Las Lisas, Chiquimulilla, Santa Rosa, August 18, 2026.- Thirteen people from communities in Santa Rosa and Jutiapa were certified as Community Tourist Guides after completing three months of training with the Technical Institute for Training and Productivity (INTECAP).
Having people from local communities prepared to receive visitors helps ensure that tourism experiences are grounded in firsthand knowledge of the territory, its history, traditions, culture, and natural environment.
During the training process, participants received theoretical and practical tools to assist national and international visitors, guide tours, and share information about the region’s main natural and cultural values.
The certificates were presented on August 18 in Las Lisas, Chiquimulilla, Santa Rosa. This area of Guatemala’s Pacific coast is characterized by beaches, estuaries, and mangroves, as well as activities such as artisanal fishing and nature-based tourism.
Of the 13 certified guides, nine are women and four are men. During the event, participants shared some of the challenges and lessons learned throughout the process, as well as their expectations for organizing themselves, raising their profile, and continuing to develop their work as guides.
Representatives from the Municipality of Chiquimulilla, the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT), the National Forest Institute (INAB), and the Directorate for Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations also participated in the event.
The process was developed through a partnership between Magdalena and WCS, as part of efforts to expand local opportunities linked to responsible tourism in southeastern Guatemala.