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For those of you looking to escape the cold this coming winter, the good news is that there are plenty of great options for a warm and sunny trip without breaking the bank.
Latin America is one of the most budget-friendly, beautiful, and warm regions in the winter months, and luckily for many Americans it’s close and easy to get to without much hassle.
Underrated options such as Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras all offer great winter destinations, while the better-known Belize and Costa Rica are also worth their popularity.
However, there is another Latin American country that is perfect for a winter holiday, full of epic landscapes, beautiful weather and friendly locals.
Welcome to the diverse country of Guatemala.
@tc.travels Ah yes, definitely not recommended, it’s too beautiful an experience 🤪 #travelguatemala #lakeatitlan #cheapflight #restiktok #neverstopexploring #hostellife #backpacking #adventure ♬ original sound – Izzy
Here are 6 reasons why you should visit Guatemala this winter:
1. Weather
Although it is nicknamed the Land of Eternal Spring, Guatemala’s weather certainly does not represent that. The country has a rainy and a dry season, but keep in mind that the varying altitudes across the country also have a major impact on the weather throughout the year.
The best time to visit is without a doubt the winter high season, which takes place between November and March.
This is the time for sunny days and lots of festivals, from the Day of the Dead to endless Christmas celebrations. Please note that the season can be a bit dusty and windy and it gets cold in the evenings, so don’t forget to bring a jacket if you go out.
@baileyturvey My top 4 favorite places to visit in Guatemala! #Guatemala #backpackenguatemala #bucketlisttravel #travelstick #backpackingcentralamerica #centralamericatravel #semucchampey #acatenango #lakeatitlan #elparedon ♬ original sound – Stan 🙂
2. Easy to reach
Guatemala is well connected to the US with multiple daily flights from several major US airports. Reachable from America’s main hub Atlanta in less than 4 hours, getting to Guatemala is hardly a headache.
The route is served by both low-cost airlines such as Spirit and most major airlines. Guatemala City is the main entry point and domestic flights are usually cheap and frequent to reach other popular destinations.
@juaanmateoos GUATEMALA MAGICA 🇬🇹✨ ig: juaanmateos. #Guatemala #visitguatemala #acatenango #volcandefuego #semucchampey #peten #isladeflores #tikal #juanma #trip #viajarbarato #viral ♬ sonido original – music..25🎶
3. Budget-friendly
Cheaper than some of its better-known neighbors, exploring the country of Guatemala on a budget is easy, and transportation around the country consists mainly of buses and shuttles, which will cost you much less than flights.
While you can eat at the many upscale restaurants, local eateries and street food here are great choices to try the best specialties. If you plan ahead, you can also get great deals on airfare from the United States; Book early, because winter is a high season.
@brent.timm.travel You can stay in so many incredible places and still save money in 🇬🇹! #budgettravel #hostellife #traveloffers #guatemalacheck #digitalnomad ♬ GROWING – WILLOW & Avril Lavigne
4. Diverse nature and cultures
For many planning a trip through Central America, there is one place that stands out as a highlight, and that is beautiful Lake Atitlán in the highlands of southwestern Guatemala.
Easily one of the country’s most visited attractions, the lake is surrounded by eleven unique towns and villages and sits in the shadow of three looming volcanoes.
Apart from Lake Atitlán, the country is filled to the brim with nature and culture. From Afro-Caribbean-influenced Rio Dulce to postcard-perfect Antigua, there’s an endless list of places to visit.
@eadaoinfitzmaurice 📍GUATEMALA 🇬🇹 One of my favorite countries I’ve ever been to – here are my top picks for it #Guatemala #trip #central America ♬ BOTA (worst of them all) – Eliza Rose & Interplanetary Criminal
5. Beautiful ruins
Of course, the region of Latin America is home to countless archaeological sites and ruins from the area’s early civilizations, and Guatemala is no exception. The most famous place here is easily Tikal, located in the eastern province of Petén.
Other sites worth visiting are Yaxha, Iximche, El Midador and many others. Make sure you make a plan in advance when exploring the ruins, and map out your best route to catch the sunrises and sunsets in these epic places.
6. Underrated destinations
You could say that the entire country of Guatemala is underrated in general, and while travelers do come here, they pale in comparison to the more popular countries in the region. Guatemala’s destinations are spread out and often a bit of a trek to reach, which is why they are under-explored and off the beaten track.
Although many skip Guatemala City, there are reasons to stay for a day or so and see what the capital has to offer (stick to the safer, tourist-friendly areas, of course).
Another very off-road place to visit in Guatemala is Semuc Champey, which will take some planning and patience, but will totally get you there (not to mention give you a bit of bragging rights to other travelers) .
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
