Local Information

Guatemala is, according to one guidebook, “Central America in an exaggerated form.” It covers an area of 108,889 km (42,042 square miles). The volcanoes are the highest and the most active; the Mayan ruins are the most impressive; its population is the largest, 17,974,000; and it is home to the largest indigenous population, about 65%.

In Guatemala, the division between Maya and Spanish descent (ladino) is fairly strict and has been the source of conflict since the Conquest. While indigenous populations are concentrated in the highlands, you will see people wearing traditional indigenous clothing in the capital, Guatemala City, as well. In the highland villages, people continue practicing many Mayan traditions with regard to food, religion and family life.

Home to approximately three million people, Guatemala City sprawls across a range of flattened mountains and deep ravines. Guatemala City became the capital of Guatemala in the late 1700s after a powerful earthquake destroyed much of Antigua, the former capital. The city is divided into zones (zonas). Zona 1 is where you’ll find the Plaza Major, the National Palace, the central market.

La Antigua Guatemala

La Antigua Guatemala was founded on March 10, 1543 in the Panchoy Valley, nestled between three volcanoes: Acatenango, Fuego and Agua. This colonial city has almost five hundred years of history, with a privileged climate. This was the third attempt by the Spanish to make a capital city in this newly founded territory. It was the epicenter of Central American power during the 17th and 18th centuries, but part of it was destroyed by a series of earthquakes in 1773. Today many of the old convents and monasteries remain in ruins. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. Today the main institutions of La Antigua are the Palace of the General Captains, the Cathedral of Antigua Guatemala, the Plaza Mayor, the Convent and Arch of Santa Catalina, Jade Museums, the Museum of the University of San Carlos, and many others.

Panajachel

Panajachel is a town in the Guatemalan Highlands, west of Guatemala City. It is on the north shore of Lake Atitlán. Surrounding the lake are the San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán volcanoes. Cafes, bars and stalls selling handicrafts and textiles line Calle Santander, the main street. In the old town is the colonial San Francisco Church, with a stone facade. Boats connect Panajachel with lakeside Mayan villages.

Quetzaltenango-Xela

Quetzaltenango is often referred to as Xela by the locals, this city is known for its rich cultural and vibrant arts community. You will be surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, including hot springs, mountains and valleys. We will explore the Central Square where you will admire neoclassical architecture and visit local markets. 

Climate/Weather

Panajachel and Lake Atitlan area: 

Fall Semester: The average high August - October is around 77° F; the average low 63° F. You will be there during the rainy season, so expect a lot of precipitation. The average rainfall per month varies from 6-10”. 

Spring Semester: You will be in the region during the dry season, so you will see little rain. February is the coolest month of the year with an average maximum temperature of 75°F.

This Central American country lies between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. The country is divided by a backbone of volcanoes and mountains, an extension of the Andes-Sierra Madre chain which runs along the western side of the Americas.

Costa Rica has four distinct cordilleras or mountain ranges -- Guanacaste and Tilaran in the north, Central and Talamanca in the south. Costa Rica is part of the Pacific "Rim of Fire" and has seven of the isthmus' 42 active volcanoes plus dozens of dormant or extinct cones. Earth tremors and small quakes shake the country from time to time.

Costa Rica is home to approximately 5 million people. Almost 2/3 of the population live in the central valley, where the capital city, San Jose, is located, along with several other major cities. It has both Caribbean and Pacific coasts, lined with white and black sand beaches. It is said to be the safest and most democratic country in Central America, and famous for its biodiversity.

There are 8 ethnic groups that inhabit 24 indigenous territories. Costa Rican indigenous peoples represent 2.4% of the national population and own about 7% of the land territory. Land tenure is a problem that has intensified. About inmigration, people who come from Nicaragua continue to be the majority and represent 75% of all resident immigrants. An aproximate of 80,000 people are African descents and the province with the largest number of Afro-descendant population is Limón.

The Central Valley includes the city of San Jose, Cartago, Heredia, and Alajuela, holding a population of nearly hree million people. 

Weather

Rainy season: the rainy season usually goes from mid-May to mid-December, and the dry season begins around mid-December and ends around May. However, it is not unusual to have rain at any given moment in Costa Rica. Humidity remains high in the Central Valley. The average daytime temperature is about 28 °C (82 °F) and at night it drops to about 20 °C 68)