Colonial City Antigua

• Colonial City Antiguaantigua image by charles taylor from Fotolia.com
  
  Antigua is a colonial city 1,500 meters above sea-level surrounded by volcanoes Fuego, Acatenango and Agua. It was founded in the early 16th century. A 1973 earthquake destroyed much of the city, but the ruins of the most important monuments have been preserved. Famous for its architecture, it has many convents, cathedrals and monasteries. Antigua has more than 75 schools and is one of the most popular cities in Latin America for studying Spanish.
  
  

Guatemalan Cuisine

• Guatemalan cuisine predominantly includes white rice, black beans and corn tortillas. Some of the other popular foods are chiles rellenos (chilies with beef, cornmeal and cheese in them) and tamales (spiced meat and cornmeal in steamed banana leaves). A variety of meat, poultry and fish are included in their dishes. Comedores, Guatemalan neighborhood restaurants (like American diners) offer simple Guatemalan food. In tourist areas there are fast food chains and restaurants serving international cuisine. Different areas of Guatemala serve regional cuisine. Garifuna, along the Caribbean coast, offers fish dishes served with plantains, spices and coconuts.
  
  

Mayan Civilization

• Visit Mayan RuinsMayan Statue image by Photohank from Fotolia.com
  
  The most significant Mayan ruins in Guatemala are found in Copan and in the Tikal area. However, smaller remains exist throughout Guatemala. Visiting the Mayan ruins, tourists learn about the history and complexity of ancient Mayan civilization. The largest structure is the Great Plaza in Tikal. Ceremonial buildings, altars, administrative and residential palaces and a ball court surround the Great Plaza. The Hieroglyphic Stairway has "the longest single glyphic text found at any Maya site," according to the Travel Planner website. Quirigua, though a small Mayan city, has a series of splendid monuments, including the biggest blocks of carved stone created by the Mayans. Aguateca is near the Pasion River Ceibal. It has many waterways and monuments nestled in the natural surroundings.
  
  

Natural Wonders

• Natural beauty of Guatemalaun toucan image by G??raldine Royer from Fotolia.com
  
  Guatemala offers tourists a spectacular natural world, including volcanoes, sulphurous lakes and subtropical forests. Guatemala's species are diverse, living in rain forests, swamps, arid valleys and along the coast. According to the Travel Planner website, the government is implementing sustainable tourism to conserve the beautiful natural surroundings and attract tourists.
  
  

Emergencies

• According to the U.S. Department of State website, any needed medical care is available in Guatemala City. Finding medical care outside of the city is difficult. The public hospitals are often short on equipment and basic medicines. Private hospitals offer care for the most common injuries and illnesses and have many U.S.-certified and -trained specialists.