Guatemala leverages protected areas for tourism amid environmental concerns

Guatemala possesses significant biological and cultural diversity, featuring 37 volcanoes, lush jungles, and ancient archaeological sites. The Guatemalan Protected Areas System (Sigap), managed by the National Council of Protected Areas (Conap), currently oversees 341 protected areas covering more than 32 percent of the national territory. Of these, 63 are equipped to support tourism activities, including iconic destinations such as Tikal National Park, Lake Atitlán, Río Dulce National Park, Pacaya Volcano, and the Semuc Champey Natural Monument.

While Conap promotes a sustainable tourism model intended to balance resource conservation with economic benefits for local communities, challenges remain. Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of environmental policies, municipal negligence, and impunity, which threaten the country's natural and cultural heritage. Specifically, Lake Atitlán has faced decades of environmental pressure from increasing sewage discharge.