What traditions are celebrated in Guatemala?
Unique Festivals Celebrated In Guatemala
- Mayan New Year. This is a funny little celebration because, unlike New Year’s Eve and day in America, it happens on different days of the year. …
- Dia de Los Muertos. …
- Dia de la Asuncion. …
- Coban Folklore Festival. …
- Semana Santa. …
- Coffee Harvest Celebration.
What is the culture of Guatemala?
The culture of Guatemala reflects strong Mayan and Spanish influences and continues to be defined as a contrast between poor Mayan villagers in the rural highlands, and the urbanized and relatively wealthy mestizos population (known in Guatemala as ladinos) who occupy the cities and surrounding agricultural plains.
What is Guatemala best known 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.
What are some Christmas traditions in Guatemala?
On Christmas Eve families celebrate together and eat the main Christmas meal. It is made of several traditional dishes, but it always includes some Guatemalan tamales. In some regions they are made of corn and other of rice or potatoes.
What are 3 interesting 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. …
- The Guatemalan Civil War was the longest in Latin American history.
What is the most important holiday 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. When: November 1st and 2nd …
- Feria de Santo Tomás / Feast of St. Thomas. …
- (Bonus!)
What do people in Guatemala do for fun?
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 type of food is Guatemala known for?
Main Meals
Corn, beans, rice, pork, beef, chicken, cheese, and tortillas form the backbone of most Guatemalan cuisine. Meat stews (caldos) and soups (sopas) are easily the most popular dishes among locals.
What religion is in Guatemala?
Roman Catholicism was the official religion in Guatemala during the colonial era and currently has a special status under the constitution. Pentecostal (Pentecostals are called Evangélicos in Latin America) and later Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy have increased in recent decades.
What is Guatemala’s national animal?
Not only is the quetzal the national bird of Guatemala, it also lends its name to the country’s currency and appears on its flag.
What is the most popular dessert in Guatemala?
Buneulos (Yuca fritters), Flans (Caramel Custards), Platanos en Tentacion (Plantains glazed with caramel), Manjar (Cornstarch pudding), Plátanos al Horno (Baked sweet plantains), Plátanos en Mole (Plantains in chocolate-chipotle sauce) and Rellenitos de Plátano (Mashed plantain filled with black beans) are most …
How safe is Guatemala?
Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America, one of the world’s highest homicide rates and a very low arrest and detention rate. Most incidents of violent crime are drug- and gang-related. They occur throughout the country, including in tourist destinations.
What is Santa Claus called in Guatemala?
In most of the Latin American countries you can get along with Santa Claus, but the pronunciation is Santa Clós or Santa Cló. There are other countries, such as Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, México, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic, where it is simplified even more using only the name Santa.
Who brought the Christmas tree to Guatemala?
Christmas trees first became popular in Guatemala following German immigration to the Alta Verapaz region of the country during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the arrival of Americans working for the local banana industry during the early 20th century.