What can you see in Guatemala and festival tours
5 top attractions in Guatemala: Here we present a description and dates of the main festivals of Guatemala, activities that you can easily include in your vacations, we are sure that will improve your experience in the Heart of the Mayan World.
Major Festivals in Guatemala : Palo Volador. Performers test out their abilities to the Palo Volador throughout the festivity of their Saint; incredibly extra tall pine poles are consecrated and set up within the plaza for that ceremony. Pole dancers climb up in pairs to the top level via platforms and ropes, and then they rotate at the end of the lines dizzyingly (and alarmingly) down in terrific swooping circles. The ceremony’s roots should lay inside the Maya traditions of Yaxche, the tree of life. The places where celebrates El Palo Volador are: July 25th in Cubulco Baja Verapaz. Cubulco is located in Baja Verapaz 196 kms from Guatemala City (3 hours). August 15th in Joyabaj Quiche: Joyabaj is located 216 kms from Guatemala City, about 70 kms away from Chichicastenango
24 Diablos Fest at Ciudad Vieja. December 7th and 8th : Every 7th of December, a parade or convite slowly makes its way through the streets of the former capital Ciudad Vieja just outside Antigua Guatemala. The following day they celebrate the town’s virgin patron’s day, Día de la Virgen de La Concepción, and after mass, in the cathedral, everyone crowds into the plaza outside for the noisy display of fireworks. See extra details on Vacations in Guatemala.
More Guatemala attractions: For an overview of traditional Guatemalan costumes, from ceremonial pieces to regular garments, the Ixchel Museum of Mayan Costumes is the place to visit. The museum, on the Universidad Francisco Marroquin campus, has a vast collection of textiles dating to the end of the 19th century, originating from 120 Guatemalan communities. A collection of paintings illustrating the regional costumes complements the exhibits. The museum is named for the Mayan goddess of fertility and weaving. Nearby is Semuc Champey, where a limestone shelf running 300 meters creates natural pools in the river. The water here is a unique color of green or turquoise. Tours to this site can be arranged from Lanquin.
El Mirador was a major Mayan city that flourished from about the 6th century BC and abandonment at the end of the 9th century. The ruins of El Mirador were rediscovered in 1926 but received little attention due to its remote location deep in the jungle of northern Guatemala. Today the site remains largely covered by tropical jungle. Visiting El Mirador is not for the faint of heart. The village of Carmelita is the nearest point to the ruins that you can go by car. From there it takes a grueling trek of at least five days and four nights through the jungle with ants, ticks and mosquitoes that never relent. That said, people who make this journey will never forget it. Find additional information at www.martsam.com.
