Ever plan on taking a trip out of the country and not sure where to go? Want an adventure, new culture, breathtaking views, and more? Then you’ve come to the right place; there are numerous amount of countries across the globe, and choosing the “right one” can get exhausting. Last week we dove right into National Parks within the US. This week we focus on one of the most beautiful countries I know. I’ve narrowed down that search to one of my favorite countries to visit, Guatemala! Not only is this country my native town, but Guatemala grew to be one of my favorite countries to visit. Guatemala is filled with several volcanoes, beaches, mountains, foods, Mayan culture, and so much more. Today I want to show you 3 of my favorite places when in Guatemala. For this blog post, I want to place my focus on 3 cities to visit when in Guatemala such as Panajachel, Antigua, and Retalhuleu.
Panajachel – Guatemala
Panajachel better known as “Pana” is widely known for being the most popular town in Lake Atitlan. From boat riding in the lake to shopping at Calle Santander for the best indigenous stitching, there is you won’t be left disappointed. Tour agencies offer tours around the town, providing horseback rides near the lake, hiking trails along the mountains, canoeing the lake, and more. This small town is known to call out tourists from all over the world because it not only brings out beautiful Guatemlana culture but economically it is ideal for several people who visit this town. Guatemalan currency is known to be the Guatemalan Quetzal, why name it a Quetzal? This is the national bird of Guatemala, a beautiful green bird, known as the “god of air.” Next time you are in Guatemala and you want to see one of the biggest lakes in the world come to Pana!
Antigua – Guatemala
“Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, was founded in the early 16th century. Built 1,500 m above sea level, in an earthquake-prone region, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins. In the space of under three centuries the city, which was built on a grid pattern inspired by the Italian Renaissance, acquired a number of superb monuments” (UNESCO, 2021). While Antigua is no longer the capital of Guatemala despite the earthquake that destroyed the town, it has maintained its beauty and monuments that make up Guatemalan history. One of my favorite monuments to visit while in Antigua is the famous “Arch” a nicely yellowed arch with a clock in the middle, followed by a long rocky road and Guatemala’s custom homes and businesses.
Followed by Antigua’s monuments, I am in awe of a small hidden gem called Hobbitenango. This hidden gem was created for all of the Lord of the Ring fans out there that wouldn’t mind spending a night in a Hobbit home drinking freshly made hot cocoa from fresh cacao and hiking up the trails for Hobbit games, Hobbit foods, and more. This small little town is breathtaking, the uphill is worth the drive and hike, I mean look at that view!
Retalhuleu – Guatemala
Lastly, we have Retalhuleu. If you can pronounce this word 5 times you’ve basically nailed it. This small town is known primarily for its two theme parks known as Xocomil and Xetulul. Each park is designed differently, for those that like a taste of the world in one park as well foods and mechanical rides, this is the place to go. Xetulul provides several wide known monuments such as the Trevi Fountain, courtyards of the famous Alhambra, the Mayan pyramid, and more. Meanwhile, Xocomil was designed as a water park with several water slides, tubing, wave pools, with rides for people of all ages. Each park has several types of foods for every taste bud you can think of. If you are in for the ride, hop in, and visit Retalhuleu.
Ready, Set, Guatemala!!
While there are several countries located around the world, I hold this beautiful country dear to me. Through several catastrophes, this country has managed to always come out and outshine with its beauty. Each town is distinct in its own way, the people of Guatemala take pride in keeping their country beautiful. With each of these towns listed, you and your family can enjoy what this country has to offer. Book your flight, book your reservations, and let the adventures begin. Hope to see you on the next trip, pack your suitcase, I wonder where we’ll be going next, until next week!
References
UNESCO.W.H. (2021). Antigua Guatemala. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/65/.