A beautiful country known for its ancient Mayan ruins, stunning natural landscapes, and diverse indigenous heritage has been named the “most underrated” by a travel influencer who has been to 131 countries across the globe.

The influencer, named counting.countries posted a video on Instagram, where he was left highly impressed by Guatemala.

In a video, he said: “This is one of the most underrated countries in the world where you can live in a real-life Hobbit village, hike active volcanoes, and eat some of the best and freshest food.

“This is Guatemala, the country of lush rainforests, mine ruins, and volcanoes everywhere. One of the best cities in the country is the mountain town of Antigua.

“It is close to the beautiful lake and the culture is rich.

“The food here is also fantastic. My favourite activity is visiting this Lord of the Rings-inspired Hobbit village. But the best part is getting up, close and personal with the volcanoes. There are multiple active volcanoes. You can hike in and see even lava spewing. We roasted the marshmallows over the lava.”

The country is home to more than 30 volcanoes, some of which, like Pacaya and Fuego, are still active.

Lake Atitlán, a volcanic crater lake, is a popular destination for its stunning beauty and surrounding traditional Mayan villages.

The country has a deep connection to its indigenous roots, particularly the Mayan civilization, which left behind remarkable archaeological sites like Tikal, one of the largest and most famous Mayan cities.

Guatemala is also known for its vibrant textiles, traditional markets, and festivals that showcase a blend of indigenous and Spanish influences.

Guatemala’s economy is driven by agriculture, with exports such as coffee, sugar, and bananas being key industries.

In recent years, tourism has also become an important economic sector, attracting visitors to its ancient ruins, natural beauty, and cultural richness.