Quetzaltenango, also known as Xela or Xelaju, is a second great city in Guatemala. Situated at the southwest of the country, the surrounding department has a variety of landscapes extending from the cold High Lands to the warm Pacific Coast. There are numerous volcanos, hot waters springs, valleys, mountains, rivers. The region provides a harvest of numerous products such as coffee, wheat, fruits and vegetables, without forgetting sheep and cattle breeding. These qualities make Quetzaltenango is an interesting place to visit.

The city of Quetzaltenango, the Departament's principal town is situated on an extensive plain and surrounded by hills and volcanos. The city of Quetzaltenango conserves the Maya-Quiche's old traditions and the colonial past, while maintaining the dynamism of modern life.

The Mam authority, called Kulahá, reached its most important expansion. Later Quiches's Lords conquered the area and founded Xelajú previously situated at the base of the volcano Santa Maria.

Then, it was transfered to the north, and the Nahuas who went with the Spaniards gave it the name of Quetzaltenango ("Quetzal"= the bird Quetzal; "tenango"= place of.

The center of the magistrate's authority during the Hispanic period and during certain time the capital of the so-called "Sixth State of the Central American Confederation ".

The town conserves traces of the colonial period in its streets and avenues. The classic, neoclassic and Italian renaissance styles are evident in the buildings and the houses which have been built during the past century and the beginning of the 20th, with volcanic stones by "Quetzaltecos" artful masons.

Xela is an excellent place to take language lessons (both Spanish and some of the Mayan languages specific to the area). There are various schools in the city - most offer rates based on one week of instruction (approx. 5 hours per day). Many also offer homestay options, which is an excellent way to make sure you keep practicing at all times. One of the best reasons to learn in Xela is the price. You can expect to pay about US$130 per week including homestay. This often includes internet access. Arrangements can be made ahead of time or upon arrival (most schools have multilingual administrators who can help make arrangements via email or phone - some even offer airport pick up from Guatemala City).

Zunil a 9 km from Quetzaltenango. Monday is market day. Located on the Samala river and on the main highway leading own the coast, Zunil's people wear attractive clothes made by hand using traditional techniques featuring intricate designs and bright colors. This picturesque town is the center for the worship of "Maximon" or "San Simon" a life-sized mannequin endowed with occult power: Just 8 Kms. from town on the slopes of the inactive Zunil volcano you'll find the beautiful "Las Georginas" thermal springs, equipped whit restaurant and bungalows.

The "Quetzaltecos" villages of Quiche and Mam origins, have small places with impressive colonial style churches where the tourist will see the regional handcrafts displayed on market days.

* Salcajá: 9 kms. from Quetzaltenango. Market day: Tuesday. local festival the 25th of august. Here was constructed the church of San Jacinto, the first of the religious constructions of the region and a beautiful example of colonial architecture. Also famous for its hand-woven "jaspe " materials and unique alcoholic beverages known as "caldo de fruta" " and "rompopo" .

* San Juan Ostuncalco 12 kms. from Quetzaltenango. Situated in a valley of the mountainous region, it is the commercial centre for the Mam-speaking villages which border the departament. Here you may acquire musicals instruments, wicker furniture as well as lovely hand woven materials.

* Almolonga 5 km from Quetzaltenango. Market on Wednesday and Saturday. Annual festival the 26th-29th of June. Known for its variety of vegetables which are cultivated on the smell farms which surround the village. You will also enjoy thermal springs such as "Las aguas amargas" and "El rosario" .

* Cantel 10 km from Quetzaltenango. Visit the interesting cooperative for handmade blown glass.

* Olintepeque : 7 Km from Quetzaltenango. The place where according to legend, the famous Maya-Quiche prince Tecún Uman died in battle against Pedro de Alvarado in 1524.

* San Andres Xecul : 7 kms from Quetzaltenango, in the direction of the "Cuatro Caminos" highway junction, whit a colonial-style whose facade is both color full and picturesque.

* Volcán Santa Maria, 12,256 feet & Santiaguito. The summit of the Santa Maria Volcano lies at the endo of the steep 3-4 hours climb from the village of Llanos del Pinal (located 6Kms. above Quetzaltenango). You'll best enjoy the truly awesome view during the clearer weather of the early morning hours. The whole coastal plain lies at your feet, along whit the cities of Quetzaltenago and Tapachula, Mexico. You can look down into the very active Santiaguito crater which erupts at least once every hour. You can still enjoy the view minus the ragged hike by driving to the top of the adjacent Siete Orejas Volcano. (10,384 feet above sea level).

* La laguna de Chicabal, 3 hours by foot from the village of San Martin Chileverde (14 Kms from Quetzaltenango). At this very picturesque lagoon, the sorceres of the whole region meet on the 3th of may.