Culture & Traditions

Guatemala has a rich and fascinating culture that stretches back more than 3,500 years, when the Mayan civilization was first established. This ancient culture is still present in modern Guatemalan culture, which draws on its Spanish, Mayan, Xinca, and Garifuna roots. You’ll see these varied traditions embraced in today’s Guatemalan cuisine, holidays, art, language, and clothing.

Guatemala’s modern culture reflects its Mayan heritage, colonial history, and contemporary influences. Traditional Mayan customs and rituals, including vibrant textiles, intricate weaving techniques, and ancient agricultural practices, persist in many rural communities. Colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century, Guatemala experienced a fusion of indigenous and European influences. This amalgamation is evident in the country's art, music, and cuisine. 

The Spanish colonial architecture, particularly in cities like Antigua, showcases Baroque and Renaissance styles. The celebration of festivals and religious events also plays a vital role in Guatemala's cultural identity. Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is marked by elaborate processions and intricate sawdust carpets adorning the streets. Indigenous ceremonies, such as the K'iche' Maya New Year, maintain a spiritual connection to the land and cosmos. Attending these ceremonies is sure to add to your travel experience in Guatemala.

Despite its rich cultural heritage, Guatemala faces challenges, including economic disparities and social issues. Nevertheless, the resilience of its people and the vibrancy of their traditions continue to shape and define Guatemala's unique cultural landscape, making it a fascinating destination for globetrotters from the world over.

What are some Guatemala traditions?

The most popular traditions in Guatemala have their roots in Indigenous Mayan culture and the Catholic faith brought by the Spanish in the 16th century. November 1st and 2nd Guatemalans celebrate the Day of the Dead, Día de los Muertos, in Spanish. Though many international travellers associate the holiday with Mexico, Guatemalans have their own unique ways to honor their ancestors. You’ll see colourful parades, dances, and live music that are undeniably Guatemalan, alongside Indigenous Mayan images and rhythms you don’t find anywhere else.

Two other holidays with Catholic roots and powerful Mayan influences are the Feria de Santa Lucia on December 13th and the Day of the Candelaria on February 2nd. Both celebrations are popular with children, so if you’re travelling with your family, check the dates of your Guatemala vacation to see if they coincide with these vibrant festivities. 

The most unique Guatemalan celebrations are Maximón and the Giant Kite festival. Maximón is a wooden figure celebrated every October 28th during a spiritual practice with syncretic roots in both Mayan beliefs and the Catholic faith. Guatemalan families who celebrate Maximón offer the statue gifts like food and drink to receive its blessings and guidance. The Giant Kite festival is held in the villages of Sampang and Santiago Sacatepéquez during the first week of November, where people make octagonal kites that represent Mayan reverence for the four cardinal directions, north, south, east, and west. The kites have a diametre up to an astounding 20 m (65 ft), which dwarf the spectators and are a truly marvellous sight.

What is the visiting etiquette in Guatemala?

Many Guatemalan families host homestays and work with Spanish-language schools to provide housing for travellers learning Spanish. However, the language barrier gets in the way of many Guatemalans who would love to invite tourists to their home for a meal. If you speak Spanish, or if you make friends with an English-speaking Guatemalan, it’s common to be invited home for lunch to meet the family. Bring a gift, like flowers or a nice bottle of rum, like Ron Zacapa. It’s polite to arrive 15 to 20 minutes after the time you’re invited for.

What are Guatemalans like socially?

Guatemalans are soft-spoken in public but can be more rambunctious during family meals in the comfort of their own home. Men greet each other with a firm handshake and women give a light kiss to the air next to the right cheek of both men and women. Nonbinary travellers may be more comfortable sticking with a handshake as it’s common knowledge in Guatemala that people from North America greet everybody with handshakes.

During your Guatemala vacation, greet people with buenos días in the morning and buenas tardes in the afternoon, rather than the more informal hola. After dark, switch to buenas noches to wish people a good evening. Guatemalans tend to dress formally, with much attention to grooming and proper decorum. 

What languages do Guatemalans speak?

Spanish is the official language and even people who speak an Indigenous language at home will speak Spanish with international travellers. There are 22 languages in Guatemala that are part of the Mayan language family and two other Indigenous languages that are not related to Mayan: Garífuna and Xinca. Guatemala’s rich diversity of languages can be seen as well as heard because each language preserves and strengthens a unique Indigenous culture. Travellers who love learning about cultures will be delighted with their opportunities to see how Indigenous languages are alive and well in Guatemala.

Outside of Guatemala City and Antigua, it may be difficult to find English-speakers. It’s polite to learn greetings and a few words like please (por favor) and thank you (gracias) in Spanish. For Spanish speakers, stick to usted rather than tu, as formality is highly valued in Guatemalan culture. If you have the opportunity to spend time with Guatemalans who speak an Indigenous language, don’t miss the chance to learn a few words in their language also.