Say Adios to the year with these Latin American New Year’s traditions

If you are looking for an alternative to partying in Playa del Carmen while on vacation in Mexico during the holidays, you are in luck! Mexico is a country full of magic and creativity and this certainly shines through when it comes to New Year’s in Mexico. Their customs and rituals are worth exploring on your travels and are definitely better than starting the new year in line to enter a nightclub. Just like in Spain, grapes are eaten at midnight, but the difference is that a television show does not set the pace; instead, a wish is made before every grape. Also, people searching for love wear red undergarments, while those who want a ritual for money choose to wear yellow instead.

At midnight, Mexicans sweep their home to shoo away anything bad from the old year, and just like in Ecuador, they also take a stroll with a suitcase if their wish is to travel more. A tradition that can only be found in certain parts of Mexico is the idea of hanging a toy lamb inside the home above the front door to ensure abundance. The country also shares with Peru and Venezuela the tradition of making a rag doll and setting it on fire to symbolize getting rid of any negative energy from the past year.

The resorts of Nicaragua are sure to be a lively place at New Year’s, but venture outside and you can uncover some quirky New Year’s Hispanic traditions that will make your trip truly memorable. In fact, Nicaragua has a tradition that is becoming increasingly popular: the popular burning of El Viejo or La Vieja, in which dolls made of wood and cotton are dressed in old clothing and usually appear to be smoking or drinking alcohol. Just like in other Latin American countries with similar customs, the idea consists of leaving behind the bad and starting the coming year with a clean slate.

Superstitious Nicaraguans who are less traditional fill their house with the scent of cinnamon to ensure a peaceful home life and to ward off any tension or stress. Nicaragua also has other New Year’s rituals, such as sweeping away any negative energy from the home, holding the midnight toast in the right hand (even if the person is left-handed), and hopping three times with the right foot for good luck throughout the year.

Guatemala’s culture and traditions are fun, lively, and full of folklore. Anyone living or staying in Guatemala who owns a piece of jewelry, preferably made of gold, must use it to welcome the New Year according to the belief that this ritual will bring money and prosperity. At noon on January 1st, Guatemalans step outside to look at the sky and count the clouds as they silently pray; the total number represents the money they will win throughout the coming year. The New Year’s Eve suitcase ritual is also very popular in this country, although Guatemalans pack them with clothing and place them behind the front door so the family will have trips and positive experiences that year.

It is believed that Guatemalan children must ring in the New Year with something new or they will not have new clothing the entire year. This has become a custom at the start of every school year when children show off their new clothing and materials to ensure good grades. So, as you can see, there are plenty of ways to celebrate a Guatemala New Year’s in a fun and different way during your vacation.

While Punta Cana’s luxury resorts host glamorous parties where you can enjoy typical food and music from the Dominican Republic, outside, locals embrace many typical Latin American New Year’s Traditions. These include removing old items from the house to make space for the new as well as carrying a suitcase around the block at midnight, symbolizing the hope for travel in the coming year. 

It is also common for Dominicans to eat grapes at midnight, one for each bell. However, one curious ritual that could spark your interest during your Dominican Republic Vacation is the scattering of rice or coins around the house to attract wealth and prosperity for the coming year. So, if you are thinking about spending the holidays in the Dominican Republic, come prepared for lots of fun and fiestas.

Famous for its volcanoes, surfing, and intriguing ancient ruins, El Salvador located in Central America, is quickly becoming a hotspot for travelers. Yet, if you are visiting El Salvador during the holidays, you cannot help being swept up in the revelry and cheer of the season thanks to their curious cultural traditions. The custom in El Salvador at New Year’s is to crack an egg into a glass of water and leave it overnight by an open window. 

In the morning, the figure revealed by the egg represents the aspect that will bring good fortune in the coming year. According to another New Year’s Eve ritual, if you wear your undergarments inside out during the last hours of the old year and return them to their correct position after midnight, then your closet will be filled with new clothing throughout the year. Better yet, wearing red or yellow undergarments is meant to bring luck and prosperity.

When it comes to Cuban New Year’s Eve traditions, one thing is certain, everything must be clean! Don’t try to make plans with anyone in Cuba on New Year’s Eve day as the chances are they will be busy cleaning their house from top to bottom. Many Cubans throw buckets of water out of their windows to symbolize washing away the year’s troubles. The burning of a doll or effigy, as seen in other Latin American New Year’s traditions, is popular in Cuba representing the bad memories of the past year. If you are staying in Cuba for the New Year, enjoy the salsa and rum-filled parties and soak up the lively atmosphere but be ready to throw some water on the floor to start the year off fresh.

One thing you may notice when staying in Costa Rica during New Year’s is the country’s love for BBQs. It can be easy to mistake the NYE celebrations for the 4th of July with people piling their plates high with delicious meat, because of course, the way to attain good luck for the new year is through your stomach, or that is according to Costa Ricans. Also, slightly different from New Year in America, many people head to the resorts of Tamarindo and spend the night at lively beach parties, complete with fireworks and occasionally wish lanterns. Of course, many typical Latin American New Year’s traditions are celebrated in Costa Rica yet there is one in particular that is distinctly Costa Rican; the discovery of a Santa Lucia flower for good fortune.