Guatemala

Only 13 miles away from Guatemala City, the Naciones Unidas National Park was one of the country's first national parks. Encompassing just over 1,200 acres, the park is one of the few remaining green spaces near the capital and is a great destination for anyone looking to get out of the city.

In addition to a network of walking trails, the reserve offers some excellent lookout points, picnic areas with fire pits, and a variety of sports fields. Other points of interest include an exhibit about Guatemala's history and a small museum full of insects, snakes, and other reptiles. Naciones Unidas National Park Map

Founded in 1980 as a nature reserve, Auto Safari Chapin is Guatemala's largest animal park and is home to wide variety of animal species such as jaguars, crocodiles, and giraffes. The animals can be seen in two different areas of the reserve: a walk-through zoo and a drive-through animal preserve.

Admission to both areas is included in the same ticket, and guests are also given complimentary use of the park's swimming pool and lagoon boat rides. The park is open Tuesday through Sunday between 9:30 am and 5 pm, and food can be purchased from either the on-site restaurant or snack bar.

Auto Safari Chapin, Km 87.5 Carretera a Taxisco, Guatemala, Phone: +502-22-22-58-58

Strategically located on the narrowest part of the Dulce River, the Castillo de San Felipe de Lara was first built in the early 1650s to stop pirates from raiding the towns of Izabal.

Unfortunately, pirates captured and destroyed the fortress in 1686, and it was used as a prison for a good number of years before being left to fall apart. The present building was reconstructed in 1956, and it has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2002. In addition to exploring the fort, visitors can also swim in the lake and relax or picnic on the grounds.

Castillo de San Felipe de Lara , Río Dulce, Livingston, Guatemala, Phone: +502-79-47-06-61

One of the best viewpoints in the city of Antigua, Cerro de la Cruz is well worth the ascent to the top. The site is best known for being home to a large cross dedicated to the city's patron saint, but it also offers stunning views of the city and the far-off Volcan de Agua.

The area unfortunately has a reputation for assaults and muggings, but a police escort is offered every day between 10 am and 3 pm. Visitors who are worried about safety can also choose to join a guided tour or drive to the top instead of walk. Map

The Guatemala City Railway Museum was formerly the city's main railway station, but it was opened to the public as a museum in 2004. In addition to a fascinating collection of historic steam and diesel locomotives, the museum offers a good number of displays that tell the story of Guatemala's railway development over the years. Special events and temporary exhibits can sometimes be found here as well. The museum is open until 4:30 pm every day of the week, but it opens at 9 am on weekdays and at 10 am on the weekends.

9A Avenida 18-03, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala, Phone: +502-22-32-92-70

Situated on the campus of the Francisco Marroquin University, the Ixchel Textile Museum was Guatemala's first museum of textiles. Many of the textile items in the museum's collections were donated by generous Guatemalan collectors; the textiles range in age from pre-Hispanic times to the present day, and they represent more than 180 different Guatemalan communities from all over the country. Most the displays are centered around traditional Guatemalan dress, but there are also excellent exhibits of jewelry, ceramic items, and books. The museum is closed on Sundays and most holidays, and hour-long guided tours are available for a fee.

Ixchel Textile Museum , 6A Calle 6, Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala, Phone: +502-23-31-36-22

Often called the last capital city of the Mayas, Iximche was founded in 1463 and has remained remarkably well-preserved. The buildings are not as large as those in some other Mayan cities, but they boast the characteristic Mayan look. It takes approximately one hour to drive from Guatemala City to Iximche, making this a great day trip for visitors based in the city. The ruins are open every day of the week between 8 am and 4 pm, and there are plenty of restaurants and handicraft vendors here for visitors who get hungry or would like to purchase souvenirs.

Opened in 1924, La Aurora Zoo is one of the best and largest zoos in Central America. The animals in the zoo come from all over the world, and they are grouped into three different areas based on their place of origin: Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Besides the animal exhibits, La Aurora Zoo also offers a children's game area, a small theater, and several restaurants. The zoo is conveniently located only a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from the airport, and it is open between 9 am and 4 pm every day of the week except for Tuesdays.

Finca La Aurora, 5A Calle, Guatemala 01013, Guatemala, Phone: +502-24-63-04-63

Encompassing more than 10,000 acres, the Monterrico-Hawaii Biotope is a must-see for anyone who loves the outdoors. The nature reserve runs along the coastline for approximately 12 miles, and it boasts everything from lush mangrove forests to volcanic beaches. A wide range of guided tours are available; visitors can choose to go horseback riding, kayak through one of the biotope's bird sanctuaries, visit the sea turtle sanctuary, or relax on one of the many black sand beaches. It's possible to visit the reserve on a day trip from Antigua, but accommodation can also be found in the town of Monterrico.

Conveniently located within driving distance of Antigua, Mundo Petapa is a theme park that offers a variety of rides and other family-friendly attractions. Some of the most popular rides include the Ferris wheel and a 53-foot-tall free-fall tower, but visitors can also use the pool, visit the small zoo, or amuse themselves with arcade games. Additionally, there are plenty of restaurants and concession stands scattered throughout the park, and lockers can be rented by the front gate. The park is open Thursday through Sunday, and a variety of event packages are offered for anyone who would like to host a special event here.

Avenida Petapa 42-36 | Zona 12, Guatemala City 01009, Guatemala, Phone: +502-24-23-90-00