For so many, myself included, that first sip of coffee of the day is not only a jolt for the mind, but one for the soul. A good cup of coffee is a luxurious experience, one to be treasured and appreciated. And it is even better when the coffee comes from the source, from a…
It would seem a rather stupid place to build a city. Santiago de los Caballeros, now Antigua Guatemala, sits in a valley surrounded by active volcanoes, routinely subjected to major earthquakes. It isn’t exactly where I’d think that a Spanish regional colonial capital - the only one between Mexico and Panama - would be placed.…
It’s always nice when my first trip of the year is in early January. It’s even nicer when it is a return trip to one of my favorite destinations from the earlier days of The Royal Tour: Guatemala. Back in 2019, I spent about a week and a half in Guatemala, splitting that time between…
Editor’s note: like Sam, I also loved Antigua so much that I keep looking for a good time to go back, even after spending nearly two weeks there. You can read about my experience here. For more of Sam’s adventures, click here to visit his index page. When I travel to Latin America, some of…
Guatemala is a small country geographically, but really packs a punch. Diverse landscapes, from volcanoes and lakes to coastlines and jungles, mark it as an outdoor paradise, while historical wonders of the Mayan and Spanish colonial periods will astound those who prefer slightly tamer activities. But what do you need to know to plan a…
For so many Americans, Guatemala isn't a place per se. Rather, it is synonymous with drugs, violence, and illegal immigration, since that is what we see in the news. As a first-time visitor to the northernmost of the "northern triangle" countries - or as Fox News put it, three Mexican countries - I was curious…
Antigua Guatemala, literally meaning Old Guatemala, sits about an hour outside of the bustling capital of Guatemala City. It is, for many tourists, the first and most mandatory stop on a trip to this Central American nation, and it was for me. Easily walkable (distance-wise, as the cobblestone streets and sidewalks seem to yearn to…
It is hot. Very hot, sitting at an even 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The air is steamy, the humidity approaching 85% and seeping through me. I stand in the shade of a tree, drinking water and sweating it out just as fast, staring at Temple 1, a large pyramid at one side of Tikal's grand plaza.…
Arriving in a new country (or even a new city) can be a complete culture shock. It is incredible how seemingly insignificant differences can be truly mind-blowing. New plant life, different architectural styles, or a change in climate or topography are common differences to notice. Sometimes, though, the first thing to truly stand out is…
I can't believe that this trip is upon me. I've wanted to visit Guatemala since my first exposure to Mayan culture in Belize about fifteen years ago. On that trip, I journeyed to Altun Ha, a small Mayan trading city. It was impressive, and I learned of the existence of the grandest Mayan city of…