Guatemala #10

Mid-july 2019 – length of stay 10 days

We couldn’t wait to go to Guatemala after being along the Mexican Caribbean coast where everything was complicated as an overlander. Every bit of land is exploited because of the tourism so nothing is left for overlanders who just want to go to the beach or park to go for a walk or trying to find a spot to spend a night.

And our fist stop in Guatemala felt incredibly good as we spend a couple of days in Yaxha national park.

People

Lovely, smiling, curious are all the adjectives I can find to describe Guatemalans.

Highlights

Yaxha national park; it is like Tikal minus the 2000 tourists.

Semuc Champey; a assortment of crystal pools in the middle of the jungle where there is a village of lovely Q’eqchi people

Volcan Pacaya; at this time, it is an active volcano with lava on the ground and very easy to access.

Lake Atitlan, famous lake surrounded by volcanoes and the little villages around are authentic.

Lowlights

The uncountable speed bumps in the country added to windy roads makes the driving really slow and long in such a small country.

Food & booze

The food is good. There are many Mexican influences.

Camping scene

Wild camping is quite complicated due to the mountains and the not so safe situation that we have never experienced. But at least, you can spend the night at the national park or site you entered in without additional fee. Cheap campsites could be found as well.