• United States!

    United States: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Go Now!

    United States
    Explore the vast openness and wildlife found roaming in the western United States, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park (pictured) in North Dakota. Begin Your Journey!

  • Trinidad & Tobago!

    Trinidad & Tobago: Beautiful Coastline. Go Now!

    Trinidad & Tobago
    These Caribbean islands mix Indian, African, and European cultures alongside beautiful beaches. Go Now!

  • St. Kitts & Nevis!

    St. Kitts & Nevis: Nevis Island. Go Now!

    St. Kitts & Nevis
    This island nation mixes aspects of European, African, and Caribbean culture... not to mention incredible beaches. Go Now!

  • Honduras!

    Honduras: Children. Go Now!

    Honduras
    The original banana republic, Honduras has made a name for itself with the banana trade; however foreign influences have also vastly altered the culture. Go Now!

  • Mexico!

    Mexico: Sunrise over the mountains in Puerto Vallarta. Go Now!

    Mexico
    Although many people just go for the beaches, Mexico offers impressive mountain vistas (pictured in Puerto Vallarta), great food, and historic ruins that compete with the best in the world. Begin Your Journey!

  • Barbados!

    Barbados: Pier on the beach. Go Now!

    Barbados
    This Caribbean island has hints of British culture, but is wholly Caribbean as well. Explore Barbados!

Geography, Weather, & Wildlife of Guatemala

Geography

Guatemalan Geography - Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan

Guatemala is at the northern end of Central America. To the country's north and west is Mexico, El Salvador is to the southeast, as is Honduras, and Belize is to the country's east. Guatemala borders the Pacific Ocean in the southwest, while it has a very short border with the Caribbean Sea in the east.

Guatemala is a fairly mountainous country as two ranges run across the country, including the Altos Cuchumatanes and the Sierra Madre Range, although none of the mountains are excessively high, the latter contains a number of volcanoes. The only place in the country where the land is actually at elevation is along the Pacific Ocean, although even here the mountains don't rise to excessive heights. In the far north, near Mexico is the lowest stretch of land, although this area is very forested and difficult to access.

Weather

Guatemala is fairly mountainous so temperatures and weather vary based upon season and elevation. Along the coasts and lowlands the weather is generally hot and humid with daily highs about 90° F (32° C) and nightly lows rarely dipping below 70° F (20° C). In most major cities that are at elevation, like Guatemala City, temperatures are about 5° F (2-3° C) lower during the day, but can drop much more at night and in the country's highest elevations can dip to freezing at night. More than temperature, the comfort of the country is based on the wet and dry seasons. The wet season lasts from about May to November and the dry season tends to last from about December to May. There is also a small chance of hurricanes from June to November, but Guatemala rarely gets hit as they have very little coastline on the Caribbean Sea; additionally, most hurricanes tend to move north of the country.

Wildlife

Guatemalan Wildlife - Macaws
Macaws

Guatemala's diverse geography and weather patterns allow it to be home to thousands of animal species, from large mammals like the jaguar and puma (cougar) to the tiniest of insects. There are dozens of mammals in the country, most of which are small, such as mice, tapirs, armadillos, and monkeys. There is also great sea life, both in the lakes and rivers as well as in the Pacific Ocean; in these bodies of water one can find any number of animals, including whales, sharks, rays, and other fish and shellfish.

The country is home to hundreds of bird species, particularly water fowls and birds who call forests and rainforests home. Among the more unique birds are the macaw, quetzal, and toucan, although more common birds like hawks, cultures, and hummingbirds also exist. The reptile and amphibian life include crocodiles, iguanas, turtles, and snakes, among others.

This page was last updated: March, 2013