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Pan American experiences
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Latin America |
LATIN AMERICA ------------------------------------------785[EXPERIENCE] MAKE A PILGRIMAGE | |||
New Year's Celebrations and Sacred Places in Latin AmericaPilgrimages, Masses, and Traditions in Places that Light up the SeasonSpirituality in December and January in Latin America is not a static or uniform phenomenon; it is a living experience of tradition, diversity, and profound human emotion. By Estefanía Muriel for Ruta Pantera on 12/24/2025 9:12:33 AM |
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| Once again, Latin America has transformed itself during year’s end. Beyond the fireworks and hearty hugs and toasts, across the region from Mexico to Argentina, some of the world’s most sacred sites become epicenters of collective emotion, spiritual fervor, and traditions that blend Catholicism with indigenous and Afro-descendant influences.
What makes this time of year so special? Why do millions of people travel – some for weeks – to arrive in time for a midnight mass, a procession, or an ancestral ritual by the sea? Well, these dates are special because they combine spirituality, tradition, and collective emotion at a time of year brimming with symbolism, when people seek renewal, protection, and gratitude. These travelers feel that physically participating in these events is a way to reaffirm their faith and connect with something greater than themselves. |
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Mexico and Guatemala: Guadalupe and Esquipulas, Epicenters of Devotion It's no coincidence that religious tourism studies highlight the Basilica of Guadalupe as the most visited shrine in Latin America, with tens of millions of pilgrims annually, a reflection of the enormous spiritual and cultural power that its celebrations hold. In Mexico City, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands as a symbol of faith that transcends borders and generations. This sanctuary, which houses the venerated image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, attracts millions of pilgrims every December, many of whom walk for miles – some on bloodied knees – to pay homage. According to Azcentral , more than 12 million people are expected to visit the Basilica in December 2025, with a significant portion concentrated around December 12 (the Virgin's feast day) and also between Christmas and New Year's, when masses and vigils multiply. The nights of December 24 and 31 are experienced with particular intensity: Midnight Mass, community celebrations, and an atmosphere of spiritual renewal fill the air. The Basilica of Guadalupe is not just a destination; it is a symbol of Catholic identity intertwined with profound national and indigenous sentiment. Further south, in Chiquimula, Guatemala, the Basilica of Esquipulas houses the Black Christ, an image deeply venerated throughout Central America. Although its main feast day doesn't coincide with the end of the year, it is celebrated at the very beginning of the new year. January 15th becomes an especially busy day, when pilgrims from nearby towns and cities arrive to give thanks for the coming year and renew their vows of faith. This tradition, which blends penance, gratitude, and celebration, reflects a popular devotion that is experienced intensely from the night before until well into the morning. Peru and Bolivia: High Roads and Sacred Waters In Peru, December unfolds a vibrant spirituality that blends Andean tradition and Catholic fervor. In Cusco, the celebration of Santurantikuy on December 24th transforms the Cusco's Plaza Mayor transforms into a vast ceremonial market where artisans from across the region offer images, altarpieces, and figurines of the Christ Child, a tradition dating back to colonial times and, according to cultural reports from the Ministry of Culture, "one of the oldest and most popular Christmas markets in the country." In the southern highlands, communities organize Christmas novena masses and processions of the Christ Child, especially in Puno and the towns around Lake Titicaca, where musicians and dancers accompany the celebrations with traditional rhythms. Further north, in Cajamarca and Huamachuco , living nativity scenes and monumental manger displays bring together entire families for nights of singing and candlelight, a practice that reaffirms the country's deep connection to Christmas as a time of community, remembrance, and gratitude. In Bolivia, the Sanctuary of Cotoca transforms into a hotbed of faith and hope every December. This Marian devotion, deeply venerated by the faithful from various regions, receives thousands of pilgrims who arrive in procession from the first weeks of December to ask for protection for their families and to participate in solemn masses and prayers that blend Catholic beliefs with deeply rooted community rituals. Devotion to the Virgin of Cotoca, the patron saint of fertility, health protection, and abundance, is experienced intensely in every song, every glowing candle, and every prayer offered in reverent silence, reflecting a spirituality that remains alive and collective in Bolivian cultural memory. Brazil: Aparecida and Iemanjá, Catholic and Afro Faith Brazil offers perhaps the most vivid example of the blending of Catholic devotion and African-influenced spirituality. The Basilica of Nossa Senhora Aparecida, in the state of São Paulo, is the second largest basilica in the world and a destination for millions of pilgrims each year. With visits exceeding 8.8 million pilgrims annually, the Basilica welcomes the faithful throughout December, with increased attendance at Christmas and New Year's for solemn masses and novenas that illuminate its vast nave. But on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, another kind of sacred celebration takes center stage: the festival of Iemanjá. Every December 31st, thousands of people, both practitioners of Umbanda and Candomblé and curious visitors, gather dressed in white to leave offerings of flowers and candles in the sea as a gesture of gratitude and a request for blessings for the new year. This ceremony, deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian heritage, is not just a visual spectacle; it represents an act of communion with the forces of nature and ancestral spirituality. Colombia, Argentina and Other Corners of Intense Faith In Colombia, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá offers an unparalleled experience: celebrating Midnight Mass in an underground cathedral carved from salt is an experience that combines solemnity and architectural wonder. (See our Waypoint about this shrine.) The Las Lajas Sanctuary in Ipiales features Masses accompanied by colorful lights that illuminate the river gorge, transforming the landscape into a natural altar of faith and celebration. In Argentina, the Basilica of Our Lady of Luján concentrates a large part of the Christmas devotion with central masses and massive youth pilgrimages. A Season of Faith that Unites Geography and Heart What makes this time of year unique in Latin America is not just the size of the crowds or the beauty of the temples and landscapes. It is, above all, the way in which millions of people cross borders, rural roads, and cities, driven by a need for spiritual connection that transcends maps and schedules. Spirituality in December and January in Latin America is not a static or uniform phenomenon; it is a living experience of tradition, diversity, and profound human emotion. |
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References: We Are Mitú. (2023). 10 Latin American New Year's traditions you should know about . https://wearemitu.com/wearemitu/culture/latin-american-new-years-traditions/ National Sanctuary of Aparecida. (2023). National Sanctuary registers an increase in the number of pilgrims in 2023 . A12. https://www.a12.com/santuario/imprensa/releases/santuario-nacional-registra-aumento-no-numero-de-peregrinos-em-2023 Wikipedia. (2025). Las Lajas Sanctuary . https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santuario_de_Las_Lajas Wikipedia. (2025). Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Our_Lady_of_Copacabana RPP News. (2011, December 24). Christmas Customs in Huamachuco . https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/costumbres-de-una-navidad-en-huamachuco-noticia-428260?ref=rpp Remitly. (2023). 23 Latin American Holidays to Celebrate . https://www.remitly.com/blog/lifestyle-culture/23-latin-american-holidays/ González, D. (2025, December 8). Basilica Operation 2025: Millions Await the Virgin of Guadalupe . AZCentral. https://www.azcentral.com/story/noticias/2025/12/08/operativo-baslica-2025-esperan-millones-ante-la-virgen-de-guadalupe/87672908007/ Wikipedia. (2025). Basilica of Saint Mary of Guadalupe . https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bas%C3%ADlica_de_Santa_Mar%C3%ADa_de_Guadalupe |
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