The Rabinal Ach

Also known as the Tun Dance, it is an international celebration that represents the only
prehispanic ballet of the American continent. Its realization is conditioned by several rituals to
which the participants submit. One of them is the visit to the mountains that give name to this
tradition to ask permission 7 times.
Another indispensable requirement that dancers must meet is related to sexual abstinence during
the 30 days before and 30 days after the dance. This representation often takes place during the
election of Rabin Ajau as part of the cantonal festival.

The Corpus Christi of Patzn

Framed in the religious context, this famous folk tradition includes the elaboration of triumphal
arches with fruits of the zone, the creation of carpets, dances and fireworks. All this is part of the
veneration of St. Simon in San Andres de Itzapa, a god who can be both good and bad.
It is an event organized by the local indigenous brotherhood linked to magic and religion. It has a
very crowded chapel where the saint offer incenses, cigars, liquor and also give him money,
jewelry, plants and animals. This figure is very influential in this and other countries of the region.

The Black Christ of Esquipulas

This tradition occurs in one of the most impressive sites in Central America and is also known as
the trifinio (Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala). It is born of the process of Spanish
evangelization and is related to deities of color like Ek Chua or Ek Balam Chua.
It takes place in the department of Chiquimula, considered the center of the world for hosting this
sanctuary. It is held during the month of January and includes pilgrimages, penances, offerings,
payment of pledges, acknowledgments and more.
The Dolores Strike
This traditional satirical march includes a series of activities carried out by the students of the
University of San Carlos every Friday of Dolores. Created in 1898 as a measure of pressure to the
government, its most important symbols are La Chabela (dancing skeleton), La Chalana (singing),
the newspaper No Nos Tientes and the Bufo Parade.
Throughout its history, it has been repressed several times with some regrettable incidents, but it
continues being celebrated. It is a manifestation where the youth takes advantage to show their
discontent in a jocular way and satirizando to personages of the government of turno.

7- The burning of the torito

This custom consists of a dance of Spanish origin that is linked to the theme of the herdsmen and
their foremen. The dance tells the story of a foreman who prevents the cowboys from fighting a
bull and they decide to get him drunk. The narration ends with the death of the boss at the hands
of the most angry rooster. Its origin is also linked to the arrival of pyrotechnic games and is
common to see in many regions. The torito is a wooden frame or wire filled with fireworks that
someone carries on their shoulders among the crowd while people try to fight it.
1- Antigua, department of Sacatepquez:
Founded in 1543, it was distinguished during colonial times as the most beautiful city on the
continent, displaying magnificent Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Earthquakes over time
were destroying much of the ancient monuments of the city, some being restored while others
were left in ruins. Today declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is probably one of the most
attractive tourist places in Guatemala, displaying cobblestone streets that meander among old
churches, convents and colorful houses richly ornamented. It is worth mentioning among its
attractions the Convent of the Capuchins, corresponding to the best preserved ruins of the city.

2- Chichicastenango, department of El Quich:

It is a unique place that is famous for its landscapes and monuments, for its rich culture, a place to
soak up Mayan life, whose descendants keep alive, their colorful clothes, a diversity of dialects and
ancient rituals.
Its traditional market on Thursdays and Sundays is the main attraction of the city, a place where
you can find everything from handicrafts to daily life supplies, passing through hundreds of stalls
whose sellers negotiate in their own languages. A few meters from the market, the Church of
Santo Toms complements the Mayan experience, a temple built on the ruins of an ancient
pyramid of which the steps that climb to the cusp are still noticeable, among which today it is
common to find shamans practicing the most varied rituals.

3 - Tikal, department of Petn:

Once the capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya, it is undoubtedly one
of the most fascinating tourist places in Guatemala for lovers of archeology, a city founded around
the 5th century BC, which would have reached its maximum splendor 200 and 900 AD, dominating
much of the region in the political, economic and military spheres. The architecture of the ancient
city is built in limestone and includes vestiges of temples that rise more than 70 meters, large royal
palaces, as well as a series of smaller pyramids, palaces, residences, administrative buildings, stone
platforms and monuments.

4- Lake Atitln, department of Solol:

One of the most surprising natural scenery in Guatemala, recognized as one of the most beautiful
lakes in the world, marveling with its crystal clear waters and the three imposing volcanoes that
surround it: Atitln, Tolimn and San Pedro. Among its singularities are the 12 surrounding
villages, accessible through boats that cross the lake, each with inhabitants dressed in typical
costumes that vary significantly between town and town. The most common access is through the
city of Panajachel.

5- Semuc Champey and the Caves of Lankin, department of Alta Verapaz:

Two natural sites located near each other, the first one is without a doubt the most spectacular,
corresponding to a curious natural accident where the Cahabn River flows for a length of 300
meters under the rock, leaving on the surface a group of staggered pools of waters turquoise and
calm with depths of between 1 to 3 meters, in which it is possible to bathe rolled from a lush
tropical forest. Due to its proximity it is worth visiting the Caves of Lankin, an interesting complex
of lounges, domes and curious formations of limestone that are possible to travel for a circuit
open to tourism of 400m.
1. Kak ik
A dish of the region q'eqchi ', this broth is a favorite for its meat "chunto" (chompipe), different
vegetables, spices and chile, quite chile. Rice to accompany, "pochitos" (butter tamalitos) and
cacao or pinol to drink. A treat.

2. Enchiladas
Toasts with minced meat, cheese, a touch of egg, sauce, cheese and beets for that characteristic
color. A challenge to eat it without breaking the toast, but with a wonderful taste for the try.

3. Ham
A mixture of sausages and vegetables, chicken stew, cheeses and more that requires weeks of
preparation and a lot of work. Still, it is a traditional celebration dish on All Saints' Day, an
exceptional blend of flavors.

4. Paches
Potato base with enough tomato to give that red color - and great flavor - to one of the classic
dishes of Thursday. It tastes better if you bring chili and chicken.
 5. Shucos
Bread, avocado, cabbage and sausage, whether sausage, sausage, sausage or even roast meat. The
shucos are in different carts, a food that is prepared fast and tastes good.

6. Tamales
With corn dough and a message alongside chicken or pork, tamales are a favorite meal on
Saturdays, or at New Year's Eve parties. Next to a French bread and coffee, goodies.

Economy
The economy of Guatemala belongs to a developing country, being the largest economy in Central
America, and the eleventh in Latin America. Its GDP represents one-third of regional GDP. The
country has solid macroeconomic fundamentals in recent years, with a high level of reserves, a
controlled level of the public deficit (2.8% in 2011) and the external deficit and a low public debt of
24.3% of GDP in 2011. The economic level of the population is low, with 50% of the population
living below the poverty line and 15% in extreme poverty. The largest sector in the Guatemalan
economy was traditionally agriculture, with Guatemala being the world's largest exporter of
cardamom, the fifth sugar exporter and the seventh largest coffee producer. The tourism sector is
the second largest generator of foreign exchange for the country after remittances from
emigrants, industry is an important branch of the Guatemalan economy and the service sector is
increasing in importance.
Government of Guatemala
The Republic of Guatemala is a sovereign and independent State of Central America, and is a
member of the United Nations Organization and the Organization of American States. Guatemala
is politically and legally governed by the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala, which
is the supreme law of the State. The system of government of Guatemala is republican, democratic
and representative, as established in article 140 of the Constitution.
The sovereignty of Guatemala lies in the people who delegate it, for its exercise, in the State
Agency, as established in Article 141 of the Constitution, which are:
Legislative body, which exercises legislative power, this power is exercised by the Congress of
the Republic of Guatemala.
Executive Branch, which exercises the executive power, this power is exercised by the President
of the Republic of Guatemala, the Vice President of the Republic of Guatemala, the Ministries of
State and their dependencies.
Judicial Body, which exercises the judicial power, this power is exercised by the Supreme Court
of Justice, Court of Appeals, Courts of First Instance, Peace Courts or Juvenile Courts and other
courts established by law.

Weather
The Climate of Guatemala is a term that refers to the weather in the country. The tropical location
of Guatemala does not allow four seasons to be precisely marked in the year, as in countries north
or south of the equator. In fact, the seasons are reduced to two: the rainy season, which is called
the winter -mayo to October- and the dry season, known as summer-November to April-
(Association of Friends of the Country, 2004) .
In Central America it is common to differentiate climatic regions by their height above sea level,
and they are classified as: warm, temperate and cold. The hot climate regions are those that have
an annual average temperature of 24 degrees Celsius at 26C and heights between 0 and 800
meters above sea level (Association of Friends of the Country, 2004).
Temperate climates reach an average annual temperature of 17C and are located between 800
and 1900 m. Finally, those above 1900 m above sea level, regions of cold land, the temperature
can drop to 0 C or less (Association of Friends of the Country, 2004).
In most places in the country the weather is cooler from November to February. When the colder
temperatures are recorded in the highlands it is not uncommon for the peaks of the higher
volcanoes to be covered with ice (Association of Friends of the Country, 2004).