Guatemala
It is a land kissed by the gods, wonderfully endowed with the vistas of resting volcanoes and surreal swimming holes hidden deep in the valleys. From Lake Atitlán, tepid waters softly stream from a bubbling crater, deliriously surrounded by shadowy volcanoes all standing in their perfectly pointed cones. The town of Panajachel, sitting close to the modern Eden, stirs with vividly woven drapes and traditional textiles made to hug the wearer before entering its string of serene coffee plantations and a mythical butterfly garden. At Semuc Champey, bright green tropical botany envelope the mountainous milieu standing on tiers of six pools, many of which majestically spurt underground water that streams over to Cahabón River. The lesser-known Monterrico Nature Reserve is a serene sanctuary to many sea turtles and armadillos; at nightfall, this dramatic beach responds to a pastel-pink sky, with the misty volcanoes making an appearance from a distance.
One must not forget to see Tikal, in whose bosom lies the glorious Mayan citadel wrapped in lush green rainforest. Ruins of old temples and palaces give one a glimpse of the Lost World, stirring dreams of old treasures through the moss-covered, majestic stone structures tucked deep in the mountains. Tikal, however, isn’t the only home to Mayan ruins; once a ceremonial centre, Uaxactún bears pyramids yet to be excavated and restored and is home to the civilization’s oldest astrological observatory.
At Los Amates, a 35-metre rock brims with a dramatic waterfall only reached through an adventurous hike between smaller rivers one can liberally wade through. The dreamy Laguna Lachua is a yet-to-be-discovered tourist favourite, a jungle home to a colony of toucans and tapirs, gorgeously embraced with an abundant jungle and a crystal-clear lake. While the photogenic city of Antigua giggles with a crowd admiring its colonial air, Quetzaltenango mimics the same atmosphere. The less-crowded spot is draped with cobblestone streets and vibrantly hued buildings, bubbling with Guatemalan hospitality and gastronomy.