Heading East from Guatemala City, this relatively diverse geographical region ranges from deserts, rainforest and mountains inhabited by creoles, latinos and some interspersed Mayans. The main towns are Chiquimula and Esquipulas, n the East and Flores Island in the North. The main reason to visit these regions are the Rio Dulce and Izabal Lake with is incredible hot springs as well as the main attraction in Guatemala, Tikal, set within lush tropical rainforest, is found in the North of the country. Tikal is one of the most impressive Mayan archaeological sites in existence today. Despite being a well-visited site, the remoteness of the ruins amid the jungle has helped to keep it in an excellent state of preservation. Tikal ruins are fascinating and according to historians, the area around Tikal was settled about 900 BC, and its importance grew over centuries until the 8th century AD when Tikal became the greatest city in the Maya world. The site was abandond for a number of centuries, yet the local people passed down their knowledge about mysterious ruins deep in the forest for generations, but it was not until the 19th century when first explorers arrived to excavate the phenomenal Tikal. 

Flores island is one of the hubs to visit the main attractions in the region andan be found in the middle of The Peten Itza lake and is connected to the mainland by a causeway.  It  was the last independent Maya state to hold out against the Spanish conquerors, when they arrived.

The town of Livingston is a great stop off and home to the Garifuna people originated from the African slaves. The Ipala volcano is stunning and the black Christ of Esquipulas are all found in this region.