Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz 
If you live in the Miami area or are headed to Miami for Art Basel don’t miss the Circularity of Time art exhibit at Tanya Brillembourg Art in Key Biscayne showcasing pieces from contemporary Guatemalan artists of Mayan descent Antonio Pichillá, tepeu choc and Manuel Chavajay. As a Guatemalan the pieces in this exhibit really … Read more
We can’t always protect our children from adverse experiences but we can help them build resilience and buffer the negative effects of ACES. (This post is supported by The @CDC. Opinions are my own.) About two months ago Southwest Florida was hit by a category 4 hurricane. We only had a day of warning and … Read more
Halloween is not just for kids! If you’re looking for the best Halloween cocktails for your Halloween party (or want fun and easy Halloween alcoholic drinks to sip after trick or treating with the kids), this post is for you! From spooky margaritas and Halloween martinis to gory and gross shots, here are many easy … Read more
Hotel Villa Santa Catarina is an excellent option if you’re looking for one of the best hotels in Santa Catarina Palopó on the shores of lake Atitlán in Guatemala. My favorite thing about this great Atitlán hotel is its location only 10 minutes from Panajachel and steps from the Santa Catarina Palopó pier. Even though … Read more
This guide to visiting Semuc Champey in Guatemala is filled with important information and everything you need to know before you visit this natural wonder. This is definitely a stop to add to your Guatemalan itinerary if you’re looking for hidden gems in Guatemala. In my opinion Semuc Champey is one of the best things … Read more
Day of the Dead in Guatemala turns remembrance into a colorful celebration. On November 1, families decorate graves, share fiambre, and gather for festivals, horse races, and spectacular giant kite displays. Rooted in Día de Todos los Santos, these traditions are distinctly Guatemalan and very different from Mexico’s Día de Muertos.
There is a moment on almost every summit hike at Lake Atitlán when the scale of this place finally lands. You stop. The caldera opens below you, the lake impossibly blue, three volcanoes across the water, and for a second you feel not like someone looking at a landscape but like a small part of … Read more
If you want to learn how to make traditional Guatemalan food, these Guatemalan tamales recipes are definitely for you! From the savory tamales rojos to the sweet taste of tamalitos de elote, you will find these Guatemalan recipes simply divine. Making homemade tamales takes some time, but that makes them extra special. Whether for Christmas … Read more
Guatemalan food is what my family cooks. Pepián for Sundays, tamales colorados for Christmas Eve at midnight, fiambre for November 1st. This is the complete starter guide — 30+ traditional recipes, regional specialties, the drinks and sweets that complete the meal, and what makes Guatemalan cuisine its own thing.
Salpicón de res is a Guatemalan shredded beef salad tossed with radishes, tomato, mint, lime, and bitter orange juice, served cold over rice or crispy tostadas. It is the dish my family made for beach trips, and it might be the easiest traditional Guatemalan recipe to pull off in a US kitchen. Here is how to make it, plus the substitutions that actually work when you cannot find naranja agria.
