Guatemala
Country Overview
Guatemala rests in the middle of Central America with Mexico to the north, Belize to the east, El Salvador to the southwest, and Honduras to the southeast. Although Spanish is the official language, it has not been wholly adopted by the indigenous population, who speak one of 21 distinct Mayan languages. Guatemala City is the capital of the country, but Antigua remains a more popular destination as a result of its Baroque architecture and UNESCO Heritage World Site status. The city is lined with cobblestone streets, and three large volcanoes dominate the horizon.
Guatemala is a country that once belonged to the Mayan empire. The Maya are now considered to be one of the most advanced civilizations to have ever existed in ancient America. They established a network of city-states and the facades of their temples and palaces rival those of ancient Rome. The Maya very much believed in a cyclical nature of time which played into their religion. Their rituals and ceremonies were in-tune with the cycles of nature and it was the responsibility of the priests to use these cycles to prophesize.
Culture
Guatemala is a very religious country, but unlike its neighbors there is some diversity in the religions practiced. Only 55% of the population classifies itself as Roman Catholic, while 40% are Protestant, and up to 5% still practice the indigenous Mayan faith. Guatemala, particularly Antigua, is known for its elaborate religious festivals. Each Sunday in Lent, a local church sponsors a procession through the streets of Antigua. The cobblestoned streets are covered with temporary dyed sawdust carpets, and the path of the procession is lined with colorful fruits and vegetables.
As a result of its colonial charm, Antigua is home to a sizeable retirement community from the US and Europe. This is reflected in the diverse restaurants and shops that fill the city. Antigua is specifically famous for its candy, which is made from local fruits, seeds, nuts and honey. The cuisine of Guatemala typically incorporates corn, beans, and different chilies for flavor. While food names in Guatemala are similar to what you might see on a menu at a Mexican restaurant (i.e. enchiladas, tamales, etc) they are not at all the same. Tamales, for example, are typically wrapped in banana leaves and are made of a potato or maize base. There are also traditional dishes that are eaten on specific days of the week. Sunday, for example, is the day families eat the tamales described above.
Music is also very diverse in Guatemala. In fact, Guatemala was the first area in the Americas to be introduced to European music in 1524. Latin Pop and Rock en Español (Spanish Rock) currently dominate the scene over more traditional music, but you are still likely to find Caribbean music, salsa, and mariachi in traditional areas and establishments.
Travel Tips
The voltage in Guatemala is 110 – 120 so you will not need a voltage converter or plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances.
Be sure to bring copies of your passport to carry with you when traveling in Guatemala, as opposed to carrying the original. Instead, leave the original in a safe place.
While many different travel options are available, the Chicken Bus is the dominant means of transportation in Guatemala. These buses are painted wild, vivid colors and offer you a taste of real Guatemala. Do know that these buses give out an enormous amount of exhaust fumes so travel is only recommended for short distances. It also isn’t recommended that you take luggage on your journey, as the rooftop racks on the bus allow exhaust smoke to soak into your bags and clothing.
