Highlands of Guatemala Travel Guide
Vibrant villages, technicolour markets, Mayan traditions and breathtaking verdant landscapes.
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The Highlands are the true heart of Guatemala, where the rolling hillsides are draped in a verdant patchwork of colours of lush green grasses, golden maize, deep green avocado and red coffee berries.
The highland towns and villages are well known for their markets, colourful textiles and traditional costumes. The most famous of these is the town of Chichicastenango, with its extensive market filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, textiles and handicrafts.
At the centre of the region is the colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with colonial architecture, cobbled streets, stunning monasteries, convents and cathedrals. From here it is possible to hike up the active Pacaya volcano, one of three which surrounds Antigua, often offering a close encounter with oozing lava and superb views over the highlands.
The stunning Lake Aitilan is an area of scenic beauty and a relaxed atmosphere, with a backdrop by volcanoes and surrounded by highland villages inhabited by the indigenous Maya people. Here it is possible to enjoy several days exploring the villages along the shore, discovering Mayan traditions and watching fishermen on the lake in their small dug-out canoes.
Above the city of Huehuetenango are the Los Cuchumatanes, the highest mountain chain of Central America and an area of pine forests, lakes and highland pastures which can easily be explored on horse back. On the edge of these mountains lies the Ixchel Triangle, in which are located the remote and traditional towns of Nebaj, Chajul and Cotzal forming the core of the Ixil-speaking region.
Places to Visit in Highlands of Guatemala
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