Ecotourism Guatemala:
A Tropical Green-Traveler's Cornucopia

Ecotourism Guatemala, true to ecotravel intentions, is helping preserve some of Guatemala's most precious resources--its amazing Mayan ruins. As yet unrestored, Quirigua is a small Mayan city close to Puerto Barrios and is notable for its amazing monuments dating from before the 10th century. But the Republic of Guatemala truly is a cornucopia of offerings for nature and adventure travelers as well as cultural ecotourists. Between the tropical jungles, cloud forests, active volcanoes, mountainsides, beaches, wetlands, swamps and villages everyone will find something that thrills.

Guatemala is well-described by its Mayan name Quauhtitlan, meaning between the trees. A verdant country, Guatemala is divided by two mountain chains into three regions: the mountainous highlands in the center, the hot and humid Pacific Coast to the south, and the sparsely populated Peten in the north, home to thousands of acres of unspoiled rainforests and tropical highlands. Tikal National Park, within the Maya Biosphere Reserve , home to jaguars, pumas, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, tapirs, and ocelets, is a nature watcher's haven.

Climbers are rewarded with amazing views from the 12,664-foot peak of the Atitlan Volcano. Nearby is the old capital Antigua, which is a UNESCO World Heritage SIte preserving the town's 17th and 18th century architecture as if time stopped 300 years ago--an incredible cultural tourism destination. Antigua was once the third most important Spanish colony in the Americas.

Guatemala's longest river, the Rio Dulce, begins at Lake Izabal and continues to the Caribbean. Along the river, ecotravelers can enjoy sighting manatees, active bird colonies, crocodiles, mangrove forests, the old Spanish fort San Felipe, and sulfur springs. It water floats your boat, try rafting the Class IIIs and IVs along the Cahabon River and caving in Alta Verapaz among the limestone cathedrals and blind fish of the Lanquin Caves.

Rich in biodiversity, ecotourism Guatemala offers over 400 species of birds, 19 ecosystems, 300 microclimates, 600 species of orchids, thousands of species of tropical trees and plants and a gaggle of snakes, monkeys, and wild cats.

For a small country, Guatemala is a myriad of cultural crossroads. Spanish is an official language, but it is not universally spoken. There are actually 23 National Languages, reflecitng a population of Ladino or Mestizo (Amerindian and Spanish descent), Europeans, and a variety of Amerindians and indigenous peoples. Koreans, Asians, and Arabs also call Guatemala home. One of the most colorful places to enjoy Guatemala's melting pot is the Chichicastenango handicraft market about three hours north of Guatemala City. Since pre-Hispanic times this market has been one of the largest trading centers in the Maya area.

Interested in Ecotourism Guatemala? Check out Choosing Ecotours for help in selecting your eco-guides and lodges.