Home to unrivalled diversity, Latin America is a melting pot of cultures
The countries that make up Latin America are as distinct from one another as the region is from other parts of the world. So, what unites them? In addition to geographical proximity and the Spanish language (with the exception of Portuguese in Brazil and French in Haiti), perhaps it’s the culture, the climate, the more relaxed outlook on life than European counterparts. There are a number of familiarities that unite them but, at the same time, many aspects that make them unique thanks to their historical context. This is, ultimately, the charm of Latin America.
With that in mind, we have prepared a broad overview of the “best of all things Latin”, with a particular focus on tourism, culture and gastronomy. With so many countries to choose from and so few pages, it won’t be possible to showcase everything at once, but we promise to profile each one in greater detail in future editions. Below are some of the highlights.
Guatemala
Quetzaltenango is Guatemala’s second city and the country’s main historical and cultural centre. Tourists can visit two volcanoes on foot, Laguna Chicabal and (the still active) Santa Maria. In addition, many buildings from the colonial era have been fully preserved and represent a fascinating mix of architectural influences, including German.
Monterrico’s beach is made almost entirely from volcanic ash, so don’t forget your flip-flops or other appropriate footwear as the ground is very hot. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of sea turtles in their natural habitat.
One interesting fact: the ancient Mayan people first created chocolate in Guatemala. Other traditional foods include fiambre, which is a rich salad of meats, greens, vegetables, eggs, and fish.
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