Hours of Operation

Most banks are open 9 to 4, but some stay open until 7 pm and many keep Saturday hours until noon. Many museums are closed Monday. Most have normal business hours, but some close for a couple of hours at midday. Tikal opens daily 8 to 6. Shops are generally open 10 to 7, many closing for a 1 to 3 lunch break. Small grocery stores known as tiendas usually keep longer hours than these.

Holidays

Año Nuevo (New Year's Day), January 1; Semana Santa (Holy Thursday through Easter); Día del Trabajador (Labor Day), May 1; Día del Ejército (Army Day), June 30; Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Feast of the Assumption), August 15 (Guatemala City only); Día de la Independencia (Independence Day), September 15; Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day), October 20; Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day), November 1; Navidad (Christmas), December 25. At this writing, Guatemala's congress is debating a bill that would move some secular holidays to the nearest Monday. Each town and region also has its own fiesta (festival), where carnival-like celebrations can last a whole week.