Trip Report: The Jungles of Guatemala

After Antigua, my sister and I headed off towards Finca Ixobel, a ranch in northern Guatemala that my friend Monica had recommended. There is only one paved road between the Guatemalan highlands, where Antigua and Guatemala City are located, and the northern part of the country, and Finca Ixobed is located near the town of Poptun along this road. I booked last minute bus tickets to Rio Dulce, also along the route and a couple of hours short of Poptun. From there I figured I would find another bus or shared taxi (collectivo) for the last two hours to Poptun.

Guatemalan Jungle

The Guatemalan jungle – our next destination!

However, as it happened, things did not go as planned…

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Trip Report: Antigua, Guatemala

For the first part of my current trip to Central America, I traveled through Guatemala and Belize with my sister Laura. We both flew into Guatemala City and out of Belize City. Since we were traveling through remote areas, the internet was spotty at times, and I’m finally getting around to recapping our adventures.

Quetzal

Guatemala’s currency is named after the Quetzal, its national bird.

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Cusco

Cusco at sunset. The two cathedrals near the center of the picture border the main plaza

Cusco at sunset. The two cathedrals near the center of the picture border the main plaza.

Cusco is a popular tourist destination in Peru. Once the historical capital of the Incan Empire, it is now a major launching point for tourists visiting ruins in the Sacred Valley and of course the Incan city of Machu Picchu.

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