Whenever I travel internationally, one of the greatest pleasures of doing so is getting to meet and talk with the natives of my destination. There is no better way to learn about the unique culture and customs of a country than from its people. This is especially true of Guatemala.

The country of Guatemala is located in Central America and bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast. The majority of Guatemalans are indigenous descendants of the Maya, and they have preserved their customs and way of life for centuries.

Most of these people still dress in traditional garments, including “huipiles” or blouses. The intricately woven fabrics and tapestries display colorful designs such as volcanoes and the Quetzal, Guatemala’s national bird that is well known for its long green tail feathers and brilliant red chest.

Many of Guatemala’s residents speak in their native tongue as well. Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, although you will find that there are as many as 22 other indigenous languages spoken here.

While getting to know the hospitable people of Guatemala, there are a great number of amazing sites for you to see and that will allow you to learn more about the heritage of your new Guatemalan friends. Among the most famous is Tikal National Park, which is located in Petén, Guatemala, where you can explore the culture of the ancient Mayan civilization.

Here, an advanced ancient society lived and thrived for over 1,000 years. The city of Tikal flourished most between 300 and 900 AD. Today, you can see that the ancient Mayans very obviously excelled in construction. There are very well-preserved magnificent temples to prove this.

In addition, the Mayans also made great advances in both astronomy and art. You have the opportunity to explore the temples, view artifacts, and learn about the history and culture of this great civilization.

At Tikal, you should also not miss the opportunity to learn about local flora and fauna since the temples are located within a jungle. While walking through the jungle, you may spot monkeys such as the endangered Guatemalan black howler monkey, pizotes (which are a member of the raccoon family), peacocks, snakes, and toucans.

More than 50 species of bats live in Guatemala, too, but you may not spot them since they are nocturnal. Are you a little bit spooked by bats? Don’t worry, they really truly are helpful to humans. The average bat can eat between 600 and 1,000 insects in just one hour so they are our natural pest killers!

Another historical spot that will leave you feeling entranced is Antigua Guatemala, a gorgeous colonial city. The minute you enter the area and gaze upon the beautiful Baroque architecture you will feel positively steeped in local history.

Antigua Guatemala, which means Old Guatemala, has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1543. Now the buildings that once served as important public sites, such as the jail, city hall, and university, are all lovely places to mingle and take photos.

Perhaps one of the things that contributes to the gentle and friendly demeanor of the Guatemalan people is the climate in which they live. Guatemala has excellent weather all year round, and is called The Land of Eternal Spring. Or maybe their happiness can be contributed to the wealth of beauty that surrounds them in Guatemala, from sparkling lakes to towering volcanoes.

Regardless of the reason, I find that the people and the places of Guatemala are entirely charming and continue to draw me back.

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