People commonly describe Guatemala as “the land of eternal spring.” And rightly so. Exuberant displays of orange and violet bougainvilleas greet people year-round. The word Guatemala comes from the indigenous Mayan-Toltec word Quauhtemalla, meaning “land of many trees,” and, indeed our northern biosphere is part of one of the largest in this hemisphere.
Los numeros
Canadians are usually surprised by the fact that tourism is one of our largest industries, with ecotourism more popular and in greater consumer demand. What further surprises them is the fact that most of the tourists who visit Guatemala come from neighbouring countries within Central America. Imagine that when these countries, and others in our region, are, themselves, popular tourist destinations.
Last year tourism grew, even with the economic downturn, to almost two million visitors. Of those tourists, 51 percent came from Central America, just over one-third from North America, 10 percent from Europe, 3 percent from South America, 1.5 percent from Asia, and the rest from Oceana, the Middle East and the Caribbean. Tourism contributed close to $1.4 billion to the economy. It is often lauded because it reaches all sectors of society, including the informal sector. This “trickle-down effect” is evident, producing direct financial benefit, even to Guatemalans who make and sell artifacts and souvenirs.
Guatever!
Speaking of handicrafts and souvenirs, visitors like to take advantage of the inexpensive, colourful, hand-woven textiles, wood carvings, silver and jade jewelry, leather wallets and purses, belts and many other reasonably priced crafts they come across everywhere. Also, I recommend buying a pound or two of our famous (fair-traded) shade-grown coffee and a bottle (or two again) of the internationally recognized award-winning 23-year-old Zacapa rum.
El Centro
Guatemala is just a bit larger than Portugal with roughly 108,000 square kilometers (47,000 square miles). It is the northern-most country in Central America and is also the most populous, with coastlines both on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans; our own “d’un ocean à l’autre.”
I am often reminded that most travelers don’t consider the three geographical regions in our neighborhood: North America, which includes Canada, the United States and Mexico; Central America, which stretches from Guatemala to Panama; and South America, which begins with Colombia and ends with southernmost Argentina.
Most Canadians consider Mexico part of South America, when, in fact, it is (culturally) part of Latin America, but (geographically) part of North America. Guatemala, then, is only the third country to the south of Canada, with only the U.S. and Mexico between us.
Being incredibly topographically diverse, Guatemala consists of six main climate regions, each with its own sub-microclimates, making it a land of diverse attractions in a relatively small area. The country is officially a neotropic eco-zone and the habitat for 10 percent of all known species on the planet. There are orchids, mahogany trees and many species of wildlife including hummingbirds, toucans, ‘squawking’ popinjays, jaguars, pumas, wild boars, reptiles, manatees and spider and howler monkeys.
Guatemala is ideal for bird watchers as it is on the north-south migratory path of birds and hosts more than 700 species. Bird watchers can appreciate our national bird; the rare and mystical Quetzal. The country’s diverse mountainous relief runs from sea level to more than 4,000 metres (13,100 feet) in altitude, which explains the dissimilar ecosystems that range from humid coastal mangrove sanctuaries to misty conifer forests in the highlands.
Guatemala has more than 30 volcanoes and it is fun to climb both the inactive ones (I have climbed several and have never seen such starry nights!), and the active ones — with due precaution and guidance. One can appreciate, from a safe distance, the spectacular lava displays from active volcanoes.
But our diversity is more than ecological. Our population is also multi-ethnical and multi-cultural — with 23 Mayan languages spoken besides the official Spanish.
A donde vas? (Where are you headed?)
Guatemala’s most-sought-after tourist destinations are the pyramids and temples of Tikal, a huge ancient Mayan metropolis that many consider the classic representation of that civilization. The Mirador pyramid is actually the largest by volume in the world. Also much sought is beautiful Lake Atitlán; an old volcano crater in the highlands surrounded by smaller volcanoes, the colourful markets of Chichicastenango and Huehuetenango, the Atlantic beaches with their rich Caribbean culture, and the exotic volcanic black beaches of the Pacific, known for their fishing and angling.
While travelling recently to Guatemala with my family, we spent a few days in the capital, Guatemala City, visiting sites such as the large topographic relief map of the country, amusement parks (very enjoyable, with the same rides I delighted in as a kid), as well as the lately re-designed zoo, which we all loved.
If you go to our capital city, be sure to visit the Mercado Central or the well-located Mercado de Artesanías, where you can buy all sorts of handicrafts. Be sure to see the Central Cathedral, the National Palace and the indigenous Popol Vuh museum. There are actually more than 20 museums in Guatemala City, including a railroad and a textile museum.
We visited Antigua, the old capital city, founded by the Spanish in the 16th Century and now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Antigua is indeed a most charming colonial town. Well known as a tourist attraction, with its cobblestone streets, baroque architecture, five-star restaurants and majestic scenery, it sits next to a near perfectly conical volcano.
We also visited the Pacific beach for some “fun under the sun,” and were able to arrange flights on ultra-light aircraft and fishing trips for the children, which were a big hit. I was even able to coax my eldest son onto a board for some wave-riding.
After spending close to a week at the Pacific beach (and having worked on a base suntan), we ventured further to an amusement water park near the Mexican border called Xocomil y Xetulul, where I am proud to say we were pleasantly reassured by the overall luxury of the various themed hotels and the sheer quantity of attractions and rides. Needless to say, my kids did not want to leave the fun, nor did my wife want to leave the excellent spa and fine shopping.
Holy guacamole & hot tamales
Guatemala has two coasts, and therefore two oceans, and a varied landscape. That, and the increase in tourists, has resulted in various culinary delicacies. Visitors and tourists taste the local dishes such as tamales (ground corn with meat or vegetables and cooked in a banana leaf), chiles rellenos (bell peppers stuffed with ground beef) and ceviche (a dish made of various types of seafood marinated in lime juice with condiments and spices).
It goes without saying that you must try the locally prepared guacamole en tortilla, which is mouth-wateringly fresh thanks to hand-picked organic avocadoes. Prime beef steaks, fish and seafood, pastas and much more are all to be found in the growing restaurant industry. In our bustling haut-cuisine sector, the most demanding connoisseur can savour international delicacies around the country.
One of my personal favourites, though, is the fresh and organic (and very fair- traded) fruit one can buy from any street vendor. Whether pineapples, papaya, mangoes, cashew-fruit (the cashews you know and eat are the seed of a very exotic, juicy fruit called jocote, only the cashew seed grows on the outside of the fruit), or many of the other local fruits unknown in Canada (such as anona, pitaya, zapote, granadilla, guanaba), you will surely enjoy a healthy meal or a refreshing fruit smoothie.
While staying at the Westin Camino Real or the Intercontinental Hotel in Guatemala City, some recommended restaurants are: Hacienda Real, Montanos, Kakao, Tamarindos and Carpaccio. While in Antigua you should stay (and eat) at Casa Santo Domingo and also dine out at Meson Panza Verde, Welten, Café Condesa, and El Sereno. Many people travel to Antigua during Easter to witness the majestic religious processions. If you plan to include this on your trip, be sure to book at least a year in advance.
Guat zap? (What’s up?)
Guatemala’s tourist industry continues to grow and diversify. For example, each year we attract more pensioners and retirees from North America and Europe, as well as investors, medical tourists and others. “Voluntourists,” a growing interest coined as “do-it-yourself foreign aid” and language schools are both growing in numbers. Recently, luxury air cruises have also become trendy, with international VIPs jet-setting to tailored chosen destinations.
Whether it’s whitewater rafting, canopying, fishing, relaxing, fine dining, sight-seeing, jungle trekking or bird watching, Guatemala — the heart of the Mayan world — is a superb tourist destination. www.visitguatemala.com
We particularly look forward to receiving tourists on this extraordinary year 2012. The current Mayan ‘Great Cycle’, which began on August 13, 3114 B.C., ends on Dec. 21. This marks the beginning of a new era in the Mayan Cosmo-Vision, within its calendrical cycles of time. www.2012guatemala.com
Georges de La Roche is Guatemala’s ambassador to Canada. Reach him at Embassy1@embaguate-canada.com or (613) 233-7237.
