Lake Atitlan and Tikal, Guatemala

Lying in the countries most western highlands, the countries prettiest looking place is the pure and blue lake Atitlan.  This place mirrors the three Fuji like volcanoes.

A large collapsed volcanic cone can be found right at the lake Atitlan. The descendants of the ancient placed called Maya, even today live off the land which is rich in ask and other minerals. The maize farming methods through the years have still been the same, this is because the local people have made an effort so that they don’t change their old ways of living.  If you plan on going to some of the green hills on top, then you are sure to have a very promising fun time.  There is a market day on specific days, and on this day the market is always in full swing with lots of things happening and people from all over the villages come here. During the nineteen seventies; this place of the panajachel; used to be called gringotenango. This place used to be a famous hippie destination earlier on.

This place has many spots that make superb jump off locations. This serves the southern towns as well as the western shores. Despite the many decades of tourism, the indigenous and local charm and hospitality and customs have still lived on and still strong in the local’s people.  The most visited place in all this is the Santiago Atitlan. This place still clings to the traditional lifestyle and ways of the tzutujil Maya. The women here generally wear a colorful hand embroidered blouse.

The local Friday market here is very famous for its handicrafts and their locally made hand woven textiles.

Come and check into the famous posada de Santiago. This is a beautiful restaurant that is surrounded by two dormant volcanoes. These volcanoes are made lagoon like and they are attached in a very advantageous position off the lake Atitlan.  The place has a small garden which surrounds the bungalow in styles and colors that bring out the local fashion.

The best times to come to this place are November to April and July to august.

Tikal is the most resplendent of all Mayan cities; this place has tall pyramids and an acropolis which seems to be some of the highest structures in the western hemisphere. Tikal was part of a dynasty which included Mexico, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.  The most famous Mayan ruin here in Guatemala is world famous and known for its unique attributes and is the center peice of the great plaza. This place has well restored temples that have been painted in lovely bright colors.  A temple five and a temple four; stand out are one hundred and eighty six and two hundred and twelve feet. Respectively. These two temples are the highest from the ground. These places are ideal for watching the sunset. There are special passes that are made for the great plaza when the moon is full right on top of you.  There are beautiful rare species of macaws living around the area in the night.  The many bungalows of the jungle lodge are made to house all the people who come here for historical and ecological excavations.