Central America is one of the best travel bargains around. Guatemala provides an excellent “bang for the buck” in terms of being a (usually inexpensive) short flight away, almost no time difference, and an incredibly rich, exotic culture to explore. With delicious food, gorgeous colonial towns and ancient villages, and a variety of climates, you can study Spanish in beautiful Antigua, discover Mayan ruins or climb a volcano with relative ease. It’s great for solo travelers, couples or even families – my own family spent a month living there one summer (best kept secret: for a few cents, your kids will love exploring the ruins and caves behind a certain church in Antigua). Guatemala is one of my favorite destinations.
