Sumpango Kite Festival, Guatemala

Sumpango Kite Festival

Sacatepéquez, Guatemala

Every year, in Sumpango, Sacatepéquez, a giant kite festival is held on the 31^st October and 1^st November (all Saints day). The festival is held in the villages cemetery, where Guatemalans flock to pay respect to the dead at this time of year.

Sumpango cemetery

 

At this time of year, Cemeteries across Guatemala are more colourful than ever, as relatives lovingly clean resting places of those that have left this earth, laying brightly coloured flowers and decorations, playing music, sharing stories and generally gathering.

 

Musicians

In Sumpango, kites were being flown across the cemetery, from smaller ones held by family members, to the gigantic 10 meter high beasts!

Kites at Sumpango

I expected to 'pop in' and check the kites out, and then be on my way. I arrived around lunch time, and the whole area just got busier and busier as the day went on....I just couldn't tear myself away!

The place filled up as the day went on...

There were food stalls, places selling beer, plenty of places renting out bathrooms, and plenty of opportunity to buy some great traditional souvenirs  at very reasonable prices.

Food and drink stalls

To get in, we hailed a few different chicken buses from Trebol, in Guatemala city, until we discovered one that was heading for Sumpango, paid a few quetzal and were on our way.

The crowd, craning to get a good look

Once there, you don’t have to worry about finding the cemetery as there are so many people heading that way (locals and tourists alike)

Preparing the kites to be flown

I had a really good, fun filled day. The atmosphere was a jovial, fun filled one, and although in the mountains, the sun was strong and so it wasn’t cold as I had expected.

Ready to go

If you are in Guatemala at this time of year, it is seriously worth a trip!An amazing free event that gives you a glimpse into the wonderful Guatemalan culture.

Palenque Ruins

Palenque ruins; steeped in jungle 

The ruins in Palenque are just a few kilometres from the town of Palenque. There are some lovely hotels both inside and on the outskirts of the National park in which Palenque is situated, as well as El Panchan (see blogpost). Two people can get a basic room for around $250 pesos. I can recommend hotel Canek, near the park in the town (the owners are a lovely friendly couple, the hotel has a nice terrace, comes with internet and is fresh and clean) and hotel Jaguar at el Panchan.

Palenque town

Entrance to the National park is 28 pesos, with an additional 59 pesos to enter the ruins and/or museum. I recommend 2-3 hours to explore the ruins.... we wore casual clothes and flip flops but I would recommend sneakers or walking boots, as there are a fair few steps to climb, and as the ruins and still swathed in jungle, it can get slippery after a little rain.

Palenque Ruins 

Souvenirs are cheaper in Palenque (at the ruins and in the town) than the other places we visited (Merida, Piste/Chichen Itza and Tulum), so stock up now; as its the same things across Yucatan.

In the town itself, there's not so much to do, but in the Palenque area you can partake in a host of traditional Mexican rituals, such as Peyote and Temezcal.... I have contact details for a local guy who hosts such ceremonies; and carries out the same ritual whether its for local, tourists or friends. 

El Panchan, Palenque 

Supposedly a 'legendary hippie hangout', this small collection of cabanas and restaurants nestled in the jungle on the outskirts of the Palenque National park is beautiful, but really just to pass the nights while you explore the National park and ruins.

For someone who loves nature, and the jungle, there is far too much concrete going on here and not enough spots to just sit and enjoy nature. There are two main restaurants and one small eatery - the staff of all three can be rude and tip-grabbing. The rooms are all pretty basic and all smell damp and there is an abundance of mosquitoes, despite there being a beautiful fresh water stream running through the place (probably due to all the concrete and tiling throughout the place).

Having said that, the stream that does run through El Panchan really is beautiful, and despite there being so many people, and live music every evening; there is an astounding array of wildlife. The howler monkeys can be seen (and heard) in very close proximity, as well as various birds, butterflies and creatures in and around the stream.

We met some wonderful locals and I was invited to a beautiful Mayan ceremony for day of the dead; where I learnt a lot about the culture of the Maya and how it is being revived; as well as hearing the most beautiful singing and drumming.

The local area is definitely a mystical place, bursting with energy, and I will certainly be returning; and despite its concrete and bad waiting staff, will probably be staying in El Panchan again!

In conclusion, this place is in a beautiful setting with amazing wildlife everywhere you look, and some interesting and insightful locals. In my opinion it needs a real 're-naturising'; with concrete and old disused structures being removed, trash being picked up, and some more natural structures being built.