Frida Kahlo and Diego: Legends and Icons of Mexican Culture
Artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are two of the most iconic figures of Mexican culture. Through their modernist and post-revolutionary paintings and murals, they captured an era when the people wanted their power back. Indigenous roots and the origins of Mexicans were important to define national identity. And feminism was absent from the artistic field. Their influence...Read More
Brief History of Guatemala’s Only Public University: Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala
While there are several universities in Guatemala, there is only one public university in Guatemala, La Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Founded more than 300 years ago, this academic institution is the oldest university in Guatemala. It is home to leaders, intellectuals, and some of the most important political figures in Guatemala have been born. So, let’s learn a little bit...Read More
The Influential Sounds of Son Cubano in Cuba
Son cubano is a dancing and singing style from Cuba. It gained international fame around 1930. It’s one of the most influential genres of Latin American music. Thanks to son cubano, we have other popular genres like salsa. The word son means something close to “sound” or “tune.” It’s not exclusive to son cubano; others include son huasteco and son jarocho. Son cubano has...Read More
Top Urban Art and Street Sculptures in Costa Rica
What comes to your mind when someone says “Costa Rican art?” When we think about art, we usually think of baroque or realistic depictions that famous European artists created hundreds of years ago. When we think about Urban Art, however, our minds might travel to those colorful neighborhoods near New York. But did you know you can also find art like that in Latin America? In...Read More
13 Ways Halloween is Different From Day of the Dead
What’s the difference between Halloween and Day of the Dead? The similarities between Halloween and Day of the Dead are undeniable. People love these holidays for their decorations, costumes, traditions, food, and honoring the departed. If you’re learning Spanish or planning a trip to a Hispanic culture, it’s the perfect opportunity to understand the differences and...Read More
9 Quirky Facts About Pato: Argentina’s National Sport
Most people assume that the national game of Argentina is futból (soccer). While soccer is a favorite Argentinian sport, the national sport of Argentina is actually pato. This quirky sport dates back to the 17th century. It’s a combination of polo and basketball with an interesting history. Pato means duck in Spanish. In the past, people played this sport with live ducks....Read More
The Highs and Lows of Puerto Rico’s World-famous Coffee
Puerto Rico’s coffee history shows us the fluctuations this high-quality bean’s production has suffered due to the effects of nature, politics, and the economy. It all starts with hand-picked beans. Manual separation of the pulp and husk from the bean comes next, followed by the drying process. Lastly, workers sort the dried beans by color, size, and weight for them to go through the...Read More
How To Celebrate Mexico’s Day of the Dead Like a True Mexican
Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday where the living receives their beloved deceased ones in their homes. This tradition has both ancient and colonial roots. It attracts attention worldwide for “celebrating death.” This is a common misconception. Mexicans do not celebrate death but rather the reunion with their “dead” or muertitos (literally, “the little dead ones). ...Read More
Explore the Captivating Culture and History of Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a land of volcanoes and great lakes that is considered one of Central America’s best-kept secrets. The country is home to a variety of beautiful travel destinations such as islands, colonial towns, nature reserves, and uncharted beaches. A trip to Nicaragua is a fantastic Spanish immersion opportunity. Learning about the culture and exploring what Nicaragua has to offer,...Read More