Travel

In Guatemala, corn is never just an ingredient. It is history, identity, and heritage rolled into every tortilla, tamal, and bowl of atol served across the country. For travelers who want to understand Guatemala beyond its volcanoes and colonial streets, corn is one of the best places to start. The vast majority of corn in […]

Few destinations capture the spirit of Costa Rica quite like Arenal. With its iconic volcano rising above the rainforest, this region in the province of Alajuela has become one of the country’s most beloved destinations, and it is easy to see why. Arenal offers the rare combination of adrenaline-fueled adventure and pure relaxation, all set […]

Ask most travelers what comes to mind when they picture Guatemala, and the answer is usually volcanoes, colorful colonial towns, or the misty waters of Lake Atitlan. Few think of the ocean, but along the Pacific coast, in a small fishing village turned surf destination, Guatemala reveals an entirely different side of itself. Welcome to […]

Antigua Guatemala is famous for its cobblestone streets, colonial ruins, and views of Volcan de Agua, but ask any longtime traveler where to find the real heart of the city, and many will point you toward the market. Tucked away from the postcard views, Antigua’s central market is where daily life, tradition, and culture come […]

What the stone means, where it comes from, and how to know what you are buying For five hundred years, nobody on earth knew where Maya jade came from. That alone should tell you this is not your average souvenir. Here is what is actually worth knowing before you shop for it. Where does Guatemalan […]

A look at the highland aging process behind one of Guatemala’s most storied spirits Most rum is made to a schedule. Casa Botrán is made to a mountain. Here is what actually happens inside one of Guatemala’s most respected distilleries, and why the altitude matters as much as the barrel. What makes Guatemalan rum different […]

What a chocolate tour actually looks like, from the tree to the cup Long before chocolate was something you unwrap, it was something you earned the right to drink. Guatemala’s cacao story starts well before the tasting menu, and it is worth knowing before you go looking for a tour. Is Guatemala the birthplace of […]

What to expect from Guatemala’s largest, loudest, most colorful market There is a version of Chichicastenango you plan for on paper, and the one that actually hits you when you turn the corner into the plaza. Here is what to expect, in plain terms, before you go. What days is Chichicastenango market open? The market […]

Not the sanitized version. The real one, from women who have done it, guided it, and lived it across five countries.

The crowds just left. The prices just dropped. And in two weeks, the mountains turn a shade of green you will not believe. Here is why mid-May is the smartest time to arrive in Guatemala.