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Guatemala Highlights and Events
Travel in Guatemala with Intrepid
Guatemala is a mystical land of volcanic landscapes, misty cloud forests and steamy jungles that hide remnants of the mighty Mayan civilisation. With enchanting towns full of cultural riches, isn’t it about time you got acquainted with the inviting people, exotic wildlife and spellbinding stories of Guatemala?
Experience Guatemala's highlights on these trips
Central American Adventure
32 days
Basix
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USD $2,595CAD $2,480AUD $2,395EUR €1,880GBP £1,530NZD $3,065ZAR R19,855CHF FR2,295* Total price tool tip
Best of Central America
44 days
Basix
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USD $3,495CAD $3,345AUD $3,230EUR €2,465GBP £2,050NZD $4,135ZAR R26,780CHF FR3,030* Total price tool tip
Central America Explorer
46 days
Basix
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USD $3,570CAD $3,395AUD $3,280EUR €2,495GBP £2,080NZD $4,195ZAR R27,195CHF FR3,075* Total price tool tip
Ultimate Central America
58 days
Basix
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USD $4,560CAD $4,340AUD $4,190EUR €3,195GBP £2,655NZD $5,365ZAR R34,740CHF FR3,930* Total price tool tip
*
Refer to booking conditions
Highlights
- Browse the colourful goods on display at Chichicastenango market
- Get stuck into outdoor activities in Panajachel
- Take a dip in Guatemala’s Lago Peten Itza
- Admire the classic colonial streetscapes of Antigua
- Explore the ancient Tikal ruins deep in the steamy jungle
- Walk the charming streets of quaint Flores
- Hang out with locals in Antigua’s busy Parque Central
- Spot toucans and macaws in the trees of Tikal National Park
- Enjoy Guatemalan food and hospitality while on a homestay
Festivals and Events
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Fiesta de Santo Tomas
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- December 13 - December 21, 2013 View available trips in Guatemala
- December 13 - December 21, 2014 View available trips in Guatemala
- The highland town of Chichicastenango is home to one of the best outdoor markets in Central America, and also this extraordinary annual festival. Combining Catholic and Mayan traditions, expect to see lively processions of costumed dancers, firecracker explosions, exotic pageantry and kamikaze-style bungee jumping.
Intrepid has no control over changes made to festival and event dates and activities. Note that some Intrepid trips which include an event as part of their itinerary, may be surcharged. Where festivals or events are not included as part of an Intrepid trip, all costs associated with the event will need to be paid for by the client. Please check before booking your Intrepid trip that it does match up with key festival or event dates.
Guatemala's Top Picks
Some Guatemalans eat sompopos - giant winged ants!
Top 10 Birds To Spot in Guatemala
- Keel-Billed Toucan: This tropical feathered icon is synonymous with Central America. Often found in pairs or groups, keel-billed toucans love using their huge beaks to chomp on fruit and nuts. Abundant populations make them easy to find in the rainforests and jungles of Guatemala.
- Guatemalan Screech Owl: In Guatemala, owls represent luck and prosperity so you’ll see plenty of owl trinkets, statues and jewellery in the shops and markets. Hopefully, you’ll also get to see a Guatemalan Screech Owl hiding in the tress of woodlands and forests. Listen for its faint but distinct call.
- Resplendent Quetzal: Guatemala’s national bird is a colourful mix of emerald green, scarlet red and white. The males feature a very long tail, which makes launching into flight difficult, so they often jump backwards first – like a parachutist!
- Wine-Throated Hummingbird: These tiny birds nestle in the cloud forests of highland Guatemala. Despite their size, they’re not impossible to spot – just look for its green head and stunning, magenta throat.
- Pale-Billed Woodpecker: The distinct ‘rap rap rap’ of the woodpecker gives away its location every time. The black, white and red coloured pale-billed woodpecker is commonly found in Tikal so keep an eye out for them while visiting the Tikal ruins.
- King Vulture: Revered in Mayan mythology and commonly represented in temples and artwork, majestic king vultures glide on thermal currents for hours, searching for food, so look up to see them soaring above.
- Horned Guan: This endangered species can be found in the highland regions of Guatemala lurking in the cloud forests. With a bright red feathered horn on the top of their heads, it’s not hard to spot these magnificent creatures.
- Scarlet Macaw: These vibrant and curiously beautiful birds are endangered but can still be found in some of Guatemala’s biosphere reserves. Poaching and habitat destruction has led to a decline in their populations, but conservation groups are currently helping to save the species. See them while you can!
- Ringed Kingfisher: These noisy birds can be found near large bodies of water as their favourite food is fish, although they will also eat reptiles, insects and berries. Named for the wide, white collar that features on its neck, you won't have many problems finding this species as they are found in great numbers throughout Central and South America.
- Blue-Crowned Motmot: This striking, multi-coloured bird has a green and yellow body with a turquoise-fringed face and deep-set red eyes. Motmots love humid conditions so can be found in forests, plantations and gardens throughout tropical Guatemala.
Shortlist
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Guatemala at a glance
- 37
- Guatemala City (population 1.15 million)
- 13.8 million
- Spanish
- GTQ
- (GMT-06:00) Central America
- Type A (North American/Japanese 2-pin), Type B (American 3-pin)
- +502
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