Guatemala 🇬🇹
Capital City of Guatemala:
Guatemala City
Population (2018):
17 Millions
Official language:
Spanish, Mayan Languages
Currency:
GTQ = Quetzal
Best time to visit Guatemala
November through to May (the dry season).
Top things to see
- Lost temples above the jungle canopy at Tikal, the country’s formost Mayan ruin.
- The chic city of Antigua, with its Spanish-era convents, ruins and sushi bars.
- Sunrise from atop Volcán Tajumulco, the highest point in central America.
- The rugged route from Huehuetenango to Cobán, which teeters through highland coffee plantations.
- Quema del Diablo, burning the devil.
Top things to do
- Barter for Mayan textiles at the Chichicastenango market.
- Boat the lush Rio Dulce to the Garifuna settlement of Livingston.
- Finesse your bar talk by studying at a Spanish language school in Antigua.
- Soak in the cool emerald pools of Semuc Champey.
- Board the breaks at Sipacate, the country’s largely undiscovered surf capital.
- Spend the day in a hammock in Santa Cruz la Laguna.
Tradional Guatemalan Food
- Tortilla (thin grilled corn pancakes)
- Frijoles (black beans)
- Tapado (a Caribbean ragout with seafood, plantains, vegetables and coconut milk)
- drink coffee or hot chocolate
- Zacapa rum
Most popular Festivals in Guatemala
- March or April: Semana Santa/ Holy Week in Antigua.
- Last week of July: Festival Folklórico de Cobán/ Cobán Folkloric Festival.
- September 15th: Día de la Independencia/ Independence Day.
- November 1st and 2nd: Día de los Muertos/ Day of the Dead in Santiago and Sumpango Sacatepéquez.
- December 13th-21st : Feria de Santo Tomás/ Feast of St. Thomas in Chichicastenango.
Explore Guatemala through our blog posts
Livingston
(Photo-) Impressions of lovely Livingston, Guatemala. Livingston Rio Dulce
What is Guatemala famous for?
- Old Mayan gods and ruins
- Wild masks and bright textiles
- The Quetzal
- Brooding volcanoes
- Rain forests
- Mayan trouble dolls
- Corn fields
Useful words and expressions
“Basta que basta” (enough is enough)