Guatemala

Creating a trip to Guatemala is a great idea!

Between volcanoes and tropical jungle, between colonial villages and imposing Mayan pyramids, between intoxicating festivals and populations in traditional costumes, Guatemala will undoubtedly be your favorite destination, one you will never forget.

Like Saint-Exupery when writing "The Little Prince" near Lake Atitlan, you will fall in love with its grandiose landscapes and its colorful culture.

Welcome to the heart of Central America!

Useful Information | Travel Guatemala:

Attention! The minimum duration of stay during a trip to Guatemala is 3 days

  • When to go to Guatemala? :

    It is preferable to go to Guatemala outside the rainy season (from May to September). From November to February you can enjoy mild temperatures and low humidity.

  • What documents to travel to Guatemala? :

    If you stay in Guatemala for less than 180 days, you will not need a visa. Only a valid passport is needed to enter the territory. A French driver's license is also recognized, you can use it during your stay. However, it is advisable to bring a translation of it or to apply for an international permit.

  • Time difference and flight hours to go to Guatemala:

    It takes 8 hours less in the Paris time zone when you land in Guatemala. A direct flight between the French capital and the Guatemalan capital takes about 11h15.

  • Recommended vaccines in Guatemala:

    Apart from universal vaccines (tetanus, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, hepatitis B), no other vaccine is required to travel to Guatemala. However, it is strongly recommended that you be vaccinated against hepatitis A, yellow fever and typhoid, which are transmitted by mosquito bites or through the diet. It is also recommended to be vaccinated against rabies in the case of a prolonged stay and/or in rural areas.

  • Currency used in Guatemala:

    The national currency of Guatemala is the Quetzal (GTQ). It will be difficult to find a foreign exchange office with the Euro on the spot. This is why we recommend that you change your money before your departure or travel with US Dollars, a currency much more common in the country. Guatemalan banks are generally open all day, Monday to Friday.

Gastronomy | Travel Guatemala:

  • Enchiladas Guatemaltecas:

    It can be found in all squares and restaurants in the country. These are small corn tortillas topped with vegetables and poultry. It's the perfect snack.

  • Jocón (specialty of Guatemala):

    This typical Huehuetenango soup is a must. Its green color and unique flavor were declared intangible cultural heritage of the nation in 2007.

  • Paches (specialty of Guatemala):

    Present in all markets, this specialty is also called "Tamal de papa". It is a clever mixture of poultry and potatoes cooked in banana leaves. The Paches are usually eaten on Thursday or for Holy Week, Christmas or Easter.

  • Chuchitos (specialty of Guatemala):

    Another type of Tamal is a mixture of meat and maize flour that is cooked and wrapped in a corn leaf. Chuchitos are often served with tomato sauce, guacamole or cheese.

  • Shucos (specialty of Guatemala):

    This is the Guatemalan version of hot dogs! You simply add avocado, parsley sauce or coriander for a delicious result to enjoy on every street corner!

  • Rellenitos (specialty of Guatemala):

    This is an extraordinary dessert. These small plantain balls, flavored with cinnamon, contain a sweet black bean paste that is sometimes eaten with chocolate.

  • Pepián (specialty of Guatemala):

    This dish in chicken-based sauce surprises with its spicy taste! This mixture is however tasty: raisins, dried chili peppers, pepitoria and sesame combine for a unique look that you absolutely must taste!

  • Pulique (specialty of Guatemala):

    Prepared in the Lake Atitlan region, it is a soup made from different types of meat, a tasty broth and small vegetables that grow in the region.

  • Pan de Coco (specialty of Guatemala):

    Star of Livingston, this sweet and mellow bun is typical of the Garifuna culture. You will have the opportunity to cook some with the locals.

  • Tapado (specialty of Guatemala):

    This Livingston specialty is, once again, influenced by the Caribbean culture of the Garifunas. It is a seafood and fish stew in a coconut sauce. It is an excellent dish and very different from what you can taste in the rest of the country.

Traditions | Travel Guatemala:

  • Traditional Guatemalan dances:

    In Guatemala, each festival is synonymous with grandiose and symbolic dances that blend Mayan and Catholic influences. There are many dances, each of which has a particular meaning, origin and aesthetic.

    - Dance of costumes, for example, features dancers with colorful clothing and masks representing the deities revered by indigenous peoples of Mayan descent.

    - The dance of los toritos is danced by very agile young men wearing a bull costume and performing several acrobatic figures among the other dancers.

    - The Conquista Dance, on the other hand, is a dance that replays the confrontation of the Spanish settlers with the original peoples, a historical dance that pays tribute to the heroes of the period who fought against the invader.

    And these are just a few examples of the fabulous shows that await you!

  • Rabinal Achí (typical Guatemalan dance):

    It's also called "Tun Dance." It is the only pre-Hispanic ballet of the American continent. This international celebration gathers thousands of people in Rabinal each year on January 25 around songs, music and dances/movements. The actors are all dressed up and wearing wooden masks to differentiate the characters in the ballet: a representation of the conflict between the Rabinals and the K'iche, two peoples who were quarreling in the pre-Columbian era. This is an extremely important event for the community. The narrative of this piece was transcribed into indigenous language and then into Spanish in the twentieth century. It is this work that has allowed this celebration to continue and today is one of the wonders of Guatemala.

  • Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala (usually April 5-12):

    This is Easter week, during which Christians from all over the world come to commemorate "the passion of Christ" (the arrest, the ordeal and the resurrection) in Guatemala's most beautiful colonial city! This incredible feast is a mixture of processions by theme, masses and immense carpets in bloom or decorated with branches, fruits, plants of all kinds that require weeks of preparation. The processions can last for hours and wind through the city to the rhythm of the bands. If you are passing through Antigua at this time, do not fail to reserve your seat in the first boxes long in advance to be sure to attend!

  • Dia de los muertos from Guatemala:

    Every year on All Saints' Day, Guatemalan families gather to celebrate the Day of the Dead and share a typical specialty of that date, Fiambre, a salad that can contain up to 50 ingredients! Between October 31 and November 2, you can share this dish and attend fireworks and giant kite rallies (mainly made in Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepequez), the most beautiful you have ever seen. According to local beliefs, these elements are a way for the human being to reach the sky and thus to get closer to the disappeared relatives.

Useful Information | Travel Guatemala:

Attention! The minimum duration of stay during a trip to Guatemala is 3 days

  • When to go to Guatemala? :

    It is preferable to go to Guatemala outside the rainy season (from May to September). From November to February you can enjoy mild temperatures and low humidity.

  • What documents to travel to Guatemala? :

    If you stay in Guatemala for less than 180 days, you will not need a visa. Only a valid passport is needed to enter the territory. A French driver's license is also recognized, you can use it during your stay. However, it is advisable to bring a translation of it or to apply for an international permit.

  • Time difference and flight hours to go to Guatemala:

    It takes 8 hours less in the Paris time zone when you land in Guatemala. A direct flight between the French capital and the Guatemalan capital takes about 11h15.

  • Recommended vaccines in Guatemala:

    Apart from universal vaccines (tetanus, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, hepatitis B), no other vaccine is required to travel to Guatemala. However, it is strongly recommended that you be vaccinated against hepatitis A, yellow fever and typhoid, which are transmitted by mosquito bites or through the diet. It is also recommended to be vaccinated against rabies in the case of a prolonged stay and/or in rural areas.

  • Currency used in Guatemala:

    The national currency of Guatemala is the Quetzal (GTQ). It will be difficult to find a foreign exchange office with the Euro on the spot. This is why we recommend that you change your money before your departure or travel with US Dollars, a currency much more common in the country. Guatemalan banks are generally open all day, Monday to Friday.

Gastronomy | Travel Guatemala:

  • Enchiladas Guatemaltecas:

    It can be found in all squares and restaurants in the country. These are small corn tortillas topped with vegetables and poultry. It's the perfect snack.

  • Jocón (specialty of Guatemala):

    This typical Huehuetenango soup is a must. Its green color and unique flavor were declared intangible cultural heritage of the nation in 2007.

  • Paches (specialty of Guatemala):

    Present in all markets, this specialty is also called "Tamal de papa". It is a clever mixture of poultry and potatoes cooked in banana leaves. The Paches are usually eaten on Thursday or for Holy Week, Christmas or Easter.

  • Chuchitos (specialty of Guatemala):

    Another type of Tamal is a mixture of meat and maize flour that is cooked and wrapped in a corn leaf. Chuchitos are often served with tomato sauce, guacamole or cheese.

  • Shucos (specialty of Guatemala):

    This is the Guatemalan version of hot dogs! You simply add avocado, parsley sauce or coriander for a delicious result to enjoy on every street corner!

  • Rellenitos (specialty of Guatemala):

    This is an extraordinary dessert. These small plantain balls, flavored with cinnamon, contain a sweet black bean paste that is sometimes eaten with chocolate.

  • Pepián (specialty of Guatemala):

    This dish in chicken-based sauce surprises with its spicy taste! This mixture is however tasty: raisins, dried chili peppers, pepitoria and sesame combine for a unique look that you absolutely must taste!

  • Pulique (specialty of Guatemala):

    Prepared in the Lake Atitlan region, it is a soup made from different types of meat, a tasty broth and small vegetables that grow in the region.

  • Pan de Coco (specialty of Guatemala):

    Star of Livingston, this sweet and mellow bun is typical of the Garifuna culture. You will have the opportunity to cook some with the locals.

  • Tapado (specialty of Guatemala):

    This Livingston specialty is, once again, influenced by the Caribbean culture of the Garifunas. It is a seafood and fish stew in a coconut sauce. It is an excellent dish and very different from what you can taste in the rest of the country.

Traditions | Travel Guatemala:

  • Traditional Guatemalan dances:

    In Guatemala, each festival is synonymous with grandiose and symbolic dances that blend Mayan and Catholic influences. There are many dances, each of which has a particular meaning, origin and aesthetic.

    - Dance of costumes, for example, features dancers with colorful clothing and masks representing the deities revered by indigenous peoples of Mayan descent.

    - The dance of los toritos is danced by very agile young men wearing a bull costume and performing several acrobatic figures among the other dancers.

    - The Conquista Dance, on the other hand, is a dance that replays the confrontation of the Spanish settlers with the original peoples, a historical dance that pays tribute to the heroes of the period who fought against the invader.

    And these are just a few examples of the fabulous shows that await you!

  • Rabinal Achí (typical Guatemalan dance):

    It's also called "Tun Dance." It is the only pre-Hispanic ballet of the American continent. This international celebration gathers thousands of people in Rabinal each year on January 25 around songs, music and dances/movements. The actors are all dressed up and wearing wooden masks to differentiate the characters in the ballet: a representation of the conflict between the Rabinals and the K'iche, two peoples who were quarreling in the pre-Columbian era. This is an extremely important event for the community. The narrative of this piece was transcribed into indigenous language and then into Spanish in the twentieth century. It is this work that has allowed this celebration to continue and today is one of the wonders of Guatemala.

  • Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala (usually April 5-12):

    This is Easter week, during which Christians from all over the world come to commemorate "the passion of Christ" (the arrest, the ordeal and the resurrection) in Guatemala's most beautiful colonial city! This incredible feast is a mixture of processions by theme, masses and immense carpets in bloom or decorated with branches, fruits, plants of all kinds that require weeks of preparation. The processions can last for hours and wind through the city to the rhythm of the bands. If you are passing through Antigua at this time, do not fail to reserve your seat in the first boxes long in advance to be sure to attend!

  • Dia de los muertos from Guatemala:

    Every year on All Saints' Day, Guatemalan families gather to celebrate the Day of the Dead and share a typical specialty of that date, Fiambre, a salad that can contain up to 50 ingredients! Between October 31 and November 2, you can share this dish and attend fireworks and giant kite rallies (mainly made in Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepequez), the most beautiful you have ever seen. According to local beliefs, these elements are a way for the human being to reach the sky and thus to get closer to the disappeared relatives.

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