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Guatemala🇬🇹 | festivalsFestival de Barriletes Gigantes20-meter barriletes, Sumpango field, kite crews, All Saints | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in de Barriletes Gigantes
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026

The chicken bus from Antigua dropped me at the Sumpango turnoff, and I walked the last stretch behind a family hauling a bamboo frame taller than the bus, tissue paper rattling like dry leaves in the diesel haze. Festival de Barriletes Gigantes happens every November 1 in Sumpango and Santiago Sacatepéquez, in the highlands of Guatemala west of Guatemala City. Sumpango’s field shows kites up to 20 meters across, glued from tissue paper, with painted messages for the dead. Expect smoky fried-food stalls, fiambre on plastic plates, brass bands and a packed crowd that smells of woodsmoke and paper glue. Entry is cheap, roads jam, and you must go early. It is one long day, and the best views are from the slopes. It suits photographers, cultural travelers and anyone happy to be jostled. It won’t suit anyone who needs space, quiet or a flexible timetable.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Guatemala Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 festival in GuatemalaWhy de Barriletes Gigantes should be on your travel list

Festival de Barriletes Gigantes gets built into routes because November 1 is the one day Guatemala’s All Saints tradition turns visible on a huge scale. The kites are not decorations. Families spend months designing them, and the Sumpango field is where teams show messages about memory, politics and community, then fly the smaller ones to send greetings to the dead. You can watch crews raising frames by hand, tying lines and arguing over the wind, which gives you a front-row view of how a village works together.

The other reason is timing. The festival sits neatly beside Día de los Muertos on November 2, so you can pair it with the cemetery rituals in nearby towns and with the fiambre meals families share. It also costs far less than a typical music festival, with food stalls rather than … read more 👉
Festival de Barriletes Gigantes gets built into routes because November 1 is the one day Guatemala’s All Saints tradition turns visible on a huge scale. The kites are not decorations. Families spend months designing them, and the Sumpango field is where teams show messages about memory, politics and community, then fly the smaller ones to send greetings to the dead. You can watch crews raising frames by hand, tying lines and arguing over the wind, which gives you a front-row view of how a village works together.

The other reason is timing. The festival sits neatly beside Día de los Muertos on November 2, so you can pair it with the cemetery rituals in nearby towns and with the fiambre meals families share. It also costs far less than a typical music festival, with food stalls rather than ticketed packages. Antigua is the usual base for travelers, which makes it easy to add to a Guatemala loop through Lake Atitlán or Chichicastenango. If you are in the country in early November, you should plan around it.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. The giant kites of Sumpango: the headline attraction. Huge circular kites, some around 20 meters across, stand on frames in the field, each telling a story in paper, color and symbolism.
  2. Santiago Sacatepéquez kite field: a more local version with its own style, famous for dense, detailed designs and a slightly more manageable crowd.
  3. Flying the small kites: families send up smaller barriletes to carry messages to the dead. The sky fills with color, and you can hear the paper snap in the wind.
  4. Fiambre and festival food: the cold-cut salad eaten for All Saints, plus fried plantains, tamales and corn drinks sold from stalls around the grounds.
  5. Kite-building teams at work: watching crews raise, tie and balance frames in the field is a lesson in patience and teamwork, and the kite-makers tend to be
… read more 👉
  1. The giant kites of Sumpango: the headline attraction. Huge circular kites, some around 20 meters across, stand on frames in the field, each telling a story in paper, color and symbolism.
  2. Santiago Sacatepéquez kite field: a more local version with its own style, famous for dense, detailed designs and a slightly more manageable crowd.
  3. Flying the small kites: families send up smaller barriletes to carry messages to the dead. The sky fills with color, and you can hear the paper snap in the wind.
  4. Fiambre and festival food: the cold-cut salad eaten for All Saints, plus fried plantains, tamales and corn drinks sold from stalls around the grounds.
  5. Kite-building teams at work: watching crews raise, tie and balance frames in the field is a lesson in patience and teamwork, and the kite-makers tend to be glad to explain the symbolism.
Festival de Barriletes Gigantes works well when you combine the Sumpango field in the morning with the Santiago Sacatepéquez kites in the afternoon, since the two towns are close together.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

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🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Festival de Barriletes Gigantes?

Festival de Barriletes Gigantes takes place every year on November 1 (All Saints’ Day) in the cemetery of Santiago Sacatepéquez, about 30 km northwest of Guatemala City and at the field beside the cemetery in nearby Sumpango, and the main flying day lasts from morning to late afternoon.
  • Best part: Arrive for the morning, when the giant kites (some up to 20 m across) are raised on bamboo frames and the crowd is still thin. Midday is the most packed, and the afternoon is the best window for flying in the breeze.
  • Weather: Expect 14 to 24°C (57 to 75°F) with cool, breezy mornings, sun at midday and a chance of a light shower. Bring a fleece, a rain shell, sun protection and closed shoes for dusty, uneven ground.
  • Booking: Reserve beds in Antigua or Guatemala City 3 to 4 weeks ahead, since rates can
… read more 👉
Festival de Barriletes Gigantes takes place every year on November 1 (All Saints’ Day) in the cemetery of Santiago Sacatepéquez, about 30 km northwest of Guatemala City and at the field beside the cemetery in nearby Sumpango, and the main flying day lasts from morning to late afternoon.
  • Best part: Arrive for the morning, when the giant kites (some up to 20 m across) are raised on bamboo frames and the crowd is still thin. Midday is the most packed, and the afternoon is the best window for flying in the breeze.
  • Weather: Expect 14 to 24°C (57 to 75°F) with cool, breezy mornings, sun at midday and a chance of a light shower. Bring a fleece, a rain shell, sun protection and closed shoes for dusty, uneven ground.
  • Booking: Reserve beds in Antigua or Guatemala City 3 to 4 weeks ahead, since rates can rise 20 to 50 percent around the holiday.
  • Crowds and roads: Leave before 7 a.m. to beat traffic on the Pan-American Highway, and plan to depart before 3 p.m. to avoid the jammed return.
Arrive early and leave before the afternoon crush.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala is the best base for backpackers, and it sits roughly 45 minutes to 1.5 hours from the kite grounds depending on traffic. The cobbled center is compact, walkable and well lit, with the country’s densest cluster of dorms, rooftop terraces and shared kitchens. Solo travelers meet easily here, and groups often split a shuttle or taxi to the festival in the morning, which cuts the cost and the hassle of finding the right chicken bus connection.

The streets around the central park and the blocks toward La Merced are the most convenient and feel safe at night, though you should still … read more 👉
Antigua Guatemala is the best base for backpackers, and it sits roughly 45 minutes to 1.5 hours from the kite grounds depending on traffic. The cobbled center is compact, walkable and well lit, with the country’s densest cluster of dorms, rooftop terraces and shared kitchens. Solo travelers meet easily here, and groups often split a shuttle or taxi to the festival in the morning, which cuts the cost and the hassle of finding the right chicken bus connection.

The streets around the central park and the blocks toward La Merced are the most convenient and feel safe at night, though you should still stick to the main lit roads after dark. Book early, because November 1 and the days around it fill up quickly with Guatemalan families and international visitors.

Guatemala City’s Zona 1 and Zona 4 are alternatives if you want a shorter ride, around 1 hour in traffic on a normal day. Zona 4 is the safer, more modern choice with cafés and a growing hostel scene, while Zona 1 is cheaper but rougher after dark, so take taxis rather than walking at night.

Staying in the villages near the festival is possible with homestays, but options are limited and fill fast. Most budget travelers choose Antigua for the social atmosphere and easy onward travel.
Best hostels in Guatemala


Best quality hotels in Guatemala

👛 Costs (as of 23 October 2026)How expensive it really is

A day at Festival de Barriletes Gigantes costs roughly US$30 to 90 per person for an independent traveler based in Antigua, about US$66 in high season.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$2 to 7Entry to the Santiago Sacatepéquez grounds is cheap or free, while the Sumpango field charges a small fee. Sumpango fees are paid in cash at the gate.
AccommodationUS$12 to 35Dorms in Antigua cost around US$12 to 20 in high season, and private rooms US$30 to 60. Prices jump 20 to 50 percent around November 1.
Local transportUS$5 to 18Chicken buses from Antigua or Guatemala City with transfers cost US$2 to 5 each way. Shared shuttles or taxis run US$8 to 15 per person.
Food & drinksUS$8 to 20Stall snacks cost US$0.50 to 3, a plate of fiambre US$3 to 7, and a sit-down meal in Antigua US$6
… read more 👉
A day at Festival de Barriletes Gigantes costs roughly US$30 to 90 per person for an independent traveler based in Antigua, about US$66 in high season.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$2 to 7Entry to the Santiago Sacatepéquez grounds is cheap or free, while the Sumpango field charges a small fee. Sumpango fees are paid in cash at the gate.
AccommodationUS$12 to 35Dorms in Antigua cost around US$12 to 20 in high season, and private rooms US$30 to 60. Prices jump 20 to 50 percent around November 1.
Local transportUS$5 to 18Chicken buses from Antigua or Guatemala City with transfers cost US$2 to 5 each way. Shared shuttles or taxis run US$8 to 15 per person.
Food & drinksUS$8 to 20Stall snacks cost US$0.50 to 3, a plate of fiambre US$3 to 7, and a sit-down meal in Antigua US$6 to 12.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$3 to 10Allow for water, sunscreen, a layer for cool mornings, small souvenirs and tips for guides or local helpers.
Total Daily BudgetUS$30 to 90About US$66 for a typical high-season day with a dorm bed, shared transport and stall food.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodEating & Drinking in de Barriletes Gigantes

Food at Festival de Barriletes Gigantes revolves around fiambre, the cold salad of cured meats, cheeses, pickled vegetables and sausages that Guatemalan families make only around All Saints’ Day. Many families eat it picnic-style among the graves and kites, and you will smell it before you see it. If you get a chance to try a plate from a stall or a friendly family, take it. It is salty, tangy and unlike anything else you will eat in the country.

Around the grounds, stalls sell chuchitos (small steamed tamales), tostadas, elotes locos (corn with mayo, ketchup and mustard), chicharrones, grilled meats and fresh tortillas. For sweets, look for dulces típicos and ayote en miel (squash cooked in syrup), a seasonal favorite. For drinks, there is atol de elote, hot and sweet, which is excellent … read more 👉
Food at Festival de Barriletes Gigantes revolves around fiambre, the cold salad of cured meats, cheeses, pickled vegetables and sausages that Guatemalan families make only around All Saints’ Day. Many families eat it picnic-style among the graves and kites, and you will smell it before you see it. If you get a chance to try a plate from a stall or a friendly family, take it. It is salty, tangy and unlike anything else you will eat in the country.

Around the grounds, stalls sell chuchitos (small steamed tamales), tostadas, elotes locos (corn with mayo, ketchup and mustard), chicharrones, grilled meats and fresh tortillas. For sweets, look for dulces típicos and ayote en miel (squash cooked in syrup), a seasonal favorite. For drinks, there is atol de elote, hot and sweet, which is excellent in the cool morning air, plus fresh fruit juices, soda and beer.

Bring small bills in quetzales, as nearly every stall is cash only and change for big notes runs short. Portions are small and cheap, so sample several rather than commit to one. Lines move quickly, but the busiest stalls run out by early afternoon, so eat before 1 p.m. Wash your hands and choose stalls with high turnover and hot food to keep your stomach happy. Sit where locals do, and accept offers to share.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Festival de Barriletes Gigantes takes place every year on November 1, All Saints’ Day, and lasts a single day. The main events run in Santiago Sacatepéquez and nearby Sumpango, both about 30 to 40 km northwest of Guatemala City. Kite raising starts in the morning, and the crowds peak around midday.
Attending Festival de Barriletes Gigantes costs little: entry is free to about US$7 depending on the site, and a day trip from Antigua or Guatemala City runs roughly US$30 to 90 in total. Chicken buses cost around US$2 to 5 each way, while a shared shuttle or taxi is US$8 to 15. Food stalls charge US$0.50 to 7, and beds in Antigua cost more than usual around the date.
Festival de Barriletes Gigantes does not usually require advance tickets, since entry is paid at the gate in cash or is free depending on the site. What you do need to book early is accommodation, ideally 3 to 4 weeks ahead in Antigua or Guatemala City. Arrive before 8 a.m. to avoid long queues and heavy traffic on the highway.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Guatemalan festivals near de Barriletes Gigantes

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Festival de Barriletes Gigantes looks like a visual spectacle, but the small kites are the heart of it, flown as messages to the dead. I would arrive early, skip the biggest crowds by moving to the field’s edges, and spend time with a family flying one rather than only photographing the giants.

✈️ When did I visit Guatemala?
Guatemala I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Guatemala, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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