Posaditas in Antigua Guatemala
- 3–4 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Las Posaditas are extremely important in Guatemala, as it was the first country in America Continent to adopt this practice, which strengthens both the home and spiritual relationships. Introduced in the16th century (1723) by Friar Hermano Pedro de Betancourt, he traveled from the Canary Islands in Spain to Antigua Guatemala and founded the Bethlemite Order. He soon realized how much Guatemala Culture is focus on family values and invited everyone to receive in their homes a Procession symbolizing only Virgen Mary and Saint Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, looking for the inn where Christ was to be born. Later in time, this procession evolved into a larger pilgrimage where families, from children to grown ups, had a special rol, blending prehispanic elements such as Chirimilla, colorful lanterns that light up the path or Huehuetl, a guatemalan drum, turning the experience into an authentic celebration and perfect moment to bond community and life leasons for the new generations.
Inclusions
What's included
- Bottled water
- Entrance fee
- Chiken Bus
- Snacks
What's not
- Lunch
Itinerary
A lively performance, also called "pastorela," a theatrical play depicting the shepherds welcoming Jesus. With colonial influences, it tells the story leading up to Jesus' birth. Enjoy this beautiful moment filled with light, music, art and creativity. An experience that collectively strengthens community ties and cultural identity
After a touching moment, a ten-minute walk will lead us to admire the artwork created by local artisans and artists, a deeply rooted tradition in Antigua Guatemala. The figures and decorative elements recreate Guatemalan end-of-year traditions, blending regional authenticity with New World influences, and depict the Bethlehem scene culminating in the birth of Jesus. It's essential to understand that the creation of nativity scenes in Guatemala has become, over time, a symbol of family strength, unity, and devotion. Often adorned with natural plants, fountains, colored sawdust, and stones, each scene creates a unique atmosphere at home. Every nativity scene reflects the family's creativity and can vary in complexity and style.
We will walk by since the main street that connects El Manchen and Main Square is 5th Avenue or Santa Catalina Arch Street. We complete our wonderful experience and everybody walks on their own back to their place, we use as an easy reference La Merced Church as this will take you directly back to the Main Squar
Concluding your visit to the previous work of art, we will jump into your mini chicken bus for 15 minutes drive to El Manchen. Posadita Elements: Host family: This is the home that has the honor of being chosen to be the house visited and receives Mary and Joseph along with the community that goes in a pilgrimage-like manner, with multiple homes in the neighborhood participating. Pilgrims: Along with children, young people, and adults, singing the posada songs and follow the procession from house to house. Traditional Musical Instruments: such as the turtle shell, chinchines, and trumpets, among others. Christmas Carols and traditional songs: Pilgrims and children sing to ask for lodging. Food and Decoration: Seasonal foods such as fruit punch, tamales, atol, and sweets are shared, homes are decorated with lights, cellophane paper decorations, and tin cans for lanterns Pinata: Generally a pinata is broken at the end representing how we brake with all the sins in this world.
We use La Merced Church as a reference to walk back after our wonderful experience.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Find us between the Santa Catarina arch and Las Capuchinas Convent. The Columbus Guatemala Travel Team will be waiting for you at Casa Mandarina, a colonial co-working with yellow facade. When you arrive, discover Kaldi and Kapra, your favorite Coffee House and finally go to office No 8 next.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 10 travellers
- Operated by
- Columbus Guatemala Travel S.A.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
How it compares in Antigua
- Its from-price is 29% below the median of the 411 experiences we list in Antigua.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Antigua
Antigua Guatemala is a colonial city of cobbled streets, ruined churches and pastel façades, ringed by three volcanoes in the Guatemalan highlands.
Antigua was the capital of Spanish Guatemala until earthquakes in 1773 led to the move of the government to the present capital. The grid of cobbled streets and low colonial houses survived, together with the ruins of grand churches and convents, and the town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The yellow Santa Catalina Arch, with its clock tower, frames Volcán de Agua at the end of a street.
Top-ranked sights in Antigua: Antigua Central Park (Parque Central), Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross), La Merced Church (Iglesia de la Merced).
Special offers in Antigua
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
10% offFree cancellation
