A trip to Guatemala is full of surprises (especially the kind on your friends’ and family’s faces when you tell them you’re going to Guatemala). If a unique culture, incredible monuments, wonderful scenery, and friendly locals aren’t enough to make you want to go there, maybe some of these pictures will help.

Some of my favorite moments:
Watching the sunrise from the a Mayan temple while listening to the jungle wake up (Fun fact: the sounds of some of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park are the Howler Monkeys that you’ll hear).

Visiting a spot where Star Wars was filmed (Tikal, Temple IV)

Hiking up to the cross on the hill in Antigua in the morning and grabbing a pastry on the walk back.

Turning the corner and seeing Lago Atitlan and 3 volcanos in the distance.

Spontaneously going for a swim in Lago Atitlan with locals (okay, they were actually washing their clothes, I was swimming).

If you’ve ever even considered going to Guatemala, do it.