As we take off for Central America (this time to Costa Rica), we think back to our first visit to the region a couple of years ago: Antigua, Guatemala. Although Antigua has a reputation for being touristy, we found that it wasn't too difficult to get lost and find a slice of authentic Guatemalan life. One of our favorite places to do this: Antigua's central … [Read more...]
Guatemala Travel Articles and Photos
Visiting the Mayan Ruins of Tikal, Guatemala
Stand in the middle of the Grand Plaza between Temple I and Temple II at Tikal, Guatemala and imagine what life must have been like in this Mayan city over 1,200 years ago when Tikal was at its peak. The size of the temples and surrounding acropolis indicate that this must have been a rich and sophisticated city-state. Yet the ruins are only partially exposed and … [Read more...]
Good Friday Guatemala: Sawdust Carpets and Semana Santa in Antigua
Ever wondered what sawdust carpets have to do with Good Friday? In the town of Antigua, Guatemalan Catholics recognize the climax of Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations by painstakingly crafting colorful sawdust carpets called alfombras, only to watch them be demolished by somber processions of men and boys clad in purple robes. … [Read more...]
Why You Should Visit Cementario General in Xela: Guatemala’s Most Beautiful Cemetery
"For safety reasons, we'll need to go in groups of at least four to the cemetery," our Spanish language teacher informed us. "Why," we wondered. "Are the dead coming back to life?" … [Read more...]
What is Guatemala? A Photographic Answer
Guatemala surprises with its variety and delivers a diversity of humanity and landscape that belies its size. From the indigenous groups whose villages press into the hillsides of the Western highlands to the epic Mayan ruins of Tikal, there's a little something for everyone within Guatemala's oddly carved borders. … [Read more...]
Livingston: The Other Side of Guatemala
Descendants of shipwrecked slaves from Nigeria; Jerry Garcia's rumored Caribbean seaside bungalow hideout; warrior dances (see video below) and turtle shell drums; echoes of an accented pigeon pidgin English that smacks of Jamaica; and a remarkable coconut seafood soup called tapado. This is Livingston, home of the Garifuna. This is the other side of Guatemala. … [Read more...]
Our Amazing Race: 48 Hours in the Hills of Guatemala
Some friends have suggested that we attach helmet cameras to our heads to give viewers the unabridged full monty version of our lives. Trust us, you really don’t want to see all of it. … [Read more...]
A Road Trip, Some Banditos, and a Dose of Fear
There we were at the dock in San Pedro bargaining for a boat to Santiago. The price seemed prohibitively high for a whimsical afternoon side trip on Lake Atitlan. Natasha, another traveler hoping to take the same boat, also questioned the price. “You know, I have a car here. We could drive. You can just give me some gas money.” Sounded like a reasonable … [Read more...]
The Face of Microfinance in Guatemala
When Guatemala City and the town of Totonicapan both wound up our itinerary, several Guatemalans we spoke to wondered aloud: "Now why exactly are you going there again?" … [Read more...]
Life Happened on the Way to the Piñata Factory
The other day we broke down in Guatemala City -- in front of a piñata factory no less. I helped push the stalled PT Cruiser whose motor had knocked, pinged and spoken of better days. Back then forward, we rolled the car out of traffic and into a parking lot. Guatemala City is notorious for guns, violence, drugs, blighted neighborhoods and danger lurking around … [Read more...]