While the idea of approaching an active volcano might sound daunting, there are ways to safely do so. Central America offers several you can view on a hike.

“We are excited to launch this new direct route,” Rolando Damas, the airline’s sales director for North America, Central America, Europe, and the Caribbean, said in a statement. “Guatemala, located at the heart of the Mayan civilization, is a country full of history, with a rich biodiversity that makes it a top destination in the region.”

By the time I blearily emerged from the terminal, night had cast a cloak over Guatemala City. It was my first foray into Central America but, rather than the chaotic melee of hustlers and greeters that I’d expected,

Here's where and when the international air carrier is expanding its South Florida network with a new direct route set to the country.