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Many travelers may be keen on the idea of visiting Mexico or even Costa Rica this winter but can easily be put off by the crowds or the high prices.
But what if I were to tell you there’s a Central American country offering tastes of both those flagship destinations but at a fraction of the cost and probably with fewer tourists too?
That country is Guatemala – and it’s enjoying a reemergence as a popular tourism destination this year.
It’s a land of beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and more Maya ruins than you can shake a stick at – here’s why Guatemala should be in your travel plans this winter.
Like Mexico But Quieter (And Cheaper)
Guatemala shares a large border with Mexico, and the two countries have many similarities dating back to their ancient Maya pasts.
Of course, no two countries are completely alike, but Guatemala can give you many of the things that Mexico can – winter sun, amazing food, friendly people, Maya ruins – for a lot less money and usually with fewer tourists surrounding you.
Spanish is the official language, and the official currency is known as the Guatemala Quetzal, which had a value of about eight to the dollar at the time of writing.
A Solid Choice For Winter Sun
Guatemala is a good choice for those who want to stay warm this winter.
The country averages around 64F from November through to February, which also just so happens to be the dry season too.
Playa Blanca is one of the country’s best-known beach resorts, tucked into a corner of Guatemala’s tiny stretch of Caribbean coastline.
Many of the other beach destinations are on the country’s southern shores facing the Pacific Ocean – some of the highlights include Monterrico and El Paredon.
Impressive Natural Beauty
Away from the golden sands of the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, Guatemala is an impressively beautiful country within its interior.
One of its most distinct features is the many volcanoes – some of which, such as the Volcan de Fuego, are still active and regularly put on shows of their impressive power.
If you are seeking a truly unique hiking adventure, then consider a trek up one of the other volcanoes in Guatemala such as Volcan Pacaya.
For those less enthusiastic about physical activity, a great place to go and see the stunning landscapes that volcanoes create is Lago de Atitlan – a large lake that is overlooked by Volcan San Pedro.
Much of Guatemala’s interior is made up of lush rainforests that can be a wildlife lover’s dream.
There are many unique animals that frequent these jungles including the national bird, the Quetzal.
Rich In History And Culture
As already mentioned, Guatemala is a great place to immerse yourself in ancient Maya culture.
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to ruins of this kind – perhaps the most famous is Tikal, located in a dense rainforest in the Peten province in the north of the country.
Other noteworthy sites include Yaxha, Iximche, and Nakum.
As well as this fascinating ancient history, you can see many indicators of Guatemala’s colonial past in its towns and cities.
The Spanish capital for a while was the city of Antigua but it was then forced to move to the present site of Guatemala City after a series of devastating earthquakes in the 1700’s.
Guatemala City is a bright, vibrant, and sometimes slightly chaotic place that is a well-trodden stop-off for backpackers and travelers in this part of the world.
It’s one of those love-it-or-hate-it destinations, but you can’t deny that there’s plenty to do there – try visiting the Maya Museum Museo Ixchel or the Presidential Palace.
Flights Are Cheap And Plentiful
Guatemala City was recently named as one of 10 cheapest international destinations to fly to this winter, averaging at $447 for round-trip flights from the U.S.
One of the main reasons for that could be that many different airlines fly there, meaning competition leads to lower prices.
That competition among airlines is about to increase after Alaska Airlines announced its first-ever daily non-stop flight route to Guatemala City from Los Angeles, beginning this December.
You can also fly to Guatemala on American Airlines, United, Avianca, and KLM.
Read More:
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This article originally appeared on outoftownblogs.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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