Laguna Lachúa National Park is a well-maintained gem, hidden in Guatemala’s remote north. Stroll along its hiking trails amid fluttering butterflies and birdsong.

The park is filled with dense rainforest, which is filled, in turn, with life. Lizards scurry across the trail and lounge in trees. Look up to the canopy now and spot toucans and monkeys.

Eventually, you emerge at the eponymous lake for which the park is named. Laguna Lachúa is nearly a perfect circle and over 200m deep at its center. 

Lounge on the lakeshore and watch the wildlife go by—if you’re lucky, that might include tapirs and even jaguars.