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GUATEMALA
Very close by, Río Dulce National Park, with its man-
groves, canyons and the colonial fortress of San Felipe
de Lara, completes a journey in which history and nature
intertwine.
Each waterfall has its own character, but all share the
same power: to stop time. In Guatemala, water does not
only flow; it also tells stories of jungle, mountain and of
communities that still know how to listen to it
Rivers and lakes of dreams
No journey through the country would be complete wi-
thout visiting Semuc Champey, a Natural Monument and
emblem of Alta Verapaz. This limestone bridge hides the
Cahabón River beneath it, forming a series of turquoi-
se-blue pools that seem unreal. Despite its fame, it re-
mains a place of peace where you can swim, jump from
natural ledges or let yourself be carried by the murmur
of the water between stone walls covered in vegetation.
The more adventurous descend the river floating on tyres
or venture into the Kan’ba caves, a labyrinth where the
water guides the exploration.
Lake Atitlán, surrounded by the San Pedro, Atitlán and
Tolimán volcanoes, offers a different calm. Its clear wa-
ters invite kayaking or paddleboarding at dawn, when the
sun gilds the surface and silence wraps everything. On
its shores, towns such as Santiago Atitlán and San Juan
de La Laguna keep Mayan traditions alive. There, among
workshops of natural textiles, high-altitude coffees and
colourful markets, one discovers the essence of a Guate-
mala that lives to the rhythm of the lake.
Further north, in Huehuetenango, the Candelaria ceno-
tes reveal a hidden world in the jungle. They are pools of
pure water where you can swim, snorkel or enjoy a bath
surrounded by the song of tropical birds. Few places sum-
marise so well the serenity of Guatemalan nature.
Coastal treasures that conquer
the Pacific
The Pacific coast of Guatemala is a world of its own. Faced
with the constant murmur of the sea and the dark shimmer
of volcanic sand, this shoreline reveals a warmer, freer side
of the country.
The surf town of El Paredón, in Escuintla, has gone from
being an anonymous fishing village to becoming an inter-
national surfing destination. Its consistent waves, bohe-
mian atmosphere and sustainable tourism projects have
placed it on the map for travellers seeking authenticity.
Among wooden huts and palm trees, local instructors offer
lessons for all levels. At sunset, the horizon ignites in co-
pper tones and surfers gather by the bonfires, sharing sto-
ries by the sea.
Further south, Monterrico preserves the natural soul of the
Pacific. Its wide, solitary beaches are a refuge for thou-
sands of sea turtles that nest each year between July and
December. Every Saturday night, travellers and locals ga-
ther under the moon to release newly hatched turtles into
the ocean, in a ceremony as moving as it is educational.
The Tortugario Monterrico, managed by local organisa-
tions, protects nests and promotes environmental educa-
tion, strengthening ecological awareness among visitors.
In addition, its mangroves can be explored by canoe at
dawn, when herons and pelicans cross the sky in a lands-
cape of liquid light.
Santa Rosa Mangroves
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