The Raw Charm of Guatemala and Belize's People and Places

Central America has always been a place of magic, from its friendly people to its gorgeous historic places. The majestic visual inheritance fused with the colors and the extraordinary vibes, it’s no surprise photographers flock there to try to catch a glimpse of the thrill on their lens.

Among our favorites, Eduardo Sousa and Kristen Simar each separately embarked on a photographic journey to central America to discover what the Latin part of the world has to offer. Each one of them yielded amazing shots that tell a thousand word story just through one look.

Sousa’s approached his journey with a little caution, as he explains, "The bigger cities have pockets of urban violence. The country has high levels of repression, and went through a long and extremely violent civil war from the 60s to the 90s."

Eduardo Sousa/REX/Shutterstock

“This shows as mistrust for the camera, particularly in hard-hit rural areas,” Sousa continued. “Many people flatly refuse to be photographed. I tried to keep patient and humble, entering visual contact, then using my Spanish to engage contact - in most cases, a smile and a friendly greeting was enough to break the ice.”

Eduardo Sousa/REX/Shutterstock

Regardless of how the trip seemed tedious for Sousa at first, the photo series that resulted in it shows it was worth it.

Simar had a different approach to the place, perhaps because her photography focused on the well-preserved Spanish Baroque architecture rather than the people.

Kristen Simar/REX/ Shutterstock

“Antigua appealed to me for its history, architecture, and beautiful Mayan textiles," she commented. “And it didn't disappoint in person. Richly coloured adobe buildings, colonial ruins, flower-filled courtyards that seemed to be hidden in every building, and shockingly good coffee. It really is a marvel.”

Kristen Simar/REX/ Shutterstock