Antigua

Guatemala's ubiquitous chicken buses, which are refurbished old American school buses, chug to every corner of the country in style.

Volcan Pacaya

The sun sets over three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango.

Volcan Pacaya

As a cloud descends in the late afternoon, a guide allows his horse a snack break on the slopes of Pacaya Volcano.

Volcan Pacaya

Lava flows from Pacaya, one of Central America's most active volcanoes. Descending into the area and checking out the lava from just a few feet away was an amazing experience, but the bottoms of my shoes partially melted in the process.

Antigua

Me at the entrance of La Posada del Angel. Bill Clinton stayed at this colonial-style guesthouse during his visit to Guatemala, and a night here was a major luxury after weeks of $3 per night guesthouses. Photo by Michelle Marlin

Antigua

Antigua's cemetery, constructed in the 1500s, is still in use.

Monterrico

Monterrico's black sand beaches are considered the finest in Guatemala. Unfortunately, due to exceptionally strong currents, swimming isn't possible here.

Monterrico

Boats line the waterway that skirts the town of Monterrico.

Copan Ruinas

The Grand Plaza of Copan Ruinas.

Copan Ruinas

Tuk tuks, imported from Thailand, await passengers in central Copan Ruinas, Honduras.

Todos Santos Cuchumatan

Ears of corn dry outside a home in Todos Santos.

Todos Santos Cuchumatan

Todos Santeros in traditional traje overlook the town square.

Huehuetenango

Precipitous cliffs line the road that leads from Huehuetenango into the Cuchumatanes mountain range.

San Juan La Laguna

Village boys show off their toy trucks in the village of San Juan La Laguna.

San Pedro la Laguna

A panorama of San Pedro unfolds from the road that winds around the lake.

Solola

A couple whiles away a lazy Sunday on the steps of Solola's cathedral.

Santa Maria Concepcion

Santa Maria Concepcion, a typical farming village of 2,000 in Solola Province.

San Isidro

A cloud descends on a forested hill near San Isidro.

San Isidro

The countryside surrounding San Isidro is an important agricultural region.

Antigua

Antigua's eponymous arch originally served as a passageway for resident nuns to protect them from the outside world.

Lago de Atitlan

Kayakers race toward shore as a storm closes in on Lago de Atitlan.

Panajachel

A weaver in Panajachel.

Lago de Atitlan

Colectivo boats transport passengers to the villages dotting the shores of the lake.

Quetzaltenango

Indigenous women come from the area's villages to sell their produce in Xela's downtown market.

Antigua

Antigua's cathedral, completed in 1680, glows as the sun sets. The current structure, which has been repeatedly damaged by earthquakes, replaced an earlier cathedral begun in 1542.

Guatemala & Honduras