The second largest city in Guatemala is located in the western highlands and is home to a large number of Mayan indigenous groups.
Quetzaltenango, also known as Xela, bears traces of past German influence in the form of the interesting Gothic architecture in the main square. Away from the grandeur of the center of town, the city is populated by makeshift corrugated iron and breeze block homes, arranged against a spectacular backdrop of towering hills.
Start your day with breakfast at El Cuartito, where a big meal washed down with locally-sourced Fair Trade coffee will set you back around $5. Take a stroll around the center of town, stopping in to visit the cathedral and theater before climbing Cerro de Baul to look over the city.
Walk back down into town for lunch at Luna Cafe, where many meals feature novel takes on local ingredients ($10). After allowing your food to digest, visit Museo Ixkik, which provides a great window into the local Mayan handicraft. Stock up on some souvenirs at the end of your visit ($20).
Wander through the local market, drinking in the sights and sounds and sampling some local produce. Rice-based drink “horchata” ($1) is particularly tasty and popular with locals. After you’ve soaked up the atmosphere in the market, go for dinner at Sabor de la India, which is the best curry you’ll find in Latin America ($15).
If you still have some energy after dinner, visit Guatemala’s oldest bar, Salon Tecun, to drink the night away with some of the city’s students and intellectuals ($3 per beer).
Read This Next
How to Stay Safe in Quetzaltenango
Safety
Nov 17, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedFood & Drink
Apr 23, 2024Myrtle Beach is Launching an Official Destination Beer
Looking for the perfect beach beer? Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has you covered. Last month, the destination partnered with Grand Strand Brewing Company to release the official beer of Myrtle Beach, dubbed Beach Easy.
Sponsored Content
Your Home Away from Home in Dallas
Open spaces, open thinking and open expression thrive at Aloft Dallas Downtown.
Slideshow
Apr 23, 20247 Must-See Sites in Curaçao
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here are seven must-see sites in Curaçao.
Surveys
Apr 23, 2024Going the Distance: Which Airports Have the Longest Walks?
You’re in between flights and ready to find a coffee and your next gate and settle in. But then you find the signs to your gate and look down the impossibly long corridor and wonder how you managed to have the gate at the opposite end of the airport.
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Keep Your Road Trip Smelling Good with Purggo
The last thing you want during a road trip? A stinky car. Luckily, Purggo is here to help —without filling your car with a bunch of nasty chemicals that really only just make you cough and cover up the stench for a short time.
ShareThis