Lake Atitlan Semana Santa 2017

Lake Atitlan Semana Santa 2017, Guatemala is a country steeped in great history and traditions, with a vibrant indigenous culture, stunning and awe-inspiring mountains and volcanoes, it is a region of the world that offers a plethora of diversity not just culturally, but geographically too.  There is nowhere else in the world that is quite like it.

Lake Atitlan Semana Santa 2017

Visit Guatemala during Semana Santa, Easter Week, and you’ll experience the world-famed Catholic celebration the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is the most colorful and captivating time of year with processions and other religious festivities.

On Good Friday, April 14, 2017 you’ll be transfixed as you watch the streets of Santa Catarina Palopó and San Antonio Palopó turn into a canvas adorned with intricate and stunning street carpets, called alfombras.

The entire population in both villages partake in these festivities,  Indigenous families in these two small villages located on the shores of Lake Atitlan gather to create elaborate carpets of flowers, petals, colored sawdust, pine needles, seeds, vegetables, and fruit.

These alfombras are works of art that reflect Mayan traditions, biblical symbols, and scenes from nature.

The colorful celebration for Semana Santa is a feast for the senses and is centered on processions which can be compared to a slow-moving parade where large wooden floats known as andas are carried on the back of local men and women.  The andas bear images of Christ with a cross.

Women wear traditional black dresses with long lace shawls covering their heads as they carry short candles with rosaries dangling from their hands.

This is a passionate sensory experience that mingles Spanish and Mayan traditions and is an event that truly represents the heart and soul of Guatemala.

If you plan to visit Lake Atitlan Guatemala during this time, we recommend you make your travel arrangements as early as possible.

If you have never been to Guatemala during the Easter processions then you are in for an experience of a lifetime.  More information can be found at Semana Santa Tours.

Visit Guatemala and discover Lake Atitlan Semana Santa 2017.