66 rating: [rate it] Plaza de Armas Edit This In the center of the Plaza de Armas stands this famous fountain. Designed in 1739 by Miguel Porras, one of the city's renowned colonial architects, the Fuente de las Sirenas (Fountain of the Sirens) is one of many gracing Antigua's principal plazas and courtyards. These fountains were more than just ornamental. Although piped water reached important buildings and dwellings in the seventeenth century, fountains served as water supplies for humble dwellings, even into the present century. The Plaza de Armas Museum is located in the same building as City Hall. It has a more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Merced Church Edit This La Merced Church La Merced Church photo by: Allen The Mercedarian order was established in Guatemala in 1538, and the order had built a church in Antigua by 1546. This church was destroyed by earthquakes in 1565, but subsequently rebuilt, only to be ruined again in the earthquakes of 1717. The present church of La Merced was finished in 1767, just six years before the Santa Marta quakes that led to the abandonment of Antigua as the capital. The façade is one of the most beautiful in Antigua, featuring intricate and ornate patterns in white stucco on a yellow background. The church is also a good example of the "earthquake more.. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Cathedral Edit This Catedral de Santiago Catedral de Santiago photo by: Jeremy Woodhouse On the east side of the Plaza de Armas stood the great Catedral, inaugurated on Nov. 5, 1680, after eleven years of construction. This huge building replaced an earlier cathedral begun in 1542 and worked on intermittently for many decades. Various notables from the Conquest were buried here: Bernal Diaz del Castillo, conquistador and author of The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico, lived out his latter days in Antigua and was buried in the original cathedral; the remains of the Don Pedro de Alvarado, the conquerer of Guatemala, were brought here in 1568 for re-interment. more.. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] Palace of the Captains-General Edit This Palace of the Captains General Palace of the Captains General photo by: Dave Cunningham For more than two centuries, the seat of Spanish colonial government was the Palace of the Captains-General. Construction was begun on the original building in 1549 and completed in 1558, but the building has been repeatedly reconstructed and altered following damaging earthquakes. In 1735 the Casa de la Moneda (mint) was inaugurated in this large complex. But most of the structure was destroyed in the 1773 quakes that brought the city to its knees. Today the beautiful two-tiered arched façade has been restored, and the building houses government, city police, and INGUAT more.. type: Palaces World66 rating: [rate it] Casa de los Leones Edit This Named for the sculptured stone lions rampant flanking the main portal, was built before the 1717 earthquakes. As is typical of the better colonial homes, rooms are arranged around patios. Today the Casa de los Leones has been modified to serve as a hotel, La Posada de don Rodrigo, preserving some original colonial furnishings such as the heavy wooden shutters and doors. A characteristic element of colonial architecture is the corner window, which here opens into the bar of the Posada de don Rodrigo. type: Palaces World66 rating: [rate it] El Carmen Edit This The church of El Carmen, completed in 1728, is the third to occupy this site. The main façade of the church is ornate baroque, and unique in Antigua with its triple pairs of columns set on podia projecting forward from the main wall in place of the niches and saints usually occurring here on Antigua's churches. Adjoining the church in the space now occupied by the red-painted private home were the conventual buildings. It was here that the Capuchin nuns were first housed upon their arrival in Antigua in 1726, prior to the building of Las Capuchinas. Today none of the convent more.. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] Capucin Convent Edit This One of the most fascinating colonial sites in Antigua is Las Capuchinas, the Capuchin Convent, completed in 1736 under the direction of the chief architect of the city, Diego de Porres. Today the convent is partially intact and partially in ruins. The intact portions house a museum and offices for the National Council for the Protection of Antigua Guatemala. The ruined sections include baths for the nuns, and an unusual circular area containing novices cells, each complete with it own privy. Below this circular patio is a mysterious, subterranean chamber that resonates more.. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] Santa Clara Edit This Another very special ruin is that of the convent of Santa Clara founded in 1699 by the arrival of five nuns and one legate from Mexico. The convent's first church was completed in 1705, but destroyed in 1717. The remains standing today are those of a new church and convent started in 1723 and finished in 1734. The ruined nave and altar were constructed over gloomy subterranean vaults that are best explored with a flashlight. A complex of corridors and stairwells gives access to various parts of the shadowy ruin. But the greatest beauty of Santa Clara is its ruined cloister, more.. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] _________Events & Festivals Edit This Easter week in Guatemala is one of the most colorful times to visit the country and to admire the religious and Indian folkloric traditions on display in different regions of Guatemala. The best place to be during Holy Week is La Antigua Guatemala. Other Indian villages with colorful folk traditions are Huehuetenango and Totonicapán, in which the passion of Christ is re-enacted live by a regional council of Indians who restage the events that happened on Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Holy Week in Guatemala represents a conjunction of Catholic beliefs and of pagan Indian rites in the more picturesque regions of our highlands. We recommend arriving in Guatemala the Friday before Holy Wednesday and to stay for at least one week after Easter Sunday to have time to visit the major archaeological sites in the Petén area, or perhaps you would like to take an extension to visit the beaches in Belize. Please be aware that groups stay at a single village, since only full-week packages are available and from there, all-day excursions are scheduled to the major villages of interest, such as Chichicastenango, Lake Atitlán, etc. __________Tours and Excursions Edit This Antigua is filled with tour agencies that all well be happy to book you on a tour. One of the most popular tours from Antigua is the 1/2 day trip up to the top of Volcan Payca. ::::::::::::::Ceibal Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Vani The Ceibal stelae are among some of the finest and most well-preserved sculptures of the Late Classical Mayan period. This is why Ceibal is often called the Mayan Art Gallery. However, the basic cultural sequence for the Ceibal site can be traced through its ceramics. Pottery figures portray females and males in a style suggestive of the Preclassical figurines of the Guatemala. The occupation of Ceibal began around 800 B.C. (Middle Preclassical period). The history of the city of Ceibal is written in the stelae that circle the principal plaza and they speak of persons related to the Mayan lineage, among them, those of Tikal. The last stele, chronologically speaking, is interesting because it shows a person with Mexican features,and its design includes features predominantly Toltecan (it marks a new dynasty of Toltecan domination.) There is also a stela dedicated to a female person in Ceibal. ::::::::Chichicastenango Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see power shopping power shopping Ron Fudge A major market center for the Indians of the western highlands, Chichicastenango becomes inundated on Thursdays and Sundays with traders who bring their wares, textiles and handicrafts from all the towns of the region. With all the hustle and bustle of market day, and the outside merchants who come to town, it is often difficult to see through the activity and focus on the town itself. If a visitor arrives a day early or stays a day after the market, he or she will be able to enjoy Chichicastenango at peace. The place is very crowded, almost like too difficult to walk! One good side trip is to visit Pascual Abaj. It is just south of town, within walking distance...and a little of a hike...but the little forest is beautiful, and when you get to the top, first, you are treated to a wonderful panoramic view of town and the surrounding hills (the crowds stayed behind in the market) You get to see the "shrine" to Pascual Abaj. These guys pray, light candles, they even give cigarettes and alcohol to this "deity"....pretty interesting. Just show up at the main church and ask one of the boys there to give you a tour...they will give you a good historical background and take you there...and then walk you around the market. Some of them also speak english. ________Sights Edit This [Add Sight] Church of St. Thomas Edit This On the east side of the plaza, this is a whitewashed colonial structure built around 1540. On the steps, praying people burn copal incense. Once inside the church, they offer candles and flowers to the souls of the departed, while they call on the saints and the lords of all the natural forces. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] ::::::::::::Coban Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Coban Plaza Coban Plaza Daniel Bachhuber Coban is a large beautiful town sitting atop a mountanouse region within a valley. It's approximately a 4 hour drive, north of Guatemala City with a small airport for small aircraft. Coban's main production has been coffee and cardamom for many years. It has grown tremendously in recent years due to its beauty and one of the towns you can stop at on your way to Peten. I was born in Guatemala and grew up in the US and there. I lived in Coban from the early to mid 80's and have family I visit there often. I will be submitting more information in the near future so come back soon. ________Tours and Excursions Edit This Aventuras Turisticas Coban orginal adventure outfitter we provide Rafting caving trekking mt bike tours in coban peten Guatemala See why our tropical and cloud forest expeditions rock !!!!!! Find us at 3calle 3-25 zona 3 Coban guatemala C.A Or e mail , at aventurasturisticas@terra.com www.aventurasturisticas.com ::::::::::Guatemala city Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Plaza de la Constitucion Plaza de la Constitucion Patricia Pereira Guatemala City the country’s capital, is by far the largest town in the country. The city is located in a large valley dominated by the Agua Volcano. Guatemala city is rapidly becoming the biggest town of Central America, excluding Mexico of course, with a population of more than 2 million inhabitants. When you are there you do not have the impression that it is such a big place. It is split in about 20 Zonas, but they do not run in an orderly fashion. A local Guatemalan mentioned that their city is like a broken dish, as the 20 pieces just fell randomly everywhere, so don't be surprised if you are riding in Zona 3 and suddenly you are in Zona 9, there is no logical order. Taxis are pretty inexpensive, though traffic can be hectic at times. There are only a few high rise buildings, in Zona 10, mostly, sort of their "Wall St". The city is packed with interesting sights and museums.The main downtown square, in Zona 1, has a very nice fountain, and near it you will see the Palacio Nacional, you need to prebook a tour if you want to see it. On the other side of the plaza you will see the Catedral. ..a very nice one...sort of like european style (as opposed to the more simple styles in Antigua). There is a museum shop right there for mementos. 1 1/2 blocks behind the cathedral is the market. You have to go down these steps... it is a neat place to take a walk, and to pick up any last minute souvenirs you did not get at Chichicastenango or any of the other destinations. At Zona 10, there is a University, Francisco Marroquin, which 2 excellent museums. The best one is the Museo Popol Vuh....open monday to friday until 5pm. It is very well laid out, and it gives a nice introduction to those of you heading out to Tikal. Zona 13, near the airport, has also a couple interesting museums as well. In terms of nightlife, Zona 10 has very nice restaurants to suit all tastes, and there are also some clubs and bars in the area. Some foreign embassies are along located around here. Guatemala City is sort of like the country's hub. The international airport is there (Flores is not starting to get international flights) and from here you can get transportation to virtually anywhere in the country. There are the so called "chicken buses", which are recycled school buses from the USA, they are privately owned, but they cover many different routes. Another option are the "shuttles", they cost a bit more, but not real expensive... they run in a fixed schedule, and they are very reliable....easier on some of us tourists logging our backpacks and stuff. Very close to the modern Guatemala City lies Antigua Guatemala- the place that has kept its historical center and is very popular with travelers. Don’t miss it. Check out this section for more information ___________Sights Edit This i Modern Guatemala City is a bustling, fast-paced growing city that contributes to the enjoyment of visitors with places such as the National Palace, the Cathedral de la Antigua and a number of interesting museums. Check out the different subsections for more information on these exciting places. Display all or display just: Churches Hotspots Museums Show best rated on top | Show in alphabetical order [Add Sight] Relief Map of the Republic Edit This Located at the end of Simeon Cañas Avenue, in the northern sector of the City, was built in 1905 by Mr. Francisco Vela, an engineer. The map covers approximately 990 square meters. It can be viewed from platforms located on each side of the map. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Simeon Cañas Avenue National Palace Edit This The National Palace, at Constitution Plaza, is one of the most prominent historical buildings in the city. Murals by Alfredo Gálvez Suárez depict the conquest of Guatemala. Some of the ornate state chambers in the building can be visited with permission obtained in advance. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Kaminal Juyú Edit This Located in the western section of Guatemala City (zone 7), Kaminal Juyú is one of the most important sites of the pre-Hispanic Period. Although the city's growth has destroyed a great deal of what once was a large archaeological site, it still has outstanding features, such as ceramics, sculptures and architecture. Recent studies show important applications of engineering techniques. While its history dates back to the Early Pre-classical Period, the actual inhabitants of this ancient city are yet unknown, since remains have disclosed the presence of various cultural groups. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] address: Suburb of Kaminal Juyú openinghours: Mon - Sun, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. tel: The Cathedral of La Antigua Edit This Bordering on Central Park, was built between 1782 and 1868. The Cathedral harbors many art treasures including some which were originally in the Cathedral of La Antigua Guatemala. Next to the Cathedral is the Archbishop's Palace, the residence dating back to the early Colonial period. type: Churches World66 rating: [rate it] Popol Vuh Edit This The Popol Vuh Museum is located on the campus of the Francisco Marroquin. Along with the Museo Ixchel one of the country’s most impressive museums is the Museo Popol Vuh which has an excellent collection of Maya artifacts and contemporary folk art. In 1997, the Popol Vuh Museum opened the doors to its new installations in the Cultural Complex of the Francisco Marroquín University, Here, more than 400 archaeological and colonial treasures are on permanent display. A visit to Museum is like a walk through time. The exhibit galleries are organized chronologically beginning with more.. type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] email: (502) 361-2321 (ext.111). address: 6 Calle Final, Zona 10 in Guatemala City. openings: Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm and Sat 9am to 1pm. tel: (502) 361-2301 or (502) 361-2311 Museum of Archeology Edit This If you have enough time visit the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology to see archaeological displays. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Zona Viva / Reforma Avenue Edit This Reforma Avenue is the most important artery of the southern part of the City, and is a combination of residential area, shopping arcades, hotels, restaurantes, bars, and night clubs. There are also art galleries and artisan shops. The zone is known as the "Live Zone" as it is well sought out for entertainment and commercial activity. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Mueso Ixchel Edit This Start with a visit to the Museo Ixchel which is dedicated exclusively to the collection and preservation of the colorful Guatemalan native costumes and weavings (allow about two hours). If you’re planning to spend time outside the city stop and look at the giant relief map of Guatemala in Minerva Park. type: Museums World66 rating: [rate it] Central Market Edit This The Central Market is one block from the plaza behind the cathedral. It contains every kind of handicraft made in the country type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] Plaza Mayor Edit This Don’t miss the National Palace on the north side of Plaza Mayor in Guatemala City’s historic center. Built in the 1940s it served as offices for the president before it was converted into a museum. Murals by A. Galvez Suarez depict Guatemala’s conquest by the Spaniards and the death of Tecun Uman a famous Maya warrior. Many cultural events take place in an adjoining amphitheater. type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] ::::::::::::Huehuetenango Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see la monga blanca la monga blanca by:Mary To the north of the city of Huehuetenango lie the Cuchumatanes Mountains, the highest in Guatemala. Many of the peaks are over 1.8 miles high and are covered in frost in the early morning for much of the year. The topography in Huehuetenango is very varied and interesting, as is the constantly changing vegetation. Among the places that should be included in a visit to the Department of Huehuetenango are: CHIANTLA: This church is famous for its silver image of the Virgin Mary. ZACULEU: The ruins of Zaculeu belong to the post-classical period of the Mayan civilization. The complex consists mainly of a series of buildings. The walls of these constructions have no hieroglyphic writings and there are no stele or other figures. The site has basically a strategic defense layout. TODOS SANTOS CUCHUMATAN: This is an isolated town that is nestled amid mountains as high as 2 miles. Its people have kept most of their old ways and almost invariably retain the dress of the town anywhere they go. The best time to visit Todos Santos is during the local fiesta, from October 31 to November 5, when the horse races and other forms of celebration can be witnessed. These and other nearby towns can be visited in one day, using the city of Huehuetenango as a starting point. Accommodations are adequate in the city of Huehuetenango. ____________History Edit This Huehuetenango City View from El Mirador Huehuetenango City View from El Mirador Unknown Name: Huehuetenango. First city: Huehuetenango. Population: approximately 854,335 Cities: Huehuetenango, Chiantla, Malacatancito, Cuilco, Nentón, San Pedro Necta, Jacaltenango, Soloma, Ixtahuacán, Santa Bárbara, La Libertad, La Democracia, San Miguel Acatán, San Rafael La Independencia, Todos Santos Cuchumatán, San Juan Atitán, Santa Eulalia, San Mateo Ixtatán, San Juan Ixcoy, Colotenango, San Sebastián Huehuetenango, Tectitán, Concepción Huista, San Antonio Huista, San Sebastián Coatán, Barillas, Aguacatán, San Rafael Petzal, San Gaspar Ixchil, Santiago Chimaltenango and Santa Ana Huista. Weather: From warm to cold. Language: Spanish, mam, teko, awakateko, akateko, chuj, popti' and q'anjob'al. Altitude: 2,000 meters above sea level. Territorial limits: It bounds to the north with México; to the east with Quiché, to the south with Totonicapán and San Marcos, and to the west with México. Territorial extension: 7,403 square kilometers Main festivity: July 16, Nuestra Señora del Carmen. Foundation: 1825. Temperature: Minimum: 9 degrees Celsius Maximum: 22 degrees Celsius _________Getting There Edit This Bus Station Surroundings Bus Station Surroundings Jurandirtje Transportation, the only way to get Huehuetenango is by bus, from Guatemala City or from the border La Mesilla i fyou come from México. Contributors November 08, 2004 new by jurandirtje (1 point) [Add Global transport mode] Transportes Los Halcones Edit This En Huehuetenango 7 Ave. 3 - 62, Z.1, Tel: 7764-2251 Huehuetenango a Guatemala: 4:30 am, 7am, 2pm En Guatemala Calzada Roosevelt. 37-47 Z.11, a la par de la Curacao. Tels: 24392780 - 24394911 Guatemala a Huehuetenango: 7am, 2pm, 5pm type: By Road World66 rating: [rate it] zipcode: 13001 address: 7. Ave. 3-62 Zona 1, HUehuetenango, Guatemala, C.A. tel: 0050277642251 Transportes Velásquez Edit This photo En Huehuetenango Terminal de Autobuses, Z5, Tel: 7764-7594 Huehuetenango a Guatemala: cada media hora entre las 8:30am y 3:30pm En Guatemala 20 Calle 1-37 Z1, Tel: 2221-1084 Guatemala a Huehuetenango: cada media hora entre las 8:30am y 11:30pm this is the best company about yor travel to the border la mesilla in mexico type: By Road World66 rating: [rate it] zipcode: 13001 address: Terminal de buses Zona 5, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, C.A. tel: 0050277647594 __________Practical Information Edit This Exchanging Money, Costs... El Quetzal Q. is the national currency. Q. 7.77 * $ 1.00 Hotel Cascata is the only place in town that changes EUROS. Banks dont accept EUROS only USD, if you bring EUROS at your arrival in Guatemala city look for a bank there you can change EUROS easily. Banks: Banco Agro Mercantil 4a. Calle 5-00 Zona 1 764-2931 Banco Continental 5a. Ave. 5-15 zona 1 764-3007 Banco Corporativo 6a. Ave. 3-03 Zona 1 764-2363 Banco Credito Hipotecario Nacional de Guatemala 4a. Ave. 1-15 Zona 1 769-0030 Banco de Antigua, S.A. 2a. Calle 4-42 Zona 1 764-0885 Banco de Desarrollo Rural, S.A. (BANRURAL) 6a. Ave. 3-01 Zona 1 764-1266/2844/2840 Banco de la Construccion, S.A. 3a. Ave. 1-42 Zona 1 764-2737 Banco de la Republica, S.A. 2a. Calle 3-16 Zona 1 764-2868 Banco de Occidente, S.A. 4a. Ave. 3-21 Zona 1 764-3196 Banco del Cafe, S.A. 3a. Calle y 6a. Ave. esquina, Zona 1 764-1204 Banco del Ejercito, S.A. 6a. Ave. 3-21 Zona 1 764-1112 Banco del Quetzal, S.A. 2a. Calle 3-16 Zona 1 764-2079 Banco G&T 2a. Calle 4-66 Zona 1 764-1280 Banco Industrial, S.A. 6a. Ave. 1-26 zona 1 764-3128 Banco Inmobiliario, S.A. 6a. Ave. 4-84 zona 1 764-1369 Banco Internacional, S.A. 2a. Calle y 5a. Ave. esquina, Zona 1 Banco Metropolitano, S.A. 5a. Ave. 3-24 Zona 1 769-0219 Banco Reformador 3a. Ave. 1-57 Zona 1 769-0219 Also in Huehuetenango you can find Bancared and 5B ATM's for visa, master card, maestro, cirrus, etc. Post Office: EL CORREO 2 Calle 3-51 Zona 1 Tel: 77641123 Internet Access: Cascata On Line Hotel Cascata Lote 4, 4-42 Zona 5 Colonia Alvarado, Calzada Kaibil Balam tel: 77690795 nearby Bus station. Hospitals: Hospital Nacional de Huehuetenango Zona 10, Las Lagunas 764-1849 Hospital Privado López (varios médicos) En la calle del costado derecho de la Iglesia del Calvario, Zona 3 Hospital de Especialidades Sobre la 5a. Ave. cerca de la Policia Nacional Civil, Zona 1 Tel: 764-3980 / 82 y 83 Hospital Privado Sobre la 6a. Calle y 7a. Ave. Zona 1 Tel. 764-1203 Hospital Quirúrgico No. 1 Zona Militar No. 19 Zona 10 Aldea Las Lagunas, Tel: Hospital "San Rafael" 4a. Calle Final, Dr. Jorge Pérez Hospital "Hermano Pedro" Sobre la 5a. Ave. casi frente a la Policia Nacional Civil, Zona 1 Dr. Roberto Batres Hospital "Altuve" Entrada a Huehuetenango, Km. 260, cerca de la Entrada a la Terminal, Zona 5 Tel: 7764-1486 Embassies & Consulates in the city, offices for visa/immigration issues ... No visa is required if your stay for 3 months, if you are planning to stay longer or have other inmigration status contact inmigration services in Guatemala city or search their webpage. Most Embassies and Consulates are located in Guatemala City. Consulado Honorario de México Farmacia Del Cid, sobre la 4a. calle y 5a. Ave. Zona 1. A pocos pasos del Parque La Unión, Huehuetenango. at your arrival in Guatemala city the guatemala tourist commission will give important info and what you can or cant do while your stay in Guatemala. any emergency contact: Police: Policía Nacional Civíl Sobre la 5a. Avenida, Zona 1 Tel: 7764-1475 Volunteer Fire Company: Bomberos Voluntarios Entrada a Huehuetenango, Zona 5 Tel: 7764-1553 __________Things to do Edit This Zaculeu & Tipical Clothing Zaculeu & Tipical Clothing Unknown Huehuetenango is a Department of enormous tourist wealth. Beginning at the Cuchumatanes, the magical mountains of highest elevation in Central America, and continuing to Saqulew, considered the most important city of the Mam period, all of Huehuetenango possesses the magic and enchantment of the Guatemalan highlands. Part of the richness is its preservation of the oldest traditions of the Mayan people whose rites, idioms and customs are conserved. The study of the mountainous geography of Huehuetenango shows us a Department situated 2,000 meters above sea level, in one of the regions of greatest natural wealth and in one of the most important centers for mountain recreation. There is evidence of inhabitants in this region, around the year 15,000 BC, of cultures of hunters and gatherers. The paleontologic site of "El Mamut" contains specimens of this period. A little later agricultural communities formed, such as the pre-Classic sites of Cambote, Pucal and Cucal. The Mayan language is believed to have found its beginnings in the Cuchumatanes people. Additionally, one finds the influences of the Olmecas, in the archeological sites of Quen Santo, Chaculá and La Libertad. It was in the post-Classic period that there was the most aggressive activity. From this period there are 140 reported archeological sites in la Sierra de the Cuchumatanes, and it is felt that Saqulew is one of the most important. This site evidences more than 1,000 year of occupation and was invaded in the 15th century by the K'iche' king named Quicab, whose domination embraced Cuilco, Todos Santos and Aguacatán. The city of Saqulew, then free of tribute, was conquered by the Spanish in 1525, with the aid of the K'iche'es and Kaqchikeles, in which the figure of Kayb'il B'alam stands out. In the second half of the 16th century the religious orders took charge of the conversion. It was there that they established parishes at the locations of the present-day municipalities of Chiantla, Huehuetenango, Jacaltenango, Malacatán, Cuilco and Soloma. During all of the colonization Huehuetenango formed part of the Alcaldía Mayor, as did Totonicapán. Between 1838 and 1840 it formed part of the Estado de los Altos. In 1877 it was defined as a Department, colonization of its northern tiers was initiated and other zones were opened for the development of commercial crops such as coffee. During the eras of presidents Manuel Estrada Cabrera and Jorge Ubico the pace of construction of routes of internal communication was quickened through the use of forced labor . This network of roads has served as the foundation of the present-day arterials of inter-departmental communication and some stretches, such as the road to Aguacatán, are maintained with the original stone bridges. For many people Huehuetenango and the Cuchumatanes are synonymous, but the first is the name of one of the 22 Departments of Guatemala and the second is the name given to the highest elevation mountain mass in Central America. According to geographers, the mountain chain of the Cuchumatanes is formed by various aligned mountain ranges. Besides having the name of the chain, these others are called the Chamá, the Santa Cruz and Montañas Mayas. Consistent with its altitude of 3,600 meters on many peaks, the Huehuetenango range is comprised of various types of eco-systems. At the northern foot, there are tropical rainforests. At the western foot is the ardent Espinoso Chaparral and a little higher pines and evergreen mountain forests. The rain forest represents a prototypical Central American jungle of great biological diversity, with infinite invertebrates, many of them aggressive, snakes of silent life and torrents of water throughout it all. Among its natural attractions are Xemal Peak and Altos de Todos Santos, Mamut Cave, Montaña Tenimquán, Montaña Xetaj, the Yulajá and Villa Linda Rivers, the Montañas Yolhuitz and Tetloc Grottos, the Serchil River, the Valparaíso Spa, Laguna Yolnabaj, the Rocks of Kapsim, and the source of the San Juan River. Artisanry: Fabrics Among the municipalities which fabricate cotton fabrics there are Tectitán, Santa Ana Huista, San Ildefonso Ixtahuacán, San Pedro Necta, San Antonio Huista, Jacaltenango, Santiago Chimaltenango, Concepción, Colotenango, San Rafael Petzal, San Juan Atitán, San Sebastián Huehuetenango, San Gaspar Ixchil, Santa Bárbara, Huehuetenango, Todos Santos Cuchumatán, Chiantla, San Mateo Ixtatán and Santa Cruz Barillas. They make sheep's wool fabrics in the municipalities of San Mateo Ixtatán, San Sebastián Coatán, San Miguel Acatán, San Rafael La Independencia, Todos Santos Cuchumatán, San Ildefonso Ixtahuacán, San Sebastián Huehuetenango, Tectitán and Santa Bárbara. Glazed ceramics They create jugs, pots, jars, and dishes for baking tortillas in Tectitán, Cuilco, San Gaspar Ixchil, San Rafael Petzal, San Miguel Acatán, San Mateo Ixtatán, San Rafael La Independencia, Soloma, Santa Cruz Barillas, Santa Bárbara, Malacatancito, Huehuetenango and Concepción. Rope This material is made from the fibers of maguey and is utilized to make saddlebags, nets and knapsacks. These are constructed in the municipalities of San Mateo Ixtatán, Santa Ana Huista, Jacaltenango, San Miguel Acatán, San Sebastián Coatán, San Rafael La Independencia, Santa Eulalia, Todos Santos Cuchumatán, San Juan Ixcoy, San Juan Atitán, San Sebastián Huehuetenango, Cuilco, Tectitán and Santa Bárbara. Metal products Metals of iron, copper, silver, gold and tin are used to fashion lamps, railings, lanterns and handles. These items are fabricated in the municipalities of Santa Cruz Barillas, San Miguel Acatán and San Pedro Necta. Candle making This art has acquired enough importance to bring about a guild of its artists. One finds candle making in twenty-five of the thirty-one municipalities of the Department. Traditions: Dances The majority of the municipalities and populations of the Department of Huehuetenango, possess a legacy of dance expression handed down from their ancestors. One of the most important dance centers of this Department is situated at the foot of the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, within the municipality of Jacaltenango. This is one region that has its own traditional groups that present the dances of Toritos, Venado and La Conquista. They also dance the Moros y Cristianos, La Culebra and La Paach as well as the Ixcampores that they dance on Todos Santos Cuchumatán. The Ixcampores is a shepherds dance in the context of the raising of goats and sheep. The dancers appear as ladinos wearing threadbare clothing and sheepskins and goatskins that protect from the blows that are thrown at one another. From these disguises hung stuffed animals such as squirrels, foxes and rabbits. Their dance is accompanied by a tombourine and their recitations are jokes in the mam idiom that bring laughs from the spectators. The most popular dances in the entire Department are the Toritos, the Venado and La Conquista. The dances of Moros y Cristianos are fading away, although we know that there are groups in Cuilco still practicing it. ::::::::::::Jalapa Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Jalapa is located in the East side of the City. It has beautiful places to visit as San Luis Jilotepeque, with 75% of Indian people who talk the Pocomam language. You can visit also "Los Chorros de Pinula", with two beautiful places to swim with regular water and warm water that it is taken right there where the fountain is located. ::::::::::.Lake Atitlan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo_3 R. Lichtscheidl When English novelist Aldous Huxley visited Guatemala, he referred to Lake Atitlán as "the most beautiful lake in the world" and this same phrase is often heard from the European and American visitors that constantly travel through the narrow winding road that leads to Lake Atitlán. The beautiful lake, as it is seen from Panajachel, Santa Catarina and San Antonio Palopó, has three volcanoes (Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro), as its backdrop. Lake Atitlán is volcanic in origin. Its surface is 1562 meters above sea level, although this figure varies somewhat from year to year as the lake rises and falls. The maximum recorded depth is 324 meters but the lake is probably somewhat deeper in parts. It is 12 miles long and between 4.4 and 7.5 miles wide. The total surface area of the lake is 81.25 square miles. Here, on the shores of Lake Atitlan you will find the Nature Reserve of San Buenaventura. This Nature Reserve occupies half the valley of San Buenaventura in Panajachel, on the shores of Lake Atitlán It has more than 100 hectares of native forest. Its goal is the conservation of tine natural surroundings in the Lake Atitlán Basin. The Nature Reserve is committed to biodiversity with the certainty that humans are as rich and diverse as their environment. This privately funded project intends to be an economically viable alternative to the traditional uses of land and natural resources in the area. Its achievements already include the planting of more than 180,000 trees in the valley of San Buenaventura, the installation of efficient wood burning stoves in the neighboring communities, garbage recycling, and the use of solar energy and biodigestors. At present the Reserve has the following facilities: 1. Nature Trails with signs offer self-guided walks through the characteristic ecosystems of the North Shore, using a highly informative 12 page guide, printed both In Spanish and English. 2. Enclosed Butterfly Preserve with approximately 5,625 cubic meters (170,000 cu. ft.) of flight space, a 2,500 cu. ft. breeding laboratory for pupae and chrysalis with information on the butterflies life cycle more than 2,000 plants and approximately 500 live specimens of nearly 25 species of native Guatemalan butterflies. The Butterfly Preserve illustrates the importance of these insects in nature and allows us to explore the relationship that humans have with their environment. The management of large populations of these insects will also allow their reintroduction in the area. 3. A Bird Refuge that at present has temporary trails for visitor to enter the area which will be developed into a formal, protected bird refuge over the next 2 years. Planting for bird sustenance will include an estimated 600 native fruit tress and thousands of native flowering and seed plants. This refuge will contain elevated walk-ways, tree platforms and suspensions bridges in order to allow the visitor traffic views of the area and its animal life without unduly intruding upon it. These measures should attract native and migrating birds while creating conditions for visitors and scholars to observe the birds without disturbing them. Completion dates for both the planting and the trail/platform/bridge systems is October 1995. 4. Orchid Garden Within the Butterfly Preserve with, at present, some 50 species of the more than 500 species native to Guatemala. 5. Visitors Center with a 110 m2 (1,200 sq. ft. visitor reception area which includes offices, men's and women's rest rooms a refreshment/souvenir area, a 140 mt2 (1500 sq. ft.) landscaped waiting/resting area, and a parking area for both buses and private vehicles (completion date scheduled for July. 1995). Prices for entry into the Nature Reserve are as follows: Adults US$20.00; Students US$10.00; Children US$10.00: Families US$35.00; Groups with more than 6 people US$12.00 each. These prices include visit to the Butterfly Preserve, the Nature Trails and the Bird Refuge. The Nature Trails and the Bird Refuge is open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. , and is selfguided. Earlier visitation is possible with permission from the Administration. The Butterfly Sanctuary is open from 10:00 A.M. to 3;00 P.M. daily, and is guided in either Spanish or English. A complete tour of the Reserve takes from 2 to 3 hours, while the guided visit to the Butterfly Preserve alone takes 30 to 45 minutes. For more information, please contact Felipe Marín at San Buenaventura de Atitlán in Panajachel, Guatemala, tel/fax 502 7622059 or 7621441 ext. 2227 or write to San Buenaventura de Atitlán 16 Calle 4-53, zona 10, Edificio Marbella 3er nivel, Guatemala, Contral America. In addition to all this information, it is also a good experience to visit some of the surrounding towns around the lake. The main tourist arrival town is Panajachel, which is about a 1 hr drive from Chichicastenango, about 4 hrs from Guatemala city, (3 from Antigua). Panajachel is a small town, its main street is called Calle Santander...most budget places to stay as well as fancier places are off this "main street". A lot of the traffic there is via Tuk Tuk taxis, or just walking. There are many small restaurants in this area for tourists, and a great variety of them, there is an Indian restaurant (good vegetarian option), a couple steakhouses, mexican food, guatemalan food, even a few taco stands on the street. If you like seafood, you may inquire about the local lake fish, called MOJARRA (lake Perch) Calle Santander is also the center of the small "nightlife"... some of the restaurants double up as bars in the evening hours. There are several Spanish language schools in Panajachel. Classes are usually one-to-one with a teacher and, if you wish, you can live with a local family for the total immersion experience. On Calle Santander, at the opposite end to the Lake, is Spanish School Jabel Tinamit. This is a Mayan run school offering flexible lessons to international students. Calle Santander ends at the lakeshore...within a few minutes walk. There are some seaside small restaurants/stands in the area...also, there are small boats which can be taken to visit the surrounding towns along the lake. Every small town has its own character, locals dress different clothing at each places, they even speak different dialects, so among themselves, they may need to communicate in Spanish. Examples of other towns: San Pedro de la Laguna...within 50 mins by ferry from Pana. You must walk a hill to get to the main town...nice church, great views. Also, check out the small market next to the church, very nice...you get to see how the locals do grocery shopping....not much in terms of souvenirs, though their coffee beans are supposed to be better than Antiguas'. Another town is Santiago de Atitlan. This one is a little bigger....and one can go visit the small sanctuary to the deity, Maximon. You need to ask a local person,as the place changes from time to time. Lake Atitlan is wonderful. Definitely a must see to any tourist visiting the area. :::::::::Livingstone Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Livingstone Livingstone Vani In the midst of a region with very little tourist infrastructure, the Caribbean coast of Guatemala is abundant with beauty yet to be explored. While touring Guatemala's Jade Coast, enjoy the beauty of its animals, plants and tourist attractions: Río Dulce, city of Livingston and Lake Izabal. Following a ride along the Rio Dulce river, you reach Livingston, a village with the magic of the Caribbean Garífuna people. The place becomes liveliest during their exotic Afro-Caribbean festivals and celebrations, mainly on December 12th, New Year's and during Carnival. Above Livingston, the Río Dulce plunges through a great gorge between green cliffs. Tropical and sea birds flitter about and soar above the tangled vegetation. About two miles north of Livingston are the "siete Altares", a series of small pools and waterfalls where the river empties into the sea. Adequate accommodations are found in small hotels. We also recommend a visit to the San Gil Ecological Reserve, to the east of the Sierra de los Micos mountain range, over Las Escobas River, a Central American wilderness refuge. It can be accessed from that point 15 km. on a paved and then dirt road. Las Escobas River gives the traveller the opportunity to gaze at the untouched forest, and venture into the jungle where he will find 24 crystalline pools and 14 waterfalls for a refreshing swim. :::::::::::Monterrico Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see casa Pelicanos 1 casa Pelicanos 1 lucia Valenzuela Monterrico is a black-sand beach on Guatemala's Pacific coast. It is considered by many to be Guatemala's best beach but, having said that, let it be known that Guatemala has not put much energy into developing beach-related tourism. If you're looking for luxurious, expansive beaches and fancy resorts with room service, you may wish to go down to El Salvador for the weekend. There are two or three luxurious hotels now in Monterrico: Dos Mundos, Utz Tzaba, Cayman Suites. In Monterrico, you'll meet backpackers from around the world. You can lie in a hammock, eat a veggie burger and drink a huge, inexpensive piña colada. You can play in the waves (a little too big for some people's taste). Walking down the street, you'll see the real local flavor, not a shiny facade put on for the tourists. You can visit the animal sanctuary and release a baby turtle into the wild. You can get tours to watch wales, horseback riding, night tours to see turtles, bird watching tours, kayac tours. You get to Monterrico by driving to La Avellana and taking a boat through mangrove swamps for half an hour. It's a gorgeous ride. ::::::::Pacaya Volcano Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The Pacaya Volcano The Pacaya Volcano Julian Cook - December 2004 Standing in at 8,371 feet (2,552 meters) the highly active Pacaya Volcano is perhaps the most climbed volcano in Guatemala. Pacaya's current active phase began in 1965, and the volcano has been almost constantly in eruption since then. Eruptive activity ranges from minor gaseous emissions and quiet steam eruptions, to explosions powerful enough to hurl bombs up to 12 kilometers and necessitate the evacuation of numerous villages on the flanks of the volcano. The easiest and most secure way to visit Pacaya is to go with a tour operator, of which there are numerous in Antigua Guatemala taking groups to visit Pacaya every day for around $15 - $20 per person. If you have your own transportation and an adventurous spirit, you can go on your own. To reach Pacaya, head south from Guatemala city, on the highway to Escuintla, but turn off on the road to the town of San Vicente Pacaya and Pacaya Volcano National Park before reaching the town of Palín. The sign is not very prominent so watch out. There are two trails up Pacaya Volcano. The more gentle trail, followed by most of the tour groups from Antigua, starts at San Francisco de Sales. Here is the official entrance to the park, and where you need to stop to pay admission (Q25 for foreign visitors in 2001, Q10 for residents). The trail from here is well maintained, with rest stops, trash receptacles and restrooms (primitive), and is patrolled by guardabosques (rangers). There is safe parking for your vehicle here in San Francisco, and you can also buy refreshments here. It's a good hike to the base of the Pacaya cone. It brings you to the rim of the old Cerro Chino crater where the view is already magnificent. The volcanic cones of Acatenango, Fuego and Agua are visible here. This is where the final steep ascent begins and it's difficult. It's a constant process of two steps up and one step back and you slide back in the ash and loose volcanic rock. The view from top is well worth it. Pacaya IS an active volcano and there are two immediate hazards to concern yourself with: one, be careful to avoid the sulfur clouds of smoke. Breathing them in is quite uncomfortable (when the smoke combines with the wate rin your lungs you get mild sulferic acid) and two, watch where you sit, there are small active vents that emit very hot that will quite possibly burn you if you aren't careful. The fun part is the descent where you have to nearly ski down the slope. It's exhilerating but well worth it. :::::::::Quetzaltenango Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Free Internet Free Internet Bonifacio Diaz Sitting on the skirt of volcan Santa Maria in a mountain valley, Xela at 2334 metres above sea level can get quite cold on a December and January night, with frost forming in the pilas. This town of more then 250,000 people, a large proportion Mayan, matches in character it's climate. :::::::::Tikal Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Another Temple off of the City Center Another Temple off of the City Center Kenneth E Thomas Located in the north of the Department of Petén, 65 kilometers from Flores city, it is part of Mayan Biosphere Reserve. It is the only region of the world that has been declared both Cultural and Natural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO. Tikal was one of the most important urban centers of the Mayan area during its time, if not the most important. Some 10 square miles of central Tikal have been mapped, revealing over 3000 separate buildings: temples, shrines, ceremonial platforms, small and mid-sized residences, ball courts, terraces, causeways and plazas. Concentrated in and about the ceremonial precincts are over 200 stone monuments; that is, carved and plain stele and altars. Such statistics only hint at the enormity and richness of Tikal, especially when one realizes how small a percentage of the site has been excavated. The massive ruins of Tikal are concentrated at the center of the Tikal National Park (222 square miles). The site is full of roads and trails that lead to all the major archaeological groups. The lush vegetation of the forest in the area of Tikal ranges from huge trees measuring up to 150 feet in height, to a great variety of dwarf and tall palms. Looped throughout the forest are endless hanging vines known as lianas. Two hundred and eighty-five species of birds have been recorded to date in Tikal. These include blue and white herons, hawks, parrots, turkeys, buzzards and hummingbirds. Large bands of spider monkeys populate Tikal. Beyond the Tikal settlement are plentiful populations of jaguar, puma and ocelot, as well as peccary, small deer and, as may be expected, snakes, for the most part harmless. |
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Guatemala e Belize Itinerario 1 25 giorni tra Guatemala e Belize di Marco Tartaglia Punto di partenza e arrivo : Guatemala City Lunghezza: 2000 km ca. Durata: 25 giorni Mezzo di trasporto: Mezzi locali Difficoltà: nessuna Prezzo: 1100 Euro ca. + 500 Euro per le immersioni Il Guatemala è un Paese bellissimo e interessante per i suoi mille volti: la coloniale Antigua, il mistico lago di Atitlàn, la cultura maya di Tikal, la caraibica Livingston, i colori ed i profumi di Chichicastenango: ce n’è davvero per tutti i gusti! Il Belize ha uno splendido mare per chi vuole fare immersioni (pesci colorati, barriera fantastica, mare mozzafiato) ma non va affatto bene per chi vuole fare spiaggia, semplicemente perché le spiagge non ci sono in quanto le coste e le isole sono ricoperte di mangrovie, alberi che invadono il bagnasciuga con le loro radici rendendo la riva una laguna. Inoltre, il Belize è molto caro, al contrario del Guatemala. Se volete unire alle bellezze del Guatemala delle splendide immersioni va bene il Belize, ma se volete spiagge tropicali dovete spostarvi in Messico. Primo giorno: Guatemala City - Antigua Fuori dall’aeroporto aspetta una fila di taxi che vi porterà dove vorrete. Vi consiglio di saltare completamente Guatemala City (detta Guate), poiché è una grande città, sporca, caotica, pericolosa e senza nulla di interessante. Noi ci siamo fatti portare direttamente ad Antigua (30 km, circa un’ora di viaggio, $ 25). Secondo-quarto giorno: Antigua Antigua è una città coloniale ricca di fascino, circondata da vulcani inattivi e distrutta dai terremoti innumerevoli volte (l’ultima nel 1783). Le chiese sono ancora diroccate, le case coloniali, restaurate, sono oggi splendidi bar, ristoranti, alberghi o negozi. Chi non ci è stato non può immaginare le emozioni di assaporare un thè in un cortile coloniale. Poi c’è Parque Central, con i suoi portici, i suoi palazzi, i suoi giardini; il mercato, il mercato artigianale coperto, uno dei migliori del Guatemala (contrattare è d'obbligo: non pagate mai più di un terzo di quello che vi chiedono!), le case colorate, i laboratori di giada (occhio ai falsi!), i vulcani. Vi sono tre vulcani intorno ad Antigua, ed una collina chiamata Cerro de la Cruz (collina della Croce) raggiungibile con una passeggiata di 30 min.: offre una stupenda vista sulla città e sui vulcani che la circondano. La gita si fa scortati dalla polizia Municipal (più per prudenza che per reale pericolo, credo). La sede della Polizia Municipal è adiacente al Parque Central; bisogna prenotarsi in anticipo per l’escursione delle 10.00 o delle 15.00. Il servizio di scorta è totalmente gratuito. Anche la visita ai vulcani Agua e Fuego è fattibile con la scorta della Polizia, ma a mio avviso conviene ammirarli dal Cerro de la Cruz. Infine si può fare una visita al Cimitero Monumentale: si fa scortati ma non ne vale la pena. Per pernottare a prezzi economici non c'è che l'imbarazzo della scelta. Si può optare per l' Hotel Posada San Pedro (tel. 502-832.359. Bello, accogliente, un po’caro, circa 340 quezal a camera doppia) o per la Casa de Santa Lucia n.2, ancora più conveniente (171 quezal la camera, circa 23 euro, pulita, spartana, con un terrazzo sul tetto da cui si possono ammirare i vulcani che circondano Antigua. Per la colazione (abbondante!), non compresa nel prezzo della camera, si spendono da 15 a 20 quezal ; pranzo per strada 3-5 quezal, cena al ristorante 40 quezal. (NB: abbiamo mangiato di tutto, anche frutta per strada e bevuto solo acqua confezionata senza avere alcun problema intestinale!) Quinto giorno: Antigua – Panajachel – Lago di Atitlan (km 80) Partenza in pullman alle 6,30 (35 qz.), splendidi panorami lungo il viaggio attraverso gli altipiani (altitudine media 1500 m, sedetevi sul lato sinistro se riuscite), arrivo al lago dopo 4 ore. Panajachel è un paesino sulla riva del lago di Atitlan, un lago bellissimo a 1500 m circondato da tre vulcani. In mattinata risaliamo a Sololà (8 km. in bus locale) per vedere il mercato. Pomeriggio a zonzo per Panajachel: mercato artigianale e bancarelle ovunque. Vi si possono acquistare oggetti di artigianato in legno, le famose maschere maya, amache, stoffe coloratissime con cui realizzano abiti, tovaglie, tovagliette americane ecc. Pernottiamo nel villaggio, all'Hotel Utz-Jay, un insieme di capanne intorno ad un giardino (hotel Utz-Jay, 5° calle 2-50, zona 2, Panajachel, tel.762-1358, costo 171 quezal a camera doppia, circa 22 euro). Il fatto che manchi la luce per alcune ore e che si usino solo le candele non fa che aumentare la poesia intorno a noi! Evitate i ristorantini in riva al lago: costano molto di più di quelli nell’interno. Sesto giorno: Lago di Atitlan (giro in barca) Il giro in barca può essere prenotato la sera precedente: basta andare sul molo o in riva al lago e sarete avvicinati da alcuni giovani indigeni che cercheranno di vendervi il biglietto per la barca più bella, più comoda e per il giro più esclusivo (in realtà sono tutti uguali e costano 50 quezal a testa). Il giorno dopo la barca vi porta da Panajachel a San Pedro, sull’altro lato del lago, poi a Santiago e poi a San Antonio. I tre paesini sono sulla riva del lago, molto pittoreschi, ricchi di gente, attività rurali, mercati, colori, odori. Un sogno! In tutto il lago vi è un’atmosfera rilassante, sembra di tornare indietro nel tempo. Settimo giorno: Panajachel – Chichicastenango – Panajachel (km 120) Appuntamento irrinunciabile: il mercato di Chichicastenango, più comodamente Chichi (leggi cici), il più grande e colorato del Centroamerica, dall’alba alle 14 di tutti i giovedì e di tutte le domeniche. Non posso descriverlo: bisogna vederlo. C’è di tutto, ci sono tutti i colori dell’arcobaleno, tutti gli odori, i sapori, gli oggetti, i mestieri… tutto! Compresa una valanga di souvenir di ogni tipo, tessuti, oggetti in legno ecc. da portare in Italia per sé e per parenti ed amici. Gli acquisti migliori si fanno qui, al mercato dell’artigianato di Panajachel e al mercato dell’artigianato ad Antigua. Chichicastenango è una piccola cittadina fatta di case basse e vie ortogonali. Il mercato invade la piazza centrale fin sui gradini della chiesa e tutte le vie limitrofe. Visitate la chiesa, e accanto ad essa, il piccolo museo che racconta la storia di queste terre e di questa gente. Voi ne capirete un po’ di più e essi saranno felici che vi siate interessati a loro. Attenzione: l’ultimo bus pubblico per tornare a Panajachel parte alle 14.00: non perdetelo! Ottavo-nono giorno: Panajachel –Antigua - Copan - Chiquimula (km 400) A Panajachel ci sono molte piccole agenzie di viaggio. Ne scegliamo una ed acquistiamo un pacchetto che comprende il viaggio fino ad Antigua in bus, il pernottamento e poi alle 4.00 la partenza in minibus (9 posti) per Copan, in Honduras, nonché il viaggio di ritorno fino a Chiquimula. Si parte da Panajachel alla volta di Copan, sito archeologico maya famoso per le stele che vi sono conservate. Considerato il costo, il tempo e quello che il sito offre… ve lo sconsigliamo. Tikal è mille volte più bello, ricco, affascinante. Comunque, partiamo da Panajachel nel tardo pomeriggio in minibus fino ad Antigua (circa tre ore di viaggio); pernottiamo ad Antigua, ripartiamo alle 4 del mattino e viaggio fino a Copan dove arriviamo intorno alle 11,00, circa dopo un’ora abbondante di attese inutili al confine. Visita al sito di Copan ove si possono osservare alcune stele molto interessanti, alcuni templi ben conservati posizionati in una valle pianeggiante e verde ed un interessante museo. Il tutto per 20 dollari a testa, 40 gradi, e un’umidità folle). Ripartiamo per Chiquimula dove arriviamo nel pomeriggio verso le 16. Costo dei mezzi di trasporto, interamente pagati all’ agenzia di Panajachel, circa 35 dollari a testa (datemi retta, non ne vale la pena, specie se avete pochi giorni a disposizione). Pernottamento a Chiquimula (la più brutta città del mondo) presso l’Hotel Posada Perla de Oriente (25$ la doppia con aria condizionata) che ha il vantaggio di essere molto vicino alla stazione dei bus per Puerto Barrios Decimo giorno: Chiquimula - Puerto Barrios - Livingston (km 192) In bus locali fino a Puerto Barrios (costo 25 quezal, 4 ore e ½ con partenze dalle 4 a.m.), vecchio porto guatemalteco, oggi paese dimenticato da Dio, poi in barca fino a Livingston (altri 25 qz, e altra ora e mezza). Livingston è un tipico paese caraibico, popolazione prevalentemente nera, totalmente allegra e a tempo di musica: un altro salto fuori dal nostro mondo, affascinante! Non c’è nulla di particolare da visitare, se non l’insieme del villaggio fatto di capanne di legno coloratissime su palafitte, la gente di colore allegra e vivace, la musica che pervade ogni luogo: sembra di stare in Giamaica! Decidiamo di pernottare alla Rigoletto Guest House, due semplici camere con ventilatore, pulite, a 10 dollari a camera , gestite da due persone squisite. C’è anche un piccolo giardino che si affaccia sul Rio Dulce dove viene servita la colazione. Inoltre il padrone di casa organizza escursioni sul Rio Dulce, fino a Rio Dulce (city). Per arrivare al Rigoletto, quando scendete dalla barca che vi porta a Livingston svoltate a sinistra e proseguite per circa 300 m. Se volete qualcosa di più confortevole proseguite per altri 300 m fino all'Hotel Casa Rosada dove sono disponibili anche alcuni bungalows a 18 dollari a notte. Cena a base di pesce 90 qz., cioè 9 euro! Anche la Casa Rosada organizza escursioni sul Rio Dulce, oltre alla Playa Blanca ed altri posti intorno. Undicesimo giorno: Livingston Decidiamo di fermarci a Livingston e di effettuare una bella l’escursione in barca (costo 90 quezal) alla Playa Blanca, spiaggia meravigliosa di sabbia candida come la neve con palme, amache a disposizione. Sarebbe un paradiso se non fosse che l’acqua del mare è molto torbida, come in tutta la zona. Passerete qui mezza giornata a poltrire. Il pranzo al sacco è compreso. La Playa Blanca si raggiunge seguendo la costa verso il Belize, superando la foce di un fiume, il Rio Cocoli, e milioni di mangrovie. Al ritorno si penetra per un tratto lungo la foce del Rio Cocoli, sempre tra le mangrovie, fino ad arrivare in un’ansa dove i più fortunati avranno l’occasione di salutare i lamantini che vivono in queste acque. Dodicesimo giorno: Livingston - Rio Dulce - Flores (2 ore e ½ di barca + 200 km di bus in 5 ore) Imperdibile la risalita del Rio Dulce: Il Rio Dulce è un fiume che collega il mare alla città di Rio Dulce, su un lago, roccaforte degli spagnoli al tempo della colonizzazione. Il fiume da diversi anni è parco naturale protetto ed è popolato da migliaia di uccelli di specie diverse che si fanno ammirare ora in volo, ora adagiati sull’acqua, ora appollaiati a centinaia su alberi della giungla che costeggiano il fiume per tutta la sua lunghezza. La flora non è da meno con splendide e colorate piante acquatiche che ricoprono quasi interi tratti di fiume lungo il quale si incontrano pescatori con la lenza, ma anche con fiocine rudimentali o reti lanciate a mano come lazi per cavalli. Durante il viaggio, che si fa a bordo di una lancia (dura 2 ore e mezza, costa 75 quezal, e può essere prenotato alla Casa Rosada o al Rigoletto) c’è anche la possibilità di fermarsi in una specie di centro culturale, costruito in mezzo alla giungla, che raccoglie i prodotti artigianali costruiti dagli abitanti dei villaggi sperduti nella giungla e li vende agli avventori. Con il ricavato forniscono ai villaggi medicine e istruzione. Il centro è gestito da volontari, sia centroamericani che europei. Una volta tanto è possibile fare un acquisto intelligente e aiutare chi è meno fortunato di noi. Arriviamo a Rio Dulce alle 13 e prendiamo il bus diretto di linea per Flores (50 quezal; ci sono anche bus privati, un po’ più veloci e più cari). Dormiamo in un albergo in Calle Union per 80 quezal la doppia. Non ricordo il nome dell’albergo, tuttavia quando il bus arriva a Flores sarete avvicinati da diversi giovani procacciatori d’affari che vi proporranno hotel, escursioni a Tikal e saranno pronti a soddisfare ogni vostra necessità (contrattate!). Il nostro si chiamava Enrique, faceva capo all’agenzia San Juan di Flores (tel. 8161635). Per i più diffidenti ci sono anche agenzie ufficiali a cui rivolgersi, che poi sono quelle che mandano i ragazzini ad abbordarvi sul bus. Tredicesimo giorno: Flores – Tikal – Flores (km 120) Andateci prima che potete: scoprirete il fascino delle piramidi maya che si stagliano nel cielo, sorgendo dalla fitta giungla che vi circonda, nella solitudine e nel silenzio, prima che arrivi la folla dei turisti. Indimenticabile. Scarpe buone, acqua e buoni muscoli, ma lo spettacolo che si vede dalla cima delle piramidi, al di sopra della giungla pluviale è unico! Il vantaggio di andarci prestissimo è che non eviterete soltanto fiumane di turisti, ma anche un caldo umido difficilmente sopportabile. Il modo più comodo e veloce per arrivare a Tikal è uno dei soliti minibus a 9 posti, con biglietti acquistabili in agenzia o presso uno dei ragazzi che vi avranno avvicinato al vostro arrivo a Flores (che poi sono mandati da un’agenzia). Ci vuole un’ora per arrivare a Tikal (prezzo del bus a/r 200 qz; ingresso a Tikal 50 quezal). Tikal è fantastica! Si cammina in mezzo ad una giungla fittissima, incontrando alberi secolari, e sacri, alti 50 m (cioè quanto un palazzo di 15 piani). All’improvviso di fronte a voi si scorge qualcosa e d’un tratto compare una piramide alta 50, 60, 70 m, una più bella dell’altra. Ci potete salire sopra (prudenza!) e ammirare dall’alto il tetto della giungla interrotto solo dalle piramidi che si innalzano verso il cielo. Intorno a voi il silenzio è interrotto solo dall’urlo delle scimmie e dal ruggito dei giaguari che, in lontananza, ci ricordano che siamo ospiti e non padroni della giungla. Prima di ripartire visitate il Museo della ceramica e quello del sito archeologico, che mostra l’immenso lavoro fatto in condizioni proibitive dagli archeologi per riportare alla luce le piramidi che avete appena ammirato. Un consiglio: c’è un bar solo all’ingresso, quindi portatevi dietro dell’acqua. Quattordicesimo giorno: Flores – Belize City – Caye Coulker (km 220 circa) Partiamo da Flores alle 5 del mattino con un il bus di una compagnia privata che collega Flores con Belize City, acquistato in agenzia e arriviamo a Belize City alle 11,30 (20 dollari a/r ma il ritorno a Flores costa meno se lo acquistate a Belize City) e poi in barca fino a Caye Coulker (15 dollari beliziani). Dal Quindicesimo al ventiquattresimo giorno: Caye Coulker Nove giorni su un’isoletta caraibica, Caye Coulker, senza automobili, senza nulla che non sia sabbia, palme, mare, coralli, pesci, capanne, sole ed immersioni. Come ho detto il Belize è caro, merita se fate immersioni, ma evitatelo se volete fare spiaggia. Da riva il sole si prende dai pontili fatti apposta e il mare vicino riva è basso e torbido. Ovunque trovate barche che vi portano alla barriera, ma costano un po’ e poi non potete mica stare in barca tutto il giorno! Caye Coulker è un’isoletta lunga un paio di chilometri e larga trecento metri, divisa in due pochi anni fa da un tremendo uragano. Il braccio di mare che separa le due metà è detto Split. Una delle due parti è disabitata; nella parte abitata ci sono due strade che corrono parallele in riva al mare, sterrate, lungo le quali si incontrano i pochi alberghi, le case, i negozi, bar e ristoranti. In riva allo Split c’è un piccolo bar che prepara al tramonto cocktail indimenticabili. Mangerete pesce a volontà, cucinato o alla griglia, berrete la birra locale e farete lunghe passeggiate sulle strade senza automobili (non esistono auto a Caye Coulker). Non ci sono discoteche o particolari attività di vita notturna. Se amate il casino, le discoteche, le automobili ecc. andate sulla vicina Isola di San Pedro (Ambergrise): avrete tutto questo, ma anche là il mare sotto costa non è un granché. Tutto costa molto più che in Guatemala. I prezzi sono quasi europei, per il fatto che sono isole frequentate dagli americani in luglio e agosto. Abbiamo dormito in una casetta costruita su palafitte affittata da una signora inglese che vive a Caye Coulker, trovata cercando su internet in un internet-point di Livingston e prenotata telefonicamente. IMMERSIONI: Si fanno delle belle immersioni tra grossi pesci e spugne enormi, squali, razze, mante, carangidi. Il corallo non è colorato come quello del Mar Rosso o dell’Estremo Oriente. L’immersione più famosa è quella al Blue Hole: un buco blu profondo centinaia di metri, largo poche decine, che dal centro di un atollo sprofonda ad imbuto nel vuoto . E’ una sensazione stranissima ed entusiasmante scenderci dentro. A 42 m di profondità si vedono le stalattiti e stalagmiti di una grotta che un tempo era fuori dall’acqua...e se siete fortunati come noi, sarete accompagnati da un branco di una dozzina di squali grigi che ci guardavano incuriositi. Ci sono tre diving e tutti organizzano escursioni di una giornata che prevede due o tre immersioni, pranzo compreso. Costano un sacco di soldi, a seconda della distanza: da 120 dollari beliziani (60 dollari USA) quelle più vicine a 190 dollari beliziani (95 dollari USA) quella del Blue Hole che comprende tre immersioni, il pranzo, un’escursione in una bella isola privata con una riserva di uccelli interessante. Cara ma ne vale la pena. Venticinquesimo giorno: Caye Coulker – Belize City – Flores -Guatemala City (km 500 circa) Nel pomeriggio lasciamo Caye Coulker per intraprendere il lungo viaggio di ritorno con in tasca il biglietto già pagato a Flores: in barca fino a Belize City, poi in bus fino a Flores dove abbiamo il tempo di passeggiare per le vie di questa cittadina molto graziosa, circondata dal lago de Peten Itzà e di cenare, prima di prendere l’autobus diretto-notturno-con aria condizionata e toilette (non funzionante) per Guatemala City dove arriviamo alle 6 del mattino. Ripartiamo subito per Antigua con la macchina che ci aspetta alla stazione dei bus di Guatemala City (pagata a Flores). Da quando abbiamo lasciato Caye Coulker sono passate circa 24 ore. Siamo stanchi ma non distrutti, e felici per tutto quello che abbiamo visto. Se volete rendere il ritorno meno scomodo da Flores potete prendere l’aereo fino a Città del Guatemala. Al mattino ultimo minibus da Antigua a Guatemala city con destinazione aeroporto: ultima sorpresa, lasciare l’aeroporto di Città del Guatemala costa 30 $ a testa: ricordatevi di averli in tasca. |
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Il Guatemala è un paese del Centro America. Confina al nord con Messico, a est con il Belize e a sud con El Salvador e Honduras.
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StoriaDal terzo secolo A.C. al XII secolo D.C., le depressioni delle regioni di Petén e Izabal erano abitate da molti stati indigeni di etnicità Maya. Molti gruppi tribali K'iche erano negli altopiani centrali. Gli spagnoli fallirono a conquistare l'area Alta Verapaz con la forza, ma riuscirono ad entrare tramite la Chiesa. Alcuni missionari, specialmente Fr. Bartolomé de las Casas difesero la popolazione dalla crudeltà dell'esercito spagnolo. Quasi tutti i testi Maya vennero bruciati per la politica della Chiesa. Ma molti sopravvissero, inclusi: "Popol Vuh", "Anales de los Kakchiqueles", e "Chilam Balam", libri che vennero scoperti e conservati dai frati Spagnoli. Il nome "Goathemala" venne dato dai conquistatori spagnoli, e deriva da una parola indigena che sta per "Paese dai tanti alberi". Durante il periodo coloniale, il Guatemala era un Capitanato Generale (Capitanía General de Goathemala) di Spagna, ma ancora parte della Nuova Spagna (Messico). Si estendeva dalla regione di Soconusco - ora nel messico del Sud (stati da Chiapas, Tabasco) - alla Costa Rica. Questa regione non era così ricca di minerali (oro e argento) come il Messico e il Peru e così non era considerata come importante. I suoi prodotti principali erano canna da zucchero, cacao, blue añil dye, red dye from cochineal insects,(TODO! come si traduce?) e legno pregiato utilizzato in opere d'arte per chiese e palazzi in Spagna. Frustrati dalla loro inabilità nel commercio con paesi che non fossero la Spagna, l'elite Guatemalteca si dichiarò indipendente il 5 settembre 1821, nonostante fosse ancora parte dell'appena indipendente stato del Messico. Nel 1823 il Guatemala divenne effettivamente indipendente dal Messico. La nuova Repubblica Guatemalteca incluse parte della regione di Soconusco e quelle che attualmente sono gli stati di El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, e Costa Rica. I suoi 1.500.000 abitanti si concentrarono nei centri urbani. Nel 1822, la provincia di El Salvador convinse le altre province Guatemalteche a unirsi all'impero Messicano, un idea di Agustin Iturbide. Ma un anno dopo Iturbide venne costretto ad abdicare e il suo impero collassò e il Guatemala si separò dal Messico, perdendo le regioni del Chiapas e Soconusco. Le province Guatemalteche formarono le Province Unite dell'America Centrale, chiamata anche federazione centro-americana (Federacion de Estados Centroamericanos). La capitale rimase Guatemala City che ancora oggi è la città più grande e moderna nell'America Centrale. Seguì un periodo politicamente instabile, aggravato dal collasso del mercato mondiale del pigmento blu, l'esportazione principale verso l'Europa a causa dell'invenzione del pigmento sintetico. Questo causò la separazione di tutte le province, dal 1838 al 1840 a partire dalla Costa Rica, e il Guatemala diventò una nazione indipendente. Il guatemala ha preteso per molto tempo il Belize, precedentemente parte della colonia spagnola, e successivamente occupato dalla Gran Bretagna. Il Guatemala riconosse l'indipendenza del Belize nel 1991, ma la loro disputa territoriale non è ancora risolta. Negoziati sono in corso sotto l'egida dell'Organizzazione degli Stati Americani. Si veda: [1] e la pagina dell'OAS [2]. La storia del Guatemala è stata significativamente marcata dalla Guerra Fredda tra gli Stati Uniti el'URSS. La CIA, con un piccolo gruppo di Guatemaltechi rovesciò il governo Guatemalteco democraticamente eletto presieduto da Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán nel 1954, dopo che il governo espropriò terra inutilizzata possieduta dalla United Fruit Company, una società statunitense. Il nome in codice di questa operazione della CIA fu Operazione PBSUCCESS, il secondo rovesciamento di un governo straniero. Il conseguente regime militare, iniziato dal dittatore Carlos Castillo Armas causò 30 anni di guerra civile che, dal 1960, portarono alla morte di 200,000 civili Guatemaltechi. Secondo la Commissione per la verità sponsorizzata dall'[ONU], le forze del governo e i paramilitari furono responsabili del 90% delle violazioni di diritti umani durante la guerra. Durante i primi 10 anni, le vittime del terrore di stato furono principalmente studenti, lavoratori, professionisti, e personalità dell'opposizione di qualsivoglia tendenza politica, ma negli ultimi anni ci furono migliaia di Maya contadini e non-combattenti. Più di 450 villaggi Maya vennero distrutti e oltre un milione di persone diventarono rifugiati. Questo è considerato una delle più tremende pulizie etniche nell'America Latina moderna. In certe aree, come Baja Verapaz, la Commissione Verità concluse che lo stato Guatemalteco avviò una intenzionale politica di genocidio contro determinati gruppi etnici. Dagli anni 50 agli anni 90 (con un periodo di pausa tra il 1977 e il 1982), il governo USA supportò direttamente l'esercito del Guatemala con addestramenti, armi e finanziamenti. Le forze armate speciali degli Stati Uniti (Berretti Verdi) arrivarono nel Guatemala con l'obiettivo di formare l'esercito come "forza moderna anti-insurrezione" e ne fecero il più sofisticato dell'America Centrale. Nel 1999, il presidente USA Bill Clinton affermò che gli Stati Uniti ebbero torto a supportare le forze militari Guatemalteche che presero parte alle brutali uccisioni di civili. [3]. Il coinvolgimento della CIA incluse l'addestramento di 5,000 Cubani oppositori di Fidel Castro e la realizzazione di aeroporti per organizzare quella che sarebbe diventata la fallimentare invasione della Baia dei porci. Nel 1982, quattro gruppi Marxisti formarono l'organizzazione di guerriglia (Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca - URNG). Una guerra sanguinosa durata 36 anni terminò nel 1996 con un accordo di pace tra la guerriglia e il governo del Presidente Álvaro Arzú, negoziata dalle Nazioni Unite. Entrambe le parti acconsentirono a dei compromessi. L'esercito avrebbe dovuto controllare i centri urbani, mentre URNG avrebbe dovuto mantenere una forte presenza nelle campagne. A causa dell'uso brutale della forza, delle sparizioni, e della tecnica militare di fare "terra bruciata" e altri metodi orripilanti, il paese diventò intenzionalmente uno stato pariah (traduzione?). Nel 1992 il Premio Nobel per la pace venne assegnato a Rigoberta Menchú, un'attivista indigena per i diritti umani, grazie ai suoi sforzi per portare l'attenzione internazionale sul genocidio perpetrato dal governo nei confronti della popolazione indigena. Dagli accordi di pace il Guatemala ha potuto beneficiare di elezioni democratiche, le più recenti nel 2003. Comunque la corruzione è ancora pervasiva a tutti i livelli di governo. Una grande quantità di documenti della Polizia Nazionale sono stati scoperti a dicembre 2005 rivelando i metodi che gli ufficiali per la sicurezza pubblica utilizzavano durante la guerra civile Guatemalteca [4].
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DemografiaLa lingua ufficiale è lo spagnolo, con minoranze anglofone o di idiomi nativi. Caso unico nell'America Centrale, la popolazione guatemalteca è in maggioranza formata da nativi (indios maya, circa 55-60%). Dopo il colpo di stato appoggiato dagli Stati Uniti nel 1954, in Guatemala si è instaurata una dittatura che ha combattuto con metodi spietati la guerriglia armata, condotta soprattutto dagli indios. Nel 1985 i militari hanno ceduto il potere ai civili ed è stato avviato un processo di democratizzazione.
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ReligioniCattolici 87%, protestanti 12%, atei e agnostici 1% Tipici tappeti del Guatemala PoliticaIl Guatemala è una Repubblica presidenziale. Il parlamento è monocamerale composto da 158 deputati. Elenco dei Presidenti del Guatemala
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DipartimentiI dipartimenti del Guatemala Il Guatemala è diviso in 22 dipartimenti (departamentos):
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Collegamenti esterni
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