Guatemala brings together volcanic landscapes, vibrant markets, Maya heritage and beautifully preserved colonial architecture. Antigua’s Santa Catalina Arch is one of its most iconic images. The country’s culinary traditions, including pepián and tamales, connect history with family celebrations.

Key Facts

Travel and Culture

Capital: Guatemala City

Climate: Varies by elevation, from cooler highlands to tropical lowlands

Main airport: La Aurora International Airport (GUA)

Attractions: Antigua Guatemala, Tikal, Lake Atitlán and Chichicastenango

Languages: Spanish is official; many Maya languages are also spoken

Greeting: Buenos días (good morning); regional Maya languages have their own greetings

Currency: Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ)

Sports: Football and regional sporting traditions

Economy: Agriculture, manufacturing, trade, tourism and services

Population / GDP per capita: See the latest dated figures from World Bank data.

Iconic Grub

Top Grub: Pepián: A richly seasoned traditional stew or sauce, often paired with chicken or other meat and served with rice.

Try This Grub: Tamal Colorado: A traditional Guatemalan tamal made with masa and a flavorful red sauce, typically wrapped and steamed in leaves.

Also to taste: Kak’ik, a traditional turkey soup, and regional corn-based dishes.

Where to Grub

Discover traditional dishes through established local restaurants, markets and community recommendations. Verify current venue details and dietary ingredients before visiting.

Sports and Culture

Football is widely followed in Guatemala, while local festivals and indigenous traditions offer other forms of cultural gathering.

GrubPassport Cultural Discovery

Antigua’s architecture encourages exploration, but Guatemalan dishes like pepián reveal a culinary heritage shaped by Indigenous traditions and centuries of change.

The GrubPassport Question: Antigua’s Santa Catalina Arch, an authentic pepián meal, or Lake Atitlán?

Image credits and license information: Santa Catalina Arch: Manuel González Asturias, SJ (Unsplash); Pepián: Josué Goge (CC BY 2.0); Tamal guatemalteco: Anamix257 (CC0). CC BY 2.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CC0. Creative Commons images may be copyrighted but licensed for commercial reuse subject to attribution and, when applicable, share-alike requirements. Check source pages before modifying or publishing.

Sources: UNESCO · World Bank. Research-based country guide, not firsthand travel reporting; check current travel conditions before publishing.