1

• Xela and the smaller places around with nice sights and markets (Almolonga, Zunil, SC Totonicapan, San Andres Xecul)
• Lake Atitlan and the villages around
• Antigua (if you might be there at Semana Santa would be one of the best options) and around (Pacaya Vulcano)
• Markets like Solola and Chichicastenango
• Maya ruins like Tikal
• Tropical places like Rio Dulce and Livingston

maybe get a guide book and google on sites like flickr.

2

The whole of Guatemala is ridiculously photogenic. It takes a long bus journey to get almost anywhere but you can't stop yourself from looking out of the window. It's so luscious and fragrant and green. I feel in love with Guatemala. Go to Tikal at dawn and wait until lunchtime before heading home; the wildlife photos you'll get here will be stunning. San Pedro and San Marcos on Lake Atitlan are gorgeous and quaint. While at the lake be sure to climb Volcan San Pedro at 3am and do the Indian Nose walk too.
The most beautiful place in Guatemala for me was Semuc Champey. It's a series of natural pools that are all different shades of turquoise. Stay at El Retiro in Lanquin and do a day trip to the pools, the mirador and, if you're brave enough, the caves too.
The cathedrals of Antigua are wonderful; some are ruins that have been left standing as a reminder of when Antigua was the capital.

You will love Guatemala. I didn't make it out to the coasts as I live on the beach here in Nica so my priorities lay with the tourist trail.

Check out my blog for more info on Guate and some photos also.
Best,
Kayt
Glasgow Girl Goes Forth Blog

Edited by: kaytwright

3

For sure Lake Atitlán and Antigua and Tikal and other Maya sites in Petén - Yaxhá is wonderful, especially in the evening. The area around Nebaj is pretty special, too. My photos are below in case you'd like to check them out for ideas.

4

I am not aware of how it is today, but if someone might post about the "etiquette" of photographing indigenous people - which is not always welcome

5

Hi,
thanks all for replies.. I've got guidebook and went through all the suggested places..
While searching for resources on the Xela area, I found one interesting video, at the end (starts at 1:13s) of which they climb a mountain with a fantastic view towards an active volcano. Looks like this is a popular spot but he did not mention the name of the peak, anyone would recognize it? URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkxR-Jdkphk&feature=related

6

Santa Maria, Santiaguito erupting.......take a tour with Adrenalina.

7

That's a good point about the indigenous people. The Mayans believe that by photographing them you remove a part of their soul/spirit and it becomes linked to you, not them. Always ask. Their clothing is wonderful but just be sensitive. similarly. photographing children can be tricky as there have been issues in recent years of foreigners stealing kids. just ask. the Guates are wonderful people and will undoubtedly say yes to the above requests, they just appreciate being asked.

8

In my opinion the vast majority of Mayas don't believe taking photos will remove part of their soul; if they don't want their photo taken it has more to do with just not wanting the intrusion - I don't really like to have my photo taken, either, and would be reluctant for a stranger to do so no matter how cool my clothes looked. It's always good to ask and I'm turned down about 90% of the time; sometimes they'll ask for money or for me to buy something at their stall which I do sometimes. One of favorite photos ever is one of a baby in a hammock in Nebaj; I treasure the photo and the citurón I purchased in the stall. I do feel it's appropriate to take photos of large group scenes; usually I take them at a really high quality setting and sometimes isolate a scene by cropping.

Regarding photos of children, be very wary in the less frequently visited mountain villages as there is a level of distrust based on rumors of abductions or adoptions for organ donation; their have been some tragic and frightening lynch mob scenes over the years, though I haven't read anything recently. I haven't heard of "issues in recent years of foreigners stealing kids" though.

9

Get a picture of , "Jesus, King of kings, Tacoria" at Pana. Without a picture no one will believe you that you met Him. Or believe that He actually has a job.

Also a Picture worth a thousand words is a picture of the big Hotel sign in Chichi that offers rooms by the hour or by the day. Amazing how many people ask, "why would anyone want a room for an hour?"