by Claire Boobbyer (Footprint series, Paperback - Feb 9, 2002)


"Guatemala in the 21st century is a puzzling place: a cigar-smoking idol wears a ski outfit; a self-confessed killer is president; giant kites carry souls to heaven; caves lead to the underworld; ancient calendars still influence lives; and the elected head of Congress is responsible for the genocide of thousands of his own people." This is how this guide book starts.

Claire Boobbyer is an excellent writer and the rich arsenal of feature stories called "Lethal liquor", "The decline and fall of Tikal", "The Garifuna", "The Resplendent Quetzal" are really worthwhile to read. The Footprint book is accurate and gives extensive information on anything you need to know on your trip. This is the best guide book on Guatemala, but unfortunately it is a bit old by now.

(Review by David Unger)

by Iain Stewart

The Rough Guide to Guatemala" is the ultimate guide to this astonishing country. Features include: a full-colour section introducing Guatemala's highlights; insider listings of the best places to eat, drink and stay, whatever your budget; comprehensive accounts of all the sights, from Guatemala City to the Peten ruins and the entire Pacific coast; practical advice on getting off the beaten track to remote highland areas, plus detailed treks and volcano climbs; informed commentary on Guatemala's politics, indigenous cultures, diverse landscape and wildlife; and maps and plans for every region.

(Review from Amazon.com)

This guide is the most common one, and it certainly has excellent information for eating out and hotels. If you stay longer than two weeks in the country or want to do nature travel you might need an additional guide. The best thing about the Lonely Planet series is its name and marketing. There will be a new Edition in September 2007.

Lonely Planet Guatemala features:

• information on all major Mayan sites, including Copán in Honduras
• lodging listings for every budget
• menu translator for Guatemalan cuisine
• handy glossary of Spanish and Mayan terms
• tips on ecologically responsible travel
• more than 35 detailed maps

by Richard Mahler (First edition, Second Printing April 2004)

Guatemala is colorful land of striking contrast: towering volcanoes, pastoral highlands, steamy jugles, and idyllic beaches. Unlike its Central American neighbors, they country remains largely Mayan in its language and culture yet showcase the region´s finest Spanish colonial architecture. Guatemala´s handmade textiles, ceramics, and other craft work are prized around the word for their intricate desing and high quality. Just as fomous are the country´s spectacular ancient Maya ruins, exotic wildlife, and breathtaking natural beauty.

(Review from Amazon.com)

by Barbara Honner (Broschiert - 1997)

Aus der Amazon.de-Redaktion Noch ist es ein billiges Reiseland, Guatemala, das Land des ewigen Frühlings. Zu diesem Beinamen kam es wegen der Blütezeiten, die das ganze Jahr hindurch zu beobachten sind. Doch das allein sind nicht die Gründe, warum jährlich immer mehr Touristen Guatemala besuchen. Beeindruckende Vulkane, alte Mayastätten und einer der schönsten Seen der Welt locken Besucher aus aller Welt, von denen zur Zeit die meisten noch aus den USA kommen. Um all die schönen Dinge des mittelamerikanischen Landes auch wirklich genießen zu können, bietet sich als kompetenter Reisebegleiter der Guatemala-Führer aus dem Reise Know-how Verlag an. Nur etwa die Hälfte des Buches widmet sich dem eigentlichen Reisen in Guatemala. Dies mag zunächst erstaunen. Wenn man aber bedenkt, daß das Land nur so groß ist wie ganz Süddeutschland, wird diese Tatsache durchaus verständlich. Der Aufbau des Reiseteils richtet sich nach den fünf verschiedenen Routen durch das Land, die die Autorin vorschlägt. Die Städte und Sehenswürdigkeiten finden sich also in regionaler Reihenfolge wieder, was nur sinnvoll ist. Durch Beschreibungen, die immer genau so ausführlich sind wie nötig, wird ein dichter Pool an Informationen geschaffen, aus dem der Reisende schöpfen kann. Immer findet man auch Hotel- oder Hospedajes-Empfehlungen, je nach Ortschaft verschieden viele und verschieden luxuriöse.

(Review from Amazon.com)