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Tours
Tours
What to Expect
What to Expect
Active volcanoes. Tasty plant-based food. Might-just-change-your-life kind of scenery. Welcoming locals. Awesome sunsets. Crunchy peanut-encrusted chocolate covered ‘choco bananos.’
Active volcanoes. Tasty plant-based food. Might-just-change-your-life kind of scenery. Welcoming locals. Awesome sunsets. Crunchy peanut-encrusted chocolate covered ‘choco bananos.’
You’ll find what you’re looking for and more in Guatemala from Antigua’scrumbling Mayan ruins to the volcano-ringed Lake Atitlan.
You’ll find what you’re looking for and more in Guatemala from Antigua’scrumbling Mayan ruins to the volcano-ringed Lake Atitlan.
Guatemala is a cultural highlight in Central America, from the colonial architecture and cobbled streets of Antigua Guatemala to the Mayan ruins of Tikal. The country has a rich and distinctive culture with a rich mix of elements from Spain and the native Maya people. With natural beauty including tropical jungles, active volcanoes, mountain lakes, cloud forests, coral reefs, and beaches.
People and Language
People and Language
It may be Latin American, but only around 60 percent of Guatemala’s population speaks Spanish as their first language. This deeply indigenous nation – with 40 percent of people belonging to one of the many Mayan groups – has 23 recognised Amerindian languages, including Ki’che’, Cakchiquel and Kekchi. Another ethnic group is the Garifuna. Descended from African slaves and indigenous Arawak Caribbeans, they live along the remote Caribbean coast, with their cultural influences still visible in their dance, cooking and percussion.
Vegan Guatemala
Vegan Guatemala
How vegan friendly is Guatemala?
How vegan friendly is Guatemala?
Guatemala is surprisingly very vegan friendly, with healthy options abounding. Known for lots of beans, tortillas, plantains, and vegetables, with avocados in plentiful supply. There are also lots of health conscious bars serving all sorts of smoothies. Manufactured vegan staples are imported from around the world. Veganism is growing. See our list of vegan restaurants and businesses.
What food to expect in Guatemala?
What food to expect in Guatemala?
Guatemala's cuisine has evolved from pre-Colombian cooking styles mixed with some European influences. Similar to nearby Mexico, though not as hot. Some dishes include:-
- Pepian is a spicy pumpkin and sesame sauce that is traditionally served with Chicken. The pumpkin and sesame seeds are ground into a paste and combined with water, cilantro, and tomatillos. This sauce can be served over grilled vegetables.
- Licuados are thinner versions of milkshakes or smoothies, made with fresh fruit and milk and served at room temperature. Licuados do very well with vanilla soymilk, rice milk, or almond milk, combined with fresh or frozen mango, strawberry, guava, pineapple, or banana.
- Jugo de Jamaica is a hibiscus flower tea made by infusing the hibiscus flowers and hot water, served with most menus.
- Corn tortillas are the perfect accompaniment to arroz con frijoles, Guatemala’s vegan-friendly staple dish: rice and beans.
- Elotes, or roasted ears of corn, are usually sold on the street and topped with lime and chili powder. Be sure they leave off the cheese or butter.
- Guacamole, ripe avocadoes mashed with lime or lemon juice and mixed with onions, tomatoes, cilantro.
Nature and Wildlife
Nature and Wildlife
According to the World Conservation Union, Guatemala is number five on the list of Biodiversity Hot Spots in the world, 14 eco regions and over 30 national parks. During a trip to Guatemala visitors can experience some of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Some of the animals you may encounter on land include jaguars, pumas, howler monkeys, ocelots, wolves of prairie, coyotes, lizards, armadillos, iguanas and several species of serpents
Quetzal
Quetzal
Quetzals are beautiful exotic birds and one of many Guatemala’s treasures. It is in fact their national bird. But ironically, because of all the illegal hunting and the destruction of their habitat, they are in the list of the to be extinct animals unless things change. In Guatemala, it can be found in El Biotopo del Quetzal, Baja Verapaz.
Toucan
Toucan
The Toucans are these colorful and abundant tropical birds that can be found in Guatemala’s forests especially in the areas of Peten and Alta Verapaz.
Sea Turtle
Armadillo
Ocelot
Spider Monkey
Black Hawk
Brown Basilisk
ARCAS was originally created for a very specific and urgent purpose: to build a rescue center to care for and rehabilitate wild animals that were being confiscated on the black market by the Guatemalan government.
Since its establishment, the ARCAS Rescue Center has grown into one of the largest and most complex rescue centers in the world, receiving between 300 and 600 animals of more than 40 species per year.
ARCAS Vision
ARCAS Vision
To improve the chances of survival and conservation of endangered species and their habitat, as well as assist in the rational management of natural resources.
ARCAS Mission
ARCAS Mission
1. Rescue, rehabilitation and release of wildlife
2. Environmental education
3. Research
4. Co-administration of protected areas
5. Sustainable community development and ecotourism
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