Unique New Years Traditions of Latin America
Latin American traditions for the New Year are both unique and fascinating! The start of a new calendar year provides the opportunity to reset and begin a new chapter for people all over the world, and Latin America is no exception. Each country has its own special New Year’s Eve traditions, although there is often some overlapping across regions. Like in the United States,...Read More
Christmas Festivities in Costa Rica
La Navidad en Costa Rica (Christmas in Costa Rica), just like in every culturally Catholic country, is the best time of the year. While it is not your traditional white, and snowy Christmas, Costa Ricans celebrate Christmas in their own way. They put up the tree and tangle the little lights around it. While 17% of Costa Ricans do not incline towards any religion, 52% of them declare...Read More
Spectacular Little Candles Day in Colombia
The Day of the Little Candles in Colombia is one of the most fascinating and popular traditions that take place during the Christmas season. Keep reading to learn about the famous Día de las Velitas, when it’s celebrated, and how it started. Discover similar traditions from different cultures and find out how the Day of the Little Candles is celebrated in different regions of...Read More
Pascua Flower: Why Is It a Christmas Symbol?
La flor de pascua, the pascua flower, is a flower closely related to Christmas. Many people, especially in Latin America, put the pascua flower on a pot and use it as an ornament to decorate their houses and give them a more cozy look. Its scientific name is Euphorbia pulcherrima, but you might know it in English as the poinsettia. In Spanish, it has several different names that...Read More
Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez: First Latin American in Space
Let me introduce you to the first Latin American man to fly in space, Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez. Not only is he the first Latin American, but he also holds the title of the first person of African descent and the first Cuban to fly to space. A man who struggled during his childhood, Arnaldo Tamyo Méndez was always willing to fight for his country, for his people, and their rights. He...Read More
Explore the Dominican Republic: A Valuable Destination for Spanish Learners
The Dominican Republic is the second-largest country in the Caribbean and a paradise for travelers. The island is known for its uncharted beaches, warm people, delicious flavors, diversity, and more. The official language is also Spanish, making the Dominican Republic a valuable destination for Spanish immersion. Republica Dominicana | © Jeff/Flickr A trip to Republica Dominicana is...Read More
UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in Venezuela
Discover the national heritage sites of Spectacular Venezuela! From its tasty cuisine to unique hiking mountains in the shape of tabletops, this magical country has much to offer to expert travelers like yourself. In this post, you will learn what UNESCO is, what does the label means, the three UNESCO world heritage sites in Venezuela, and links to get all of the details for your...Read More
Joropo: Venezuela’s Traditional Dance
Venezuela’s traditional dance is called Joropo. Its name and characteristics are an amalgamation of history and culture that I will unravel in this blog post. Join me in exploring the Venezuelan authentic traditional dance, declared Patrimonio Cultural de la Nación (National Cultural Heritage) in 2014. Joropo | © Diego Tabares/Pereira/Flickr The Arrival of Joropo in...Read More
Mayan Languages Spoken in Guatemala
Language in Guatemala is a curious thing. One of the first things we are taught in school is that Guatemala is un país multilingüe y pluricultural (a multilingual and pluricultural country). It is amazing how, after hundreds of years, wars, changes, and adaptations, we can still experience part of what the Mayan civilization was, not only by visiting ancient Mayan sites but also...Read More