Travel Experta’s Interesting Facts – Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala’s Western Highlands
Quetzaltenango is Guatemala’s second-largest city and is the main population center of the country’s K’iche’ Mayans and an increasingly popular destination with language schools for students and volunteer opportunities for NGO workers.
Its original K’iche’ name is Xelajú, still widely in use today, it is also commonly known as Xela. Set on a valley dominated by the near-perfect cone of 3,770-meter Santa María Volcano and the adjacent (active) Santiaguito. Sin it is located at an altitude of 2,400 meters it can be a chilly place.
Xela is very cosmopolitan and has all the feel of a European highland city. It is remarkably safe for a city of its size and has a lively cultural scene peppered by the presence of an ever-increasing number of foreign visitors. There are also good hotels and restaurants, along with interesting day trips to neighboring Mayan villages that are very traditional in their daily life.
Nearby natural attractions include a wonderful crater lake, climbs to the surrounding volcanoes, and soaking in warm hot springs. If you really start to long for the warmer climates, the sweltering Pacific coastal lowlands are just about an hour away and beaches lie not much farther. Find Great Guatemalan Hotels Here!
What to See
* Santa Maria Volcano
* Santiaguito Volcano
* Central Park
* Railroad Museum
What to Do
* Spanish Schools
* Volunteering
* Volcano Hikes
* Rock Climbing
* Hot Springs
Where is it
Weather
There are two main seasons in Quetzaltenango: The rainy season – from May through mid-November; and the dry season – from December until May. Temperature is warm during the day but very cold at night.
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