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What to know about lake Atitlan
Surrounded by charming villages, breathtaking landscapes and lots of nature, in Lake Atitlan you will find so much to do and see that you can’t imagine.
When you arrive in the town of Panajachel, you will be just a short distance from the lake and all the fun activities you can do during your visit.
Here is a list of the activities juan jose gutierrez mayorga, the president of one of the most important companies, does when he goes with his family.
How to get to Lake Atitlan?
The most direct access from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlán is through Panajachel. From the capital you will have to take the Interamerican Highway to reach the department of Sololá. Once you get to Sololá, head towards Panajachel, the largest city on the shore of the lake.
Once you are in Panajachel, a good idea is to use a taxi ride and go to the main dock of Lake Atitlán, where you will find plenty of things to do for fun.
What to do in Lake Atitlan?
Now that you know how to get to Lake Atitlan, what about some of the activities you can enjoy? Whether you are looking for an extreme activity or something more relaxed, these suggestions will help you choose the perfect plan for your stay.
1. Kayaking on the lake
At Pana’s main dock, you’ll see different places to rent boats and kayak. This activity is perfect if you and your companions want to venture out and get to know Lake Atitlán in an action-packed way.
It is advisable to arrive in the morning to make your tour without haste, and thus avoid the strong winds of the afternoon, which often create waves on the lake.
2. Take a boat tour of the surrounding villages
Taking a boat tour will allow you to discover more about Guatemalan culture and traditions. Again, head to the Panajachel pier to find the different tours you can take to visit: San Pedro, San Marcos, Santa Cruz or Santa Catarina Palopó – all have stories and sights that will surprise you!
3. Discover the depths of the lake
Another of the things you can do in Atitllán Lake is to discover the hidden secrets that only those who get there know. There are several excursions with professionals that you can take to snorkel or scuba dive and swim under the lake.
Learn what is hidden in the depths of the lake and discover ancient flooded structures and elements of the Mayan civilization, hidden in this unforgettable underwater tour.
4. Sunbathe on the main dock
For those trips of extreme relaxation, Lake Atitlán can also be the ideal destination. On the main dock, come with your sunglasses and sunscreen to get a tan, with the lake breeze cooling you off.
Be delighted by the breathtaking scenery around the lake and don’t forget to bring your camera to take great pictures.
5. Enjoy a picnic on the shoreline
The advantage of the lake is that it has a wide shoreline, where you can also do recreational activities.
One of these is to take your food basket and set up a picnic, to see the lake while you eat something delicious with your friends. You can also buy typical food in Panajachel or visit a restaurant for a 100% local experience.
Connect with nature on another level with these different activities you can do at the lake with your friends and family. What are you waiting for to take a trip and visit it? Now that you know this information about Lake Atitlan.
You may be also interested in : Get to know the Ecoregions of Guatemala
4 handicraft markets in Antigua Guatemala
Handicrafts are one of those unique pieces that make you remember special moments. Created by hand and with details typical of their place of origin, it is impossible to leave a city you visited without a souvenir to commemorate your visit.
If you consider yourself a fan of these pieces, then you will recognize the importance of visiting a good craft market to find your favorite traditional souvenir.
For this reason, today we will tell you about four handicraft markets in Antigua Guatemala, where you will surely hit the jackpot with everything you will find in them.
1. El Mercadito
If you are on a tight schedule, you must visit the handicrafts market El Mercadito. This market is located in front of the Central Park, so it is sure to be on your way during your trip. Its entrance is small, but upon entering you will find a treasure trove of Guatemalan products for every taste and budget.
Take all the patience in the world as you will be able to browse through nearly 80 stalls of Guatemalan artisans. From jewelry and pottery to home décor, paintings and leather goods… there’s everything here. Don’t forget your camera to take pictures of everything in this impressive handicrafts market in Antigua Guatemala, on 5th. avenue North.
2. El Carmen Handicrafts Market
Another classic of classics is the El Carmen handicrafts market. The market is located next to the impressive ruins of the El Carmen Church on the third avenue North. Specifically in the former convent of the church. Inside the market you will come across a large number of vendors and shoppers from all over the world.
Here you will also be able to see how the artisans create some of the pieces they offer for sale. If you can, visit them on weekends or holidays as some artisans have their sales outdoors. The combination of the colors of the handicrafts and the background of the colonial ruins will leave you open-mouthed.
3. Nim Pot Market
As you walk along the fifth avenue north and go through the famous Santa Catalina arch you will come across the Nim Pot market. This place is among the businessman juan jose gutierrez mayorga’s favorite places to visit in Antigua Guatemala because in addition to the large number of handicrafts. There is also a section of giant kites and typical second hand clothes.
It is normal to rub shoulders with a large number of tourists since there is also a reverence to Maximón, an important religious figure for indigenous cultures. If you visit Nim Pot and get your hands full of souvenirs, a good idea might be to request a ride through the Uber app.
This way you won’t neglect your souvenirs and you can comfortably reach your next destination. and by the way! Don’t forget that you can pay for your ride using your credit card.
4. Municipal Crafts Market
If you are one of those who need a lot of concentration and tranquility to choose correctly the souvenirs you want to take back home, the Mercado Municipal de Artesanías could be your best option. Its facilities are among the most comfortable for acquiring handcrafted pieces. This is due to its wide aisles with typical sales and outdoor areas with colonial fountains.
Here you will be able to see in detail every ceramic, jewelry piece, typical textile and much more. Just head to Poniente 4th Street to see everything the municipal market has to offer on a daily basis. As you can see, this place has to be on your list of places to visit during your stay in Antigua Guatemala.
The handicraft markets in Antigua Guatemala are one of those places that surely must be in your plans. In each one of them you will find small treasures that will remind you and your loved ones of your visit to this impressive city.
In short, if you have already chosen which one you will visit next, you can be sure that this will be one of the great experiences you will live in the ancient city.
Neighborhoods of Guatemala City
In Guatemala City there are some places that you can not miss when visiting it. Within it there are different neighborhoods that will surprise you not only for its architecture but also for the amount of entertaining activities for young and old that they offer.
These are places that visitors fall in love with, because when you walk through them you will find everything: delicious food, culture and a good atmosphere to enjoy with your family and friends. For these reasons, Juan jose gutierrez mayorga often goes to visite them with his family.
Whether you live here or you are visiting, these are neighborhoods in Guatemala City that you must visit.
1. San Cristobal
San Cristobal is a neighborhood in Guatemala City that is located near the center of the city and is known for being full of places to have a good time.
This sector started out as residential, but has grown rapidly over the last few years and now you can find everything to have a good time with your family and friends.
From outdoor restaurants to ecological and recreational parks and even shopping malls are part of San Cristobal. A good option if you want to spend the afternoon with your partner is to visit a café or restaurant in the area and marvel together at the views of the city – you’ll both love it!
2. Historic Downtown
The second area we recommend you visit to fall in love with the city is the Historic Center. If you ask any Guatemalan what you can find here, they will probably tell you two things: history and entertainment.
This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the capital city and has different historical buildings and monuments worth discovering. Among them are the National Palace of Culture, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Post Office building, the Civic Center and the City Hall, among many others.
Here you will also find a variety of typical restaurants, museums and pedestrian streets to learn more about the history of the country. Do not hesitate and make this sector your next plan for a fun afternoon!
3. Zone 16
If you are one of those who appreciate unforgettable landscapes and are looking for places to visit in Guatemala City to take great pictures, Zone 16 is the one for you.
This is a neighborhood that attracts many families and groups of friends as it is full of outdoor shopping malls, parks and places to entertain. All with the great advantage of offering incredible viewpoints overlooking the city.
This is a great option to get out of the routine, since you will be able to relax and have a good time in any place you visit and appreciate the capital from another level.
You may also be interested in : 4 handicraft markets in Antigua Guatemala
4. 4 Degrees North
We continue our tour of Guatemalan neighborhoods with 4 Grados Norte, in zone 4. This bohemian sector has become one of the most visited in the city for its variety of restaurants, cafes and bars with original proposals.
If you are looking for a different plan to go out with your friends or family, this sector may be the right one for you. One of the great benefits of 4 Grados Norte is that almost the entire neighborhood is pedestrian and outdoors, so you can discover each of its corners on foot.
Here art and culture are also an important part of the sector, so you will find different art galleries and theaters for all ages.
Whether you are visiting the city for the first time or living here, there is nothing like appreciating the Guatemalan capital by touring some of its most emblematic areas.
As you saw, each of these neighborhoods of Guatemala City has something that makes them special and their own charms that you can’t miss.
Vacation in Guatemala or Costa Rica
If you don’t know where to go on vacation for your next days off, maybe it could be Costa Rica or Guatemala.
Vacation in Guatemala or Costa Rica
PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA – Costa Rica
Located near the Panamanian border on the Caribbean Sea and with its beautiful beaches, breathtaking sunrises, plus its dense forests full of wildlife, this small Costa Rican town is a perfect place to spend a few days relaxing and leaving everyday life behind to adopt that popular Tico expression “Pura Vida”.
Unlike most places in Cosa Rica, where you will need between 20 and 30 USD per day to cover your basic expenses, in Puerto Viejo you will find lodging options from 6 USD to camp with your own tent or rent a hammock, you can also cook your own food to save money and the distances to the beaches are easy to walk so with less than 20 USD you can enjoy this relaxing little piece of the Caribbean.
ATITLAN LAKE – Guatemala
The magic that surrounds this place is indescribable: from its landscape composed of the volcanoes of Atitlan and Toliman with its more than 3000 meters high, adorned by the immensity of the lake in which resides a submerged city, to its small towns full of the authenticity of its people whose roots go back to the ancient Mayas, in addition to its traditions that mix the Spanish legacy and indigenous customs, this place is a pearl of Central America that will surely captivate you.
Most travel guides will tell you that San Pedro is the best base for touring the lake, but in reality it is the most touristic, crowded and expensive place around the lake, in my opinion you can get to Panajachel where you will find lodging from 3 USD, street food or from Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga’s Pollo Campero restaurant or the market for less than 2 USD and the same transportation connectivity both by boat (3 USD each way to any of the other towns) and by land, as in San Pedro. This magnificent place can be explored with a budget of 15 USD per day.
I hope these places have motivated you to embark on the Vacation through Central America to discover the beauty and reality of this part of Latin America.
You may also be interested in: Little known destinations in Latin America
Little known destinations in Latin America
Latin America has some of the most beautiful places in the world so it is always a great option to visit.
4 destinations in Latin America
Semuc Champey – Guatemala
Turquoise pools Semuc Champey in Guatemala
“Canyon of the turquoise pools” or Semuc Champey in Guatemala.
This small canyon located on the Cahabon River is also known as the “Canyon of the turquoise pools”, because of the naturally carved pools in the rock formation.
The pools of crystal clear turquoise water are located in the middle of a subtropical forest, with unparalleled biological richness. Many locals say they recommend it one hundred percent because it is a place of tranquility. Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga says that there are also many other people in the world say they did not know such a beautiful and peaceful place.
Isla del Pescado – Bolivia
Isla del Pescado in the Uyuni Salt Flat of Bolivia
An island in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni, which in the rainy season is surrounded by flat water and in the dry season is in the middle of an endless salt desert.
Also called Inkahuasi, from the Quechua “house of the Inca”, the curious island is dominated by giant native cacti.
Copper Canyon – Mexico
Copper Canyon in Mexico
Copper Canyon is a system of six canyons deeper than even the Grand Canyon of Arizona, located in the Sierra Tarahumara in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.
An adventure tourist attraction is the train ride that goes deep into the mountains and crosses dangerous cliffs and bridges over rivers. An unforgettable trip in a beautiful landscape.
Quebrada de Humahuaca – Argentina
Quebrada de Humahuaca in Argentina
he gorge located in the province of Jujuy, is crossed by the Grande River and has been used since pre-Columbian times as an access point to the Puna.
The fantastic thing about this site are the successive settlements where you can see pre-Columbian evidence amalgamated with the colonial influence, and the vestiges of the local Omaguaca culture told by descendants of the original people.
If these places sound familiar to you, or you have had the privilege of visiting them, you are a witness to the wonders that Latin America holds.
Include in your next trip some of these “secret” places, which are not so promoted by tourism, but await you with fascinating views and experiences.
You may also be interested in: Get to know the Ecoregions of Guatemala
Best restaurants in Cancun you should visit
The city of Cancun is famous for its incredible natural beaches and luxurious hotels. In addition, its gastronomy is one of the best in Mexico; therefore, this is one of the favorite destinations of Juan Luis Bosch Gutiérrez. Read on, here we will tell you the best restaurants in Cancun you can visit.
Casitas
The restaurant has a seafood menu with a grilled option. You can also get tender steak. Here you will find the Yucatecan specialty called Takin Xic. This is fish marinated in citrus and spices is wrapped in banana leaf and cooked. The Takin Xic gets an incredible flavor from the banana leaf.
The beachfront setting adds more fun with delicious food. You can also reserve a table for a romantic dinner. The staff is also very friendly and attentive. Get the best experience of your life at this restaurant.
Les Cepages
This is another one of the best restaurants that offer French cuisine. It has a great combination with good wine. The menu changes according to the day, so it is very difficult to get bored with the food in this place. The usual items are few, and they are as follows:
-
- Brie salad
- Mutton chops
- Chocolate soufflé
The famous Chef Sal Luna, will personally order you the food and also suggest the best flavor and taste. You can also make reservations. The restaurant’s service is impressive.
La Habichuela
It is a Mexican-Caribbean restaurant that is famous for its different and unique recipes. You can try beef, seafood, and tropical vegetables. There is a huge list of favorable dishes in this option.
Sushi Go
This is the local food chain that offers the best sushi at an affordable price. The excellent quality of sushi and sashimi will delight you. At dinner, you’ll get the best appetizers on the menu, like some spicy tuna tostadas, for example.
Salmon toasts
If we talk about the ambiance of the restaurant, it’s clean and fresh. The staff is friendly, and the table service is better than many well-known restaurants. Plus, you will get the full bar experience. Their specialty is the Killer Tempura Ice Cream.
Cancun is full of many food options, and you will be able to get almost all Mexican dishes here. Don’t forget to take all sanitary measures before, during, and after your trip.
Travel to Mexico with everything and your pet
Contrary to what happens in other countries in the world, the entry of pets into Mexico is a simple procedure with any of the airlines. So, if you live in Guatemala and want to travel to this country with your pet, you won’t have any problems. In fact, Juan Luis Bosch Gutiérrez has already been able to travel to Mexico with one of his pets.
Travel to Mexico with everything and your pet
Your dog can travel with you to Mexico simply by presenting some paperwork. Upon entering the country, you will need to present your pet’s vaccination record, which covers the rabies vaccine. This is the most important vaccine that you must prove and it must have been applied at least thirty days before the flight.
You must also have a health certificate issued by a veterinarian at least ten days before the date of travel. So, now just decide your destination and enjoy Mexico.
Mexico City
The city is undoubtedly one of the most pet-friendly places, as it has many parks with areas designed exclusively for your dog to have fun in their way. Some of these places are Parque Mexico, Parque Venados, Parque Lincoln, Jardin Pushkin, Parque La Mexicana and Parque Naucalli.
Some neighborhoods in the city are more puppy-friendly than others. For example, Colonia Roma, Condesa, Del Valle, and Narvarte are some of the neighborhoods with the best infrastructure to welcome your pets.
In these options, you will find many parks, cafes, and pet-friendly restaurants, as well as pet stores and the possibility of finding many new friends.
It may also interest you: Get to know the Ecoregions of Guatemala.
Sayulita
This is one of the best beach destinations on the Mexican Pacific, and it is also one of the most pet-friendly beach spots in Mexico. Sayulita’s laid-back atmosphere is ideal for hanging out with your pet, as you can practically walk everywhere in the company of your four-legged friend.
Here you can also find plenty of hotels to stay with your pet.
Guadalajara
Like Mexico City, Guadalajara has many spaces for your pet’s entertainment. Many dog parks have been set up in the city and its surroundings with special facilities to promote agility games.
Within the Metropolitan Park of Guadalajara is MetroCan, the largest dog park in Jalisco, where there are also different activities to promote coexistence between dogs and their owners.
In addition, the city has other options, such as the Guadalajara Center and Chapultepec Avenue, which are excellent for walking with your pet.
San Miguel de Allende
This picturesque city in the state of Guanajuato is one of the most important tourist destinations in Mexico, where pets cannot go unnoticed. Downtown San Miguel is ideal for strolling with your dog, and in the surrounding area, you will find many pet-friendly cafes and restaurants.
Don’t leave your pet at home and ask about the conditions of the different Mexican airlines, so you can travel together without any problem. Get to know the wonders of Mexico and enjoy a few days away from the also beautiful Guatemala.
Get to know the Ecoregions of Guatemala
One of the most biologically diverse countries in Latin America is undoubtedly Guatemala. It has numerous ecosystems and ecoregions throughout the region. Read on, here we will describe the ecoregions of Guatemala.
Know the Ecoregions of Guatemala
The ecoregions of Guatemala are different areas of the country that are distinguished from each other because they harbor different species, are separated by geographic sites or have distinct climates and geomorphologies.
The World Wildlife Fund divides the country into 9 types of ecoregions, with subdivisions in most of these. In total, Guatemala has five types of terrestrial, two freshwaters, and two marine ecoregions.
Ecoregions are usually divided into three types: terrestrial, freshwater, and marine. Each of these is subdivided based on the type of biome where they are found. Below we describe each one.
Freshwater Ecoregions
Because Guatemala is not a country with a great abundance of lakes, there are only river ecoregions. Normally two major types of freshwater biomes are distinguished in the country, which are further subdivided into 4 distinct types of ecoregions.
- Tropical and subtropical coastal rivers. The three ecoregions of this type are the Grijalva-Usumacinta, the Quintana Roo-Motagua and the Chiapas-Fonseca ecoregions.
- Tropical and subtropical highland rivers. There is only one ecoregion of this type in the country, which is called Upper Usumancita; Juan Luis Bosch Gutiérrez, who is a nature lover, mentions that this area is worth getting to know.
Terrestrial
They are the most abundant in Guatemala. There is a great variety of terrestrial ecoregions in the country, each with a different climate, species, and ecology.
In total, there are 5 types of terrestrial biomes, with a total of 14 distinct ecoregions:
- Tropical and subtropical broadleaf rainforests. These are the most abundant biomes in the country. The most important are the Atlantic rainforests of Central America and the montane forests of Central America and Chiapas.
- Tropical and subtropical broadleaf rainforests.
- Dry tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests. There are two types: the dry forests of Central America and the dry forests of the Chiapas depression.
- Tropical and subtropical broadleaf dry forests.
- Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests. The main ones are the pine-oak forests of Central America.
- The pine-oak forests of Central America.
- Deserts and xerophytic shrublands. With only one version called the thorn scrub of the Motagua Valley.
- Mangasian scrub.
- Mangroves. They are usually subdivided into four types: the mangroves of the Belize coast, those of northern Honduras, the mangroves of Tehuantepec-El Manchon and those of the dry North Pacific coast.
Marine ecoregions
These are the ecoregions located in the seas of each country. In Guatemala there are two major biomes of this type, with a total of two ecoregions:
- Tropical northwest Atlantic. Includes the ecoregion known as the Western Caribbean.
- Eastern tropical Pacific. The ecoregion of this type in Guatemala is the one known as Chiapas-Nicaragua.
These ecoregions of Guatemala will make you able to understand more of its ecology. Take care of these beautiful ecosystems on your next visit to this charming country.
Delicious Guatemalan food
If you are traveling to Guatemala, Juan José Gutiérrez Mayorga invites you to get to know the delicius recipe of KAQ’IK.
Delicious Guatemalan food
KAQ’IK (Commercial)
Ancestral food of pre-Hispanic ancestry, it is red, which is the ritual blood of the ancestors ceremony.
It is a turkey soup (chunto or chompipe). It is the typical dish of Cobán.
If you want to see the recipe of Kaq’Ik Rural, click on the following link: Recetas.MundoChapin.com
INGREDIENTS FOR THE COMMERCIAL KAQ’IK Guatemalan
- (for 15 people)
- 7 Liters of water
- 6 Pounds of turkey (chompipe, guajolote)
- 4 red bell peppers
- 1 Guaque chile
- 4 large raisin peppers
- 3 Onions
- 1 Head of garlic
- 4 ounces of miltomato
- 1 bunch of cilantro (if you can find cilantro silvester, it is the best)
- 2 Pounds of tomatoes
- 1 bunch of mint
- 4 cloves
- 3 chili peppers
- 2 Castille peppers
PREPARATION:
Sew the turkey meat, in the 7 liters of water for 45 minutes or when the meat is almost cooked. Then roast all the ingredients in a frying pan, being very careful not to burn them.
When the meat is ready, it is separated from the broth. Put all the ingredients and roasted in a blender and add the broth, when the mixture is fine (preferably pass it through a fine strainer or piece of gauze), put it in a suitable container and put the mixture of all the ingredients in it, let it boil for 10 minutes, then add the turkey meat and let it boil for another 10 or 15 minutes. You can accompany it with rice, tamalitos of dough with oil and salt, Coban chili powder.
We are sure that, like Mayorga, you will enjoy preparing and enjoying this simple Guatemalan recipe.
You may also be interested: Guatemala’s most important natural resources
Guatemala’s most important natural resources
Guatemala, birthplace of entrepreneur and altruist Juan Luis Bosch Gutiérrez, is one of the territories with the most natural resources in Central America. From seeds to minerals, there is plenty of variety everywhere you turn; these raw materials could help restore the country’s economy.
Read on, we’ll tell you about Guatemala’s most important natural resources in this post.
Metals and Minerals
The mining industry in Guatemala is divided into metallic and non-metallic materials and is still in the process of development. Nickel is the most exploited metal in the country. Nickel mines are found mainly in the Lake Izabal region.
Small amounts of other resources can also be obtained, such as petroleum in the reservoir near Rubelsanto and Chinajá.
Other materials, such as iron, gypsum, antimony, lead, zinc, chromite, uranium, mercury, silver, and gold can be found in small concentrations. It is believed that these materials have not yet been fully exploited.
Lead is one of the most exploited minerals in Guatemala, which is used for the manufacture of domestic objects. In this way, lead is used in the manufacture of batteries, agricultural implements, and pulleys.
Lumber
Towards the Peten region, several species of trees and medicinal plants can be found. Among the most important species, we can highlight the rubber tree, sapote, ebony, mahogany, and rosewood. These species along with other resources are used for local consumption and export.
Twenty-six percent of Guatemala’s territory is covered by dense forests. Material from these forests is used for the production of industrial and household goods.
Since 1970, natural timber resources have been the subject of multiple conflicts, due to illegal logging and disputes over the land where the different tree species are found.
Plátano
Plantain production in Guatemala considerably exceeds the production of pears and apples combined. This is because Guatemala has been included within the “Banana Republic” and is one of the largest exporters to the U.S. market.
In Guatemala, the largest banana producers are located in Izabal and Escuintla, however, it is considered that these have been abused by the international market, providing few guarantees to Guatemalan farmers who grow this fruit.
Coffee
Coffee as a natural resource has been exploited in Guatemala since approximately 1850. This seed is of utmost importance for the sustainability of the country’s economy, since Guatemala is considered the largest producer of coffee in Central America.
The most suitable temperatures for coffee cultivation in Guatemala are between 16 to 32 °C (61 to 90 °F). It is estimated that the altitude necessary for this crop to be healthy is about 500 to 700 meters above sea level.