On Thursday, May 1, Guatemala commemorates International Labor Day, a date that will mark the first of the four long weekends planned for 2026, in accordance with the calendar of holidays and holidays established by the labor legislation in force in the country.
According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (Mintrab), as May 1 falls on a Friday, the Labor Day holiday will be the first long weekend of 2026 and will give Guatemalans three days to share with their loved ones, visit new destinations or rest at home.
According to the Mintrab and the Labor Code, holidays in Guatemala must be enjoyed with salary. Likewise, the institution indicates that workers who work during a mandatory day of rest have the right to receive additional remuneration.
When will the next long weekend be in the country?
By 2026, Guatemala will have three additional long weekends, in addition to May 1.
Army Day, June 30, will be moved to Monday, June 29, creating the second extended break of the year.
The third corresponds to Christmas: Christmas Eve and Christmas will make up a long weekend, which will begin at noon on Thursday, December 24, and will extend to Friday, the 25th.
The last break of 2026 will be December 31, which, as it falls on a Thursday and is enjoyed starting at noon, will give way to the first long weekend of 2027.
Difference between holidays and holidays
In Guatemala, holidays are days of mandatory rest at the national level, decreed by the Government, while holidays correspond to the patron saint festivals of each municipality. The Labor Code guarantees 11 days of rest per year: 10 national holidays and a holiday for the municipal patron saint’s day.
In 2026, the holidays that are still in force are:
- Tuesday June 30: Army Day
- Saturday, August 15: local holiday in Guatemala City for Assumption Day
- Tuesday, September 15: Independence Day
- Tuesday, October 20: Revolution Day
- Sunday, November 1: All Saints’ Day
- Thursday, December 24: rest after 12 noon
- Friday, December 25: Christmas break
- Thursday, December 31: rest starting at noon
What to do during the break
If you want to know what activities to do during breaks or new destinations to visit on long weekends and holidays in the country, it is recommended to consult the agenda of Free press, What to do in Guatemala.
Additionally, you can subscribe to newsletter to receive notifications about activities in the country.