Culture, Customs and Etiquette for Guatemala: Traveler Guide

Land wey Maya culture still dey alive

Guatemala na di heart of di Maya world, and dia traditions no be museum tin but na daily life. Pass 20 Indigenous languages dey spoken alongside Spanish, and for highland towns like Chichicastenango, Sololá and Todos Santos, you go see hand-woven huipiles and cortes wey dia patterns dey show which village di wearer from.

Greetings and social etiquette

Guatemalans dey warm but dem dey formal with strangers. Handshake na standard; once una friendly, women dey greet with one kiss for cheek.

• Use usted with elders and people wey you just meet; only switch to tú if dem invite you.
• Address people as Don or Doña plus dia first name as sign of respect.
• Greet everybody for room individually with buenos días or buenas tardes.
• Punctuality dey relax for social matter, but make sure you dey on time for business and tours.

Wetin to do and no do

• Do ask permission before you snap people, especially Maya women and children; many go request small quetzales.
• Do dress well when you dey visit churches and villages.
• No discuss di 1960 to 1996 civil war anyhow; e still be painful matter.
• No point with one finger; use your whole hand or lips to show direction, na so locals dey do am.
• Do remove cap inside church and respect Maya ceremonies for places like Pascual Abaj.

Tipping norms

Tipping dey appreciated but e no big.

• Restaurants: 10 percent service charge dey often included; if e no dey, leave around 10 percent.
• Hotel porters and housekeeping: 5 to 10 quetzales.
• Guides: 50 to 100 quetzales per day for good private guide; give shuttle drivers small quetzales.
• Taxis no dey tip, but round up di fare.

Markets, food and bargaining

Small haggling dey expected for craft markets but never aggressive. For comedor try pepián, kak'ik or chuchito. Saying provecho to fellow diners na kind gesture. Sundays for Chichicastenango bring one of Latin America famous markets.

Religion and festivals

Catholicism dey mix with Maya spirituality. During Semana Santa for Antigua, residents dey create big sawdust carpets wey dem call alfombras; never step on top am. For November 1, big kites dey fly over Sumpango for Day of di Dead.

Stay connected for Guatemala

HelloSIM eSIM go keep you online di moment you land, so you fit use maps, translate Spanish or K'iche', and confirm bookings, no roaming fees.