An awesome place : 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 : Holy Week in La Antigua Guatemala. A float with the Virgin Mary Follows by ladies wearing dark clothes. The processions proceed slowly. Antigua cobblestone avenues, the feet of the bearers cushioned inside the sawdust carpets that are damaged as the parade goes by. Visiting Antigua while in lent and Holy Week usually means an exceptional spiritual fulfilling experience that you will always remember.
The Horse Race in Todos Santos Cuchumatanes Huehuetenango. The most popular event of the Todos Santos festival is the horse race. In the days previous the competition, the opponents celebrate, dancing, and ingest plenty of liquor. Additionally, they are attired with fancy clothes to make an impression of the spectator. The cause of the race dates back towards Spanish Conquest. The Spanish had not allowed the Mayas to ride horses. To show resistance to this particular rule, the people began this horse racing tradition. The community inside the Cuchumatanes Mountains is of Mam origins, and the natives commemorate this day by racehorses and feeding on the most traditional recipes peculiar to that day. The older Indians reveal that the traditional food of the day starts with a prayer, after which black tamale is consumed. Find extra information at Guatemala Vacations.
Extra 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.
Located close to Antigua, Volcan Pacaya, is an active volcano, last erupting on May 27, 2010. While there are trails and hiking opportunities open to the public, this is not a site for the faint of heart and care should be given in the preparation of your visit. If you’ve got your heart set on climbing Volcan Pacaya and seeing the magnificent view it affords, plan on setting aside at least one whole day for your journey – if not more. If El Mirador piqued your passion for archeological sites, then you’ll want to add Yaxha to your Guatemala bucket list. It’s smaller than the more famous Tikal, but still the third largest Mayan ruins in Guatemala. Yaxha was the ceremonial center of the pre-Columbian Mayan kingdom. Its indigenous name translates as blue-green water, appropriate since it overlooks a lake. The northern Guatemala settlement had around 500 buildings, including 13 altars and nine temple-pyramids. Be sure to climb to the top of Temple 216 for views of the lakes and jungle. Read even more details on www.martsam.com.