Semana Santa at lake atitlán
Semana Santa at Lake Atitlán
Published on 16/03/2026
In Guatemala, Easter is a pretty big deal. I have spent it at Lake Atitlán, so I can tell you my experiences there. In the week leading up to Easter weekend, several activities will already be held. It is a week in the name of Jesus, called the Semana Santa (Holy Week). As Jesus is the main focus, all other statues and pictures will be covered up with purple cloth, which is the colour of the Semana Santa. Next to that, there are several traditions. Members of the church will work all day in order to prepare everything. The women will mostly cook the traditional food and drinks, while the men construct arches with fruit hanging from them throughout the city. A lot of processions will take place, where people will walk the streets, often carrying a statue of Jesus with the cross. There will be several different processions, with fruit, music,traditional clothes, for men, women, children and everyone together.
This is all leading up to the friday. Using coloured sawdust and plants, carpets are constructed throughout the city centre, making the most beautiful patterns and artworks. The people of San Pedro work on them all night, so they can be ready in the early morning. They are absolutely gorgeous and there is a good atmosphere of people that are finishing up their carpets. They would even let us try! Afterwards, a big procession will come through and all the carpets will be cleaned up, having been temporary art. Then in the afternoon, you can check out San Juan, where the carpets are constructed later in the day. The Easter weekend itself is usually spent relaxing by most families that are not extremely religious. Read here about what you should NOT do during Easter weekend…..
