Guatemala is home to more than 16.6 million people. Of these, almost two-thirds are indigenous people, whose achievements are often left out of historical canon. For Guatemalan women, this is even more the case. Think about how many women from Guatemala you’ve read about or heard about. The chances are, it’s not many. There are, of course, exceptions. For example, […]
On the banks of one of the most beautiful lakes in Guatemala live the Tz’utujil people. Guatemala is a relatively small country compared with others, but it has a long, rich history. Today, it’s still home to 24 different ethnic groups incorporated within the Mayan population. The Tz’utujil people are one of them. Others include Garifunas, Zinca and the Ladinos. […]
Guatemala was the centre of the Mayan Empire, which reached its peak of influence and power in the 6th century AD. Just 300 years later, most of the huge Maya cities were abandoned. We know plenty about the height of the civilisation, thanks to artefacts discovered over relatively recent times. Mayan civilisations left architecture, art and pottery and evidence for […]
The last Jürg Widmer Probst Guatemala blog to look at the country’s COVID-19 situation was half-way through last year. We’re now more than 12 months into the pandemic and it’s time to review how Guatemala is faring. Unfortunately, Guatemala is currently in the midst of a third wave with cases of COVID-19 sharply rising. On 15 April 2021, Guatemalan President […]
Guatemala’s political and socioeconomic history is closely tied to its movie history. Between 1960 and 1996 the Guatemalan Civil War put paid to its artistic sector and few films were made. But with peace in the mid to late 90s came a recovery for the Guatemalan film industry. Filmmakers and writers have created some of the greatest Guatemalan films since […]
Guatemala is a true melting pot of cultures, history and influences. So much so in fact that it’s not possible to talk about a single Guatemalan culture. First-time visitors to this beautiful country will see plenty of evidence of Mayan, Mexican and Spanish culture. They all work together to shape 21st century Guatemala in different ways. With so much to […]
One of the most interesting countries you can visit, Guatemala has a rich cultural history. Home to the ancient Maya civilization, which reached its peak between 250AD and 900AD, the history of Guatemala has many twists and turns. The Mayan civilisation was already declining from its heady heights when the Europeans landed in the 14th century. And when the Spanish […]
COVID-19 is hitting Guatemala at every level, from the Government and cabinet to the rural population. On 20 September 2020, President Alejandro Giammattei announced he tested positive with COVID-19. The Government continues to work, according to the President, and it appears he is now recovering. Jürg Widmer Probst Guatemala special feature: a COVID-19 update President Giammattei announced his diagnosis to […]
Guatemala is open to tourists again, although there are lots of COVID-19 restrictions in place. In this blog we’re going to look at an unforgettable trek to the Mayan ruins of El Mirador. Whether you go for it this year or next, El Mirador should absolutely be on your bucket list of travel destinations. But first we’ll give a […]
Climate change is now affecting all of us around the world in one way or another. From the vast Australian bushfires at the start of the year to the Californian bushfires happening now, it’s no longer possible to look away. Guatemala is home to huge swathes of vital rainforest and precious resources. The need to protect this as much as […]
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