Roatán y Ciudad de Guatemala: mar Caribe y cultura urbana

About the destination: "Roatán, located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands. The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 77 kilometres long, and less than 8 kilometres across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities: José Santos Guardiola in the east and Roatán, including the Cayos Cochinos, further south in the west. The most populous town of the island is Coxen Hole, capital of Roatán municipality, located in the southwest, the easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a channel through the mangroves. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. Further west between French Harbour and Coxen Hole are several cays, including Stamp Cay and Barefoot Cay MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Cameo Factory in Coxen Hole • Carambola Gardens • Caves of Helene • Dolphin show, at Anthony's Key Resort. • East end, if you are up for an adventure, visit the east end of the island. This end of the island is home to many locals and some expats as well as a few resorts, one that needs to be mentioned is Camp Bay Beach, Beach Adventure Lodge, which is the only resort on Camp Bay Beach. Also here you can taste the Tasty Tarpon restaurant and is a place to gain free access to the beach from snorkeling/ diving to fly fishing. There are a few other interesting stops along the way such as Marble Hill Farms where wonderful local jams & jellies are made. Asylum bar & grill is on a palapa literally over the calm waters in Camp Bay which can sometimes feel like the restaurant at the end of the universe after the long journey of getting there. Santa Helena located in Roatans municipal of Santos Guardiola, is a small secluded island 12 miles further east of Roatan. This off 'the beaten path' beautiful tropical paradise is a one mile by two mile island that is sparsely populated with indigenous people that still live life as it was in the 'Old Caribbean', unspoiled and uncommercialized from tourist related development. St. Helene is the epitome of a 'sleepy little fishing village'. Access to Helene is by private boat or passenger ferry service from Oak Ridge. • Garifuna Village Tour, in Punta Gorda • Iguana Farm, near French Harbor. • Mangrove Forest Kayak tour, at Camp Bay Beach Adventure Lodge • Marine Science Museum, at Anthony's Key Resort. • Oak Ridge, is a small village on the eastern end of the island. On arrival, you'll be offered water-taxi tours to the Hole-in-the-Wall restaurant, neighbouring communities, and around the harbour, but it's also pleasant to walk through the village, which has many brightly coloured wooden houses on stilts along the shore. • Pigeon Cayes, Two small deserted islands. • Punta Gorda, renting a scooter and driving to Punta Gorda takes about 1 hr each way, and goes through some beautiful countryside. It can be nice to get away from the touristy areas and get back into places that look and feel like Honduras. The town of Punta Gorda is friendly and you may run into a beach party if you are lucky. • Roatan Butterfly Garden • Whites Beach • Marine Park. The marine park is a protected area of reef stretching from West Bay to Sandy Bay and snorkeling and diving are good ways to see the marine life. Go out in a kayak, a boat, or just swim out from the shore. "

About the destination: Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala, and it's the largest and most modern city of the country. Guatemala City is a sprawling city with a mix of modern, colonial and traditional architecture. It has an interesting Old City, great Churches, some good museums and markets, and it´s a good place to see the real Guatemala with its mixtures of Ladino and Indian culture.In zona 13 and 14, in the southern part of the centre of Guatemala City, you will find the impressive Avenida las Americas. This wide boulevard is a tribute to every country in Latin America, from Mexico to Argentina and Chile. It runs from Calle 1 to Calle 20, through what is called the cultural area of the city.The central square in Guatemala City known as Parque Central is the heart of the city and is always a centre of activity. It is also one of the most attractive areas for visitors since many of Guatemala City's most notable features, such as the Cathedral, many museums, the National Palace, and the National Library, surround the Plaza. Most of the Plaza is an open paved area, perfect to do some shopping, or just sit back and watch everyone else go about their business. There are also splashing fountains where children play and quieter shaded areas, where young lovers seem to occupy every bench. Nearby we have the Central Market, huge market for Guatemalan handicrafts. The genuine and profound hospitality of its inhabitants combined with the city's outstanding cultural legacy and astonishing natural beauty makes Guatemala City a compelling place for travellers.