About Guatemala
Guatemala, is the heart of the Mayan world. Alive, magical, mystical and ancestral. Its history goes back to four thousand years, when the Mayan civilization emerged, whose legacy remains today with the traditions and culture of its people.
Guatemala is a country of extraordinary cultural and natural richness and with a privileged geographical location. The distances from place to place are short, allowing you to visit several regions in the same trip.
It is a unique country, of adventure, unforgettable, between its past and present, in addition to the diversity of activities that it offers to the visitor. Known as the country of the eternal spring, it enjoys a pleasant climate that allows to visit it at any time of the year. In addition, it offers several possibilities of access from any part of the world, with two international airports: the Aurora, located in the capital city; And Mundo Maya, located in the Department of Petén.
The colour of its handicraft markets and its regional costumes, the hospitality of its people, the beauty of its natural landscapes that frame volcanoes, lakes, rivers and mountains, make Guatemala etched in the heart of those who visit it. Its natural, cultural and historical patrimony can be discovered in every corner of the country.
Guatemala houses the largest number of archaeological sites in the Mayan culture, surrounded by an impressive flora and fauna, which makes them the true lungs of humanity. The magic and Mystery of the Mayan world subsist in millenary cities such as Tikal, Yaxhá, Aguateca, Mirador, Quiriguá and Q’uma ‘ Rkaj among others.
In addition, Guatemala offers advantages in some specific segments for visitors, such as its strategic location, facilities in its terrestrial and maritime terminals, making it an important destination for Pacific and Atlantic Cruises. Its fishing resources on the Pacific coast have given it recognition as one of the best places for sailfish fishing in the world. The variety of more than 720 species of birds, makes it a wonderful and important destination to observe. The country also has all the characteristics to promote business activities, as well as being an ideal destination for national and international conventions.
Guatemala with its richness and diversity offers many ways to enjoy your holidays or business trips, because you can find in one place different tourism segments, in its seven wonderful regions
La Antigua Guatemala
It is located 45 kms from Guatemala City. It was the third capital established by the Spaniards. It was named City of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala in 1566. After plagues, earthquakes and floods, the earthquake of 1773 finally destroyed it definitively. In spite of having been an outlawed and abandoned city to create a new capital, its inhabitants gradually brought it back to life and today it is one of Guatemala’s major tourist attractions. It is a jewel of urban planning and colonial architecture, which retains its characteristics, as if time had stopped. For its immense historical and cultural value, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
In the heart of the city, the Plaza Mayor is located within this traditional grid layout so used in Spanish urban planning in colonial times. The central square is surrounded by different monuments such as: the Palace of the General Captains, the City Hall, the church of San José, formerly the Cathedral of Guatemala, the Archbishop’s Palace and the Portal of Commerce. In the center of the square is the iconic fountain of Las Sirenas. The Count of La Gomera, built it in memory of the popular legend about a king whose daughters gave birth and did not want to breastfeed their young children, so he ordered them to be tied to a pole in the center of an eye of water, where they died of thirst and hunger. Thus, in the fountain the four mermaids hold in their hands their breasts, which provided water to the city. It was built in 1739 by Diego de Porres and has become one of the symbols that identify the old colonial city.
Migratory requirements
Central American citizens can enter Guatemala with their neighborhood identification card, a unique identity document or valid passport. People of European and American nationality do not need a visa. For other nationalities consult http://www.minex.gob.gt/
All ordinary immigration and customs procedures on the frontiers of Guatemala are free of charge. In special cases, in which a charge is applied, the respective authorities must provide the proof of the respective payment.