One of the largest Mayan settlements, which has been considered a national park since 1955. In the I — IX centuries AD Tikal was one of the most important cities of the Mitul kingdom. Today Tikal is a popular tourist center and a famous archaeological monument of Guatemala.

This famous museum city begins its history since the XVI century. Since then, Antigua Guatemala has suffered greatly from many earthquakes, but the preserved local monuments of colonial construction still attract a lot of tourists here. Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, Nuestra Church Senhora de la Merced and the local town hall are among the most visited places in Antigua Guatemala.

The famous Mayan city is located in the south-east of Guatemala Kirigua. Currently, there is an archaeological park here, showing tourists many amazing monuments of antiquity. Among them are sculptural calendars and stone monuments, which are considered the main "written" chronicles of ancient civilization.

If you move west from the capital of the state, you can get to the famous lake Atitlan, whose area exceeds 100 km2. The beauty of this volcanic reservoir and the local colorful Indian settlements attract many tourists here. Here you can also climb three low volcanoes located near the lake.

The famous Chichikastenango Market is considered one of the largest trading platforms in Central America. On the days of the fairs, many Guatemalan tourists come here to shop. The Chichikastenango market sells souvenirs, various textiles, tableware and household items, as well as fruits and flowers.

It was only in the 20th century that one of the largest Guatemalan metropolises of the preclassic Maya culture was discovered. The first traces of human habitation in El Mirador date back to the 1st century BC. To see two large pyramids and a Mayan temple, tourists need to travel quite a long way through the tropics, so many excursions offer to go here on horseback.

In the north of Guatemala is the city of Flores, on the territory of which until the XVIII century was located Tayasal – a postclassical Mayan city. Today, people come to Flores to visit the ancient settlements of the Indians and the caves of Actun Can, as well as enjoy the picturesque views of Lake Lago de Peten Itza, along which excursions are regularly made.

One of the best beaches in Guatemala attracts tourists with its almost black volcanic sand and a lot of sea turtles that come to the shore of Monterrico to lay eggs. At low tide, tourists should be careful, because the undercurrents are quite strong here.

To the south of the capital of Guatemala is located one of the largest volcanoes on the planet – an active volcano Pakaya. Mostly mountain climbing enthusiasts come here, the local trails are quite comfortable and not too difficult. Officially, the ascent to the very mouth Pakaya is prohibited, but many extreme climbers do not pay attention to these restrictions.

Back in the XVIII century , they began to design the central square Quesaltenango, where the main park of this city is now located. The main attraction of Central Park is the rotunda, built in honor of the famous composer Ovalle, who wrote the music for the Guatemalan national anthem. Another decoration of the square, a column located in its center, is installed in honor of one of the presidents of this country.

In the eastern part of the country is the city of Livingston, where the amazing Garifuna people live, which arose as a result of a mixture of Caribbean, European and Guatemalan cultures. Tourists will find comfortable hotels, restaurants and cafes in Livingston, and in addition to beach holidays, you can also go sea fishing here.

The second largest lake in the country, Peten Itza, is located in the northern part of Guatemala. It is home to many animals, including toucans, jaguars and crocodiles. Tourists are primarily interested in the ancient Mayan settlements located near Lake Peten Itza.

One of the most popular tourist attractions of La Antigua is the Holy Arch Catalina, connecting the two parts of the monastery. The date of construction of this arch is considered to be the XVII century, but modern decorations in the form of a clock tower appeared on this structure already in the XIX century.

The fascinating and intricate Lankin Cave complex was once a sacred place for the Maya. The descendants of the ancient civilization still use these caves for their ceremonies. Currently, only about 400 meters of the Lankin Cave are accessible to tourists. Among other entertainment, you can ride an inflatable boat on an underground cave river.

The Spanish colonial fort of San Felipe de Lara is considered a very popular tourist attraction in the east of the country. The first human settlements appeared here in the II century BC, and the fort itself was built in 1644 to protect against pirates who robbed the local port.

The extraordinarily beautiful Lake El Golfete is located between the mountains in the eastern part of Guatemala. Amazing manatees, howler monkeys, as well as many birds live here. Lake El Golfete, in the waters of which there are many fish, attracts, first of all, lovers of eco-tourism and fishing.

A small town Tourists usually visit Solola on the way to the lake Atitlan. On the central square Sololy hosts a noisy fair every week, where residents of local villages in national costumes gather. In addition to "market shopping" in Solol, it is worth taking an excursion to the local historical museum.

One of the most beautiful places in Guatemala, which is deservedly popular with tourists, is the Semuk Champey waterfalls. To explore this natural attraction, there are several tourist routes, the most difficult of which allows you to see the waterfalls from a bird's-eye view.

In the XX century, a special biosphere park of the same name was created to protect the sacred birds of the Maya Quetzals. Two hiking trails – the Path of ferns (about 2 km) and the Path of mosses (about 4 km) – will acquaint tourists with local animals and birds, and if you're lucky, visitors to the park will be able to admire the bright plumage of 35-centimeter quetzals with their own eyes.

In the city Panahachel, located in the southwest of the country, is the famous street Santander. It connects the historical center with the lake Atitlan. On this street you can buy almost any products made by the Maya Indians – ceramics, national clothes, household items, various souvenirs. In addition to shops and shops, there are also restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels.

In the second half of the XVIII century, the Palacio de los was erected in La Antigua Capitanes Generales, which is also called the residence of the Captain-Generals. In addition to administrative services, there were stables, a court, a mint, military barracks and reception halls. Today, the palace is used for urban needs and is one of the most famous tourist sites of La Antigua.

The ancient Mayan city, inhabited since 600 BC, is located between two lagoons in the northern part of Guatemala. More than 500 structures have been discovered here, including pyramids, ball stadiums and a whole network of sacred roads connecting different parts of the ancient city. Ceremonial and household ceramics found in Yashkh are decorated with images of historical and mythological scenes of Maya life.

About half an hour's walk from the center of La Antigua is the Cerro de la Cruz hill, on which one of the best viewpoints of the city is located. From the hill you can see three volcanoes, as well as the main attractions of La Antigua. In the first half of the 20th century, a stone Redeemer Cross was erected on the Cerro de la Cruz hill, which is visited by many believers in Guatemala.

In zone 1 in the capital of the state is the Central Square of Guatemala City. There is a kilometer zero and an eternal flame dedicated to unknown heroes, and from different sides the square is surrounded by the National Palace, the Cathedral and the National Library of Guatemala. The most important celebrations and concerts are held in the central square, and on weekends a noisy fair unfolds here.

On the southern shore of the lake Atitlan is one of the municipalities Sololy — San Juan-la Laguna. This small town is famous for its paintings – the walls of many houses are used here as a canvas for paintings. Also here you can profitably purchase various items of traditional Guatemalan art.

In the northern part of the department Peten is a well—known tourist site - the Seibal Archaeological Park. There are many evidences of the ancient Mayan civilization preserved here, among which about 20 steles and two temples are particularly distinguished, one of which was used for astronomical observations.

Ishimche was once the capital of one of the Maya tribes. Today, this archaeological site of antiquity is divided into six zones, of which only half is open for inspection. Here you can see more than one hundred and fifty Maya structures, including palaces, temples and ball fields.