GuatemalaFood and Drink

You can’t explore Guatemala without indulging in its traditional cuisine, a flavourful fusion of Indigenous Mayan, Spanish, and African culinary traditions. Guatemalan cuisine brings together Central American ingredients like beans, corn, chilies, and tomatoes in enticing combinations influenced by Spanish cooking styles. Delicious stews are simmered for hours to get a rich depth of flavours, and every dish brings a complex mix of spices together in uniquely Guatemalan aromas. You’ll see familiar ingredients, like Hass avocados, corn tortillas, squash, and chicken, but the flavours will leave your taste buds in awe.

Guatemala’s answer to Mexico’s salsa is chirmol, which isn’t necessarily spicy but always packs a flavourful punch. The main ingredients are tomatoes, onions, lime, mint, and cilantro though every cook has their own secret ingredient that makes this one of the best ways to see how different Guatemalan food can be in each region of the country.

Schedule some time in your Guatemala vacation for long meals, cooking classes, and market tours to experience everything this exceptional cuisine has to offer—and be ready for some spice. Guatemalan dishes are famously spicy, which is why you should pair your meal with one of Guatemala’s signature sweet drinks.

In Guatemala, every meal is a celebration of the country's rich cultural heritage, with each bite telling a story of its history and diverse influences.

What is Guatemala's traditional cuisine?

The most traditional stew that you’ll see everywhere in Guatemala is the pepián de pollo, which is nothing like your average chicken soup. Pepían de pollo’s rich, creamy broth is the product of many ingredients roasted separately before being blended. This ancient Mayan dish showcases the country's love for bold flavours and complex tastes. You’ll taste red and black chilies, tomatoes, tomatillos, cilantro, sesame seeds, and other spices. Some versions replace the chicken with pork or beef, but turkey is the most traditional. Equally popular is "Kak'ik," a spicy turkey soup originating from the Q'eqchi' Maya community, celebrated for its unique blend of chillies and local spices.

Tamales in Guatemala are steamed in banana leaves, rather than corn husks, and can have any number of delectable ingredients cooked into the corn dough. Tamales steamed in corn husks are called chuchitos and they have similar ingredients. In the mountains of Guatemala you’ll find paches, a potato version of the tamale, wrapped in platanillo leaves.

Temper your spicy meals with a sweet drink. Guatemala has an abundance of delicious beverages to beat the heat, both from the weather and the food. Several traditional drinks are based in corn, like atol de elote, boj, and chicha, which are all a bit sweet, though the fruit drinks can be much more so. Horchata is a refreshing and slightly sweet drink made with rice milk and topped with a dusting of cinnamon. If you want to choose your own mix of fruits for a smoothie, order a licuado.

The most unusual fruit beverage you’ll see is the yellow, tangy refresco de súchiles, made with pineapple, corn, and a fruit called jocote, a relative of the cashew family. Refresco de tamarindo is another tangy drink served with plenty of ice and a bit of sugar. If you want something not made with fruit, try the bright magenta coloured rosa de jamaica, made with hibiscus flowers. 

For those with a sweet tooth, "Dulce de Leche" reigns supreme. This caramel-like milk confection is used in various desserts, including the beloved "Dulce de Leche-filled Plantains." Guatemalan coffee, renowned globally for its high quality and distinctive flavour, is also a must-try if you’re a coffee lover. 

What is the dining etiquette in Guatemala?

Guatemalans are almost as formal with their dining etiquette as they are in their careful dress. The most important custom to note is that guests always wait until their host begins eating to dig in. Use utensils as if you were in Europe, with the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left. However, many Guatemalan dishes are eaten with spoons and tortillas. If you see everybody around the table scooping up food with tortillas, feel free to drop the utensils. It’s polite to finish your plate to show that you enjoyed the meal.

What is the drinking etiquette in Guatemala?

Guatemala has a profusion of delicious non-alcoholic drinks, which are more prevalent than alcoholic drinks. However, it’s common to drink a cold beer, on a hot afternoon, especially when meeting up with friends. Two common fermented drinks that are lightly alcoholic are cusha, made from pineapple rinds, and chicha, made from corn. Drinking in public is not common but not frowned upon either. Try to stick to only one or two drinks unless you’re at a private home or in your hotel.

Does Guatemala cater to dietary restrictions?

Many Guatemalan meals are based on rice and corn, making this a relatively easy country for gluten-intolerant travellers. The farther you get from a city, the less likely you are to encounter wheat as cuisine in rural areas has less Spanish influence. Vegetarians and vegans will find dozens of combinations of beans, rice, and corn, though the most traditional dishes, especially rich stews like pepián and kak’ik, have meat in them. Be aware that beans are often cooked with lard or beef stock, so check with the server before assuming that a bean dish is vegetarian. Milk is not a common ingredient, so lactose-intolerant travellers shouldn’t have problems in Guatemala. Travellers who keep kosher or halal may feel safer sticking to a vegetarian diet as pork is used in many dishes and lard is often used instead of butter or oil.

What do meals typically cost in Guatemala?

Meals at markets or local restaurants cost around $10 but you will need to speak Spanish or be willing to work around linguistic barriers. Don’t let this scare you away though! Some of Guatemala’s best regional dishes and freshest foods are found at markets and small, family-run establishments. 

Restaurant meals cost $20-50 and you should expect establishments who invest in multilingual staff to be on the spendier side. In general, if the menu is in multiple languages, and your server speaks English, meals will cost $40-50. Don’t forget to tip at least 10% in elegant restaurants.