For those of you looking to escape the cold this coming winter, the good news is that there are more than enough great options for a warm and sunny trip without breaking the bank.
Latin America is one of the most budget-friendly, beautiful, and warm regions in the winter months, and lucky enough, it’s close and convenient for many Americans to get to without much hassle.
Underrated options such as Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras all offer some great winter escapes, while the more well-known Belize and Costa Rica are also worthy of their popularity.
However, another Latin American country that is perfect for a winter escape is full of epic landscapes, great weather, and friendly locals.
Welcome to the diverse country of Guatemala.
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Here Are 6 Reasons You Should Visit Guatemala This Winter:
1. Weather
Although it’s nicknamed the Land Of Eternal Spring, the weather in Guatemala certainly doesn’t represent that. The country has a rainy and a dry season, but keep in mind that the varying altitudes throughout the country also have a big impact on the weather year-round.
Hands down the best time to visit is the winter high season, which occurs between November and March.
This is the time for sunny days and loads of festivals, from Day of the Dead to never-ending Christmas celebrations. Be aware that the season might be a bit dusty and windy, and in the evening it gets cold so remember to bring a jacket when you go out.
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2. Easy To Reach
Guatemala is well connected to the U.S. with multiple daily flights from a variety of major American airports. Reachable from America’s main hub of Atlanta in under 4 hours, getting to Guatemala is hardly a headache.
The route is serviced by both low-cost carriers such as Spirit, as well as most major airlines. Guatemala City is the main point of entry, and domestic flights are usually cheap and frequent to reach other popular destinations.
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3. Budget Friendly
Cheaper than some of its more famous neighbors, exploring the country of Guatemala on a budget is easy, and transportation around the country is mostly busses and shuttles, costing you much less than flights.
While you can eat at the many upscale restaurants, local places and street food are great choices here to try the best specialties. If you plan ahead you can snag some great deals on airfare from the States as well; just book early as winter is a high season.
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4. Diverse Nature and Cultures
For many planning an itinerary through Central America, there is one spot that stands out as a highlight, and that is the stunning Lake Atitlán in the highlands of southwestern Guatemala.
Easily one of the most visited attractions in the country, the lake is surrounded by eleven unique towns and villages and lies in the shadows of three looming volcanoes.
Aside from Lake Atitlán, the country is filled to the brim with nature and culture. From the Afro-Caribbean-influenced Rio Dulce to the postcard-perfect Antigua, there is a never-ending list of places to visit.
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5. Stunning Ruins
Of course, the region of Latin America is home to countless archeological sites and ruins from the early civilizations of the area, and Guatemala is no exception. The most famous site here is easily Tikal, located in the eastern Petén province.
Other sites worth checking out include Yaxha, Iximche, El Midador, and many others. Make sure to make a plan ahead of time if you are coming to explore the ruins, and map out your best route for catching the sunrises and sunsets at these epic spots.
6. Underrated Destinations
It could be said that the whole of the country of Guatemala is underrated in general, and while there are travelers coming here, they pale in comparison to the more popular countries of the region. The destinations across Guatemala are spread out and often a bit of a trek to reach, and therefore, they are under-explored and off-path.
While many skip Guatemala City, there are reasons to stick around for a day or so and see what the capital has to offer (just stick to the safer tourist-friendly areas of course).
Another very off-path place to visit in Guatemala is Semuc Champey, which will take some planning and patience but will totally be with it (not to mention give you a bit of bragging rights with other travelers).
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