About a week had flown by in Quetzaltenango. We’d had some lovely adventures in the area, including climbing the active volcano Santa María and witnessing rain-calling Maya rituals on the sacred shores of Lake Chicabal. Now, it was time to continue our journey through Guatemala toward the enchanting Lake Atitlán. There are two ways to reach Lake Atitlán from … [Read more...]
Quetzaltenango (Xela): Our Week in Guatemala’s Maya Heartland
Quetzaltenango, locally called Xela (pronounced “Shay-lah”), is Guatemala’s second-largest city and a cultural hub in the western highlands. Located at over 2,300 meters (7,600 feet) above sea level, it sits in a valley surrounded by volcanoes, including the active Santa María. Historically a center of the Kʼicheʼ Maya civilization, the city blends indigenous and colonial … [Read more...]
Crossing the El Carmen–Talisman Border from Mexico to Guatemala
Nearly two months had passed in Mexico. It was time to continue our trip southeast through Central America. Next destination: Guatemala. It took a long overnight journey from Playa Zipolite on Oaxaca’s coast to reach our final stop in Mexico by dawn. The city of Tapachula sits just 17 km from the El Carmen–Talisman border crossing (location) between Mexico and Guatemala. … [Read more...]
Laguna Chicabal: Hiking Guatemala’s Sacred Maya Lake
Laguna Chicabal (Lake Chicabal) is a crater lake located within the inactive Chicabal Volcano in the Quetzaltenango Department of Guatemala, at an elevation of about 2,900 meters (9,500 feet). It's considered a sacred site by the local Mam Maya people, who regard the lake and surrounding cloud forest as spiritually significant. Ceremonial altars often line the shore, used for … [Read more...]
Santa María Volcano, Guatemala: our Hike without a Guide
Santa María Volcano is a massive stratovolcano located in the western highlands of Guatemala, near the city of Quetzaltenango (or Xela, as locals call it). Standing at about 3,772 meters (12,375 feet), it's one of the highest volcanoes in Central America and part of the Sierra Madre volcanic chain. Santa María is best known for its catastrophic eruption in 1902, one of the … [Read more...]
La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná Jesuit Mission Ruins: Day Trip from Posadas
La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná (The Holy Trinity of the Parana) is one of the most prominent ruins of the Jesuit missions in Paraguay, located near the town of Encarnación, just across the river from Posadas, Argentina. Founded in the early 18th century, it was part of a network of reducciones—settlements established by Jesuit missionaries to convert and protect Indigenous … [Read more...]
What to See in Encarnación, Paraguay
Encarnación is a city in southern Paraguay, located just across the Paraná River from Posadas, Argentina, and connected by the San Roque González de Santa Cruz Bridge. It's the capital of the Itapúa Department and serves as an economic and cultural hub in the region, known for its riverside beaches and role in cross-border commerce. Over the past two decades, Encarnación has … [Read more...]
From Santa Fe to Posadas by Bus
After Santa Fe, our next stop on the journey through northern Argentina was Posadas, the capital city of Misiones province. Several companies operate direct routes between the two cities, with departures available throughout the day and night. The average trip takes about 11 hours, and tickets typically cost around €40. You can view all available routes and book tickets … [Read more...]
What to See in Posadas, Argentina: Top Sights and Local Highlights
Posadas is the capital city of Misiones Province in northeastern Argentina, located along the Paraná River across from Encarnación, Paraguay. With a population of around 300,000, it's one of the larger cities in the region and serves as a key commercial and administrative hub. The city's riverside promenade, or costanera, is a popular local feature, offering views of the San … [Read more...]
What to Do in Ascunción, Paraguay: Our 2-Day Itinerary
Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, is one of the oldest cities in South America, founded in 1537 by Spanish colonists. Located along the eastern bank of the Paraguay River, it serves as the country's political, economic, and cultural center. The city blends colonial-era architecture with modern developments, particularly in neighborhoods like the historic downtown and the … [Read more...]
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