In Mexico, Valentine’s Day is celebrated a little differently. Known as The Day of Love and Friendship, El Día del Amor y la Amistad, its focus is not solely on romantic connections, but is a day to be enjoyed amongst family, friends and other loved ones. While love and heart-themed cards, gifts and balloons still appear on the shelves of stores, as with the holiday in other parts of the world, they are bought for and exchanged as much between friends as they are for lovers.
Let’s take a short trip to three of the most festive countries in Latin America: Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala to explore how the locals prepare for and celebrate this particularly great holiday. (By Kayan Milwood)
Mexico
Mexicans love holidays and enjoy festivities and celebrations, so it comes as no surprise that El Dia Del Amor is one holiday where Mexicans go all out. This holiday is not only significant for those in romantic relationships, but also a way for friends and family to show love and appreciation for each other.
As February 14 approaches, most businesses around Mexico tend to decorate with the color red. To commemorate the day of love and friendship, many stores and restaurants are tastefully decked with red balloons, hearts, and flowers.
The streets of Mexico are festive during this celebration with vendors selling beautiful flowers and balloons. On this day hundreds of balloons are released into the sky as a traditional celebration of love amongst partners, friends, and family.
Celebrating Love And Friendship
Gift giving is a typical way to celebrate El Dia Del Amor in Mexico. Plush animals, chocolates, flowers, poems, and heart-shaped balloons are a few of the traditional gifts exchanged by lovers on this special day. One of the most romantic traditional gestures to show love to your partner is by hiring a Mariachi band to serenade them.
Many people plan lavish banquets and exquisite feasts for their loved ones. While some couples and friends visit local restaurants to eat their fill and spend the evening with those who mean the most to them.
Individuals typically adorn their surroundings at schools and offices with cards and heart-shaped balloons. Schoolchildren frequently compete in writing little poems to attach to balloons. In schools, they adorn the classrooms, and they also distribute handmade refreshments and modest presents.
Colombia
Unlike México, Colombia celebrates El Dia del Amor y Amistad every September. These celebrations often last for the entire month of September. At the end of August, people begin to adorn their homes and business places with hearts and balloons in preparation for the month-long celebration.
Interestingly, in 1969, Colombia changed the date of El Dia del Amor. Colombian businessmen sought to change the date so that it would fall on the third Saturday of September. They did this so that merchants could sell more gifts, roses, and chocolates in September, the month that typically has no holidays in the country.
Amigo Secreto, or Secret Friend, is the most common Colombian tradition. Among a group of people, you draw the name of your amigo/a secreto/a, and then you discreetly present sweets, poems, or flowers to this person every day until El Dia del Amor y Amistad, when you will give a gift to them in person.
Aside from gift-giving, couples and friends treat each other to fancy dinners, a trip to the movies, dancing, or drinks. Planning a trip to Colombia during September? Prepare yourself for a culture that embraces universal love all month long!
Guatemala
Guatemala celebrates El Dia del Amor on February 14 every year. This is usually a colorful and eventful holiday. Similar to Mexico and Colombia, Guatemala celebrates this holiday through the exchange of flowers. They also celebrate with chocolates, and cards between partners and friends.
It’s not just the youth that celebrate this holiday. People of all ages participate! The Old Love Procession is a huge parade. And they host it in Guatemala City. The parade sees the elderly residents of the town riding festive floats around the streets. They do this dressed in colorful costumes to celebrate love and friendship.
Other anticipated festivities include colorful pageantry with revelers (locals and tourists alike) dressing up in Mayan-inspired clothing and feathered masks.
Let’s Wrap Up
Latin America knows how to host a celebration like no other! Never experienced a Latin American El Dia del Amor? Why not book a flight this Valentine’s Day to Mexico, Colombia, or Guatemala? Different cultures around the world celebrate Valentine’s Day in different ways that are unique to their people.
Experiencing new cultures is always exciting, and we urge you to go for it!
If you would like to read more about Mexican culture, history, cuisine and language, check out our blog page for our latest monthly articles.
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