volunteer vacations

Traditional Guatemalan cuisine is mainly shaped by the country’s Mayan and Spanish heritage, with additional influences from African and Caribbean cultures. Globe Aware volunteers have the chance to explore Guatemalan food during their volunteer vacation. Here’s what to look for!

Traditional Guatemalan Food

By Kirsten Hubbard
September 26, 2024
TRIPSAVVY

The country’s Mayan and Spanish cultures have primarily influenced traditional Guatemalan food and drink. However, they also received influences from African and Caribbean cultures. Nowadays, Guatemalan food is a mixture of many different international influences, such as Chinese, American, and the vegetarian movement.

Ready for a taste of Guatemalan food?

Breakfast

Guatemalan breakfasts typically include eggs, tortillas, beans, and plantains. Some are also served with cheese or cream. Many breakfasts in Guatemala take advantage of the country’s abundant tropical fruits like bananas, papaya, mangoes, and avocado. In some places, you might even get some oats. And of course, no breakfast is complete without a mug of world-class Guatemalan coffee.

Main Meals

Corn, beans, rice, pork, beef, chicken, cheese, and tortillas form the backbone of most Guatemalan cuisine. Meat stews (caldos) and soups (sopas) are easily the most popular dishes among locals. If you order roast chicken, don’t be startled if your meal comes with the feet still attached (rare, but not unknown).

By checking out the menus, you will discover that many meals in Guatemala resemble those of Mexico, Guatemala’s neighbor to the northwest. Guatemalan food such as nachos, tamales, and enchiladas is just as delicious as you’ll find in your favorite Mexican restaurant. Chinese restaurants, pizza places, and fried chicken stands are common in larger Guatemalan cities and towns.

Three of the main Guatemalan dishes:

• Chiles rellenos Are stuffed peppers with rice, cheese, meat, and vegetables. They are battered and fried and often topped with a spicy tomato sauce.
• Chicken pepian is the national dish of Guatemala. It consists of Chicken in a spicy sauce with pumpkin seeds and sesame.
• Kak’ik: A traditional Mayan turkey soup with spices like coriander, achiote, and chile peppers. A must-try.

Snacks and Sides

• Guacamole: Served with chips, fried plantains or as a topping to other Guatemalan food.
• Spiced mango: Sliced green mango, seasoned with chili and lime, sold from street carts.
• Tortillas: Thin, flat corn cakes, a staple in Guatemala food. These are very inexpensive and are sold everywhere.
• Nachos: They include all sorts of tasty toppings like cheese, refried beans, meat, cream, avocado, and peppers, and almost always include fresh hot chips. Delicious!
• Elotes: Roast ears of corn with cheese, lime, chili, and butter or mayonnaise.

Guatemalan Desserts

• Tres leches cake (Pastel de Tres Leches): This is a cold cake soaked in three types of milk, including evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and cream.
• Flan: A wobbly, golden-colored caramel custard with some liquid caramel on top.

Where to Eat and What You’ll Pay

Guatemala is one of the most inexpensive Central American countries, and accordingly, Guatemalan food is inexpensive compared to the U.S.. You’ll only find more U.S.-level prices in touristy destinations like Flores and Antigua Guatemala; and even there, you’ll find enough inexpensive options to stick to a lower budget.

International restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops are typical in well-trod areas. However, local eateries and street vendors are the best places to try traditional Guatemalan food (and less authentic, like fried chicken and french fries).