Archeological Marvels in Guatemala

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Archeological Marvels in Guatemala

January 18th, 2012 | Guatemala - Adventure, Guatemala - Must See or Do | No Comments »

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

Where to find the best goodies to bring home – Chichicastenango Market vs Solola Market

October 31st, 2011 | Guatemala - Best Shopping, Guatemala - Must See or Do, Guatemala - Tourist Trap, Guatemala - Travel Tips | No Comments »

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

Dive deep into Guatemala’s highlands at Lake Atitlan

June 2nd, 2011 | Guatemala - Adventure, Guatemala - Family Friendly, Guatemala - Gringo Favorite, Guatemala - Gringo Owned Business, Guatemala - Must See or Do, Guatemala - Travel Tips, The Best of Guatemala | No Comments »

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

Antigua, the City Amongst Giants

November 30th, 2010 | Guatemala - Adventure, Guatemala - Must See or Do, Guatemala - Relocation, The Best of Guatemala | 2 Comments »

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

Enjoy the Lakes in Petén

June 11th, 2009 | Guatemala - Adventure, Guatemala - Family Friendly, Guatemala - Must See or Do, The Best of Guatemala | No Comments »

If you are looking for a little adventure and fun for the whole family in Guatemala, then head to the Petén region.

The Petén region is famous for its many lakes, each with a different composition, which causes them to vary in color and transparency. The Petén region is part of an incredible rainforst, and the lakes are the perfect place to cool off and enjoy the view.

As you would expect in the rainforest, the birdwatching is particularly excellent, and with the many lakes canoeing is a very popular things to do in Petén.

The area of Petén spans almost the whole northen section of Guatemala. It is a “Protected Area” thanks to its abundant rainforest vegetation and animal life. Read more

Newest, Nicest Mall in Guatemala City – Oakland Mall

May 24th, 2009 | Guatemala - Best Shopping, Guatemala - Family Friendly, Guatemala - Gringo Favorite, Guatemala - Must See or Do, Guatemala - Places to Eat | No Comments »

If you are in need of a North American shopping trip then head to the newest shopping mall in Guatemala City, Oakland Mall, located at 11 Avenida Diagonal 6, Zona 10.

The Oakland Mall has all the shops you would expect to see in a North American mall: North Face, Claire’s, Pizza Hut, the I Shop and more. The mall is three stories tall, has an indoor Merry-Go-Round for the kiddies, and enough kiosk stands that you will find everything you need, and everything you don’t within the Oakland Mall’s interior.

One of the nicest parts about the newest addition to the slew of malls in Guatemala City is that the bookstores at Oakland Mall contain a number of books Read more

International Day of Museums

May 6th, 2009 | Guatemala - Culture, Guatemala - Family Friendly, Guatemala - Must See or Do, Guatemala - Travel Tips | No Comments »

The International Day of Museums is held all over the globe on May 18th. Guatemala has a rich history, and it is celebrated in the country’s many museums.

This list, taken from Revue Magazine, highlights some of the many museums in Guatemala City:

Artecentro Paiz:7a av. 22-01, z. 1, Plaza Carlos Mérida del Banco de Guatemala, tel: 2429-6000 ext. 5248. www.fundacionpaiz.org.gt

Casa Flavio Herrera:9a calle 8-54, z. 1, tel: 2285-1014.

Museo Numismático de Guatemala:Calle Mariscal 7-46, z. 11, Colonia Mariscal, tel: 2473-0567.

Casa Mima: 8a av. 14-12, z. 1, tel: 2253-4020.www.portalmuseosguatemala.net/m.casa.mima

Mapa en Relieve:Av. Simeón Cañas final, z. 2, Hipódromo del Norte, tel: 2285-0330. www.muniguate.com

Museo Carlos F. Novella:15 av. 18-01, z. 6, interior Read more

The Gringo Shares His Little Black Book…

April 5th, 2009 | Guatemala - Adults Only, Guatemala - Adventure, Guatemala - Best Shopping, Guatemala - Business, Guatemala - Culture, Guatemala - Family Friendly, Guatemala - Gringo Owned Business, Guatemala - Must See or Do, Guatemala - News, Guatemala - Nightlife, Guatemala - Places to Eat, Guatemala - Places to Stay, Guatemala - Relocation, Guatemala - Travel Tips, The Best of Guatemala | No Comments »

We interrupt this tour of Guatemala City to share with you an important update from the Guatemala Gringo and his other Gringo affiliate sites (see the blogroll)…

The Gringo has worked to create a system that puts readers in touch with valuable people in Guatemala and other Latin American countries. If you need an English speaking driver, real estate information, legal services and so on, all you need to do is this:

Click on this link to sign up for whatever information you want. Then you will be put directly in touch with people that you can count on to get the job done.

It is an automatic system that is shared by all the Gringo affiliate sites Read more

Catedral Metropolitano in Plaza Mayor

April 2nd, 2009 | Guatemala - Culture, Guatemala - Must See or Do | No Comments »

Site seeing around Guatemala City is not complete without a trip to the Catedral Metropolitano located in the Old City on 8 Calle and 7 Avenida.

The Catedral was built in the mid-18th century and reflects the Colonial Spanish style. Within Guatemala City it is one of the most recognizable sites and dominates the Plaza Mayor in the Old City, where it is located.

The inside of the Catedral is amazing, and tours are free and open to the public, so it is definitely worth the visit. The ornate church and its many idols are a major attraction for history and religious buffs.

The Catedral is open for tours from 8 am – 12 pm for tours, and again from 3 pm Read more

Mercado Central – The best place to souvenir shop

March 23rd, 2009 | Guatemala - Best Shopping, Guatemala - Must See or Do | 1 Comment »

One of the must-do things in Guatemala as far as I am concerned is visit the Mercado Central, or Central Market in Zona 1.

The Mercado Central is always a bustling hive of activity as locals and tourists alike mingle through the many stalls and displays in search of different crafts and other items.

This is a great place to purchase souvenirs; you will be able to find something for everyone on your list, guaranteed. Common items include typical woven Guatemala (Mayan) clothing, sundry wares, wooden trinkets and artifacts, pieces of art, leather items and jewelry.

Locals also buy produce and live animals here, although those items aren’t as popular among tourists… wonder why…

There are three levels, and the items for purchase Read more