Guatemala offers natural beauty, glimpses of Mayan life, culture

A history buff in Alabama has a lot of attractions to choose from, such as a French fort dating from 1724 in Mobile and American Indian ceremonial mounds at Moundville Archaeological Park that date back to A.D. 1000. But these treasures seem young when compared to the ancient Mayan culture still visible in Guatemala. A visitor can explore sites dating back as far as 800 b.c. and visit villages where the ancient culture still thrives.
   
Visitors can also see examples of architecture from the Spanish colonial period and see its impact in modern times.
   
For those not interested in history, Guatemala has much more to offer: tropical rainforests with breathtaking waterfalls and massive underground caves, majestic volcanoes that are still active and black-sand beaches on the Pacific coast. 
   
Most visitors enter the nation through the airport in its capital, Guatemala City, which is is in south-central Guatemala. The city has a number of botanical gardens and museums featuring collections of indigenous clothing, local art and archaeological pieces.
   
Although there are thousands of archaeological sites with new discoveries still being made, Tikal National Park, located in north Guatemala, is the most visited Mayan site in the country. The largest example of Mayan culture in Guatemala, Tikal was founded 2,500 years ago and officially discovered in 1848. The park covers 222 square miles and contains about 3,000 structures, including temples on pyramid bases, ball courts, palaces and tombs. Tour agencies recommend air travel to Tikal, which is reasonably quick — about 30 minutes from Guatemala City — and fairly inexpensive at around $200, depending on the time of year. The U.S. State Department seconds this recommendation because of drug-smuggling activity at the border with Mexico. 
   
For colonial architecture, Antigua is the place to go. Although a 1773 earthquake destroyed a portion of Antigua and a 1976 earthquake caused further damage, Antigua is listed as a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site.  Strolling the cobblestone streets, visitors see beautiful examples of Spanish architecture in the surviving monasteries, cathedrals and convents. A longtime tourist area, Antigua offers modern accommodations and is about 45 minutes southwest of Guatemala City.
   
A trio of nearby volcanoes watches over Antigua. Climbing them — Agua, Fuego and Acatenango — is a favorite tourist activity. While Agua has not erupted since the mid-16th century, Acatenango has erupted twice in recorded history, in 1924 and 1972. Acatenango’s twin, Fuego, is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the area. Its last dangerous eruption was in 1974, but it is now in an active phase that began last December.
   
Although there are no travel warnings posted for Guatemala, the State Department urges travelers to use caution when traveling on their own by road in the country. For more information visit www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1129.html.