Try an unexpected warm weather getaway in Guatemala

(ARA) - It's the time of year when many of us are yearning for a change of scenery, to trade the gray, cold and dreary for the colorful, warm and lively. While there are many well-established meccas for winter getaways, why not try a place that's a little more unexpected?

Travelers seeking warm weather can turn their sights to Guatemala and be richly rewarded. While it's true that the country saw some turmoil in the late 20th century, it's now a welcoming place for travelers, and a hidden gem of Central America. For budget travelers, it's a dream come true - cheap flights are readily available and, when it comes to hotels, a little money goes a long way. What you'd pay for a middle-of-the-road hotel in the U.S. can get you spectacular, high-end digs throughout Guatemala.

Flights arrive in the capital, Guatemala City. Many travelers choose to forego staying in the city at all, but it's worth at least a day of exploration. The sprawling central plaza (Parque Central) in the old town is edged by ornate buildings like the palacio de gobierno (government headquarters) and the Catedral Metropolitana. Directly behind the cathedral is the lively and labyrinthine central market, which is populated with vendors selling handicrafts and every necessity of life.

Also in Guatemala City (often shortened to "Guate") are two excellent museums: Museo Ixchel and Museo Popol Vuh. Both are located on the lush campus of the Universidad Francisco Marroquin and are splendidly curated. Museo Ixchel focuses on Guatemala's famous, incredibly rich (and still living throughout much of the country) textile heritage, while Museo Popol Vuh is an excellent exploration of pre-Hispanic arts of the area.

Less than an hour's drive from the modern capital is the former capital: Antigua Guatemala, commonly shortened to just "Antigua." It's recognized as one of the most beautiful cities in Central America, and rightfully so. Three cone-shaped (inactive) volcanoes provide a dramatic backdrop for low-slung, brightly painted colonial buildings. The compact central square is a popular place for locals and visitors alike to relax and do some people watching under the shade of jacaranda trees that produce showers of purple blooms in the spring.

Antigua is an ideal place to spend relaxing days strolling cobbled lanes, bargaining with artisans in local markets and exploring the many ruined convents and churches that bustled in the days before an earthquake nearly decimated the city. It's easy to get great food in Antigua for a fair price, and it's easy to get a luxurious room in a top-of-the-line hotel for as little as $100 a night.

Because cheap flights to Guatemala are so easy to come by, save a little extra for an intra-country flight to visit the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. Flights arrive in the departmental capital of Flores, which is about a two-hour drive to the site. Tikal is set deep in thick tropical forests, and to get a breathtaking view of the surrounding area, clamber to the top of one of the four temples open for climbing - though the ladder going up Temple V is not for the faint-hearted. From your perch, it's an amazing view of razor-like roof combs of the Mayan temples jutting up through a sea of green.

Because the site is so huge, with so many areas to explore, it's a good idea to stay overnight in the area. There are three hotels just outside the park that are comfortable, but which have the advantage of an unbeatable location. Mosquitoes and other insects abound, so bring repellent, as well as a hooded raincoat for the fairly common rain showers. The site also has a small, interesting museum and the jungles are rich with wildlife like howler monkeys, coatimundis, parrots and toucans.

This year, when you're searching for cheap flights to a warm destination, try typing "Guatemala" into the destination box on sites like Travelocity.com. You'll be surprised by the richness of the culture, the warmth of the people and the diverse beauty of this underappreciated country.

Courtesy of ARAcontent