This article contains affiliate links. If you book or buy something through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products, places, and services I have personally used or vetted. Planning 7 days in Guatemala and tired of seeing the same recycled itinerary everywhere … Read more
If you are traveling to Guatemala in February or March 2026, you are arriving during one of the most culturally and spiritually rich times of the year, and most visitors have no idea. Everyone plans for Semana Santa. But Cuaresma, the 40-day Lenten season that begins on Ash Wednesday February 18 and runs through March … Read more
If you are planning Holy Week in Guatemala and trying to decide where to go, Semana Santa at Lake Atitlán offers something that no other destination in the country can match: twelve indigenous villages, each with its own Holy Week traditions, spread around one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. While most travelers … Read more
Maximón is Guatemala’s most mysterious and misunderstood spiritual figure, and possibly the most fascinating thing you will encounter in the entire country. He is a wooden deity who sits in a smoke-filled room accepting offerings of cigars and liquor, and he will grant petitions that no Catholic saint would touch. Want revenge on someone who … Read more
This guide is a complete, day-by-day account of Holy Week in Santiago Atitlán, what happens, when it happens, what you need to know to experience Semana Santa in Santiago Atitlán in the best way, and how to understand what you are seeing. If you are planning Holy Week in Guatemala and wondering whether … Read more
If you’re looking for one of the most unique experiences in Guatemala for nature and adventure lovers, rappelling in Guatemala at Finca El Barretal is it. This is the kind of exciting, once in a lifetime experience that makes travel unforgettable. El Barretal is a Guatemalan hidden gem. It is not touristy, and it is … Read more
Every July, the streets of Antigua come alive with music, flowers, fireworks, and faith during the Fiestas Patronales de Antigua Guatemala. If you happen to be in town around July 25th, you’re in for a special treat — this is one of the most heartfelt patron saint celebrations in Antigua Guatemala, honoring Santiago Apóstol, the … Read more
Every year on November 1st, the skies above Santiago Sacatepéquez fill with color, spirit, and tradition during the Giant Kite Festival in Guatemala. While many travelers know about Sumpango’s barriletes giganates, the Santiago Sacatepéquez Kite Festival offers a more intimate and deeply emotional experience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to … Read more
Every year on November 1st, the small town of Sumpango, Guatemala becomes the stage for one of the most breathtaking cultural events in Central America: the Giant Kite Festival in Guatemala, known locally as the Festival de Barriletes Gigantes. If you’ve seen photos of the vibrant, towering kites online or featured in news coverage, you … Read more
When you think about Guatemala’s Day of the Dead celebrations, there’s nothing quite like the sight of the barriletes de Guatemala — those giant, colorful kites that fill the sky every November 1st. These aren’t just part of a festival; they’re a way of honoring loved ones who have passed and keeping traditions alive in … Read more
