Tease 'em In Iztapa - A Sightseeing Sensation

A Sightseeing Sensation

More world records on Pacific sailfish have been recorded here since the mid-1990s than anywhere else in the world, and yet tourism is another eye-opener for first-time adventurers. Did you know about Guatemala’s volcanoes – the highest and most active in the western hemisphere? The Mayan ruins rank as some of the most impressive of all North and South American ruins.

My favorite pastimes include browsing through the many jade factories, getting decidedly soaked while white-water rafting, horseback riding on the beautiful coastline or jungle trails, and marveling at the great scenery at places like Chi Chi Castenanga and Lake Atilan.

The following short list provides hints on other things to see and do while in Guatemala:

Plan a day in Antigua, the country’s oldest city. Meander the Indian village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes, surrounded by an impressive volcanic landscape and famous for its textiles and handcrafts. I always visit the Cultural Centre La Azotea for a guided visit to an organic coffee plantation, and K’ojom, the Traditional Maya Museum. After sipping the best cup of coffee I’ve ever tasted, it’s on to the Historic Center. Here I begin in the Main Plaza and take pictures of the city’s remarkable monuments before moving on to the Palace of the Captains and picturesque cathedrals.

Whether you’re religious or not, quite unique is being present for the Good Friday procession during Semana Santa (holy week) that begins at La Merced. It involves a cast of many thousands, including those costumed as Roman centurions and cavalry, and statues of saints and Christ in various stages along the Via Dolorosa.

If volcanoes perk your fancy as they do mine, the Pacaya Volcano about 30 miles from Guatemala City presents a quite impressive active volcano. I’ve started the climb from the village of San Vicente de Pacaya and it takes about two hours to get there. If that much walking doesn’t turn you on, hop aboard a helicopter to see the 37 volcanoes in comfort, including three that are active.

Appropriate some time to visit the Tikal National Park near Flores, a short plane hop from Guatemala City. Declared a Cultural Heritage of Humankind by UNESCO, this majestic Mayan city is considered the largest and most monumental of all of the sites discovered in the Mayan world. I strongly recommend the guided tours so you understand the positioning of the most important plazas, complexes and temples. I also never miss viewing the tropical forest’s hundreds of exotic birds and habitats. After lunch, I enjoy the museums, and round out the visit with a canopy tour where I glide through the trees with the monkeys before transferring back to the airport for the flight to Guatemala City. What an exhilarating day for a history and nature buff like me.

Contributed by Merijo Attong