{"id":10992,"date":"2026-10-26T13:01:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T19:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cymantravel.com\/?p=10992"},"modified":"2026-10-26T13:05:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T19:05:55","slug":"day-of-the-dead-guatemala-giant-kite-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cymantravel.com\/fr\/day-of-the-dead-guatemala-giant-kite-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Day of the Dead in Guatemala: The Giant Kite Festival from Antigua"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you’re in Antigua on November 1st and wondering what Guatemalans actually do on Day of the Dead \u2014 the answer isn’t what you’d expect. No sugar skulls. No face paint. No marigold altars like you’ve seen in Mexico.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How Does Guatemala Celebrate Day of the Dead?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In Guatemala, November 1st \u2014\u00a0D\u00eda de los Santos<\/em>\u00a0(All Saints’ Day) \u2014 is a national holiday. Families travel from across the country to visit the graves of their ancestors. Cemeteries come alive with color: marigolds, pine needles, candles, incense.<\/p>

And in the highlands of Sacatep\u00e9quez, this tradition takes a form unlike anywhere else on earth:\u00a0giant handmade kites<\/strong>, some stretching up to 22 meters across, built by local Maya communities and displayed above the cemetery as offerings to the dead.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What the Day Actually Looks Like<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\ud83e\ude81 The kite exhibition<\/h3>

The enormous kites stand as exhibition pieces in the municipal soccer field beside the cemetery. Smaller kites (~4m) typically fly around 2:00 PM. Arrive early \u2014 the morning light and the assembly process are part of the experience.<\/p>

\ud83c\udf3c The cemetery<\/h3>

Families decorate graves with marigolds, pine needles, and candles. The atmosphere is warm and intimate \u2014 a family gathering, not a performance. Walk through slowly and respectfully.<\/p>

\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f The food<\/h3>

Vendors line the paths with\u00a0atole de elote<\/em>,\u00a0chuchitos<\/em>,\u00a0elotes asados<\/em>,\u00a0pepi\u00e1n<\/em>. Local family recipes unchanged for generations. Come hungry.<\/p>

\ud83c\udfb5 The marimba<\/h3>

Live marimba music plays throughout the day. It is the sound of Guatemala, and hearing it here \u2014 surrounded by all of this \u2014 is one of those travel moments that doesn’t need a filter.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Get There from Antigua: Transport with Cyman Travel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The roads to Sumpango on November 1st are a nightmare. A 20-minute drive can stretch to 90 minutes. Cyman Travel handles all of that.<\/p>

Departure Times<\/h3>
D\u00e9part d'Antigua<\/th>Return (approx.)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
8:00 AM<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Recommended<\/td>vers 14 h<\/td><\/tr>
10:00 AM<\/strong><\/td>~4:00 PM<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

Tarification<\/h3>
Option<\/th>Price per Person<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
\ud83d\ude8c Shared (collective) transport<\/td>$45 USD<\/strong>\u00a0round trip<\/td><\/tr>
\ud83d\ude90 Private transport<\/td>$70 USD<\/strong>\u00a0round trip<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>

Transport only \u2014 your time at the festival is completely free.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Quoi apporter\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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