Sumpango

Sumpango is a town of approximately 40,000 people located about 10 km northwest of Antigua Guatemala in Sacatepéquez department. It sits at roughly 1,900 metres elevation on the Pan-American Highway corridor. The town is predominantly Kaqchikel Maya and is famous throughout Guatemala for its giant kites (barriletes gigantes) flown during the Day of the Dead celebrations on November 1st.

The climate is cool for the region, with temperatures averaging 15–22°C due to the higher elevation. Mornings can be chilly, especially from November to February. The rainy season runs from May to October.

Sumpango is a working town with a strong sense of indigenous identity. While most international visitors come only for the kite festival, the town offers an authentic highland experience year-round.

By Plane

La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City is approximately 50 km east. From the airport, take a taxi or shuttle to Antigua (1 hour), then a bus to Sumpango (20 minutes), or head directly via the CA-1.

By Car / Road

Sumpango is located on the CA-1 (Pan-American Highway) about 20 minutes northwest of Antigua Guatemala and 15 minutes south of Chimaltenango. Chicken buses run frequently from Antigua and Chimaltenango for Q5–10. From Guatemala City, the drive takes about 1–1.5 hours via the CA-1.

The town centre is walkable. Tuk-tuks are available for local trips (Q5). The main kite-making workshops and the central plaza are all within walking distance of each other.

• Central plaza and parish church — a typical highland town square with a colonial-era church and surrounding community buildings

• Kite-making workshops — several family workshops produce the famous giant kites year-round; visitors can see the intricate process of constructing kites from bamboo and tissue paper

• Day of the Dead cemetery and kite field — on November 1st, the cemetery and surrounding fields become the site of Guatemala's most spectacular kite-flying event

• Visit during the Festival de Barriletes Gigantes (November 1) — giant kites up to 20 metres in diameter are flown over the cemetery to honour the dead, accompanied by music, food vendors, and thousands of visitors

• Tour kite-making workshops — learn about the traditional craft from local artisans who spend months constructing the elaborate kites

• Explore the local market — the daily market and larger weekend market sell fresh produce, textiles, and household goods

Comedores near the market and plaza serve typical Guatemalan meals: desayuno for Q15–25, almuerzo for Q20–30. During the kite festival, food vendors sell tamales, atol, and other traditional fare. The town has a few simple restaurants.

Bottled water is recommended. Shops sell soft drinks and beer. Traditional drinks like atol de elote (corn drink) are available at the market. There are a few small bars in town.

• Budget: Basic hospedajes in town for Q50–100 per night. Options fill up quickly during the kite festival.
• Mid-range: Limited. Chimaltenango (15 minutes) has more options. Antigua Guatemala (20 minutes) has a full range.
• Upscale / heritage: None in Sumpango.

The local market sells fresh produce, traditional textiles, and household goods. During the kite festival, miniature versions of the giant kites are sold as souvenirs for Q20–100. Handwoven huipiles (traditional blouses) and other textiles are available from local weavers.

• Antigua Guatemala (~10 km southeast) — the colonial capital
• Chimaltenango (~15 km north) — the departmental capital of Chimaltenango
• Santiago Sacatepequez (~3 km west) — another kite-flying town with its own Day of the Dead traditions
• San Lucas Sacatepequez (~8 km east) — a highland market town