{"id":23481,"date":"2024-04-30T09:26:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T23:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=23481"},"modified":"2025-03-12T04:25:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T17:25:13","slug":"guatemala-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/guatemala-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"12 facts you probably don&#8217;t know about Guatemala"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Ancient Maya ruins nestled in the jungle, the colorful town of Antigua and magnificent volcanoes all throughout the country&#8230; <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/guatemala\">Guatemala <\/a>has plenty of noteworthy sites to explore.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, compared to its neighbors in Central America (we&#8217;re looking at you, <a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/costa-rica\">Costa Rica<\/a>), this beautiful country remains pretty under the radar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, to give you some insider tips, we&#8217;ve curated a bunch of surprising and curiosity-inducing Guatemala facts. They prove that Guatemala is worthy of the spotlight, and maybe, just maybe, they&#8217;ll entice you to visit for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"product_wrapper ipf-no-title\"><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"QBSG\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/QBSG.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qbsg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Heart of Guatemala<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">7 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qbsg\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"QVRXC\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/QVRXC.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qvrxc\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Central American Adventure<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">34 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qvrxc\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"QBSDC\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/QBSDC.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qbsdc\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Guatemala & Beyond<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">15 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qbsdc\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. There are 21 dialects spoken in Guatemala<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Spanish is the official language and is spoken by 90% of the population. However, there are long-standing Mayan, Xinca and Gar\u00edfuna roots too. Since the Maya civilization (a group of Indigenous people of Mesoamerica) was first developed, the language has evolved into around 21 dialects that can be heard today on a true <a href=\"\/guatemala\/maya-encounter-160423\">Mayan encounter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"\/adventures\/indigenous-tour-leader-guatemala\/\">Read more: Intrepid&#8217;s Operations Manager in Guatemala shares how he embraces his Maya heritage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Blue denim flourishes in Guatemala<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many Maya women are crafty textile producers. And Guatemala is actually a leader in blue denim production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/guatemala\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_antigua_local-selling-textiles.jpg\" alt=\"Guatemalan woman holding bright coloured textiles\" class=\"wp-image-23762\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_antigua_local-selling-textiles.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_antigua_local-selling-textiles-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_antigua_local-selling-textiles-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_antigua_local-selling-textiles-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, textile weaving is still ever-present in towns like San Antonio Aguas Calientes, just outside Antigua. Guatemalans wear Huipiles (an incredible garment typically woven by local women) with a sacred meaning based on region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Guatemalans invented the first-ever chocolate bar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All of us (well, the chocolate lovers among us) would agree with the Maya people who worship the cacao tree. They call chocolate &#8220;the food of the Gods.&#8221; And they believe that chocolate holds incredible nutritional benefits, like reducing blood pressure.&nbsp;Today, Guatemala is a mass producer and exporter of chocolate products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But don&#8217;t worry \u2013 there&#8217;s still plenty of quality chocolate to enjoy while in the country. Many of the best places are in shops around Antigua. And when there, be sure to visit&nbsp;ChocoMuseo, a museum that&#8217;ll teach you about its history and nutritional values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The insane number of volcanoes in Guatemala is surely enough to put it on the map. Of these, the most noteworthy volcano is Tajumulco. It&#8217;s the highest peak in Central America at a whopping 4,202 metres. Out of over 30 volcanoes, only three are active: Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/guatemala\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_antigua_street-houses-volcano.jpg\" alt=\"Agua volcano viewpoint in the streets of Antigua\" class=\"wp-image-23761\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_antigua_street-houses-volcano.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_antigua_street-houses-volcano-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_antigua_street-houses-volcano-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_antigua_street-houses-volcano-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Oh, the beauty of Guatemala&#8217;s volcanoes. Extra fact: the bath by Quetzaltenango&#8217;s volcano is naturally heated by a volcanic vent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Once at the base of the volcano, you have the opportunity to roast some marshmallows in a pit to celebrate all that effort you put in for climbing this active volcano. If you are lucky, you can even roast them over molten rock.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>Dennis Asturias, one of Intrepid&#8217;s local leaders in Guatemala, shares a snippet of his experience on the hike<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>An experience you won&#8217;t want to miss is a hike up Pacaya volcano. Whether you trek by foot or take a horse ride up, the view from the top of Pacaya is simply spectacular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Tikal National Park is the first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Tikal National Park has earned its title as <a href=\"http:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/64\">the first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/a> for its cultural and natural wonders. Tikal&#8217;s Maya ruins are embedded in the jungle. From a distance, you can spot them pop out of the rich green canopy&nbsp;\u2013 it&#8217;s breathtaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/guatemala\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-Guatemala_Tikal_NP.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of Tikal ancient ruins\" class=\"wp-image-23760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-Guatemala_Tikal_NP.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-Guatemala_Tikal_NP-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-Guatemala_Tikal_NP-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-Guatemala_Tikal_NP-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Climb to the top of the ruins to spot local residents (we&#8217;re talking toucans and macaws). Find out about the history behind the 5 granite temples by a fantastic local guide (we&#8217;ve got you covered on Intrepid&#8217;s 17-day small group adventure from Mexico to Belize).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Some Guatemalans worship a Saint named&nbsp;Maxim\u00f3n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Arguably, one of the most mysterious Guatemalan facts is the worshipping of Maxim\u00f3n. A shocking legend about him says that when the village men would head off to work,&nbsp;Maxim\u00f3n slept with all of their wives! Consequently, the men cut off Maxim\u00f3ns arms and legs in a fit of anger, which explains why most effigies of him are made without arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Coffee is Guatemala&#8217;s biggest export business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Coffee is big in Guatemala. Like, really big. By 1880, coffee accounted for 90% of Guatemala&#8217;s&nbsp;exports, and even today, it&#8217;s one of the country&#8217;s main exports and sources of income.&nbsp;The coffee has a distinct flavor to it, typically full-bodied and has rich chocolate and cocoa flavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/guatemala\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_coffee-beans-harvest.jpg\" alt=\"Coffee beans being harvested in Guatemala\" class=\"wp-image-23767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_coffee-beans-harvest.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_coffee-beans-harvest-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_coffee-beans-harvest-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_coffee-beans-harvest-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;If you are an avid coffee drinker like myself, I would recommend going to places that show you the whole process of acquiring coffee. About 2 km away from the main plaza in Antigua is a place called La Azotea. Take a tuk-tuk to this place for an authentic, yet practical experience. At La Azotea, you can visit the coffee museum as well the music museum. The coffee museum is set in an old mill and visitors are provided explanations of the history, processing, marketing and brewing of coffee.&#8221;<\/p>\n<cite>Coffee experience recommendation from Dennis,&nbsp;one of Intrepid&#8217;s local leaders in Guatemala<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. A hurricane unveiled a &#8216;Rhode Island-sized&#8217; jade mine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Guatemala is among the biggest jade producers in the world. The Maya people used these rare stones for ideological rituals. On a visit, you can buy your own precious stones from the jewelry stores around Antigua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Old American school buses live their second lives as &#8216;chicken buses&#8217;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When big yellow American school buses near 10 years or clock in 150,000 miles, some are auctioned off and driven down to Guatemala. The buses are revived by locals with strokes of paint in every color of the rainbow. Guatemalans then use it for local transport. Riding Guatemala&#8217;s public transit is a thrilling ride. Opting for this budget-friendly travel alternative will give you an eclectic local experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><a data-wpil=\"url\" href=\"\/guatemala\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_lake-atitlan_bus-traveller-street.jpg\" alt=\"Traveler standing in front of a colorful bus\" class=\"wp-image-23757\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_lake-atitlan_bus-traveller-street.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_lake-atitlan_bus-traveller-street-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_lake-atitlan_bus-traveller-street-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_lake-atitlan_bus-traveller-street-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. At Tortugario Montericco, you can help release turtles into the sea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Who doesn\u2019t want to see and help these cute creatures take their steps in life? At Tortugario Montericco, you have the opportunity to help with conservation efforts.&nbsp;They&#8217;ve set up nested protection for the eggs along the beach (an area that&#8217;s an important nesting site for olive ridley turtles).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The nesting season runs from June to December and peaks in August and September. So if you are in Guatemala around this time, this is a fabulous opportunity for wildlife lovers to engage in releasing of the turtles.<\/p>\n<cite>Dennis,&nbsp;one of Intrepid&#8217;s local leaders in Guatemala, gives tips on when to go<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11. Guatemala&#8217;s Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just as deep as it is beautiful! Only 4 hours away from Antigua, it&#8217;s a fantastic spot for enthusiastic photographers to capture some of the best volcano views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>San Jorge La Laguna is a small village that overlooks Lake Atitlan and is home to locals eager to let you in on their traditional crafts. Better yet,\u00a0<a href=\"\/guatemala\/maya-encounter-160423\">stay with a local host family<\/a> to really immerse yourself in the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full wp-image-23758\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_lake-atitlan_dock-pier-sunset.jpg\" alt=\"A view of the sunset from a rickety wooden pier on Lake Atitlan.\" class=\"wp-image-23758\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_lake-atitlan_dock-pier-sunset.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_lake-atitlan_dock-pier-sunset-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_lake-atitlan_dock-pier-sunset-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-guatemala_lake-atitlan_dock-pier-sunset-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">12. Guatemalans fly kites to honor their dead<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All Saints Day Kite Festival is Guatemalans&#8217; way of honoring their dead. Every year on November 1st, Guatemalans partake in this ritual that has been around for more than 3000 years. People flock to the cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of their loved ones. Then, Guatemalans fly massive and intricately decorated kites high in the sky\u2014it&#8217;s quite the sight to behold.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"ipf-title\">Why not learn more about Guatemala... in Guatemala?<\/h2><div class=\"product_wrapper ipf-has-title\"><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"QVRJ\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/QVRJ.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qvrj\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Central American Journey<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">16 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qvrj\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"QBYA\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/QBYA.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qbya\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Real Central America<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">16 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qbya\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"QBKH\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/QBKH.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qbkh\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Tikal Guatemala And Belize Short Break<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">4 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/qbkh\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8212;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>A major thank you to Intrepid&#8217;s local Guatemala tour leader, Dennis Asturias, for his on-the-ground insights!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Surprising and curiosity-inducing, these Guatemala facts prove the country is worthy of the Central American 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