![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/04b-20160324_115918-1038x576.jpg "Maundy Thursday procession of San Francisco el Grande")
Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Antigua ius more of a Semana Loca (crazy week): Hundreds of thousands of (mainly Guatemaltecan) visitors come to this small town of 35,000 inhabitants. The reason for this are the numerous Easter processions which are said to be the most beautiful and impressive ones in all of Central America. Continue reading Semana Santa in Antigua
Trip: Central America 2016
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000672-1038x576.jpg "Santiago Atitlán")
Mayan God and Market Goods
Around Lake Atitlán, there are enough little villages to go town hopping for a week or so. However, I had only one day to explore the area. So, I decided to visit a town that is supposed to be still rather untouched by tourism: Santiago Atitlán. Continue reading Mayan God and Market Goods
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000635-1038x576.jpg "Lake Atitlán")
Hiking from Xela to Lake Atitlán
In the past three days, I did a Quetzaltrekkers hiking tour from Xela (or, more precisely, from the town Xecam near Xela) to Lake Atitlán. This 42 kilometre hike was more exhausting than expected. However, the nice views (especially on the last day over the lake) were well worth the effort. Continue reading Hiking from Xela to Lake Atitlán
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000571-1038x576.jpg "Cathedral in Xela")
Colonial churches
Quetzaltenango (or Xela for short) is another colonial town. I visited the city mainly because it is the starting point of my next multi-day hike. Continue reading Colonial churches
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000566-1038x576.jpg "Earth Lodge")
Relaxing in Earth Lodge
After the exhausting vulcano climb, I needed some time to relax. The Earth Lodge near Antigua was ideal for that. Continue reading Relaxing in Earth Lodge
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000534-1038x576.jpg "Eruption of Fuego")
Climbing a volcano
Originally, I did not have climbing Acatenango volcano on my itinerary. However, several travellers told me that this is the volcano hike to do in Guatemala: The views of the neighbouring (and very active) Fuego volcano were supposed to be awesome. As it turned out, these people were absolutely right. Continue reading Climbing a volcano
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000519.jpg "Mural in Ataco")
El Salvador at its best
The last four days I spent in Santa Ana. From there, I went on several day trips on which I got to know the El Salvador more or less as I was expecting it. Continue reading El Salvador at its best
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000499-1038x576.jpg "Suchitoto")
Suchitoto, or: A small disappointment
I have just arrived in Honduras, and now I have left already again for El Salvador. Unfortunately, Suchitoto could not quite live up to my (rather high) expectations. Continue reading Suchitoto, or: A small disappointment
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000473-1038x576.jpg "Temple 11")
From Cobán to Copán
From Semuc Champey I went to Cobán, and from there to Copán (Ruinas) in Honduras. There, I visited some more ruins which were again different from the ones I visited so far. Continue reading From Cobán to Copán
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000427-1038x576.jpg "Semuc Champey")
The beauty of Semuc Champey
Having spent enough time on or near the water, I decided against the highway which would take me to the coast again. Instead, I went inland to visit Semuc Champey. Continue reading The beauty of Semuc Champey
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000403-1038x576.jpg "Tikal")
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Star Wars
On my first full day in Guatemala I already had my first highlight: a visit to Tikal. Continue reading Indiana Jones and the Temple of Star Wars
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000357-1038x576.jpg "Xunantunich")
Mayan traces above and below ground
My last stop in Belize, in the town of San Ignacio, was dedicated to the Mayans again: Today, I visited the ruins of Xunantunich. The day before, I went on a caving tour to Actun Tunuchil Muknal to see the Mayan artifacts there. Continue reading Mayan traces above and below ground
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000350-1038x576.jpg "Jaguar")
Visiting the jaguars
Today, I made a detour to Belize Zoo to get to know the animals that can be found in Belize – above all tucans and jaguars! Continue reading Visiting the jaguars
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000332-1038x576.jpg "Monkey River")
Monkey (River) and Manatee
After almost a week at the Caribbean, it is soon time to say good bye to the coast – but not quite yet: Today, I went on a boat trip to and on Monkey River. Continue reading Monkey (River) and Manatee
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000277-1038x576.jpg "Goff's Caye")
Sailing the Caribbean
When visiting a Caribbean island, I can also leave it in style: on a three-days-long sailboat trip along the Belize Barrier Reef. Continue reading Sailing the Caribbean
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000270-1038x576.jpg "Coral Garden")
Caribbean life
Caye Caulker, my first stop in Belize, was a very Caribbean destination. Continue reading Caribbean life
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000213-1038x576.jpg "Laguna de Bacalar")
Bacalar, the better version of Tulum
Bacalar with its laguna (also called "Laguna de las Siete Colores", i.e. "Laguna of the Seven Colors") has been as I expected Tulum to be: very relaxing. Continue reading Bacalar, the better version of Tulum
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000195-1038x576.jpg "Ojo Uno")
What beautiful eyes!
From Tulum, I visited another cenote which was simply spectacular: Dos Ojos.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000179-1038x576.jpg "Tulum")
The best from three worlds
I spent less time in Tulum than originally planned – it was just too cold for relaxing on the beach. Continue reading The best from three worlds
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000139-1038x576.jpg "Santa Ana")
Colonial town with holes in the ground
Slowly, I have the feeling that I have seen enough of colonial towns. Fortunately, Valladolid also has something else to offer (apart from Chichén Itzá close by): holes in the ground – or, in other words: cenotes. Continue reading Colonial town with holes in the ground
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000163-1038x576.jpg "Chichén Itzá")
Chichén Itzá, or: Welcome to Maya World!
People tend to argue about Chichén Itzá: Either they think you should skip it because of the huge crowds, or they think that the crowds are there for a reason, and you must not miss it. I can undetstand both sides a bit Continue reading Chichén Itzá, or: Welcome to Maya World!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000123-1038x576.jpg "Uxmal")
The Ruins of Uxmal
The ruins of Uxmal are a typical example of the Puuc style, and are very impressive indeed. Continue reading The Ruins of Uxmal
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000099-1038x576.jpg "Carnival Parade")
Carnival in Mérida
After the heat and humidity in Palenque, combined with my cold, I needed a break. So I spent four days in Mérida, including Carnival weekend – not the worst place to spend this time of year. Continue reading Carnival in Mérida
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/20160203_101359-1038x576.jpg "Palenque")
Ruins in the jungle
Today I finally came across some remains of the Ancient Mayans: the ruins of Palenque. Continue reading Ruins in the jungle
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000003-1038x576.jpg "Agua Azul")
The Wonders of Nature in Chiapas
After three days in the city, it was time to get out into the nature: I visited Sumidero Canyon close to San Cristóbal and Agua Azul as well as Misol-Ha on my way to Palenque, my next destination. Continue reading The Wonders of Nature in Chiapas
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/OI000030-1038x576.jpg "San Juan Chamula")
Coca Cola for the health, or: The modern Mayas
As already mentioned, a lot of indigenous people still live around San Cristóbal zahlreiche Indigene. Despite the christianisation by the Spaniards, a lot of the old Mayan customs remain. Continue reading Coca Cola for the health, or: The modern Mayas
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/OI000034-1038x576.jpg "Cathedral")
The three histories of San Cristóbal
San Cristóbal de las Casas, the first stop on my visit to Mexico, is known for three aspects of its past:
- It is a colonial town.
- In its surroundings, there still live a lot of indigenous people.
- It was a centre for the Zapatistas in the 1990s.