Quetzaltenango, Guatemala's second-largest city at 90,000 is the commercial center of southwestern Guatemala. More commonly called Xela (SHAY-lah), the town's major sights are the Parque Centroamerica and the neoclassical buildings which surround it. These buildings, such as the Municipal Theater and administrative buildings stem from the era in the 19th c when Xela was a major trading and artistic community.
Many eco-tourism organizations offer hiking and camping in the mountains. Quetzaltenango's altitude of 2,333m /8,000 ft ensures warm days, cool nights and no mosquitoes.
It is a base for excursions to the many nearby villages, noted for their hot springs and handicrafts.
Quetzaltenango is well-known for its Spanish-language schools.
The village of Momostenango is famous for its artistic woolen blankets and other woolen products. Due to the low temperatures in the region, work in wool is very popular. Momostenango adheres to the Mayan Calendar and observes traditional rites.
North of the village there are the hot springs of Pala Chiquito.
The Museo del Ferrocarril de los Altos focuses on the railroad that once connected Xela with Retalheleu. Upstairs is a modern art museum plus schools of dance and marimba.
Neo-classical architecture surrounds the rectangular plaza known as El Parque Centroamerica, where many festivals, concerts, fairs, and markets are held throughout the year.
The unusual Quetzaltenango Museum contains cultural, archeological and botanical exhibitions, and includes marimbas (Central-American xylophones) and stuffed birds.
Address: Museo Quezaltenango, 7th Calle 11-09, Quezaltenango, Quetzaltenango , Guatemala
A little indigenous village has the most colorful church in Guatemala. The canary-yellow church has paintings and carved figures of jaguars, angels and icons that are a mix of Mayan and Catholic beliefs.
Its baroque façade seems to recreate the colors and designs of the local weaving.
San Francisco El Alto sits on a small plateau 2,568m/8,560 ft high, with a view Quetzaltenango valley.
On Fridays, this town of 3,500 hosts the biggest market in Guatemala which sells everything that highland Guatemalans need including livestock and woolen blankets.
The Santa María Volcano, at an altitude of 3,734m /12,448 ft offers views of the Pacific Ocean, the Quetzaltenango valley and the rest of the volcanic chain. From the top can be seen the active Santiaguito Volcano at 2,460m/8,200 ft.
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Momostenango, Guatemala
Quetzaltenango
