Quetzaltenango, Guatemala: travel guide
Guatemala's second city, known locally as Xela; a highland hub for Spanish schools, volcano hikes and access to K'iche' Maya market towns.
- Country
- Guatemala
- Currency
- GTQ
- Time zone
- America/Guatemala
Top places to visit in Quetzaltenango
Laguna Chicabal
Nature · about 5 h · entry GTQ 30
Sacred crater lake in cloud forest on Volcán Chicabal, an important Maya ceremonial site reached by a forest hike.
Parque Centro América
Heritage · about 0.7 h
Xela's grand neoclassical central plaza, lined with the cathedral, municipal theatre and colonnaded civic buildings.
Catedral del Espíritu Santo
Church · about 0.5 h
Cathedral on the central park combining a surviving ornate colonial facade with a newer neoclassical church behind it.
Fuentes Georginas
Nature · about 3 h · entry GTQ 60
Steaming thermal pools set in cloud forest on the slopes of Volcán Zunil, the most popular hot springs near Xela.
Volcán Santa María
Nature · about 10 h
3,772 m volcano overlooking Xela; a demanding pre-dawn hike rewarded with views of the active Santiaguito dome below.
San Andrés Xecul Church
Church · about 0.8 h
Startling bright-yellow church covered in colourful stucco figures, angels and climbing vines; a unique piece of Maya-Catholic folk art.
Zunil & Almolonga Market
Market · about 1.5 h
Highland K'iche' market towns famous for terraced vegetable fields and the folk saint San Simón (Maximón) at Zunil.
Things to do
- Santa María Volcano Sunrise Hike Hiking · 10 h · from GTQ 220 per person
- Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs Trip Wellness · 4 h · from GTQ 160 per person
- Laguna Chicabal Sacred Lake Hike Hiking · 7 h · from GTQ 180 per person
Day trips and tours
- Fuentes Georginas & Zunil 6 h · from GTQ 260
Where to stay in Quetzaltenango
- Zona 1 (Centro) about GTQ 350 per night
Around Parque Centro América, close to Xela's sights, schools and restaurants.
Hotels
- Hotel Casa Mañen 4-star
- Black Cat Hostel Xela 2-star
Where to eat
- El Balcón del Enríquez Guatemalan, Cafe · about GTQ 90 per person
- Sabor de la India Indian, Vegetarian · about GTQ 70 per person
- La Luna Cafe · about GTQ 45 per person
Getting around
- Minibus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.