The Central American country of Guatemala is a neighbor to Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, with coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. A majority of Guatemala is mountainous, with more than 30 volcanoes. From lush, tropical rainforests to rich and fertile plains, the country's rich geography contributes to its variety of climates.

Guatemala is also known for its cultural diversity. The population is a mix between Ladinos, or people of Spanish heritage, Mayans and Mestizos, people that are a mix of both Ladino and Mayan. The Mayan population is made up of 22 different ethnicities all with their own unique dress and language that distinguishes them.

Although present-day Guatemala is known primarily for its Mayan roots and vibrant culture, the country has many layers to its rich political history, from Spanish and Mexican rule to many other forms of government, to a 36-year civil war that ended with the 1996 Peace Accords. Since then, Guatemala has seen an emphasis on legal, linguistic, and educational rights for the indigenous communities and has enjoyed greater stability and tranquility for the country as a whole.

Cross-Cultural Solutions offers a wide variety of programs and experiences, but all of our volunteers come away with the same benefits:

- Personal Growth
- Having a Purpose
- Gaining Independence and Confidence
- Connecting with Others
- Seeing a Country from the Inside-Out

* The CCS Home-Base

CCS offers volunteers unprecedented support, and our entire infrastructure is designed around volunteer safety. Each of our programs is located close to a CCS Home-Base, your "home away from home" while volunteering abroad. Each Home-Base is exclusively for CCS volunteers, and designed for your safety and comfort. Here, you can connect with other volunteers and CCS staff, reflect on your experiences, enjoy meals together, read, and relax.

The CCS experience also includes cultural and learning activities so that you can learn about the local culture. These include an in-depth orientation, language training, guest speakers and more. Volunteers also have plenty of free time to relax, reflect, or explore the community and country.