Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
coche
a pig, not a car, as in other parts of Latin America
cofradía
traditional political-religious organization present in some highland Mayan com-
munities
comedor
a simple eatery
corte
traditional wraparound skirt worn by Mayan women
costumbre
traditional Mayan religious practices that include offerings of flowers, candles,
and sometimes animal sacrifices
coyote
a smuggler of undocumented immigrants across Mexico and into the United States
criollo
Guatemalan of Spanish heritage
cucurucho
costumedcarriersofprocessionparadefloatsduringSemanaSantacelebrations
curandero
traditional healer or shaman
edificio
a building; used in street addresses in urban areas
encomienda
a colonial system enabling land-holders to exact tribute and labor from the
local indigenous population
farmacia de turno
a pharmacy that remains open all night on a rotating basis
finca
a farm of any type but usually referring to a coffee farm
hospedaje
inexpensive family-run accommodations
ingenio
a sugar mill
invierno
literally “winter” but used to describe the May-October rainy season
IVA
short for
impuesto al valor agregado
(value added tax) VAT; in Guatemala it's 12 per-
cent
ladino
a person of indigenous descent who has adopted European ways
lancha
small motorboat
latifundia
large landholding in the form of a plantation or hacienda
lavandería
laundry
machista
a male chauvanist
maquiladora
an industrial plant where clothes are assembled for reexport by cheap local
labor; more commonly known in the United States as a “sweat shop”
mara
agangbutalsousedtodescribea“gang”inthemannerreferringtoanagglomeration
of people or a crowd
mestizo
person of mixed Spanish-Indian descent
milpa
a maize or corn plant; also sometimes used in reference to a cornfield
minifundia
small landholdings, usually in the hands of Mayan peasantry
morería
small crafts shop producing costumes and masks for traditional dancing
palapa
a high-ceilinged thatched-roof structure commonly used in restaurant or hotel ar-
chitecture
parlama
green sea turtle
parque nacional
national park
pensión
inexpensive accommodations
