Activities in Western Highlands
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Volunteering in Quetzaltenango
The Quetzaltenango area has many nonprofit organizations working on social projects with the local K'iche' Maya people and others that need volunteers. Volunteer jobs can range from teaching math to village children, to designing websites for indigenous organizations, to developing sustainable agriculture, to medical work in clinics, to working in orphanages for disabled children. For anyone in a giving frame of mind, the possibilities are endless.
You can volunteer part time for a week or two while also studying Spanish, or you can live and work in a close-knit indigenous village for a year. Obviously, the more Spanish you speak the better, but in a few weeks at one of X…
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Kaqchikel Tours
Kaqchikel Tours is a well-run, locally owned outfit specializing in volcano ascents and other great-value hikes, with camping along the way on some trips. Two-day Tajumulco trips cost around US$40. Kaqchikel also offers full-moon ascents of Santa María (around US$15) and challenging two-day Santiaguito trips (around US$66 with a minimum group size of four), camping on a small hill as close as is safely possible to the active crater.
A three-day Quetzaltenango-Lago de Atitlán trek is around US$70, and a five-day Nebaj-Todos Santos jaunt across the Cuchumatanes mountains is around US$130. Prices include transportation, food, equipment and a guide.
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Volcán Santa María & Santiaguito
With early starts, Volcán Santa María (3772m), towering to the south of the city, and the active volcano Santiaguito (2488m), on Santa María's southwest flank, can both be done in long morning hikes from Xela.
You start walking at the village of Llanos del Pinal, 5km south of Xela, from which it's about four hours up to the summit of Santa María (then three hours down). Getting too close to Santiaguito is dangerous, so people usually just look at it from a mirador about 1½ hours' walk from Llanos del Pinal.
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Proyecto Lingüístico Quetzalteco de Español
This very professional and politically minded school also runs the Escuela de la Montaña, a language school with a maximum enrollment of eight on an organic coffee finca in the mountains near Xela, where participation in local culture and volunteering are strongly encouraged.
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El Quetzal
One of the few indigenous-run businesses in town, plenty of activities and a reading room with more than 300 books.
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Celas Maya
Set around a pleasant garden-courtyard; also offers classes in K'iche'.
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Language Courses
Xela's many language schools attract students from around the world. Unlike Antigua, which has had a similar reputation for quite a bit longer, Xela is not overrun with foreigners, though there is a growing social scene revolving around language students and volunteer workers.
Xela seems to attract altruistic types, and most of the Spanish schools listed individually provide opportunities to get involved in social action programs working with the local K'iche' Maya. Prices for the schools vary a little but not by much; the standard price is around US$110/around US$130 per week for four/five hours of instruction per day, Monday to Friday, including room and board with a lo…
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Volcán Tajumulco
There are many exciting walks and climbs to be done from Xela. Volcán Tajumulco (4220m), 50km northwest, is the highest point in Central America and is a challenging trip of one long day from the city or two days with a night camping on the mountain. This includes about five hours' walking up from the starting point, Huitán, and three to four hours down. Huitán is about three hours by bus from Xela.
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Cycling
Cycling is a great way to explore the surrounding countryside or commute to Spanish class. Fuentes Georginas, San Andrés Xequl and the steam vents at Los Vahos are all attainable day trips. Vrisa Bookstore (15a Av 3-64, Zona 1) rents mountain and town bikes for around US$4 per day, around US$10per week, as does Monte Verde Tours (7761 6105; www.monte-verdetours.com; 13a Av 8-34, Zona 1).
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Tropica Latina
The highly recommended Tropica Latina is the longest-running dance school in town, and gets top marks for its fun atmosphere and professionalism. Group and private salsa classes and private merengue classes are offered.
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El Nahual
A bit out of town, but runs some excellent, grass roots community projects in which students are invited to participate, such as teaching classes for underprivileged kids and maintaining an organic community garden.
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Proyecto Lingüístico Santa Maria
Young staff and good atmosphere. Nonprofit status since 1984. Can organize volunteer work with Maya women's weaving cooperative. The director writes books on Spanish grammar and usage.
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Guatemaya Intercultural
Guatemaya Intercultural can place volunteers in any of 15 projects including human rights and ecological organizations, medical clinics, schools and old people's homes.
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La Democracia
In a residential part of town, this highly recommended school arranges volunteer work teaching English to underpriveleged kids and building classrooms.
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Inepas
Offers a range of cheap accommodations other than living with a family; organizes worthy projects in which students are invited to participate.
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Mundo en Español
Seventeen years' experience in conducting language classes, family atmosphere; gym, garden and accommodation on premises.
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Madre Tierra
Plenty of activities; runs its own reforestation project. Classes held in a pretty courtyard in classic colonial house.
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Utatlán Spanish School
One of the town's many language schools. Described as young and energetic with plenty of parties and activities.
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Xela Sin Límites
Xela Sin Límites conducts tours locally and around Guatemala and can make international travel arrangements.
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Xinabajul Spanish Academy
Xinabajul Spanish Academy offers one-to-one Spanish courses and homestays with local families.
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Escuela de Español Miguel de Cervantes
Friendly female owner, intimate atmosphere, also has accommodation (see Sleeping).
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Casa Xelajú
One of the biggest, also offering classes in K'iche', and college credits.
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Monte Verde Tours
Does a variety of volcano hikes and offbeat tours in the Xela area, including beach trips, ecotours and tours of local coffee farms, as well as shuttle bus and guided bike tours.
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Centro de Estudios de Español Pop Wuj
Pop Wuj's profits go to development projects in nearby villages, in which students can participate. The school also offers medical and social work specialist language programs.
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