Guatemala Highlands
 

Some of the interesting sites to explore:

** Antigua. Antigua's historic sites deserve at least one day of exploration.  Formerly Santiago de Guatemala, the city was once the third most important Spanish colony in the Americas. For almost 200 years it served as the political and economic center for all lands between Chiapas and Costa Rica. In 1773 the city was destroyed by an earthquake and the capital was moved to Guatemala City. A lovely city with spectacular views of the three volcanoes that surround it (Agua, Acatenango and Fuego -- which is active) that has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage City. In the markets at Antigua one can find everything from brightly colored and intricately embroidered textiles to elegant folk art.  High quality jade from nearby mines carved into beads, and exquisitely worked animal figures and glyphs are just some of the treasures to be found in Antigua.  Side trips include:   Take the trek to active Pacaya Volcano, where the live lava flows are spectacular;  Follow that up with a healing soak in mineral hot springs naturally heated by the volcano; Visit nearby coffee farms ("fincas") to learn about coffee production and the history of coffee in Guatemala.

** Lake Atitlán. Atitlán (the Nahualt word for "place of water"), is called Choi Lake ("near the water") by the modern-day Maya. Surrounded by three towering volcanoes (Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro), and at an altitude of 1562 meters (4,265 feet) this spectacular lake is home to a multitude of Maya communities who live on its shores. Formed by water build up in a volcanic crater, novelist Aldous Huxley called Lake Atitlán "the most beautiful lake in the world".

** Boat trip on Lake Atitlán to Santiago de Atitlan. Santiago Atitlan is the capital of the Tzutujil Maya Nation and they believe it is the “belly button” of the Universe. It has the largest population of indigenous people of any town in Central America. Renowned weavers, the women in Santiago still wear traditional headdresses made from long lengths of cloth wound repeatedly around the head.  The bustling marketplace in this village is an excellent place to buy hand-made textiles directly from local weavers.

 ** Numerous small villages on Lake Atitlan such as San Andres Itzapa which has a shrine to Maximón -- a black-suited mustached individual who combines the attributes of St. Simon, Mam (a Mayan god), Alvarado (the Guatemalan conquistador) and Judas Iscariot.. In the courtyard of the shrine shamans perform healings and people make offerings of cigars and alcohol. Many miracles are attributed to Maximón, everything from physical cures to financial prosperity. On Maximon's day (October 28th), thousands of believers make the pilgrimage there to pay homage to this somewhat enigmatic figure.

** Chichicastenango “Chichi” is an important ritual center of the modern day Maya. You'll witness Maya religious practices firsthand at Church of Santo Thomás and the most colorful native market in all the Americas. The 400-year old church of Santo Thomás is still used by shamans today and you'll see how the modern Maya continue the spiritual practices of their ancestors. At the adjacent marketplace K'iche' Maya of the surrounding region and vendors from all over Guatemala gather in “Chichi”, one of the largest trading centers in the Maya area, to buy sell and trade their wares. A wonderful mix of richly colored textiles and meticulously carved wooden ceremonial masks, the scent of copal incense and candles, the sounds of prayers and singing -- a truly unique experience.

** Butterfly and herb gardens of the Atitlan Nature Reserve, where spider monkeys swing in the trees and sometimes, if they take a liking to you, will sit next to you while you enjoy the beautiful natural setting.