The Best Cultural Activities in Guatemala
- World heritage site · Religious Site. Tikal.
- Art Museum. Casa Santo Domingo Museums.
- Volcano. Acatenango Volcano.
- Volcano. Volcán Pacaya.
- Cerro de la Cruz. Embark on a short but steep walk to Cerro de la Cruz, a landmark of Antigua.
- Church.
- Ruin.
- Specialty Museum.
Contents
What are some cultural traditions in Guatemala?
11 Guatemalan Traditions and Customs Only Locals Will Understand
- Bare knuckle boxing on Good Friday.
- Drunken horse racing.
- Holy Week parades in Antigua Guatemala.
- Leaving cigarettes and alcohol for a syncretic saint.
- Dancing on your family grave on All Saints’ Day.
- Patterned clothing which reveals where you are from.
What activities do Guatemalans do?
Outdoor sports are main recreational activities. The most popular are white-water rafting near Acatenango Volcano, kayaking on inland Lake Atitlán and along the Pacific coast, spelunking in the limestone labyrinths of the Petén plateau, and volcano climbing and mountain biking in the sierras above Antigua Guatemala.
What is a popular tradition in Guatemala?
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
The most famous celebration in all of Guatemala is Semana Santa—the weeklong observance of Christian Holy Week. The festivities in Antigua are arguably the most impressive in Latin America. Brightly colored carpets of sawdust and flower petals—alfombras—pave the city streets and church floors.
What are the 4 cultures of Guatemala?
Guatemala is a multi-ethnic and multilingual country, the country is divided into four ‘Culture Groups’ with 25 ‘ethnic groups’, the four culture groups are the Mayan, Ladina, Xinca (Xinka) and Garífuna.
What are some special holiday traditions in Guatemala?
5 Guatemalan Festivals You Just Can’t Miss
- Semana Santa / Holy Week. When: March or April.
- Festival Folklórico de Cobán / Cobán Folkloric Festival. When: last week of July.
- Día de la Independencia / Independence Day. When: September 15th
- Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead.
- Feria de Santo Tomás / Feast of St.
- (Bonus!)
How do they celebrate in Guatemala?
Guatemala’s year is punctuated by an assortment of holidays, festivals, and celebrations.Guatemala’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 15. This holiday is celebrated like others in Guatemala — with dancing, music, parades, food, and fireworks.
What are some fun facts about Guatemala?
11 Surprising Cultural Facts You Didn’t Know About Guatemala
- The national bird lends its name to the Guatemalan currency.
- Guatemala means “land of many trees”
- It has been inhabited for 20,000 years.
- 22 languages are spoken in the country.
- The CIA overthrew a socialist government in 1954.
How do people celebrate New Years in Guatemala?
Guatemalans celebrate with lively music, colorful costumes and fireworks. Locals wear new clothes which is hoped to bring good luck for the coming year and then gather in the center of each town before the street parties begin.
What sports do they play in Guatemala?
Football is the most popular sport in Guatemala. Baseball, basketball and volleyball are also played. Bicycle racing takes place in many towns and cities.
Is Christmas celebrated in Guatemala?
Guatemala is a very diverse country with more than 20 ethnic groups. Each of them has their own special traditions for celebrating Christmas.Most Guatemalans, like other Latin-American counties, plan and build, with the entire family, a Nativity Scene called a “Nacimiento” or “Belen”.
What are some traditional Guatemalan foods?
Here are some of our favorite picks for traditional food in Guatemala:
- Pepian. This traditional chicken stew comes from the central region of Guatemala and comes served with veggies and rice .
- Rellenitos.
- Tostadas.
- Arroz en leche.
- Enchilada.
- Champurradas.
- Gallo en Chicha.
- Tapado.
What is Guatemala famous for?
Guatemala is best known for its volcanic landscape, fascinating Mayan culture and the colorful colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But this small Central American country has a wealth of homegrown produce and talent.
Is Guatemala culturally diverse?
Guatemalans have a strong cultural heritage that blends indigenous Mayan, European, and Caribbean influences. Today, the ethnic diversity is visible in the various languages and lifestyles that exist throughout the country.
What arts and literature are important in Guatemala?
Guatemala’s rich history in the visual arts dates to pre-Columbian times, with the painting of exquisite murals and the carving of stelae by the Mayans. The colonial period also left a substantial artistic legacy, mostly by anonymous artists.
What is a unique Semana Santa tradition in Guatemala?
Guatemalans hang curtains, cloth bows, and paper decorations of purple, red, lilac and yellow in doorways and windows to signify the suffering and royalty of Jesus. The procession on Palm Sunday includes andas (“floats”) displaying scenes of the figures of Christ and the Holy Virgin of Sorrow.
How do they celebrate the Day of the Dead in Guatemala?
One of the most popular traditions among local Guatemalans on the Day of the Dead is to visit the grave sites of their loved ones.Tradition says that a plate must also be served to the ones being visited and are thus placed on the ofrenda while the rest of the family eats and celebrates.
How do they celebrate Christmas and New Years in Guatemala?
However, in Guatemala, the celebrations start on the night of the 24th. This is when families come together for a tasty Christmas dinner. Then they spend all night chatting, drinking, playing and having fun while waiting for midnight. When midnight finally comes, a crazy show of fireworks goes off.
What are two holidays in Guatemala?
Guatemalan public holidays include the following:
- New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) January 1.
- Easter (Semana Santa; Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday inclusive) March/April.
- Labor Day (Día del Trabajo) May 1.
- Army Day (Día del Ejército) June 30.
- Assumption Day (Día de la Asunción) August 15.
Is Thanksgiving celebrated in Guatemala?
That’s now tradition for many Guatemalans — or “los chapines,” as Guatemala natives are called. They have embraced the American tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving Day while focusing very much on the culinary hallmarks that define Guatemalan cooking.
What are 10 facts about Guatemala?
10 Guatemala Facts:
- Spanish is the Official Language of Guatemala.
- Tamajulco is the Highest Peak in Guatemala.
- UNESCO World Heritages Sites in Guatemala.
- The Importance of Agriculture.
- Is Chocolate from Guatemala?
- The Division of Guatemala.
- The Flag of Guatemala.
- Delicious Food in Guatemala.