Quetzaltenango

Travel Guide

Quetzaltenango featuring a city
Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango showing interior views and heritage elements
Quetzaltenango Central Park showing 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$95 nightly
The price is $116 total per night from Jul 15 to Jul 16
$116 total
Jul 15 - Jul 16
Total includes taxes and fees
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! (374 reviews)
"Great and extremely helpful"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Latam Hotel Plaza Pradera Quetzaltenango
Hotel Pensión Bonifaz
Hotel Pensión Bonifaz
3.5 out of 5
4ta. Calle 10-50 Zona 1, Quetzaltenango
$106 nightly
The price is $129 total per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
$129 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Total includes taxes and fees
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! (280 reviews)
Fabulous, very comfortable
"Internet worked great, excellent shower, good breakfast, water available all the time, fabulous service. At elevation, climbing up the stairs to the fifth floor was honestly a challenge, but worth it."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Hotel Pensión Bonifaz
Hotel Boutique Casa Morasan
Hotel Boutique Casa Morasan
4 out of 5
12 Avenida 8-21, Zona 1, Quetzaltenango, Quetzaltenango
$91 nightly
The price is $113 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$113 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Quetzaltenango. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Quetzaltenango Central Park and Quetzaltenango ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (127 reviews)
"Amazing place! A block away from city park. Great hotel and value"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Hotel Boutique Casa Morasan
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.
Entre Cerros
Entre Cerros
2 out of 5
Cantón Candelaria, Sector 1, Quetzaltenango, Quetzaltenango
Stay at this cabin in Quetzaltenango. Enjoy free parking, 3 outdoor pools, and hot springs on site. Popular attractions Quetzaltenango Central Park and Los Vahos ...
Entre Cerros
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 ...
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 Jan 2, 2025

Fira Boho ¡apartamento a 5 min del parque central!
Modern apartment, 5 min from the central park!
Modern apartment, 5 min from the central park!
Quezaltenango
Stay at this apartment in Quetzaltenango. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a garden. Popular attractions Quetzaltenango Central Park and Trama Textiles ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
"El lugar muy comodo y limpio, nada mas que pedir... la comunicacion con la anfitriona buena"

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2024

Modern apartment, 5 min from the central park!
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Quetzaltenango

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
13
5 - Excellent 54%
4 - Good
4
4 - Good 17%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 17%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 8%

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

We were there on a Sunday so everything for “sightseeing” was closed. Unlike Antigua, it feels like a real place, but there’s not much to do other than sit in the zocalo and watch locals at leisure.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

People around very friendly

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

More places to visit

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The scenery is spectacular. Worth a visit for that alone.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Muy lindo lugar

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Gritty and authentic. Good base for visiting outlying villages such as Almolonga, Zunil and San Andres Xecul. People extremely kind and friendly to tourists but the city itself is not very nice. The big market by the bus terminal is wonderful.

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