
Travel Guide
Guatemala
A Central American country south of Mexico, Guatemala is known for its natural beauty, Mayan heritage and volcanic landscapes, with a whopping 30 volcanoes, three of which are active and many of which serve as the backdrop to busy towns. Guatemalan fare is modest but delicious. Recipes are based on Maya cuisine with Spanish influences and often highlight corn, chilies and beans.
West of the capital, Guatemala City, Antigua is home to preserved Spanish colonial buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre that was the cultural, economic and political center of the region. Nearby, the gorgeous Lake Atitlรกn is a volcanic lake surrounded by mountains and villages filled with coffee fields and avocado orchards. To the north, Tikal features Mayan ruins and archaeological sites like pyramids, palaces and temples.
The Atacama Desert is said to be one of the best places in the world for stargazing because of its extremely dry climate, high altitude, minimal light pollution and near absence of humidity, creating crystal clear skies with perfect visibility of stars and constellations.
In the heart of the Guatemalan jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation, lies the ruins of an ancient Mayan civilization, inhabited from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD. The ceremonial center is home to massive temples, palaces and public squares accessed by ramps.
Antigua's surrounding villages honor a rich cultural heritage with production of macadamia nuts, local textiles and authentic Guatemalan fare.
Lake Atitlรกn's volcanic crater lake formed 84,000 years ago but today it's the livelihood for 12 Mayan villages producing all varieties of coffee, chocolate, honey and local produce like avocados.
A district of Mexico City, Xochimilco is known for its canals and chinampas, a farming system developed by the Aztecs to cultivate crops using the surrounding lakes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco harness unique agricultural techniques still in use today.
Founded in the early 16th century, Antigua is a small town surrounded by massive volcanoes and famed for its candy colored Spanish colonial buildings.
A short drive from Mexico City, Teotihuacรกn is known for its architecturally significant pyramids, including the Pyramid of the Sun and the Moon, which can be seen from heights above in hot air balloons during sunrise. The area is also famous for its well-preserved murals and fine obsidian tools.
At almost 8,000 feet above sea level, Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel high in the Andes Mountains in Peru. Set above the Urubamba River valley, the site was built in the 15th century and later abandoned. Even today, it carries an air of mystery with its exact purpose still debated.
Once capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is famed for its rich history, culture and architecture. Cobblestone streets lead visitors to Plaza de Armas, alongside archaeological remains like the Twelve-Angled Stone. It's also the spot for freshwater trout ceviche and the perfect jumping off point for Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain.
Otavalo is a town in the Andean highlands of northern Ecuador. Itโs surrounded by volcanoes and famous for its indigenous peoples, the Otavalos, as well as the Otavalo Market, one of the largest outdoor markets in South America where youโll find handicrafts and Andean folk music.
A two hour drive from Cusco, Vinicunca, also called Mountain of Seven Colors, is a mountain in the Andes of Peru with an altitude of 16,522 feet above sea level and extremely harsh conditions. The seven colors come from mineral composition but are only visible during Augustsโs dry season.
Located eight miles west of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chileโs Atacama Desert lies el Valle de la Luna. Part of Los Flemencos National Reserve, the area was declared a Nature Sanctuary in 1982 for its natural environment and unique lunar landscape filled with stone and sand formations formed by wind and water.
The Atacama Desert is said to be one of the best places in the world for stargazing because of its extremely dry climate, high altitude, minimal light pollution and near absence of humidity, creating crystal clear skies with perfect visibility of stars and constellations.
El Tatio is the third-largest geyser field in the world and largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Itโs located in the Andes Mountains of northern Chile more than 14,000 feet above sea level. This geothermal field boasts over 80 geysers that spew steam and boiling water best witnessed in the early morning.
The driest place on Earth, the deserts of Atacama boasts natural wonders like salt flats home to pink flamingos, red rock formations and mysterious blue lagoons at Laguna Chaxa, Piedras Rojas and Altiplanic Lagoons.
Located eight miles west of San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chileโs Atacama Desert lies el Valle de la Luna. Part of Los Flemencos National Reserve, the area was declared a Nature Sanctuary in 1982 for its natural environment and unique lunar landscape filled with stone and sand formations formed by wind and water.