Guatemala is a country in Central America that literally captivates every traveler who has set foot on the earth of this amazing corner of our planet. There are many interesting places in Guatemala. Magnificent landscapes, mangrove forests, natural pools, mountain and volcanic landscapes - all this, to the delight of the human eye, is ready to provide this amazing and original state. The main attractions of Guatemala are the numerous temples of one of the most mysterious tribes in the entire history of the universe - the Mayan tribe. Along with the cultural heritage, tourists are attracted by natural attractions, which represent the whole diversity of flora and fauna. Places of interest in Guatemala attract even the most sophisticated travelers. This is the place where, in contrast, you can see the difference between the two cultures: the modern urban population and the descendants of the Mayan civilization, who still adhere to the traditions of their ancestors. Speaking of the sights of this amazing country, according to the reviews of tourists, you can select a list of the most significant and popular places. Next, you can find photos and descriptions of the sights of Guatemala.
Tikal National Park
First place in attendance is Tikal National Park. This cultural heritage is deservedly the most popular spot on the map of any traveler who has come to Guatemala. The main place in the park is the city of the same name, where excavations continue to this day. Next to the pyramids are active altars, where tribes worship the spirits of their ancestors. This ancient city is surrounded by the jungle. Not all places are cleared of trees and wild plants, so on the way to some you will need to pass under a dense canopy of tropical rainforest vegetation among the rich aromas of the earth. Having overcome the obstacles created by nature, you can enjoy the contemplation of the beautiful temples in which kings and priests once lived. For tourists, special tours are organized.
Temple I
At present, 6 central pyramids have been found in the city of Tikal, in the vicinity of which are temples and observatories. All the pyramids in the city, instead of full names, have only a serial number. One of the main pyramids is Temple I. Its height is 47 meters. The temple is one of the main attractions of all Guatemala. At the very top is a memorial altar, which is connected with the tomb through a special channel. With his help, according to the Maya, the soul of the ruler came into contact with the priests. Now tourists are forbidden to climb the pyramid because of the insecurity of the stairs. But the sight that opens onto the pyramid from the outside is definitely worth a visit to this amazing place.
Atitlan Lake
Lake Atitlan is universally called the "pearl of Guatemala." It appeared thanks to one of the three volcanoes, as a result of the eruption of which this magnificent drainage reservoir appeared. The mirrored expanse of water and the incredibly beautiful nature surrounding the lake will delight any person who decides to look into this cozy corner of Central America. Along the shores of the lake are a dozen large cities. The cities of Santiago Atitlan and Panajachel are the most popular among tourists. It is noteworthy that, depending on belonging to a particular settlement, local residents wear only a certain color of clothing. This long tradition originates from antiquity and is still observed. The lake is included in the list of main attractions of Guatemala.
Semuk Champey
Among the main attractions of Guatemala, you can separately distinguish the Semuk Champei waterfalls. On the way to the magnificent view of the waters falling from the cliffs, there is one difficulty in the form of a road through inaccessible mountainous terrain. There are several designed routes. Between themselves, they vary in degree of difficulty. The most courageous travelers who choose the most difficult path await a reward. Guatemala will encourage them with a beautiful bird's eye view of the waterfalls.
Chichicastenango (Chichi)
One of Guatemala's most striking attractions is the market in Chichicastenago. On Sunday mornings and Thursdays, tribes from all over the area gather there, and Mayan rituals are held on top of one of the neighboring hills. The population of nearby cities is more than 70 thousand people. This market is the brightest and largest retail outlet that all people living in Central America know about. It is no coincidence that it is considered the most striking, because it is here that you can meet all the riot of colors of folk costumes and fabrics sold. In addition to textiles, you can purchase quality wool products from local merchants, as well as a variety of figurines and amulets as souvenirs.
El mirador
At the very border with Mexico, deep in the jungle, a huge territory of the former Mayan settlements, called El Mirador, is hidden. It is still unknown why this territory was empty. The path there is 2 days on foot through the rainforests, accompanied by an experienced guide. Those who decide to make a two-day trip to this attraction will be able to see the numerous untouched buildings of the pre-classical era. On the territory of El Mirador is one of the largest structures in the world - the temple of La Dante, which rises above the ground by 72 meters. Most of the buildings there are adorned with the impressive faces of Native American deities.
Antigua
The small town in southern Guatemala called Antigua, which is under the scrutiny of three volcanoes, is also on the list of places to visit. Lovers of art, history and architecture must definitely include this object in their route in order to be able to contemplate several examples of beautiful colonial architecture. Particular attention when visiting this city should be given to the arch of Santa Catarina, the temple of Santo Domingo and the Cathedral of San Jose. In addition to visiting historical places, it is possible to conquer the peaks of volcanoes and visit coffee plantations, on which the path of some of the best coffee beans in the world begins to the shelves in supermarkets already on the other side of the ocean. Antigua remains the most visited place in Guatemala.
Guatemala City
Of course, one of the most popular places to visit in Guatemala is its capital. Guatemala City is the country's cultural and business center, which travelers travel to personally see the amazing contrasts of the new and old cities. The most visited tourist destination in Guatemala City is the Central Square, which houses many iconic historical sights. Guatemala City has many attractions that every visitor to the city should familiarize themselves with. Ancient buildings, temples and silent ruins are adjacent to modern skyscrapers with their usual boiling life. The city attracts tourists by the concentration of the main attractions of Guatemala in the form of various parks, galleries and museums. The National Museum of Archeology and Anthropology will tell history buffs interesting facts about the Mayan culture and show the treasures of those times that have survived to this day. For history buffs, the doors to the National History Museum are always open, where you can find out everything from the conquest of the country by Spanish conquistadors to independence. For those who wish to follow the modern trends in art, it is proposed to visit the National Museum of Modern Art. Among the many buildings, three main attractions of the Guatemalan capital can be distinguished: the ruins of Kaminalhuiu, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the monumental National Palace of Culture.
The ruins of Kaminaljuyu
Within the boundaries of Guatemala City are the ruins of the city of one of the most ancient civilizations of Kaminalhuiu, which are listed in the list of historical attractions of the country. The architectural complex of adobe structures has funerary chambers and a variety of reliefs that emphasize the richness of ancient culture.
Metropolitan Cathedral
The Metropolitan Cathedral in Guatemala City is an achievement of the art of the colonial era. Inside the building are several chapels and statues of saints. But the main treasure of the museum is the Walker organ. There are only 30 musical instruments in the world of similar size and value. The cathedral is also the tomb for archbishops, bishops and some representatives of state power.
Monumental National Palace of Culture
The architectural style of the monumental National Palace of Culture is distinguished by the merger of Guatemalan architecture with colonial. Numerous frescoes that adorn the interior of the palace tell the story of Guatemala, from the capture of the country by the colonialists to independence. Walking through the courtyards of the building, you can see a magnificent sculpture with a rose in the center. This statue is a symbol of peace in Guatemala.
As you can see, there are a lot of attractions in Guatemala. Want to feel the spirit of history and touch the places where the ancestors of the ancient Mayan civilization lived? Go see ancient cities and ruins open to tourists. If you want to be alone with nature, then this truly magnificent country is ready to satisfy your desire. It is believed that Guatemala is not safe for travelers. But according to the reviews of tourists, you can understand that following certain rules, avoiding trouble will be simple. As in any other country, a foreigner needs to be vigilant and familiarize himself with the characteristics of life in the country before traveling. And then rest in any part of the globe will be pleasant and memorable. Guatemala is a great place with a special local touch. Now you know what to see in Guatemala. Feel free to travel and get acquainted with the great diversity of human culture and history. Photos of Guatemala's sights clearly represent all their beauty and grandeur.