Natural Places
Lake Atitlan
Geologists assert that their formation is due to the great explosion of a volcano millions of years ago. If so, the three volcanoes that surround it have emerged from the depth of water that filled the crater of that volcano.
Be that as it were, geological this accident is one of the most beautiful experiments that nature has done with herself. Still not found the bottom, but recent measurements speak of 600 meters and more than likely an underground connection between the lake and the Pacific Ocean.
In its banks live, from hundreds of years ago, various indigenous groups of Mayan origin, whose relationship with the lake is absolute complicity.
Two groups are mainly those who share: tzutuhiles and Cakchiquel, which are divided into many villages. Panajachel, the largest of these has already been taken by hotels and tourist restaurants, but still retains some of its original flavor. Others such as San Pedro, San Antonio or Santiago retain traditional life.
The apparent docility of the lake is no more than that, apparently. In the afternoon, a wind called Xocomil, blows from the southeast forming eddies and waves up to two meters are feared by fishermen.
Tell a local legend that the wind is caused by a giant, once defeated by the locals, was beheaded, his head being thrown into the water. To retaliate, blowing forcefully in the afternoon causing the capsizing of the weak vessels.
Los Cuchumatanes
Powerful geological forces raised the substance of this massif seas culminating in the peak Xemal, at 3,900 meters. The abrupt relief, the valleys, the smooth slopes, plateaus and the tops of the rocks have given this karst limestone plateau called "ridge of flats." The species that resinous covering yesteryear have been replaced by low vegetation of dry grass and thistles, although survive under the flight of birds of prey, coyotes, cougars and jaguars that give the area a wilderness. The villages of Mam, natural inhabitants of the place, have settled in the valleys side, but less cold wettest.
Agua Azul
Among Palenque and San Cristobal de las Casas is a small river whose abrupt changes of level how delicious tubs in which water turns turquoise, forming in its downfall, small waterfalls and natural pools that make the delights of Bather. The place is called Blue Water.
Keys Belize
Experts say that the cays of Belize are part of the second largest barrier reef in the world after that of Australia. This uniqueness allows the hundreds of islands that run parallel to the coast of Belize to be a privileged place for the enjoyment of water sports and especially diving.
Rio Dulce
The so-called Sweet River is a mouth water which connects Lake Izabal in Guatemala Caribbean. It has 38 km in length between the bridge and Livingston. The last part, and near the ocean, forming narrow passes meanders and trapped between two walls with steep ravines covered with a dense vegetation. In its banks rose numerous houses of straw and cane owned Indian Kekchí and mestizo migrants from the highlands who depend on fishing and commerce on the river.
Peten Itza
Lake Peten Itza offers an idyllic vision of the Peten jungle. Recorrerlo boat at sunset is a pleasure for the senses that given away with the observation of the animals came to eat. But besides a paradise for the visitor, this place was habitat for the last redoubt of the Maya Classic before its final conquest. The Itzaes, who have fled from the Yucatan, hid here and aguantaron attacks in Europe until well into the seventeenth century. Today, its people are struggling with the unpredictable flooding from the lake nor can dominate.
Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is located just a few kilometers north of Cancun and measured 7 km. Long and between 300 and 800 wide. His name was put Spanish conquistador Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba noted that there several female idols to those who worshiped the Islanders. The main attraction of the island are the beaches of turquoise waters and fine white sands that are a paradise for divers who have underwater fauna in the area a true treasure. For centuries, the island was also a hideout for pirates as Pierre Lafitte who was shot and killed there by the Spaniards.
Lagoon Petexbatun
At West Sayaxché, in the Peten in Guatemala, following the Passion River, it gets to the lagoon Petexbatún. This gap small rivers and their tributaries were in ancient times a channel of communication vital in trade relations between the Mayan cities. Today, and also then, is a tropical paradise where the traveler can enjoy bird watching and all kinds of wild animals. In its banks and in the tributaries of the rivers are hidden among the jungle some of the Mayan cities, as Aguateca and Dos Pilas, who gave splendor of this civilization. |
