Guatemala
No other place in the world is as colorful and hospitable as Guatemala. Color is everywhere, from lush, green foliage, tranquil blue lakes, to the multi-colored costumes of the inhabitants. Add to this setting a background of 8-million smiles, as seen in the faces of Guatemala’s people, and you now have the picture... a paradise of color and of friendship. Guatemala offers many possibilities for great discoveries, adventure programs and culture visits.
A journey in Guatemala takes the visitor in a few minutes from the lush vegetation of the warm low lands zone to the cold of the pine forests. Most of the twelve million Guatemalans live in the valleys of the mountainous regions, in the centre of the country, where the climate is temperate. This is the region of lakes and volcanoes for which Guatemala is known throughout the world. Guatemala is also a country of magic, as chronicled by the first historians and travellers, not only because of the beauty and splendour of its climate and landscape, but for the spirit of fantasy that has always been evident in its elaborate religious rituals and the ways of its people.
The restored pyramids and temples pay silent tribute to the Maya civilization which first appeared more than 3,000 years ago and the complex Maya society is evident in the impressive structures and ruins of Guatemala’s Tikal, Rio Azul, Uaxactun and Piedras Negras. In this small country of only 70,000 square miles, the ancient Maya civilization had its heyday in the first millennium of our calendar.
Guatemala is a country rich in culture and nature. The visitor can see and admire traditional rituals and ceremonies, pre-Hispanic and Colonial monuments, landscape and nature parks. It all makes up a unique cultural heritage, but it is very delicate. For this reason, the visitor is asked for the maximum respect for the culture, customs and traditions of the local inhabitants.
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When to go
The dry season, from November through May, is the most pleasant time, weather-wise, to be in Guatemala. Along with summer holidays, however, this is also the busiest time. Although the rain may restrict some activities during the wet season, it's still worthwhile planning your trip for this time of year, particularly as you'll be more likely to pick up accommodation bargains. If you're planning to be in the area around Easter, try to be in Guatemala for Semana Santa (Holy Week), the highlight of the country's festival calendar.
| FACTS FOR THE TRAVELLER |
| Full country name: |
Republic of Guatemala |
| Area: |
109,000 sq km (42,500 sq mi) |
| Population: |
12.6 million (growth rate 2.6%) |
| Capital city: |
Guatemala City (pop 2 million) |
| People: |
56% mestizo/ladino descent, 44% Mayan descent |
| Language: |
Spanish, Garífuna and 21 Mayan languages |
| Religion: |
Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Mayan-Catholic fusion |
| Government: |
Democratic |
| Visae & Health: |
For information on Visae and health requirements, please call your nearest consulate and appropriate health authorities. |
| Time: |
GMT/UTC minus 6 hours |
| Electricity: |
115V to 125V, 60Hz |
| Weights & measures: |
Metric |
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