10 Things I Learned In Guatemala | Religion, Children, Earthquakes & Volcanoes

Guatemala is a Central American country just underneath Mexico that is home to Mayan culture, volcanoes, delicious coffee and so much more. It is one of the largest countries in Central America and hosts the most populous urban area, Guatemala City. There is so much to learn about Guatemala, but here are ten things I learned while there that I found most interesting.

1. Many Guatemalans are devoutly religious.

The country has as a long and complex history of religion. Mayans worshipped and prayed to many gods and performed ritualistic sacrifices and offerings for years until the country was conquered by the Spanish. Catholicism was introduced and the mayan religion was then considered criminal and punishable. Eventually, there was a merging of religious practices such that There are 38 churches in Antigua alone, many of them very beautiful to see. You’ll find there are evangelical christians, catholics, and then churches that acknowledge both mayan religious practices and that Jesus is Lord.

2. Children are plentiful.

You’ll notice an abundance of infants, toddlers, and small children; in fact, more than I’ve seen in any other place I’ve been. Because the country is heavily religious, sex, especially education about it, is still very much a taboo subject, but it is incredibly obvious they have a lot of it. I’m told that many Mayan people believe having small children around keeps death away, but I’m also told that having children is almost like a hobby. Guatemalan families are large, having upwards of 14 children.

3. Lack of education severely plagues the country.

While numbers have improved over the years, many people still are unable to read and write. Hard work and labor are valued, and children are encouraged to begin working as early as nine or ten years old, becoming completely, sufficiently on their own by as early as fifteen or sixteen years old. Education is then put on the back burner for opportunities to work or start a business. Historically, things like clothing or transportation have been color coded for identification since many of the people are unable to read.

4. Guatemala is very mountainous.

When exploring, be prepared to hike steep hills on foot and wind dangerously curvy roads by car. There are moments you may look to your left or right and see a white abyss of clouds or a deep and never-ending carpet of green. If you are not fond of heights or these kinds of views, Guatemala may be a bit daunting for you.

5. If a food dish has the suffix -ik, it is inherently spicy. Be careful what you order!

6. Guatemalan land is extremely fertile.

Over the years, this fertility has allowed them to produce many crops in abundance like coffee, sugar, bananas, corn, and an assortment of other fruits, herbs and flowers.

7. Tortillas are served with everything.

They’re better when they are really hot. I don’t absolutely love tortillas, but they’re nice to help fill you up with a bit of bean paste or guacamole. I’m told a Guatemalan man can eat 75 tortillas in a day. Bet you can’t eat just one!

8. The national bird of Guatemala is the quetzal, for which the local currency is named.

9. Earthquakes happen frequently.

Guatemala lies almost directly on a fault line, so earthquakes happen very often like the day I arrived, for example; however, they are usually small and unnoticeable. The ones that can be felt but are not over a certain magnitude are referred to by locals as tremors. The country has had at least a few huge earthquakes that have destroyed entire cities.