Guatemala is a study in contrasts. Volcanoes that reach over 12,000 feet, beaches covered by black volcanic sand on both the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts, lakes inside volcanic
craters, raging rivers, luscious rainforests teeming with exotic plants and animals, arid desert habitats, the largest forest in the Americas after the Amazon, mangrove covered coastlines, small sleepy towns on mountainsides, the most modern and densely populated city in Central America, native Americans that dress in clothing that has changed little
in 500 years and follow their ancient customs passed down from generation to generation, descendants of European stock that make beer and produce the coffee bean, rainy season, dry season, one official language, 24 native American languages. Most of all Guatemala is a contrast of colors. Every
possible shade of green is combined with reds, yellows, blues, purples…all colors of the rainbow are present either in plants, animals, landscapes, seascapes, sunrises, sunsets and in the colorful dresses worn by native Americans.
Your choices of activities in Guatemala are endless: deep sea sport fishing on the Pacific coast, white water rafting in Retalhuleu, rock climb or rappel, climb a volcano or see lava flows in Escuintla, swim with dolphins and manatees or see a banana plantation in Izabal, volunteer at a sea
turtle preserve in Monterrico, watch a play or hear a symphony in Guatemala City, take a native American steam bath in the Central Highlands, eat a gourmet meal or try traditional Guatemalan cuisine anywhere in the country, stay at a five star hotel or a backpacker hostel, water ski or jet ski in lakes or rivers, ride a horse in the mountains of Sacatepéquez, take a cross country off road motorcycle tour, visit a World Heritage site: the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala or the archeological National Park Tikal, visit a jade mine in Zacapa or a coffee farm in Quetzaltenango, relax on a beach, savor a drink made with the best rum in the world, walk inside the third oldest university in America, learn how to dance salsa, visit a native American Market in Chichicastenango, hunt, bird watch…….have a great time. The staff of Greatsailfishing.com will gladly arrange any of these endeavors for your enjoyment.
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Puerto Iztapa
Puerto (Port) Iztapa is a small town located on Guatemala’s Pacific coast on the banks of the María Linda River. Iztapa means "River of Salt" and gets its name because rising Pacific tides mix with river waters creating a salty river. In
Spanish Colonial times Puerto Iztapa became the Kingdom of Guatemala’s first Pacific coastal port, used by the Conqueror of Guatemala, Pedro de Alvarado. In fact In fact Alvarado, who landed on the Atlantic coast, had his ships dismantled and carried
overland, piece by piece, to Puerto Iztapa so he could travel on to Peru and conquer another Kingdom for Spain. Puerto de San José, built in 1853, became the main Pacific port and Puerto Iztapa changed in functions to harboring fishing boats. Today Guatemala’s most important Pacific port is Puerto Quetzal while both Puerto Iztapa and Puerto de San José are laid
back fishing villages, the difference of these villages being: all sport fishing boats and most commercial fishing ships are berthed in Puerto Iztapa while Guatemalans swim and play on the beaches of Puerto de San José. There are several small, affordable hotels, and restaurants in Puerto Iztapa. An individual or group can: bathe in the
ocean or river, go costal or deep sea fishing, hire a boat to sight see and bird watch on the river, hunt, or have a meal and a beverage on one of the restaurants by the river. Remember, Greatsailfishing.com will gladly arrange any of these endeavors for your enjoyment. |
