Eastern Guatemala
Eastern Guatemala is is a hilly region in lowland Guatemala. It has a largely Ladino (Hispanic) population, and a ranching culture.
Regions
Eastern Guatemala is generally hot and drier than other regions of Guatemala.
Cities
- Chiquimula - stopping off point for crossing the border to Honduras for the Maya ruins of Copán
- Esquipulas - a famous pilgrimage destination, due to its black Christ.
- Gualán
- Jalapa
- Jutiapa - a good base to climb the Ipala volcano
- Los Amates - stopping off point for visiting the Maya ruins of Quirigua
- Zacapa
Other destinations
Understand
Get in
Eastern Guatemala is accessible via a number of routes running east from Guatemala City. The two main routes with connections into the interior of the region are the Atlantic highway to Puerto Barrios, and the CA8 highway to the El Salvador border. Direct buses from Guatemala City run to the principal towns in the region, and Río Hondo on the Atlantic highway is a good place to change buses if heading for Chiquimula or Esquipulas.