Guatemala is a multiethnic, multicultural and multilingual, with spectacular natural and cultural resources that make it an experience to live in an intercultural encounter with crafts, food, customs, traditions, without leaving behind the flora and fauna that complement this segment tourism.

This ecological and cultural diversity of the country, allow community tourism and this is itself a fascinating experience, offering tourists the chance to live an unforgettable experience to share with the indigenous performing daily work, their style of life and culture.Living culture

A growing international tourism demand is driven and motivated to live close experiences with natural cultures and lifestyles originals, also in a framework of an amazing nature. This generated a range of community tourism which is an ally in addition to generating income and employment for communities, while reaffirming their culture and lifestyles in close relationship with the ecosystem.

One of the elements that are unique to Guatemala, is the living culture of the indigenous population. For their traditions, languages, rituals and customs that have their origin in the 23 ethnic groups living in the country. Each clings to its ancestral roots and are distinguished by their cuisine, traditions, habits and costumes, which are very peculiar and specific to each population.

In Guatemala there are many communities have turned to this activity, which has resulted in the preservation and enhancement of cultural and natural heritage. Since tourism is in solidarity with this community and friendly nature, fosters sustainable development of indigenous people by generating jobs and revenue and strengthening the active participation of the community, which allows the strengthening of the social fabric improved quality of life.
 
Destinations Community

Community tourism is tourism managed and maintained by organized rural communities. Through tourism, communities and handled properly revalued its cultural and natural heritage, generating revenue for the sustainable development of their families and for better care of their resources.

The community tourism destinations are located throughout the country, which has excellent natural and cultural resources that allow tourists to get to a place very easily. According INGUAT recommended destinations for Community truism, are:

In Alta Verapaz:
• NEW ROCJA Pontile and CASERIO CHICACNAB www.ecoquetzal.org. Tel: 7952-1047
• HOSTAL PAMUC CLOUD, Tel: 7950-4359 and 5349-3768
• COMMUNITY CENTER Poqomchi, CECEP, Tel: 7950-4039 and 5785-5756
• Aquila GRANDE, Tel: 5785-5756
• FINCA SANTA TERESA, Tel: 5743-3279 and 5346-5784
• DOOR TO THE MAYA WORLD: The destination encompasses six communities: Floating Sepalau, Cuevas B'omb'il Pek, Mucbilha, Rio San Simon, Candelaria Caves National Park and Archaeological Site Cancuén.www.puertamundomaya.com, Tel : 4601-6778
• Community Saquijá, www.guaterafting.com, Tel: 5063-6001
• Community Samac, Tel 7950-4039 and 5785-5756
• Community Chirrepec, Tel: 7950-4039 and 5785-5756

In Baja Verapaz:
• San Rafael Chilasco www.chilasco.net.ms

In Solola:
• upland-QUICHE AREA RUPALAJ K'ISTALIN (San Juan La Laguna) and www.rupalajkistalin.org www.sanjuanlalaguna.com, Tel: 5917-3995 and 5964-0040
• Heart of the Forest Ecological Park www.corazondelbosque.com, Tel: 7723-4140
• Chuiraxamoló Ecological Park, www.eco-parques/pec. Tel: 7927-1858
 
In Totonicapan:
• AVENTURA MAYA QUICHE, Tel: 7766-1575 and 5630-0554

In Quetzaltenango:
• FINCA SANTA ANITA UNION, Colomba, Costacuca, www.santanitafinca.com
• Finca the new alliance Palmar, Tel: 5348-5290 and 5729-9230
• Lagoon Chicabal, www.lagunadechicabal.com, Tel: 5839-4282 and 5706-3620

In Huehuetenango:
• Chiabal, Todos Santos www.asocuch.com.gt, Tel: 5381-0540

In Quiche:
• LAJ Chimel www.lajchimelecoturismo.com
• Nineteenth, Chajul Nebaj, Tel: 5803-5806 and 4535-0724
• Chicamán, Tel: 4015-8703 and 5899-3007
• Uspantán, Tel: 7951-1825 and 5586-5535
In Izabal:
• AK TENAMIT and www.aktenamit.org Quehueche GRANDE PLAN
• Lagunita Salvador, Livingston, www.ecoaldealagunita.com
• Chichipate, blinds, Tel: 5721-7308 and 7823-5325
• Chapin Down www.ecoaldea.com
• Estero Lagarto, Tel: 5401-9894

In Escuintla:
• San Vicente Pacaya, Escuintla, Tel: 5966-1630

In San Marcos:
• Community of St. Paul Tacaná, Tel: 4619-9966 and 5047-5319

In Peten
• Nuevo Horizonte, Santa Ana, Tel: 4583-0704 and 5461-9930
• Carmelite Community, Tel: 7926-4541 and 5006-1381

In Chimaltenango:
• San Juan Comalapa, Tel: 5472-7608 and 5528-5040


The country also has the support of various NGOs, state entities, associations and private sector companies working together to improve services, cater to tourists and activities to benefit the community destinations.

In each of the destinations offered guide services, meals, lodging, transportation (land and water depending on location), rental of necessary equipment, production and sale of handicrafts, agro-tourism tours and coexistence in communities. These services also retain the warmth of the people supplying it, giving it a touch of familiarity and friendliness.

Description of some of the destinations:

These destinations are part of the tourism community, offering a different and attractive to both domestic and international visitors.
The community tourism destinations offer visitors authentic experiences through exchange with the living culture, direct contact with nature, which allows excellent adventure activities such as camping, the tubbing, visits to caves, rivers, lakes, volcanoes, tours horseback or on bicycles, walking, hiking, fishing, cannoping and avitursimo, among others. In addition, community tourism enables communities to revalue their cultural and natural heritage, which provides them new options for local development, social equity, employment and income generation which in turn strengthen local empowerment and fight the effects of migration work-related.

Contacts:

INGUAT-Guatemalan Institute of Tourism of Guatemala
PBX. (502) 2421-2881
FAX. (502) 2421-2881
7 ª. Av 1-17, Zone 4, Civic Center, Guatemala City.
www.visitguatemala.com