GUATEMALA

Guatemala, for its size, is probably the most diverse tourist destination on earth. A treasure trove of indigenous culture, amazing Maya archaeological sites, stunning mountain scenery, tropical forest plains, active volcanoes and fascinating colonial cities.

Culture is the main attaction - Guatemala is full of the most colourdul markets, festivals and pageantry. Spontaneous live music bursts out on the streets, buses an plazas, whilst vivid handmade taditional Mayan clothing is used and sold everywhere.

Guatemala includes mountainous cloud forest and the most extensive jungles north of the Amazon. The Western highlands include 30 volcanoes, many of which are still active so you may see the red glow of volcanic rumblings some nights. To the west is the dry Motagua Valley, rich in jade deposits and dinosaur bones. Also the vast Lake Izabel, from where thebeautiful Rio Dulce flows through a deep forested gorge into the CAribbean Sea.