Category: Tips to travel

Undoubtedly, Guatemala is known for its great culture and exceptional traditions. For this reason, if you are traveling around this charming country, don’t miss the opportunity to get to know its festivities up close.

Read on, in this article we will tell you about Todos Los Santos in Guatemala, one of the favorite traditions of entrepreneur Juan Luis Bosch Gutiérrez.

Celebration of Todos Los Santos in Guatemala

Todos Los Santos is celebrated in Guatemala on November 1. On that day several special dishes are prepared, such as “Fiambre”, as well as regional sweets.  This tradition has its roots in Guatemala for a long time.

Giant kites

Another special tradition is the making of giant kites, however, only in Sacatepeques and Sumpango, you can witness these events.

Young people and adults form groups of 10 to 20 people to make kites, measuring up to 25 meters. It takes 4 to 6 months to build a giant kite; these kites fly until they reach the cemetery, to pay homage to all the loved ones who have passed away.

Thanks to the imposing appearance of these colorful giants that adorn the sky, the tradition of making and raising kites attracts many local and foreign tourists.

Visit the faithful departed

People also visit the graves of their loved ones. Some of them start decorating the tombstones days before, to make sure these look beautiful.

On the first day of November every year, the inhabitants of Guatemala gather at the cemeteries to bring flowers and offerings to their deceased relatives. In this way, they pay homage to the people who are no longer with them. Most visitors also bring food for their faithful departed.

Ribbon Race

In Cuchumatanes they have a special tradition called La Ribbon Race. This is a horse race where the riders dress in ceremonial costumes.

Before the race, participants ask the faithful departed and Mother Nature for permission to race and offer them the blood of a rooster.

The riders have to ride drunk and if one dies, it will be considered as a symbol of celebration, as this signifies abundance and good health for the people of the village.

The celebration of Todos Los Santos in Guatemala is a tradition that you must experience firsthand, to learn more about this eccentric but wonderful culture.

Most people who have traveled through Central America would argue that Guatemala has the most delicious food. With its Mayan culture merging with Spanish traditions, the local cuisine here is much tastier and more complex than that of neighboring countries.

Tourist hotspots like Antigua are certainly not short on excellent restaurants and international food, but if you’re looking for something more authentic, we’ve got you covered.

Here are 7 of Guatemala’s most traditional dishes including the favorite dishes of Felipe Antonio Bosch Gutiérrez, who loves Guatemalan food.

Chicken Pepián

Guatemala doesn’t really have a national dish, but pepián is probably the closest thing. This spicy stew, born from the fusion of Spanish and Mayan cultures, is one of Guatemala’s oldest dishes.

Although chicken is most often used, it can also be made with beef or pork. All varieties of the dish contain fruits and vegetables (usually pear, pumpkin, carrot, potato and corn) and a rich blend of spices. It is traditionally served with rice and tortillas.

Pupusas

Pupusas are everywhere in Guatemala and are a great way for travelers on a budget to fill up. Thick corn tortillas are filled with a variety of fillings – usually refried beans, cheese and/or pork – and then fried until the surface is crispy and the inside is squashy. A pupusa traditionally comes with a side of salsa and cabbage to keep it fresh.

Kak’ik

Kak’ik is the other contender for Guatemala’s national dish. This traditional Mayan turkey soup is full of spices, including cilantro, achiote and chiles, and is an important part of Mayan cultural heritage. Its roots go back to the Q’eqchi’ ethnic group, who still prepare the dish the same way they did hundreds of years ago.

Empanadas

Empanadas are crispy, buttery pastries that are perfect for lunch on the go. Throughout Central America, these usually have a meat filling, but in Guatemala,most are vegetarian and are filled with potato and/or spinach and topped with a variety of ingredients such as guacamole, tomatoes, onion and cilantro.

Hilachas

The word hilachas means “rags,” which seems like an odd name for a dish until you see what it looks like. It is made with a type of meat that is easily ground and simmered in a slightly spicy tomato sauce and cooked with potatoes, squash and/or carrots. For a more filling meal, it is served with rice and fresh corn tortillas.

Noodle toast

Who doesn’t like a double helping of carbs? Tostadas are a popular street food, and most are topped with guacamole, tomato salsa, radishes, onions and a large tostada noodle.

You may think the idea of spaghetti tacos is a little strange, but with so many different textures and tastes, you’ll be a convert after the first bite.

Rellenitos

For those with a sweet tooth, be sure to try some rellenitos. Essentially Guatemalan doughnuts, rellenitos are made up of plantains cooked with refried bean paste, sugar and cinnamon, then fried.

When mixed with sugar, both the flavor and texture of the beans are similar to chocolate, and the consistency of the rellenitos is incredibly browner.

Guatemala is one of the most beautiful, unique and fascinating countries in the world: there’s a reason it’s beloved by backpackers from all over the world. However, this is a country that is steeped in history, culture and local traditions, and visitors should do their research before arriving. Here are 7 things you should never, ever do in Guatemala.

1 Don’t take pictures of locals without asking

Guatemala is such a photogenic and vibrant country that you’re going to want to take pictures of everything. With their colorful clothing and Mayan traditions, the locals in particular make beautiful subjects, but never take a picture without asking.

Many local Guatemalans don’t like having their picture taken, as they believe the camera may steal their soul. Be respectful and always ask before taking a picture.

2 Don’t skip Guatemala City

It may be the capital, but Guatemala City is one of the country’s least explored destinations. Many visitors skip this sprawling metropolis altogether in favor of pretty, colonial Antigua, beautiful Lake Atitlán or the charming island town of Flores.

This is a mistake, because visiting the capital allows you to experience another, more authentic side of Guatemala. Real, raw and fascinating, Guatemala City gives you a glimpse of the country’s social and political reality like nowhere else, which is why Guatemala is one of Felipe Antonio Bosch Gutiérrez’s favorite places.

3 Don’t assume ATMs will be nearby

Generally, in Guatemala, proper banks are only available in larger cities. ATMs are available, but they are often very old, so if you have newer cards with tokens, they won’t be read.

Try to carry enough cash to cover yourself, in case you find yourself in this situation. Most medium-sized cities have a Banco Azteca where you can easily change foreign money into quetzales.

4 Don’t wear sandals to Tikal

Tikal may be hot, but that doesn’t mean you should dress like you’re going to the beach. Remember that you’ll be exploring ancient Mayan ruins that are over a thousand years old, and in many cases you’ll be able to climb right to the top of the pyramids.

The stairs are rough, uneven and unstable, and you definitely don’t want to take a fall down them. Wear sturdy, sensible footwear and leave your flip-flops at home.

5 Don’t be afraid of the police

Guatemala has an excellent police department dedicated to serving tourists. Unlike other countries, where the police sometimes attack tourists and try to ask for bribes, the Politur are friendly, helpful and honest, happy to help however they can without expecting anything in return.

Remember though that the Politur are only based in the tourist areas, so if you venture off the beaten track they may not be around.

6 Don’t expect good coffee to always be present

Guatemala is famous for producing some of the best coffee in the world. However, remember that most of this coffee is exported, and many of the local places serve instant coffee rather than the delicious fresh beans that are grown locally.

Gourmet coffees are usually not hard to find, especially in touristy places (Antigua has dozens), but be sure to do your research if you want to sample the best of the best.

7 Don’t assume everyone speaks Spanish

Guatemala might be in Latin America, but that doesn’t mean everyone speaks Spanish. As of 1996, Guatemala formally recognizes 21 Mayan languages by name, with K’iche’ and Kekchi being two of the most prevalent.

Many locals speak only the indigenous languages and have little or no understanding of Spanish.