
Guatemala, “The Land of Eternal Spring,” is a hidden gem replete with breathtaking scenery and awe-inspiring colonial cities and Maya ruins.
THE BEST OF GUATEMALA – PART 2:
LA ANTIGUA, ANCIENT MAYA RUINS, LAKE IZABAL
A year ago, a group of my friends had a once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity—seeing the best of Guatemala on a trip organized and generously hosted by our dear friend Ana Cristina Alvarado. None of us could have guessed that this would be our last trip of 2020, but shortly after returning home, we were quarantined due to Covid-19.
No other part of the world offers so much in so small an area: the splendor of the colonial influence; breathtaking mountains and lake scenery; the thriving and colorful culture of the indigenous peoples with their markets and unique lifestyle; and the awe-inspiring ruins of the mysterious lost Maya civilization.
Part 2 continues with our last days in historic La Antigua before heading to the jungle to visit the fabled Maya ruins and then on to Lake Izabal and Rio Dulce for the windup of our adventure.
CLICK HERE to read Part 1.

Lake Atitlán is considered one of the most majestic in the world.

Traditional weaving in a Maya village on Lake Atitlán.

The iconic Santa Catalina Arch in the colonial city of La Antigua.

Native to Central and South America, for centuries Macaws have been prized for their bright, colorful feathers, particularly in pre-Columbian civilizations.

La Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Center, one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the world.