Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz

Paula Bendfeldt-Díaz is a Guatemalan travel writer, photographer, and founder of Growing Up Bilingual. After spending more than 15 years in the United States, she now lives in Guatemala and shares detailed travel guides, traditional Guatemalan recipes, and cultural insights based on a lifetime of firsthand experience. Through her writing, Paula helps travelers discover Guatemala beyond the typical tourist route with practical advice, local recommendations, and authentic experiences that connect visitors with the country’s people, culture, and traditions. Planning a trip to Guatemala? Paula offers personalized Guatemala itinerary planning and trip consultation services tailored to your interests, travel style, and budget. Contact her at [email protected] to learn more.

Guatemalan Torrejas: Easy French Toast in Syrup Recipe

Guatemalan torrejas are the Latin American cousin of French toast: sweet bread dipped in egg, fried golden, and soaked in a spiced syrup with raisins and prunes. It’s the dessert that shows up all over Guatemala during Semana Santa, and again at Christmas, and it’s much easier than it looks.

5 Last Minute Carnaval Crafts & Activities To Do With Your Kids

Carnaval, the period of time just before Lent, is celebrated in many Latin American countries in different ways. Because it precedes days of sacrifice, Carnaval is a celebration that involves costumes, dancing in the streets and parades. So Carnaval is today and there’s no time to prepare anything.  Don’t worry,  the important thing about celebrations … Read more

empanadas manjar de leche

Guatemalan Empanadas de Manjar de Leche (filled with custard)

This easy recipe for Guatemalan empanadas de manjar or empanadas de leche will have you enjoying this traditional Guatemalan dessert at home in no time! I included an easy step-by-step recipe for making these mouth-watering sweet custard-filled empanadas.  In Guatemala, particularly during Semana Santa, empanadas de manjar a(lso know as empanadas de leche) are a … Read more

Mitos Sobre Aprender Dos Idiomas a Temprana Edad

Si mezclo el inglés y el español voy a confundir a mi hijo Los niños pueden diferenciar entre dos idiomas diferentes desde muy temprana edad. Es normal que en un principio aprendan algunas palabras en un idioma antes que en el otro y entonces en un inicio pueden mezclar los dos idiomas pero esto es … Read more

Cascarones are a Guatemalan carnaval traditions, learn more about Carnaval traditions on Guatemala.

Cascarones & Pica-Pica: Memories of Carnaval in Guatemala

Carnaval in Guatemala, like in many other cultures around the world, is a tradition of religious origin, which is celebrated on Fat Tuesday, right before the start of Lent . In most parts of Guatemala we don’t have a huge celebration like Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. Two exceptions … Read more

10 Libros de Amor y Amistad en Español

                  El Día del Cariño es una gran oportunidad para enseñarles a los niños acerca del amor y la amistad.  A continuación hay 10 libros que les enseñaran acerca de las relaciones y la importancia de la amistad y el amor. El Libro Magico de la Amistad/ … Read more

Guatemalan fish ceviche

Guatemalan Ceviche: Easy Fresh Fish Ceviche Recipe

Guatemalan ceviche is fresh fish cured in lime juice and mixed with tomato, onion, cilantro, and the two ingredients that make it unique: ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. No stove, no oven, just a fridge and about three hours. This is the version my family made at the beach during Semana Santa, adapted for the fish you can actually buy in a US supermarket.

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