Guatemala Independence Day: Everything You Need To Know!

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Even though September is part of the ‘rainy’ season in Guatemala, it is a great time to visit for the celebrations of Guatemalan Independence Day. Locals nationwide celebrate their independence from Spain which was declared over 200 years ago.

It’s a great time to be in the country, especially as a tourist or backpacker wanting to be part of a country-wide cultural event. You can expect fireworks, parties, street decorations, loud processions and traditional dancing in many towns and cities across Guatemala.

But where are the best places to celebrate Guatemala’s Independence Day? In the following post, I outline everything you need to know about Guatemala Independence Day, especially if you are visiting as a tourist or backpacker.

🇬🇹 Other Guatemala posts:

• 2 Weeks In Guatemala: Perfect Itinerary
• 15 BEST Day Trips From Antigua, Guatemala
• 3 Days in Antigua Guatemala: The Perfect Itinerary
• Is Guatemala Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice

Guatemala Independence Day: A Summary

So, what is Guatemala’s Independence Day all about? Every year on the 15th of September, Guatemala celebrates its independence from Spain which was declared over 200 years ago. Now Guatemalans use this day as a time of celebration, partying and grand processions.

Guatemala’s Independence Day is also Independence Day for El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras, four other Central American countries.

You can celebrate Guatemala Independence Day all over the country, but the best locations are Guatemala City, Antigua or Quetzaltenango (Xela).

When is Guatemala Independence Day?

Guatemalan Independence Day is celebrated on September 15th every year, regardless of what day it falls on. It is a nationwide holiday also known as Guatemala’s National Day.

In September 2023, it will be Guatemala’s 202nd Independence Day, as they gained independence from Spain in 1821!

Guatemala Independence Day Facts and History

The Guatemala Independence Day date marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence, where Central American countries became a part of the Mexican Empire. This process continued until 1847, until Guatemala was finally able to declare independence and become a sovereign Republic with a president.

Even though Guatemala did not officially declare independence as a country until 1847, September 15th 1821 is known as the start of the change and is celebrated for the incredible journey the country went through.

Now, Guatemala is known to celebrate this day with pride. The country is covered in blue and white flags, and children in school practice processions and parades.

Guatemala Independence Day Traditions

There are many Guatemala Independence Day Traditions. Some include:

1. Playing marimbas

A marimba is a large, wooden musical instrument, similar to a xylophone. During Guatemala’s Independence Day, the marimba is played morning, noon and night, especially in larger cities holding concerts. Children in school will practise playing marimbas for Guatemalan Independence Day, and then perform for the community on the streets.

2. Blue and white flags lining streets and houses

The Guatemalan flag is made up of light blue and white. Because of this, the whole country seems to turn a shade of blue and white, made up of thousands of flags in the streets, on buildings and in front of houses. Flags are proudly displayed throughout the month of September.

A great way to join in on the festivities is to purchase Guatemalan flags to wave yourself. Small, big, or even worn as a t-shirt – it’s a great way to get involved and show your support. Street vendors, shops and stalls all over the country will sell flags to buy.

3. Civic Altars (altar cívico)

Similar to altars being set up for Mexico’s Day of the Dead, the locals in Guatemala build altars dedicated to the traditions of their country.

These altars are full of colours (well, mainly blue and white), photos, maps, poetry, food and even feathers of their national bird – the quetzal.

Altars can be found all over the cities and towns, from shop windows to window ledges in homes. Schools are often known to build large community altars which the children have worked on for weeks prior to the event.

If you are visiting Guatemala during the time of independence day, be respectful and only observe the altars from a distance. It’s important not to touch anything!

4. Marching bands and parades

It’s Latin America, and it wouldn’t be Latin America without music, bands and dancing in the street, would it?! Of course, Guatemala Independence Day is no exception – and you will see the streets lined with marching bands, processions and live music in all of the major cities, towns and villages.

There are both adult and high school bands, where musicians would have been practising for up to 9-12 months prior. Watching the bands perform with such passion and enjoyment is one of the best traditions during Guatemalan Independence Day.

5. The Guatemala Independence Day torch

The torch run usually takes place the day before Independence Day (14 September). On this day, there is a nationwide ‘run’ with torches to symbolise an eternal flame and eternal independence gained from Spain.

History goes that the day Guatemala claimed independence, a messenger rode on horseback for days on end with a lit torch. This tradition is to honour this day and the man’s message of independence.

The original flame is lit in Guatemala City, with locals and organisations lighting smaller torches from it. They are then known to ‘run’ to different parts of the country and continue the celebrations.

Anyone can join in with the run – including tourists. And you don’t even need to be holding a torch, you can simply join in with the hundreds of people you see running with one!

6. The raising of the flag

Izar la bandera is the raising of the flag during Guatemala’s Independence Day. It is known to be one of the more serious and solemn events, with parks, plazas and villages taking part across the country.

This is a great time to be holding the flags you may have already bought; although you can expect the flag being raised to be gigantic in size!

The raising of the flag usually takes place on September 14 around 6pm, and is followed by fireworks, music, dancing and celebrations.

7. Fireworks

Like most Latin American countries, Guatemala loves fireworks (fuegos artificiales). Locals don’t need much of an event to let off some fireworks and celebrate. So can you imagine the colours and sounds during Guatemala Independence Day?!

You can either buy some fireworks to set off yourself (somewhere safe to do so, not in the middle of a crowd, obviously) or watch the giant firework displays in the cities. There are official firework shows at different times in various locations.

You can also expect many los cuetes to be thrown into the air during this time. These miniature explosives make a loud noise and are named either ‘little volcanoes’ or ‘little stars’. They’re crazy, but they’re a lot of fun!

8. Singing of the National Anthem

Guatemala’s National Anthem is el Himno Nacional de Guatemala, which was written and composed almost 200 years ago.

Guatemalans take singing the national anthem seriously, and it is something they are proud of. During Guatemala Independence Day, hundreds, if not thousands, of locals, will gather to sing together. You can just imagine how moving this is!

Even if you are not sure of the words or the anthem, be respectful by standing, and placing your right hand over your heart.

9. Theatre performances

There are often plays, theatre performances, dances and stories told across Guatemala around Independence Day. This is a way to tell the history of the country in a fun and engaging way. Expect elaborate costumes, set designs and dramatic battle scenes.

Guatemalans are known for passing down history and tradition orally, so theatre performances are popular and are a way to teach country legends and tales.

10. Certain businesses will be closed and schools on holiday

Finally, expect most businesses to be closed and schools to be off during Guatemala Independence Day. This time of year is known for spending time with family and friends, so prices for accommodation or activities may be a little higher!

Guatemala Independence Day Food

One of the best things about the Guatemala Independence Day is the food. If you know anything about me and my blog, you’ll know how much I love trying new foods – and Guatemala was one of our favourite countries for street food.

On Guatemala Independence Day, there will be a large number of street vendors and street foods selling the best local dishes you can get. Walk around, have a look for your favourites and dig in. Top tip – the ones with the biggest lines are least likely to make you sick or have poor-quality food.

Fussy eater? We found Antigua to have some Western foods too – such as burgers, hotdogs and french fries!

Here are some traditional foods you should try on Guatemala Independence Day!

1. Guatemalan tacos

Guatemalan tacos (tacos dorados) were one of my favourite foods when in the country. Made from corn tortillas, you can opt for either veggie or meat wrapped and deep-fried. Then the best part – they are covered in toppings such as salsa, coriander, red cabbage, additional salad and of course, layers of delicious queso (cheese).

2. Tostadas

Tostadas are large, flat tortillas which have been deep-fried. Think of it like a big, tasty crisp with lots of toppings. Again, they can be either topped with meat or vegetarian options, and I found the best to be cheese, salsa and guacamole.

3. Tamales

Tamales are as popular in Guatemala as they are in Mexico. Wrapped in a neat little banana leaf, tamales are a mixture of rice, potato and corn. Then you choose the filling – meat or vegetarian. They’re cheap, tasty and are a perfect on-the-go food!

4. Guatemalan candies (Dulces típicos)

If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, you will be able to find postres (desserts) and Guatemalan candies in all of the street food markets. There are many different types, such as soft and chewy sticks, and balls of rolled sugar.

5. Hot corn drink (Atol de Elote)

Atol de Elote is a traditional drink made from corn. It has a strong smell and is served hot. Many street vendors will pour you a polystyrene cup full from a large silver pot. It’s similar to soup – expect it to be creamy and have solid pieces of corn in it.

Atol de Elote is one of the most common and traditional Guatemalan street foods, so be sure to try it!

Where to celebrate Guatemala Independence Day

You can celebrate Guatemala Independence Day all over the country, but some of the best locations include Guatemala City, Antigua or Quetzaltenango (Xela).

Antigua was one of our favourite places in Guatemala (well, actually in the world), and I highly recommend staying in Antigua for Guatemala Independence Day. It’s a celebration like no other with a backdrop of towering volcanoes, colourful colonial buildings and cobbled streets.

If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, booking a traditional Mayan homestay on Lake Atitlan is also a great idea.

Lake Atitlan is also home to some of the best Spanish schools in the country. If you have the luxury of time and budget, booking a week in a homestay whilst learning Spanish is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Most schools even run extracurricular activities, such as movie nights, weekend hikes, day trips and salsa classes! There will be big celebrations and parties around Guatemala Independence Day, so it’s a great time to check out the schools, get social and make new friends.

If you’re unsure about what’s included and how the week would work, check out my full guide to Lake Atitlan Spanish schools here!

Related posts: 3 Days in Antigua | Day Trips from Antigua, Guatemala | Lake Atitlan Towns & What Each One Is Best For

Where to stay when celebrating Guatemala Independence Day as a Tourist

For celebrating Guatemala Independence Day in Antigua, I recommend the following hostels and hotels:

• Somos: a social hostel with amazing rooftop views
• Hostel Antigueno: another social hostel with a large communal garden
• The Purpose Hostel: beautiful rooftop views of all 3 volcanos 
• Barbara’s Boutique: for a more luxurious stay in Antigua

Prefer to stay in either Guatemala City or Quetzaltenango? Check out the links below!

➡ Best hostels and hotels in Guatemala City.

➡ Best hostels and hotels in Quetzaltenango (Xela).

Guatemalan Independence Day: FAQs

1) When and how did Guatemala gain independence?

Guatemala achieved independence from Spain in 1821, during a public meeting in Guatemala City. Over the next 26 years, the country would be forced under the control of different countries and states, until official independence was declared in 1847. Guatemala then had its own president and was regarded as an independent republic.

2) What is the day of independence in Guatemala?

Guatemalan Independence Day is celebrated on September 15th every year, regardless of what day it falls on. It is a nationwide holiday also known as Guatemala’s National Day, that celebrates the fact Guatemala is its own independent country.

It is a time when locals celebrate and show pride in their country.

3) Does Guatemala have a traditional national dress?

Yes. As there are still many Mayans living in Guatemala, the national dress is indigenous Mayan clothing. You will see many women and children dressed in national dress all over Guatemala. It typically consists of colourful blouses (a huipil), and a skirt (corte) secured with a rope belt.

Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America

If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.

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Guatemala Independence Day: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about Independence Day in Guatemala. When you’re planning a trip to Guatemala, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Guatemala content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

🇬🇹 Where to next?

• Is Guatemala Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice
• 2 Weeks In Guatemala: Perfect Itinerary
• Best Time to Visit Guatemala: Complete Guide
• 3 Days in Antigua Guatemala: The Perfect Itinerary
• 15 BEST Day Trips From Antigua, Guatemala