Home > Destinations > Central and South America > Guatemala > Planning a Trip
Bookstore Travel Talk - Our Message Boards Tips and Tools Book a Trip Deals and News Trip Ideas, Activities, Lifestyles Hotels Destinations Frommers.com Home
Frommer's - The best trips start here. Frommer's - The best trips start here.
Sign up for our FREE Newsletters! Win a FREE Trip
  Email This Article Email Print This Article Print Get Frommer's RSS Feed RSS

Planning a Trip

Guatemala is a land of many colors and cultures. Its many ruins attest to the architectural prowess of both the Maya and the Spanish conquistadors. A trip to Guatemala can focus on the art and culture, natural beauty, ancient archaeology, or a combination of the above. You can partake in adventure sports, spend some time brushing up on your Spanish, or lend a hand as a volunteer.

Some like to travel independently, while others are more comfortable booking a package tour. Guatemala is a country that's easier to navigate with a guide and organized transport for at least some legs of your trip. Whatever your interests or travel style, we'll will provide you with all the tools and information necessary to plan and book your trip.

Guatemala sits at the northwestern tip of Central America. It's bordered by Mexico to the north, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the east, Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. The country covers an area of 100,000 sq. km (just more than 40,000 sq. miles), which is slightly smaller than the state of Tennessee. Almost two-thirds of the country is covered by mountains, most of which are volcanic. There are some 33 named volcanoes in Guatemala. Of these, quite a few are active, including Volcán Pacaya, Volcán Santiaguito, and Volcán Fuego.

Aside from a few major urban areas, the country is predominantly rural and densely populated. Most visitors stick close to a well-defined tourist trail that encompasses Guatemala City, Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and the Western Highlands, with a side trip to Tikal and the Petén. Those with more time, or a more adventurous spirit, are starting to explore the Atlantic Lowlands, Pacific coast, and the central region, which includes Las Verapaces and El Oriente.


Back to Top


Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


  Email This Article Email Print This Article Print Get Frommer's RSS Feed RSS
Frommer's Guatemala, 1st Edition Frommer's Guatemala, 1st Edition

Author: Eliot Greenspan
Pub Date: February 27, 2007
Price: $19.99

Buy Now!
Related Titles:
Costa Rica For Dummies, 2nd Edition
Frommer's Belize, 2nd Edition
Frommer's Belize, 3rd Edition
Add Frommers.com RSS Feed  Add Frommers.com RSS Feed (What's This?)
Add Frommers.com Deals & News to Your Web Site
Add to My Yahoo!     Add to My MSN     More RSS Readers
Add Frommers.com Podcast Add Frommers.com Podcast (What's This?)
Home > Destinations > Central and South America > Guatemala > Planning a Trip