The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees.

Guatemala City – Capital and largest city with many amenities

Mapa en Relieve

Located at Minerva Park, at end of Av. Simon Cañas, Guatemala Zona 2 Entrance is Q16 and it's open daily 9-5 This relief map depicting Guatemala's precipitous topography is so immense you have to view it from an observation tower. What makes it even more amazing is that it was built in 1904, before satellite or even aerial photography.

Ixchel Museum of traditional costumes

6 Calle final, Zona 10, at the campus of Universidad Francisco Marroquín. Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 Sat 9:00-13:00. Q25 adults, Q15 students. A large collection of traditional costumes, information on weaving and dying techniques, the processing of the materials in use, the history and development of the traditional costumes and a collection of paintings by Carmen Pettersen. The explanations are in both English and Spanish. The museum also has a shop where you can get fine examples of Guatemalan artesania. The prices are higher than at the markets, but the quality is also higher and the selection is good. The shop also has a variety of books, including its own series of publications about the traditional costumes of Guatemala, hard to come by in other book stores, and also the book The Maya of Guatemala - life and dress (with text in English and Spanish) by Carmen Pettersen, for Q465 (price recently raised because the book is now out of print).

Popol Vuh Museum

6 Calle final, Zona 10, at the campus of Universidad Francisco Marroquín. Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 Sat 9:00-13:00. Q25 adults, Q15 students, Q15 for permission to take pictures (without flash), Q25 for video. The museum doesn't have a particular focus on the Popol Vuh as the name suggests, but has a rather nice collection of archaeological items from the pre-Hispanic Mayan world. There is also a room dedicated to Colonial items. The explanations are in both English and Spanish.

Archaeology and Ethnology Museum

7 Avenida, Zona 13. Presents an archaeological sample of the Mayan civilization. This is where you find the famous Tikal mask.

Museum of Modern Art

7 Avenida, Zona 13. This is directly across from the Archeology and Ethnology Museum and the ticket from it should get people into both.

Aurora Zoo

Zona 13. See local and exotic animals in a decent environment. Make sure to listen to the songbirds that gather in the trees above.

Kaminaljuyu

Zona 7. An early Maya ruin right in the heart of the city. The buildings are mostly mounds, however, the excavations have opened up a lot of areas that are interesting to tour.

Museo Miraflores

7 Calle 21-55, Zona 11. Tu, Wed, Sun 9-19, Thu, Fri, Sat 9-20. Monday closed. Museum that focuses on the ancient city of Kaminaljuyú.

Parque Central and The Cathedral

Palacio Nacional

Zona 1, can be seen via free guided tours (40Q if your not a Guatemalan citizen) that operate every 15 minutes, and last about 1/2 hr. You can see the interior courtyards and official function rooms, decorative artwork and wall murals, as well as a small statue commemorating the end of the civil war: a pair of hands that hold a fresh rose.

National History Museum (Museo Nacional de Historia)

Museo Carlos F. Novella

Mirador Basin Museum is free and located inside a cement factory. 15 Avenida 18-01 Zona 6, Interior Finca La Pedrera. (502) 2286-4100 ext. 6435. Go by cab to the front entrance and you must tell the guard you are visiting the Museo de la Cuenca Mirador.

La Antigua Guatemala: Colonial Spanish capital of Central America, a World Heritage site, and the most popular among tourists

The whole city is full of historic buildings, monuments, fountains and ruins. This city was founded by the Spanish in the XVII Century, and it follows the traditional design of a Main Plaza surrounded by Government and Catholic Church buildings. It's worthwhile to visit La Catedral, el Palacio de los Gobernadores, Convento de Capuchinas, Convento de Santa Clara, el Arco de Santa Catarina, Iglesia La Merced and the Handcrafts Market.

Entrance fees for the Ruinas are steep, except for the Ruinas y Museo de San Francisco which is a bargain at 5 Quetzals; the Ruinas de Santa Clara, Ruinas de San Jeronimo, Ruinas La Recollecion and the Museo Capuchino charge 30 Quetzals for foreigners (locals 2 Quetzals). The Museo Hotel Casa Santo Domingo charges 40 Quetzals, although here you may see just the ruinas for free.

The Parque Central is a park in the center of town. The park is a city block in size, with concentric circular walkways threading among trees and a fountain in the center. The trees are decorated with lights, and there are plenty of benches for sitting and people-watching. The Inguat tourist agency, the city hall and police office, the cathedral, and several banks and tourist businesses line the four sides of the park. Many Antiguans hang out in the park, and it has a pleasant, bustling, friendly feel during the day (at night, slightly less so... use your judgment).

A large cross is prominent on a hill to the north of the city (Cerro de la Cruz). It is a pleasant, moderately strenuous 30-minute walk to the cross from the Parque Central. On a clear day there is a fine vista over most of Antigua and the Volcán de Agua rising high to the south. Note: there are persistent reports of robberies on this trail. The Tourist Police lead a free walk up to the park at 10AM and 3PM daily. Check-in with the Tourist Police office which is on the north side of City Hall at the north east corner of Parque Central (Central Park).

The Experimental Station Valhalla is a nursery of macadamia trees with an interesting environmental and economic agenda. Valhalla has donated over 250,000 macadamia trees to indigenous communities in Guatemala. Macadamia nuts are a cash crop, with the potential to provide a better livelihood for Guatemalan peasants than does coffee. The farmer can use the trimmed branches of the trees for firewood. Additionally, macadamia trees take carbon dioxide out of the air and form it into wood, nuts and shells. The shells can be used for street paving. And Valhalla have found a way to provide the trees as genetically diverse complete plants, instead of as grafts. This allows natural selection to adapt the trees to changing environmental conditions. The station turns macadamia nuts into snacks, chocolates, a fine skin cream, a pure oil, and a flour which can be made into pancakes. Pancake breakfasts are served all day, every day until 3:30PM. The breakfast includes 3 pancakes made of macadamia flour, served with macadamia butter, homemade blueberry marmalade and a drink of your choice. No reservation required.

Experimental station Valhalla is a few km out of Antigua in the direction of San Miguel Dueñas. Chicken busses run every 30 minutes on this route, and the fare is around Q3.50 one way. The station offers tours in Spanish, English, and sometimes other languages as well. At the end of a tour they offer samples of their various macadamia products.

Flores: Island city capital of Petén, good starting point to access Mayan ruins of Tikal.

Ak'tun Kan, (La Cueva de la Serpiente, the cave of the serpent)

Take the main road through Santa Elena, turn left at the end of the road and follow signs. It is clearly marked. From the causeway in Flores, it is a 30 minute walk, or taxis are available for Q20. Inside the cave are many formations that resemble various objects, such as animals, people, and of course ordinary stalagmites and stalactites. Most of the relics are labeled (in Spanish) and will be identified by your guide. Q15 (including guide).

ARCAS (Asociaciòn de Rescate y Conservaciòn de Vida Silvestre)

A wildlife rescue center dedicated to the prevention of animal trafficking. There are possibilities to offer your services here as a volunteer. The center operates its own boat service from Flores, with boats leaving at 8AM and 3PM. Alternatively, take a boat to the Petencito Zoo, which is located near by.

Petencito Zoo

A small zoo that is home to monkeys, jaguars and raccoons as well as some animals rescued by ARCAS. The zoo is a 10 minute boat ride from Flores (inquire behind Hotel Santana).

Quetzaltenango – Second largest city, in the western highlands

Espiritu Santo

Espiritu Santo Cathedral : Consist of two structures. The "Espiritu Santo" parish's ancient facade (1535/1896) and to the back the "Diócesis de los Altos" (1899).

Municipal Theatre

The Municipal Theatre is a very important Neoclassical work.

Central America park

The Central America park (known as "Parque Central): Situated in the centre of the town is also centre of cultural activities and amusements.

The Enrique Passage

Near the central park.

Gobernacion

One block from the central park.

Cerro del Baúl

Where one can have a beautiful view of Quetzaltenango's valley, day or night