Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lake Petén Itzá
There are many beautiful lagoons in the Guatemalan highlands. Some, atop volcanoes
such as Ipala and Chicabal, are believed by the Mayans to harbor mystical powers and are
the site of rituals. Laguna Lachuá is a beautiful, almost perfectly round lagoon in the Ixcán
jungle region just north of the highlands. The surrounding rainforest has been preserved,
but unfortunately it is an ecological island, a green square in a surrounding ocean of defor-
estation.
The Coasts
Guatemala has a significant amount of coastline along the Pacific Ocean, though there are
few beaches to speak of. Still, there are a few places with surf-worthy waves and the Pa-
cific Coast beaches are exotic because of their dark sands, which are due to the proximity
of active volcanoes. Among the best places to hit the beach are Monterrico and Las Lisas.
Guatemala is gaining international fame among anglers for the quality of its deep-sea fish-
ing.OntheCaribbean side,thereareafewpleasant white-sandbeachesontheremotepen-
insula of Punta de Manabique as well as closer to the towns of Puerto Barrios and Lív-
