The Western Highlands

Quetzaltenango

This is the second largest city in the country. It’s also referred to as Xela (pronounced "shey-la"), a shortening of the K'iche' name of a nearby pre-conquest city, Xelajú. Meaning "under the ten", which is probably a reference to the surrounding peaks.

The majestic Santa María Volcano towers over this lovely town of steep, cobblestone streets and cold mountain nights. Visitors will find excellent hotels and restaurants. It also has a wonderful reputation for the quality of the Spanish schools.

In the Quetzaltenango area you will find the town of Zunil, a centre for vegetable growing. Here you can visit a glass factory, the textile cooperative and the market. Zunil is also renowned for the cult of San Simon. This region has several natural volcanic hot springs. Some of them have been cleared and have become spas.

Las Fuentes Georginas: Is a wonderful natural spring spa, with several pools surrounded by fresh green ferns and forest. Nature lovers call this place a natural paradise due to its unique beauty. Also it’s highly recommended to visit Aguas Amargas and Eco-Sauna Las Cumbres.

Laguna de Chicabal: This is the perfect place to get in contact with nature and enjoy of a unique panoramic view. It is located 224 Km from the capital city and just 24 Km from de city of Quetzaltenango. This natural wonder is surrounded by a misty forest area, one of the last ones remaining in the country: Moreover, it has itself a special mysticism since it represents a ceremonial center and a sacred place. By the time you reach Laguna de Chicabal, prepare to enjoy of a relaxing and beautiful view. Here, Volcán Chicabal can be appreciated as well.

Sololá

Sololá state is located in the south-western region of Guatemala and 140 Km from Guatemala City. Its climate is usually cold, even though the state features a variety of weathers due to its topography. Spanish and three Mayan languages (Quiché, Tzutujil and Cakchiquel) are spoken in this area.

The main tourist attraction are the beaches at the edge of Lake Atitlán, located in the towns of Panajachel, Santiago Atitlán, San Lucas Tolimán, San Pedro Palopó and other towns situated on the shore of the lake, which is frequently visited by national and foreign tourists. Also, the state offers many historical and archeological sites which draw visitors from all over the world

Panajachel: It is a town in the southwestern Guatemalan Highlands, and is located on the shore of Lake Atitlán, and has become a centre for the tourist trade of the area as it provides a base for visitors crossing the lake to visit other towns and villages.

Panajachel is packed with hotels, small restaurants, lively nightspots and has several schools to learn Spanish. It has been overwhelmed in recent years by tourists, with souvenir shops and stalls lining the main street (Calle Santander). Significantly, the town does offer several features of eco-cultural interest.

Lake of Atitlán: One of the most magnificent lakes of Central America, it is set among lofty mountains with three inactive volcanoes nearby; Atitlán volcano (11,565 ft/3,525 m) is the tallest. The fertile lakeshore is densely populated by subsistence farmers. The principal towns on the lake, Santiago Atitlán, San Lucas Tolimán, and Panajachel, serve as centers of tourism and commercial activity.

Santiago Atitlán: The town is situated on Lago de Atitlán. The majority of the residents are indigenous Mayans. It was the capitol of the Tz'utujil people in pre-Columbian times and its name was Chuitinamit.

Santiago Atitlán is the home of the Cojol Ya Association Weaving Centre and Museum, founded by the Cojol Ya Association of Mayan Women Weavers. The museum shows the history and process of backstrap loom weaving, and the evolution of the traditional costume of the Tzutujil, the indigenous people of Santiago Atitlán.

Santa Catarina Palopo: Is a municipality in the Solola department of Guatemala. The municipality is located on the shores of Lake Atitlán, approximately 3 miles South-Southeast of Panajachel.

The vast majority of the residents of the town are indigenous, descending from the Cakchiquel Maya. Cakchiquel is the most common language spoken in the village, though Spanish is widely understood.

Atitlán Volcano: Atitlán is a large conical stratovolcano adjacent to the caldera of Lake Atitlán in the Highlands of Guatemala. Atitlán volcano is a strikingly beautiful volcano with an almost perfect cone shape and covered with forest. The crater is 250m (820 ft) in diameter and 50m (165 ft) deep. This volcano has been active in recent times but is now dormant and the crater is dotted with various fumaroles. It is associated with Lake Atitlán which is situated in a caldera volcano which exploded millions of years ago and buried the region in ash, as far as Mexico. Alongside Atitlán Volcano it is its twin, Volcán Tolimán. All of these are part of a volcanic complex which includes San Pedro, Cerro de Oro and other features.

Huehuetenango

Is a city in the highlands of western Guatemala. It is the capital of the department of Huehuetenango. The city is located at 15°32′N, 91°47′W, 269 km from Guatemala City, and is the last provincial capital on the Panamerican highway before reaching the Mexican border at La Mesilla.

The name 'Huehuetenango' means approximately place of the ancients (or ancestors) in Nahuatl. The ruins of Zaculeu are a tourist attraction a short distance from town. These ruins are markedly distinct from other Mayan archeological sites; the original unearthed stones, comprising only a small portion of the original structures, were covered with concrete some time in the 20th century presumably to preserve them. There is also a small museum at Zacaleu which includes statues and small artifacts found on the site. A small airport is currently under construction.

Tourist Attractions: Zaculeu Ruins and Los Cuchumatanes.

Zaculew Ruins: It is a Pre-Columbian archeological site in the highlands of southwestern Guatemala, a short distance outside of the city of Huehuetenango. Saqulew was the capital of the Postclassic Mam kingdom (a sub-group of the Maya).

These ruins are eight miles (five km) west to town. Zacuelu means “white earth” in Quiché Mayan and refers to the white limestone plaster used by the Mam on all their buildings. The Mam first settled here during the classic period from AD 300-900. This naturally fortified are quickly became the Mam´s capital.

Cuchumatanes Mountains: The Cuchumatanes mountains range is one of the most relevant tourist attractions of the region. Also, it is the highest mountain chain of Central America, and its natural environment is typical of the highlands. Some of its tablelands and hills connected are over 3,600 meters at sea level. They offer spectacular panoramic view.

Totonicapan

Totonicapán is one of the 22 departments of Guatemala. The capital is the city of Totonicapán. Its main municipalities are: Momostenango and San Andrés Xecul. Totonicapán comes from the Nahuatl Atotonilco, “totonilco”, which means “on the hot springs place”.

Totonicapán is located in the mountainous occidental region of Guatemala. Its Mayan inhabitants speak the K'iche' language. Cuatros Caminos ("four roads") is a well-known intersection of roads that go to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala City, Huehuetenango and Totonicapán. Also, it is well known for its natural attractions, such as the hot springs and the Momostenango crags, declared as a country’s natural heritage.

Momostenango: Its textiles and blankets are two of the principle handicrafts of the Municipality. This town has different natural attractions, as a big number of hot springs, some of them are like swimming pool style (for example: Palá, El Barranco, Salitre, and Paxeyú) and the famous Momostenango crags.
Some of the performed folkloric dance are La Conquista, El Torito, El Venado, Los Mexicanos, Los Monos, Las Damas, Los Vaqueros y Los Moros del Tun. In addition of the Spanigh language, K´iche´ language is spoken.

San Andrés Xecul: Situated 19 Km from Totonicapán, San Andrés Xecul has an impressive parish church with a spectacular facade that represents the colored and design of the local “guipil”. The population of this town worship Maximon, a deeply rooted popular celebrity who represents some sort of indigenous saint.
Its climate is cold and its kind of agriculture is perfect for this kind of weather. Some of the folkloric dances which are featured in this town are: The Conquest, The Moros, The Torito, The Masked People, The Mexicans and The Monkeys. In addition to Spanish language, K'iche' is spoken.

San Marcos

San Marcos state is located in the south-western of Guatemala. It is bounded on the north by Huehuetenango, on the south by the Pacific Ocean and Retalhuleu, on the east by Quetzaltenango, and on the west by Mexico. The capital of this state is located 252 Km from Guatemala City. Spanish, Mam and Sipakapense are spoken in this area.

Its beaches and Grutas de la Castalia are visited by national tourists. The tallest Central American volcanoes are located in this area: Tacana and Tajumulco (4,220 Mt. at sea level). Also, you may visit different catholic churches or temples over one hundred years old.

Tourist attractions: Tajumulco and Tacaná Volcanoes.

Tajumulco Volcano: This volcano is situated in the state of San Marcos, approximately 20 Km. on the border by Mexico. Its height is 4,220 Mt. at sea level. Tajumulco is the highest volcano of Central America and the highest summit of our country. Though it rarely can be seen snow over the volcano, it is a hailstorm region and its temperature is considerable low on October and February. The panoramic view from the top is absolutely clear, even you can appreciate the volcanic range and some volcanoes from El Salvador, border mountains to Honduras, the impressive Cuchumatanes, the Pacific Ocean and a big part of the Mexican territory.

Tacana Volcano: It is located in the municipality of Tacaná, state of San Marcos. The rise of the summit is 4,092.63 Mt. at sea level. This is a stratovolcano with lava on the top which is on the border to Mexico and it is possible to climb it in about three or four days.