Quetzaltenango is Guatemala’s 2d biggest city, amongst 300,000 people. It has all the modern conveniences that Republic of Guatemala City has, entirely amongst fewer heavily-armed guards patrolling every street corner.
Xelajú was its master copy Mayan name, but when the Castilian conquered the city, they called it Quetzaltenango (the cite their native allies used). But many people however refer to it past times the shortened version of its traditional name, Xela (pronounced “Shay-la”).
I arrived inward Xela via Chicken Bus from Lake Atitlan. The trip took a twain of hours, through scenic mount farmlands together with steep winding roads. Some of the roads showed signs of bad landslides together with had non been completely cleaned upwards yet.
In the city, you’ll honour an eclectic mix of Guatemalans dressed inward stylish jeans, brusque skirts, together with suits, equally good equally indigenous women wearing colorful floral dresses together with men sporting traditionally striped pants together with Panama hats. But both groups walk approximately amongst jail mobile telephone phones to their ears. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 melting pot of onetime traditions together with contemporary culture.
I’ve actually loved my remain here, despite the mutual depression temperature mount atmospheric condition together with lack of indoor heating. My mortal hostel room entirely cost $36 Quetzales ($4.55 US) a night, together with I had modern metropolis amenities similar decent WiFi together with a multitude of restaurants only steps away. But the metropolis is also surrounded past times smashing outdoor activities equally well, similar my insane ii 24-hour interval long trek to Volcano Santiaguito.
Xela is a pop spot for Castilian linguistic communication students to study, together with at that spot are a ton of schools inward the area. Most of the other gringos I’ve met hither are studying Castilian at 1 of these schools. But the metropolis is non overrun amongst tourism, I mightiness entirely come across five or half dozen other travelers walking close each day.
There’s a combat of nightlife, large outdoor markets, friendly people (except for 1 random teenager who practiced her English linguistic communication on me past times calling me a mother****er!) equally good equally smashing onetime buildings together with parks. Quetzaltenango (aka Xela) has a footling combat of everything, together with it’s an interesting halt on whatever traveler’s journey.
Good Place to Sleep: Casa Blanca Guesthouse
Good Place to Eat: Sexto Estado Colonial (4a Calle & fourteen Avenida, Zona 1)
Best Attraction: Santiaguito Crater Trek
Tips: Xela tin shipping away go actually mutual depression temperature Nov – February. Make certain to larn photos of the Minerva chicken autobus finally & market. It’s a combat crazy, but rubber during the day. The cemetery is goodness too, but it is NOT rubber inward the like shooting fish in a barrel afternoon/night.
Packing Guide
Check out my travel gear guide to aid you lot showtime packing for your trip. Pick upwards a go backpack, photographic goggle box camera gear, together with other useful go accessories.
Book Your Flight
Book inexpensive flights on Skyscanner, my favorite airline search engine to honour deals. Also read my tips for how I honour the cheapest flights.
Rent Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Car
Discover Car Hire is a smashing site for comparison machine prices to honour the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.
Book Accommodation
Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent local apartments on Airbnb ($35 discount!). Read my post for tips on booking inexpensive hotels.
Protect Your Trip
Don’t forget go insurance! I’m a large fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read to a greater extent than close why you lot should ever acquit go insurance.
READ NEXT: Learning Castilian inward Guatemala
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