One of the things that really sets Guatemala apart from other countries is their dedication to preserving history. While all other Central American countries seem to be charging ahead leaving as much as they can behind, Guatemala is open to progress but unwilling to let go of the past. While indigenous groups that still speak their native tongue are small and rather uncommon in other countries, Guatemala has major indigenous groups some even as large as 1, 000, 000 people. These large groups treasure their language, culture and customs and refuse to let them die out.
It only makes sense that such a varied and culturally rich country would be home to many archeological finds that help to shed some Read more
Chichi or Solola. Everyone’s got a different opinion and you may be reading mixed reviews wondering what is the best use of your time. Let’s talk frankly one gringo to another. The truth is that it depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. Each market has its merits as well as drawbacks.
Chichicastenango market is huge and full of locals and tourists. Over the years this market has become more and more touristy all the while hanging on to Mayan tradition. Allow me to explain. Walking around in the market you will see people dressed in their typical traje selling the traditional hand-crafted clothing and purses, wood-carved masks and decorations, incense and candles amongst the usual touristy Read more
New city, new neighbors, new hairdresser, new favorite restaurant. We all face the same decisions and adjustment period when we move to a new city, even worse a new country. To make that transition easier, here are two candidates for new favorite restaurant.
Real steak houses are few and far between in Guatemala. That is what makes Hacienda Real so special. This steak house is serving up every kind of meat and doing it right. They serve a delicious, local Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon, pork and beef tenderloin, grilled seafood and chicken. A signature dish is the Parrillada Real, including grilled steak, puyaso, sausage, chorizo and chicken served with corn on the cob and a baked potato. Read more
Lake Atitlan should be amongst the wonders of the modern world. The pristine volcanic lake is the deepest in Central America and renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Surrounded by Atitlan, San Pedro and Toliman volcanoes, this lake is a truly unique site. Toliman and Atitlan are still active, although its been several hundred years since either has erupted.
The lake is also surrounded by many Mayan populations, most of them isolated. Reachable only by boat. Most Mayan inhabitants in the area belong to either the Tz’utujil and Kaqchikel peoples. These are ancient civilizations that have kept their language and culture alive throughout the past centuries. Though remote and secluded the natural and cultural Read more
On Monday May 31st, 2010 a giant sinkhole swallowed up almost an entire intersection, a house and a three story building. The hole seems bottomless at an estimated depth of 30 stories. Pictures of the event seem fake but the disaster is all too real in Zona 2 of Guatemala City. One man was reported missing, it’s believed that he was on the phone when the sinkhole opened up. The sinkhole itself claimed no other victims but certainly contributed to the tragedy that struck Guatemala as storm Agatha claimed lives.
In the aftermath it was unclear what caused the giant sinkhole to open. In 2007 a similar sinkhole opened in a different area. It is believed that a ruptured Read more
Who says time travel is impossible? Between Volcan de Agua, Acatenango and Volcan the Fuego sits a city that allows us to travel back in time into Guatemala’s past, La Antigua Guatemala. This city was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. Antigua was Guatemala’s capital until a major earthquake hit in 1773. The city suffered great damage and much of the population moved away from the city, reducing its population by nearly half. The city has preserved its colonial charm boasting great ruins, churches and even the The Captain General’s Palace. However, Antigua still caters to those of us living in the 21st century.
Antigua is home to Guatemala’s best Spanish Language Schools, which Read more
Contemplating how to get all your belongings to Guatemala? The answer might be driving them there. No, it is not the easiest, nor the safest thing to do, but it could work for you. Especially if you speak Spanish and live a little bit closer than say… Maine.
To get a car packed full of stuff into Mexico, you’ll want to take a trip to Transmigrantes Mireya, a company who arranges all the paperwork for bringing a car, loaded down with personal belongings into Mexico. This is a crazy experience in itself, as you can read from the personal travels shared by our fellow blogger at this link. You actually have to give away your title and have Read more
Outside of Guatemala but looking to buy some Guatemala coffee that hasn’t been processed by The Man (Starbucks)? Check out the new online shop from La Azotea.
La Azotea uses the Arabica variety of coffee, and actually reserves some of the good stuff for local and internet sales, unlike most companies which send the good stuff to their major suppliers and leave the not so tasty coffee for the local crowd. Azotea is an environmentally friendly plantation that uses an organic pest control system, if you are worried about pesticides.
La Azotea is hosting their coffee selling online endeavors through www.AroundAntigua.net. You can currently purchase ground Guatemala coffee as well as whole bean coffee. In addition, they also Read more
So, the Happy Planet Index in Guatemala has ranked us number 4 as far as the happiest places to live go. Costa Rica is ranked number 1, but I think they paid off the surveyors, and the Dominican Republic and Jamaica at spots number 2 and 3, respectively.
The HPI, or Happy Planet Index, ranking of each country is determined by the life expectancy, life satisfaction, and ecological footprint left on the country.
Life expectancy in Guatemala is where we rank lowest, with the estimate being between 60–75 years. This falls in the middling range, and is what brings our score below Costa Rica’s. (The life expectancy in Costa Rica is above 75 years.)
Tourism may be down around the world, and although some businesses in Guatemala are suffering, the outlook isn’t as dim here as it is in other Central and South American countries. Why? Well, Guatemala is seen as a cheaper option for vacation than the ever popular Costa Rica and Panama. And to be honest, Guatemala is less expensive.
Nowadays, flights to Central American countries from the United States all hover at about the same price, so picking your destination, if guided by your budget, may mean choosing a country that has cheaper accomodations and activities. (For a search of international flights, try www.kayak.com.)
Guatemala not only offers high quality tourism, it does so at better prices. There are the Read more
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