Capital city: Guatemala
Population: 12.000,000 approximately.
Official Language: Spanish
Hour GMT: The hour difference with respect to the Meridian of Greenwich is of 6 hours less.

Guatemala's capital city is the most modern and cosmopolitan city in Central America. Fast paced and vibrant, Guatemala City (or Guate as it's referred to locally) is a wonderful blend of old and new and possesses a distinct Latin charm. Today, Guatemala City has two million inhabitants. Its location, facilities and the International Airport "La Aurora" make it the starting point for visits to the rest of Guatemala

Guatemala City was founded in 1776, after a devastating earthquake destroyed "La Cuidad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala", known today as "Antigua Guatemala" (or simply Antigua).

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Turistic Sites
Antigua Guatemala

Declared patrimony of the humanity by UNESCO.
Antigua is among the world's best conserved colonial cities, it is a magic and small town that makes you feel time might have stopped some 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings strolling through town on the cobblestone streets.

Declared patrimony of the humanity by UNESCO.
Antigua is among the world's best conserved colonial cities, it is a magic and small town that makes you feel time might have stopped some 300 years ago. From its colonial architecture to its beautiful surroundings strolling through town on the cobblestone streets.

"La Plaza Mayor"", is the city center, the main buildings are the City council, the Cathedral and "El Palacio de los Capitanes".

The main tourist points are the convents (La Merced, Santa Teresa, Capuchinas ... ) and churches (San Agustín, San Francisco, Santa Catalina ...).

Antigua hosts the largest celebrations for Lent and Easter in the Western Hemisphere. The history of the processions dates back to the early 1500 and began with the arrival of "Don Pedro de Alvarado" from Spain. While many are attracted to the solemn religious fervor, others enjoy the beautiful "alfombras" (sawdus carpets) that are made along the processional routes.

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Quiriguá

The archaeological site of Quirigua contains the largest stelae ever discovered in the Mayan world. Quirigua is just 94 kilometers from Puerto Barrios on the road to Guatemala City, making it the closest place from the capital to see important ruins.

Quirigua is one of the smallest Mayan cities, but one of the most notable due to its splendid series of monuments. Quirigua was probably founded in the Late Pre-Classic era and flourished until the 10th century, when it was abandoned for unknown reasons.

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TIKAL

Tikal is among the world's travel wonders, many calling Tikal one of the most spiritually powerful spots on earth. The monumental site with its towering pyramids looms out of the thick jungle canopy.

Tikal has been declared a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Tikal was once a wealthy metropolis of 100,000 inhabitants and the seat of power for the great Jaguar clan lords. Today, Tikal attracts archeologists from all around the globe and the wild-live surrounding the ruins makes it a naturalist's dream. Because of its importance and magnificent combination of nature and archaeological remains.

The charming town of Flores, with its pastel-colored buildings, enjoys a scenic setting on Lake Peten Itza. It is located about half an hour from the entrance of the National Park and serves as a gateway to explore the immediate area.

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Atitlan

The Lake Atitlan that once called "the most beautiful in the world" is located in the mountainous Department of Solola, in the Guatemalan highlands about 150km from the capital. Lake Atitlan is a natural wonder of blue, wind-tossed waters set against a backdrop of three 10,000-foot volcanoes - Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro. Lake Atitlan is 26km long and 18km wide and its origin is vulcanic. It is occupying an extinguished crater and extends to 125km2 with a maximum depth of 320m. Lining the shores of Lake Atitlan you will find a dozen picturesque Indian villages

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