Why Travel to Guatemala?
Not unlike Mexico 30 years ago, Guatemala has to be the most colourful country in Latin America and second only to Peru in all the Americas. It offers superb, jungle encrusted Maya pyramid complexes, gorgeous smoking volcanic landscapes, wildlife crammed rainforests, magnificent colonial towns, and colourful ethnic people with curious customs. It’s also good value, relatively undeveloped and – if you go in the right season – has a climate of ‘Eternal Spring’ in highland areas. Teaching Spanish language is big business here, with 60 reliable schools, many in Antigua. Downside: – Although civil war ceased in 1996 Guatemala still suffers a desperate rich/poor imbalance, with 3% of the population owning 70% of the usable land. The indigenous Maya people are particularly hard up. – Petty crime is commonplace and violent crime occasional, with Guatemala City being the focus of the country’s ills. Spend as little time as possible there. – Guatemala’s infrastructure is stuffed; roads are rough
