What is Guatemala? A Photographic Answer
Filed Under: 
Guatemala surprises with its variety and delivers a diversity of humanity and landscape that belies its size.
From the indigenous groups whose villages press into the hillsides of the Western highlands to the epic Mayan ruins of Tikal, there’s a little something for everyone within Guatemala’s oddly carved borders.
So what is Guatemala? Here is our answer — in photos.
Antigua: Colonial Charm and Markets
Xela (Quetzaltenango): Indigenous Highland Culture
Semana Santa (Holy Week): Via Antigua
Antigua’s Semana Santa (Holy Week): In Fisheye
Totonicapan: Microfinance Borrowers and Tuesday Market
San Francisco El Alto: Weekly Market
Lake Atitlan: A Three-Day Hike in the Hills
Guatemala City: Microfinance Around the Capital
Rio Dulce and Livingston: A Laid-Back Slice of Guatemala
Tikal, Flores and Coban: From Mayan Ruins to Coffee Towns
And for moment at least, we say goodbye to Guatemala as we head further south into Central America.
June 13th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Enjoy the next part of your journey through Central America.
June 13th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Great slide shows.
I’m wondering if you encountered anyone speaking indigenous Mayan languages. Amanda and I spent time with people speaking Tzeltal and Lacandon. In Guatemala I think they speak varieties of Yucatec which is related.
The Mayan we heard was very musical and easy on the ear. When people would sing hymns it was like hearing an angel choir.
How has the weather been? The air in the highlands can be so cool and clear.
Have fun as you head south.
June 14th, 2009 at 3:00 am
The last picture looks beautiful. Enjoy your journey through Cetnral America. Would you be heading to South America further?
June 14th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Nice photos. The one with children feels especially live and real.
“Indigenous Highland Culture” sounds quite attractive.
June 24th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
@Dave and Deb: Thanks!
@Pete: We did hear some indigenous Mayan language being spoken (Qu’iche’, I believe). It struck us as harsh-sounded harsh, a bit guttural. We didn’t take any indigenous language classes while in Guatemala. Spanish was enough of a challenge, along with fragments of all the others languages we’ve picked up along the way bouncing in our heads. However, it is possible to take classes in languages like Qu’iche’.
@Arun: Thanks…and yes, after Nicaragua, we head to Ecuador, then south through the Andes, down to Argentina and Chile, back up to Brazil, Venezuela and Columbia, then back into Central America to see Costa Rica and Panama. Plans, of course, always subject to change.
@Jean: Thanks. The indigenous culture in Guatemala really adds to the experience there. Kids are always great…they provide a nice perspective.