Quetzaltenango

Travel Guide

Quetzaltenango showing a city
Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango featuring heritage elements and interior views
Quetzaltenango Central Park featuring a garden as well as an individual male
Guatemala
With a strong Mayan heritage, colonial architecture and huge volcanoes rising in the distance, this archetypal Guatemalan town enthralls and educates.

Quetzaltenango (or Xela) is a charming town in the heart of the Sierra Madres mountains in Guatemala’s Western Highlands. First inhabited by Mayan people, the city fell under both Spanish and German influence before becoming an important coffee-trading center. Today, Quetzaltenango’s attractive center presents an interesting insight into its colorful past. Use the town as a starting point for hiking adventures to active volcanoes.

Xela’s focal point is its pretty main square, Parque Centro AméricaOpens in a new window (aka Quetzaltenango Central Park). Admire the collection of colonial buildings, including the Iglesia Catedral del Espíritu SantoOpens in a new window (Quetzaltenango Cathedral), originally built in 1534. See items from Mayan artifacts to a taxidermy display at the Museum of Natural History. Take a break at one of the cafés lining the elegant Pasaje Enríquez.

Get an in-depth insight into the weaving industry of the Western Highlands at Trama Textiles. Shop for fresh produce, clothing and textiles at La Democracia Market. Watch a concert or play at the Municipal Theater. Enjoy sweeping city views and have fun on a 4-lane slide at Cerro El Baúl park atop a lava dome.

Find museums, dance studios and art galleries at the Centro Intercultural de Quetzaltenango. Learn about Mayan weaving traditions and see examples of regional costumes at the Ixkik Museum. Browse work by leading national artists at the Museo de Arte. Los Altos Railroad Museum documents the short-lived train service that ran between the city and Guatemala’s Pacific coast.

Experience the spectacular landscapes of the Western Highlands on hiking trips to Santa María Volcano and Tajumulco Volcano, which is Central America’s tallest point. Marvel at the tranquility of Chicabal Lake, a site considered sacred by the Mayas, and embark on a 3-day trek to Lake AtitlánOpens in a new window. Revitalize your body at Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs.

Reach Quetzaltenango by flying to La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City and catching a bus from there. Buses stop at Terminal Minerva, near Quetzaltenango’s city center. Find accommodations at the hotels and guesthouses located a short walk from the main square.

Latam Hotel Plaza Pradera Quetzaltenango
Latam Hotel Plaza Pradera Quetzaltenango
4 out of 5
Avenida Las Américas 7-04, Zona 3, Plaza Pradera Xela, Quetzaltenango
The price is €136 per night from 20 Mar to 21 Mar
€136
includes taxes & fees
20 Mar - 21 Mar
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Quetzaltenango. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (349 reviews)
"The WiFi was terrible it didn’t work well , idk if it was due to the room i was in , but I work through online access so was it was kinda hard to stay working while spending time with the family"

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2025

Latam Hotel Plaza Pradera Quetzaltenango
Hotel Pensión Bonifaz
Hotel Pensión Bonifaz
3.5 out of 5
4ta. Calle 10-50 Zona 1, Quetzaltenango
The price is €112 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
€112
includes taxes & fees
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Quetzaltenango. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (258 reviews)
"It,s a beautiful hotel, very clean and staff is very courteous and friendly."

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2025

Hotel Pensión Bonifaz
Casa Dona Mercedes
Casa Dona Mercedes
2.5 out of 5
6a Calle y 14 Avenida 13-42, Zona 1, Quetzaltenango, Quetzaltenango
The price is €30 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€30
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this guesthouse in Quetzaltenango. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Quetzaltenango Central ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (18 reviews)
"Very flexible nice staff quite place"

Reviewed on 19 Nov 2024

Casa Dona Mercedes
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fira Boho ¡apartamento a 5 min del parque central!
Fira Boho ¡apartamento a 5 min del parque central!
Quezaltenango
Stay at this apartment in Quetzaltenango. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a garden. Popular attractions Quetzaltenango Central Park and Edificio Rivera ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
Beautiful views of Xela
"The apartment was cozy and we loved the views of Xela. The water was warm and pressure was good. It was easy to walk to plenty of places. Would stay again."

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2025

Fira Boho ¡apartamento a 5 min del parque central!
KARMEL House. only 800 meters from the Gran Karmel Convention Center.
KARMEL House. only 800 meters from the Gran Karmel Convention Center.
Quetzaltenango
Stay at this vacation home in Quetzaltenango. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Quetzaltenango Central Park and ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"We absolutely loved the property and we felt like we were at home, our hosts were very sweet they waited for us at the location and showed us around and were very attentive the area is a little bit busy so you will hear some traffic very far away but other than that everything was perfect there’s ..."

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2025

KARMEL House. only 800 meters from the Gran Karmel Convention Center.
"La Casa de Xela". ONE OF A KIND AT QUETZALTENANGO
"La Casa de Xela". ONE OF A KIND AT QUETZALTENANGO
Quetzaltenango
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Quetzaltenango. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Quetzaltenango Central Park and ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Elegant and Spacious
"Beautiful place and the hosts were highly hospitable and gracious."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2023

"La Casa de Xela". ONE OF A KIND AT QUETZALTENANGO
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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