goathemayatravel

REGION 3 - Northeast
Conformed by the Departments of Izabal, Chiquimula, Zacapa and El Progreso

Name of the department. Izabal
Department's Capital: Puerto Barrios
Extension. 9,038 km2
Municipiums: Puerto Barrios, el Estor, Livingston, Los Amates, Morales
Climate. Tropical
Altitude. 0.67 mts above sea level
Population: 314,306
Demography. 35 inhabitants per Km2
Urban population. 28.8
Rural population: 71,2
Population per gender: Men: 156,559. Women: 157,747
Population per ethnic group: Indigenous: 73,151. non-indigenous: 241,155
Literacy: 170,579 (population of 7 years of age and more)
Economically-Active Population: 87,241
Creation of the Department: May 18 th 1866
Tourism:

1) Bocas del Polochic: Is the flow of the Polochic River on Izabal lake, Perfect for the sport fishing (from June to December)of the shad and also for bird watching of over 250 variety of native and migratory birds, all of these immersed in the spectacular beauty of the flooded wood.

2) Boqueron Canyon: The Boqueon canyon is a river that at certain point is surrounded by tall walls full of vegetation forming natural ponds of crystal water of great beauty.

3) Paraiso Farm: Paraiso Farm has a spectacular waterfall of thermal water in the middle of the jungle. The waterfall falls over a river of cold water where you can have an exceptional swim.

4) Tijax Ranch : At Tijax Ranch you can experiment hikes and horse ridding, as well as swimming in Rio Dulce and cross through natural paths.

5) Ak' Tenamit Association: The Ak'Tenamit Association is an non-governmental organization that has been working since 1992 in the maintenance development of the area and on the recuperation of the Mayan culture in the q'eqchís villages of the Rio Dulce National Park through handcrafts, health, education, organic agriculture, eco-tourism, fish-breeding and other programs. Their main office is located between the north shore of the canyon of Rio Dulce and Rio Tatín.

6) Punta de Manabique. Is a marine coast humid soil with reefs; the ecological systems are constituted by bays, marine swamps and flooded forests. In this kind of forests is easy to find the confra palm (mancaria saccifera), as well as the Cahue and Santa Maria.

7) La Graciosa Bay: At one side of the Amatique Bay, at the south of the Manabique Peninsula are found the best conserved mangrove swamps and constitute an excellent place for the sailing-vessels; is also an excellent place for the bird watching.

8) Canal Ingles: Is the combination of natural rivers and artificial canals at the south of Punta de Manabique. Constitute an aquatic via surrounded by rich vegetation where you can watch reptiles and birds.

9) San Gil Hill: Is a mountain wall which interrupts the breeze of the Antilles Ocean, has a annual media precipitation over than 3000 mm with more than 200 rainy days a year and humidity between 100% to the east and 39% to the West. The combination of the physical factors such as humidity, temperature and elevation have made San Gil Hill a unique zone of a great biological value because of the biodiversity. There are many tree species of great importance such as the mahogany tree, chicozapote, tamon, etc.

10) Tatín River: Have many small waterfalls and natural pools inside an almost intact tropical forest. Also, there are interpretative paths and small handcraft stores. Is a perfect place for the bird watching.

11) Blanca Beach: Is the perfect place to enjoy the Guatemalan Caribbean, with its white sand beaches and crystal water. Blanca Beach is located between punta Cocoli and Sarstun River.

12) Punta de Palma: Another perfect place to enjoy the white sand beaches and the warm water of the Caribbean.

13) Siete Altares: A beautiful paradise between the coast of Livingston and Sarstun River, seven waterfalls and seven natural pools are formed inside the jungle, perfect for a fresh swim.

14) Ensenada Los Lagartos. Located on the northwestern part of Lake Izabal, Ensenada Los Lagartos, shows an exuberant vegetation, where you can see howler monkeys and native and migratory birds; also, the fishing is abundant and if you are lucky you can see the manatee.

15) Rio Oscuro: Flows at the southeast side of Lake Izabal. This river have dark and peaceful water where you can see howler monkeys, turtles, casco de mula, butterflies, white herons and martin fishes.

16) Selempin Scientific Station: Is a scientific center between the protected areas of Sierra de las Minas and Bocas del Polochic. There are here about 308 bird species. Perfect for the scientific tourism.

17) El Amatillo Lagoon: At the south of Padre Creek on the Polochic river, is found the El Amatillo Lagoon, which is a great paradise for the wild life because you can do bird watching, abundant fishing and humid forests, also you can find the howler monkeys, otters and manatees.

18) Carboneras: Is the perfect place to see the Guatemalan rainy tropical jungle with spectacular river streams and interpretative paths. It has a biological station used by national and foreign researchers.

19) Las Escobas: At the north of Hill San Gil, Las Escobas is a place that has small waterfalls and natural ponds, as well as interpretative paths.

20) Lake Izabal: This is the biggest lake of the country (650 km2) with beautiful beaches and luxuriant vegetation. Between 1978 and 1979 a factory calles Exmibal, a branch of the Canadian company INCO, worked nickel on the shore of the lake; this activity didn't last a year because of the worldwide price dropped. The name of lake Izabal is maybe in honor of queen Isabel de Castilla.

21) Rio Dulce: Rio Dulce has a length of approximately 42 kilometers and is the flow of lake Izabal to the Caribbean ocean on the Amatique Bay. There is a part of the river called Golfete which is almost a lagoon, where you can see the tropical flora and fauna and you can get to a place in the lake which has thermal water.

22) San Felipe de Lara Castle: This castle was used as a fortress to avoid the pirates to get inside the Guatemalan territory during the XVI century. The castle had some reconstructions and today is one of the most important tourist attractions of the region. Its name is because it was reconstructed by the magistrate de Lara in 1651 and in honor of Felipe II.

23) Biotopo Chocon Machacas: The name of this reservation is because of the rivers Chocon and Machacas. Inside the biotopo you can find a great quantity of flora and fauna, is the habitat of a big aquatic mammal, the manatee. There are some paths and a small museum.

24) Livingston: This town started on the XVIII century; its name is in honor of the Governor of Louisiana Edward Livingston, author of a code of the abolition of slaves. Livingston is a population of afro-Caribbean people called garifuna, speaking a language which is a mixture of English, French, Spanish and Arawak. Their main occupation is fishing and agriculture, but are also distinguished for their music and dances of African rhythms.

25) Quiriguá: This is a site pertaining to the early classic period with a collection of steles y zoomorphic, as well as the main plaza, the acropolis and ball game plaza. Quiriguá is related to the city of Copán, which is located only 40 km away from Quiriguá and was oppressed until king Cielo-Cauac captured and killed the king of Copán called 18 conejo. Stele E is found in Quiriguá, the tallest of the Mayan civilization, with a height of 10.66 mt built in year 771. The biggest banana plantations of the country are surrounding Quiriguá; covering from Quiriguá up to the Caribbean coast and until the decade of the 60's were property of the united Fruit company, which had a great influence in the economy and politics of the country.

Name of the department. Chiquimula
Department`s Capital: Chiquimula
Extension. 2,376 km2
Municipiums: Chiquimula, Camotán, Concepción Las Minas, Esquipulas, Ipala, Jocotán, Olopa, Quezaltepeque, San Jacinto, San José La Arada, San Juan Ermita.
Climate: Hot
Altitude. 423 mts above sea level
Population: 302,485
Demography. 127 inhabitants per Km2
Urban population. 26.0
Rural population: 74.0
Population per gender: Men: 147,212. Women: 155,273
Population per ethnic group: Indigenous: 50,427. non-indigenous: 252,058
Literacy: 145,062 (population of 7 years of age and more)
Economically-Active Population: 91,340 (population of 7 years and more)
Creation of the Department: November, 10 -1871
Tourism:

1) Esquipulas. Is without a doubt the biggest peregrinate center of the country, specially on January 15 th , since that is the day of the Señor de Esquipulas, when the Cristo Negro image is venerated, this image was engraved en cedar by Quirio Cataño an sculptor of the colonial time. The construction of the beautiful basilica of a neoclassic style ended in 1759 after twenty years of construction. Esquipulas was a known place during the eighties because the conventions of the peace treaties took place there. The Trifinio, which is the union of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala is located in there and the main object is to develop the projects of the three nations.

2) Esquipulas Basilica: Is a baroque architecture from the XVIII century, has three naves and 14 basinsters. At the center, dominating all the perspective, is found the image of Christ in an altar richly decorated with details of repoussed silver.

3) Aqueduct: It was built during the colonial time for water supplying; previously it ended in a basin where the people filed their water recipients. It is located at the north of Esquipulas over the Tepoctún river.

4) Colonial Basin: It is located in front of the municipality; is from the colonial time in a flower shape. This was the only basin that provided water to the whole town during XVI century, it was supplied by the aqueduct that started in the "El Recibimiento" flowing, 1 km north from Esquipulas.

5) Parrish Church: Constructed late on XVI century and beginning of XVII century, dedicated to Santiago apostle. It has a colonial clock, which still is functioning.

6) Morola Hill: When you are going up this hill, you can find the 14 stations of the Via Crucis, an oratory and an old cross of engraved stone. At the top of the hill, where you can see Esquipulas, is found the peregrine peace plaza, inaugurated in 1980.

7) Peregrino de la Paz Plaza : Located in the middle of Morola Hill, this plaza is very important for having been inaugurated and blessed by Mother Theresa of Calcuta when she visited Guatemala for the third time.

8) Handcrafts Market: Is located at the opposite side of the Basilica, is the perfect place for the purchase of souvenirs such as relics, blessed bread, blessed ground and specially straw hats with hanging charms exclusive from Esquipulas, also you can get candles and incense as an offer to the Cristo Negro.

9) Monument to Fray Pedro Pardo de Figueroa: Such monument is located on the entrance of the park of the Basilica in recognition of who protected the arts and built the sanctuary of Esquipulas.

Tourist sites of Chiquimula

10) Ipala Volcano and Lagoon (1,650 mts over sea level): Located at the municipium of Ipala.

11) Stone of the Godparents: Delighted by such fascinating place surrounded by pines and singing birds, the godfather made love to the godmother, who permitted such action, betraying the sacred respected bond that joined them; and thus, they were punished for such insult and were turned into a rock.

12) Stone with rupestrian paintings: Located in the municipium of San Juan Ermita

13) De las Minas Grottos: This perforation in a lying cross shape was a mine used for the extraction of silver with the purpose to get funds for financing the construction work of the Basilica.

14) Los chorros y Atulapa Bridge: Is located 4 1/2 kms on the road that goes to Honduras, this place is perfect for the appreciation of the crystal waters of the peaceful river.

15) Olopita Iron Bridge: At the beginning it was located on the old road to Taxisco, but later on it was abandoned; that why the ministry of communications re-located it to its current location, 4 kms from Esquipulas, on the road to Chanmagua; which is a nice ride full of vegetation. The Olopita river goes beneath the bridge, which is a natural watering place.

16) "La Hamaca" or "La Planta" Natural Watering place: Located at 1 km south Esquipulas, la Hamaca is a natural watering place of the Santa Rosalía river, where is also found a hammock bridge, which joins all the villages of that area with Esquipulas and form part of the Trifinio.

17) Talquetzal cloudy forest: Is one of the life zones most important of the isthmus. This forest is protector of the most important water fountains, in which there are more than 70% of the Guatemalan mammals. Because of its high level of humidity, this is the best place for the orchids, ferns, mushrooms, crowfoots (Ranunculus muricatus) and hundreds of more species.

18) El Brasilar de Camotán. Located to 4 kms from the municipium of Camotan, this is another alternative of thermal water of the area.

19) Montecristo Hill: Perfect for eco-tourism activities, Montecristo Hill is located in the area where the limits of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are joined, commonly known as Trifinio.

Name of the department. Zacapa
Department's Capital: Zacapa
Extension. 2,690 km2
Municipiums: Zacapa, Cabañas, Estanzuela, Gualán, Huité, La Unión, Río Hondo, San Diego, Teculután, Usumatlán.
Climate: Hot
Altitude. 220 mts above sea level
Population: 200,167
Demography. 74 inhabitants per Km2
Urban population. 38.9
Rural population: 61.1
Population per gender: Men: 98,669. Women: 101,498
Population per ethnic group: Indigenous: 1,574. non-indigenous: 198,593
Literacy: 114,980 (population of 7 years of age and more)
Economically-Active Population: 61,682
Creation of the Department: by executive decree number 31, November 10 th , 1871
Tourism:

1) Estanzuela: This small village is known for the technique of embroidery unraveling the edges in order to make a fringe consisting of the selective separation of the threads of a fabric according to a previous design. Estanzuela is known for the great quality of cheese and butter they produce. You can visit there the only museum of paleontology in Guatemala, they exhibit fossils, skeletons of a mastodon and a whale that were found in the region.

2) Doña Maria Caves. Constitute another alternative for the speleology lovers. Doña Maria caves are surrounded by a natural environment a few minutes away from the road at the municipium of Gualan.

3) Sierra de Las minas: This extension of land goes from east to west along the whole department and represents the biggest eco-tourist site of the department with a great biodiversity. The Reserve of the Biosphere of Sierra de las Minas is declared and managed as a protected area.

4) La Vega Cobán: Located in the municipium of Teculutan, this archeological site form the late classic period has a ball game plaza, an acropolis of more than 8 mts of height and a big quantity of habitat structures.

Name of the department. El Progreso
Department`s Capital: El Progreso
Extension. 1,922 km2
Municipiums: El Progreso-Guastatoya, El Jícaro, Morazán, Sanarate, Sansare, San Agustín Acasaguastlán, San Antonio La Paz, San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán.
Climate: Hot
Altitude. 553 mts above sea level
Population: 139,490
Demography. 73 inhabitants per Km2
Urban population. 36.1
Rural population: 63.9
Population per gender: Men: 69,058. Women: 70,432
Population per ethnic group: Indigenous: 1,250. non-indigenous: 138,240
Literacy: 87,118 (population of 7 years of age and more)
Economically-Active Population: 40,726 (population of 7 years and more)
Creation of the Department: by Executive Decree number 683 on April 13, 1908.
Tourism:

1) San Cristobal Acasaguastlán: There is a distinguished church, which baroque frontage reaches a height of 23 mts. Showing an ocher colored sun.

2) The Angel boulder: Perfect for lovers of fresh air activities. This place is located inside the big extension of Sierra de las Minas and is distinguished by its cloudy forest. You will need a 4X4 vehicle to get there.

3) Watering place Los Platanos Pond: Located 10 kms away from Sanarate, this watering place reflects the arid surrounding of the region, wanting to get a bath.

4) El Rancho. Located 85 kms from the capital city. El Rancho is the intersection point on the route to Alta Verapaz and Baja Verapaz at the eastern part of the country.