Introduction to Guatemala

Guatemala truly has it all: a rich indigenous culture (by far the strongest in Central America), spectacular natural beauty, the gorgeous colonial city of Antigua and the warmth and charm of its proud people.

Geography

Guatemala holds a mind-boggling physical and cultural diversity for a land roughly the size of Ireland.   From the volcano inspired beauty of the Western Highlands to the steamy pacific coastal plain; from the tropical Caribbean coast to the dramatic peaks of the Cuchumatanes mountain range; from the virgin rainforest of el Petén, with some of most striking ruins in the Mayan world to Guatemala's cloud forests near Cobán, where some of the world's best coffee is grown.

Culture Xplorers will focus our immersive adventure primarily in the highlands region of Guatemala, where many of its Mayan and indigenous traditions still thrive hundreds of years after the Spanish conquest and after decades of more recent civil strife.

We will take advantage of two hubs throughout our trip, the picturesque colonial town of Antigua and the stunning, volcano-ringed lake Atitlán, famously described by Aldous Huxley as the most beautiful lake in the world.

Traditions

One of Guatemala's signature features is its vital indigenous culture.   Many of the traditions we will both participate in and learn about on our journey stem from this still thriving indigenous culture.   At the same time, the influence of the Spanish conquerors is undeniable in many facets of the culture.   Witnessing this active syncretism is fascinating.

Farming

One of the oldest and most important Guatemalan traditions is agriculture.   We'll meet a friend and farmer one day during our trip and hike with him to his small plot of land halfway up Volcano Agua for a closer perspective of rural agriculture.

Textiles

Weaving has its deep roots in Mayan culture, still expressing itself today.   We'll gain insights from a textiles expert while visiting with some of the most skilled practitioners of this art form.

Markets

The weekly market goes to the heart of the indigenous economy, as important for social interaction as for trading.   These markets remain a central feature in highland Guatemala. We'll visit a couple of Guatemala's most typical markets and immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, smells and rhythm of this millennia old tradition.

Festivals & Events

The fiesta is a staple of life in Guatemala, rooted in indigenous tradition and expressed today with exuberance unrivalled in Central America.   Although there are religious festivals in honor of a patron saint in almost every population center throughout the country, we will concentrate on just a few of the most spectacular in terms of color and significance.

Semana Santa

This week-long celebration fills Antigua to the point of bursting with purple-robed penitents, Roman gladiators and soldiers on horseback, all re-enacting Christ's last week on earth.

One of the most splendid and ephemeral expressions of this festival are the elaborate carpets (alfombras) painstakingly hand-made from pine needles, flowers &/or dyed sawdust (serrín) and then promptly destroyed with equal spectacle under the feet of dozens of altar-bearers only hours (or even minutes) after they are completed.  

Day of the Dead

This nearly universal tradition of honoring and remembering one's dearly departed takes on a unique character in Guatemala.   On November 1 st in the town of Santiago Sacatapéquez, giant kites are constructed from bamboo and paper.   They can measure up to 7 meters in diameters (22 feet) and teams of men are needed to bring them aloft   The kites are flown to release the souls of the dead from earth.

Language

While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, 28 indigenous languages and dialects exist in the country, including: K'iche, Achi, Mam, Tz'utujil, Kaqchikel and many others.

In some rural communities, especially in the Western Highlands, only a few people speak fluent Spanish, relying instead of its indigenous language.