The Bullfight License Authorization at the Departmental Governor’s Office is the procedure that legally authorizes the organization of a bullfighting event in Guatemala — from a formal bullfight to jaripeos, novilladas or bull rides at patron festivals. The Governor’s Office controls licenses and ensures public order during the event, per the 1923 Bullfighting Regulation and Article 28 of the Constitution.

Quick summary: Procedure at the Departmental Governor’s Office. Cost: free (Q0). Time: 8 business days. In-person modality. Result: license authorizing the bullfighting event at the requested venue and date.

Information verified May 2026 based on the Regulation for Bullfights in Guatemala (November 12, 1923) and Article 28 of the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala.

Events Covered by This Procedure

Although the procedure is named “corridas de toros” (bullfights), in practice Departmental Governor’s Offices apply this license to a broader range of bullfighting activities common at fairs and patron festivals:

  • Formal bullfight — with professional matadores and full sequence.
  • Novillada — with young bulls and apprentice matadores.
  • Jaripeo — Mexican-Guatemalan-style bull riding.
  • Rodeo — cowboy skill competitions.
  • Bull riding — exhibition without killing animals.
  • Becerrada — with calves, amateur style.

Verify with the Governor’s Office of the corresponding department that the specific event type you’ll organize is covered by this license. Some cases may require complementary procedures.

Requirements

Per official information published on tramites.gob.gt for the El Progreso Departmental Governor’s Office (template applicable to other governor’s offices):

  1. Written application addressed to the Departmental Governor, indicating date, time, exact location, type of event and full applicant data.
  2. Bullfight Judge name designated to preside the event, with proven experience.
  3. Ministry of Health endorsement — sanitary authorization from MSPAS on venue conditions (restrooms, water, waste).
  4. Municipal authorization on the permitted capacity of the venue, per the sanitary protocol established by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare.

Although not formally listed, it’s advisable to prepare:

  • Municipality permit of the event location (public-way use if applicable)
  • Plan or sketch of the venue
  • List of matadores, picadores and banderilleros with respective collegiate or registration credentials
  • Security plan (access control, first aid, paramedics)
  • Civil-liability insurance certificate (recommended for large events)
  • MARN environmental license certificate if applicable due to event size

Steps of the Procedure

Step 1 — Download the official form

Some Governor’s Offices publish the form on their website. For example, the El Progreso Departmental Governor’s Office has it on its site (form GDP-FE-08-2022). If unavailable online in your department, draft the application on plain paper respecting the regulation requirements.

Step 2 — Obtain municipal capacity authorization

Visit the municipality where the event will be held and request venue-capacity authorization. It’s a formal requirement and the Governor’s Office will not approve the license without it.

Step 3 — Obtain Ministry of Health endorsement

Request sanitary endorsement from local MSPAS (Health District). During health-alert periods, this endorsement may include reduced capacity, distancing and additional protocols.

Step 4 — Designate Bullfight Judge

Name the Judge who will preside the bullfight. The name must appear in the application along with contact data and proven experience.

Step 5 — Compile the file

Gather: signed application, municipal capacity authorization, sanitary endorsement, Judge designation, and complementary documents (applicant DPI, venue plan, security plan).

Step 6 — File at Departmental Governor’s Office

Visit in person the Departmental Governor’s Office of the department where the event will occur. You receive a file number and receipt.

Step 7 — File review

The Governor’s Office reviews the file. If observations arise, you’ll be notified to address them before proceeding.

Step 8 — Resolution and license issuance

If everything is in order, the Governor’s Office issues the authorization resolution and corresponding license. Official timeframe: 8 business days.

Step 9 — File archival

The Governor’s Office archives the file and maintains a record of issued licenses for control and supervision during the event.

Cost & Time

ItemAmount
Governor’s Office procedureFree (Q0)
Municipal capacity authorizationVaries (by municipality)
Ministry of Health endorsementGenerally free
Bullfight Judge feesPrivate, by agreement
Official timeframe8 business days

How to Apply: Practical Recommendations

  1. Start 30 days ahead — although the official timeframe is 8 days, ancillary dependencies (municipal, health) may take time.
  2. Coordinate with the local mayor — in many municipalities the bullfight is part of the patron festival and the municipality cooperates via the auxiliary mayor.
  3. Animal type: If the bulls come from outside the department, ensure you have livestock movement certification from MAGA-VISAR.
  4. Security: Although not listed as required, having paramedics and private security reduces the risk that the Governor’s Office may suspend the event due to incidents.
  5. Animal welfare: The anti-bullfighting movement has grown at municipal level. Verify whether the municipality has a local ordinance restricting or banning formal bullfights (some urban municipalities have banned them).
  6. Patron festivals: If the event is part of an official patron festival, the Festival Committee usually files collective licenses covering multiple activities.

Departmental Governor’s Offices

The procedure takes place at the Governor’s Office of the department where the event will occur. The 22 Governor’s Offices are:

Alta Verapaz · Baja Verapaz · Chimaltenango · Chiquimula · El Progreso · Escuintla · Guatemala · Huehuetenango · Izabal · Jalapa · Jutiapa · Peten · Quetzaltenango · Quiche · Retalhuleu · Sacatepequez · San Marcos · Santa Rosa · Solola · Suchitepequez · Totonicapan · Zacapa.

Bullfights and bullfighting activities are a deep-rooted tradition in many Guatemalan patron festivals. The Governor’s Office procedure is not an obstacle: it is the guarantee that the event runs with legal backing, sanitary control and public order — protecting both the organizer and the audience.