Sights in Western Highlands
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Zaculeu Archaeological Zone
With ravines on three sides, the late postclassic religious center Zaculeu ('White Earth' in the Mam language) occupies a strategic defensive location that served its Mam Maya inhabitants well. It finally failed, however, in 1525, when Gonzalo de Alvarado and his conquistadors laid siege to the site for two months. It was starvation that ultimately defeated the Mam. The park-like Zaculeu archaeological zone, about 200m square, is 4km west of Huehuetenango's main plaza.
A small museum at the site holds, among other things, skulls and grave goods found in a tomb beneath Estructura 1, the tallest structure at the site. Restoration by the United Fruit Company in the 1940s has…
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Parque Central
Huehuetenango's main plaza, the Parque Central is shaded by old trees and surrounded by the town's imposing buildings: the municipalidad (the Town Hall with its band shell on the upper floor) and the huge colonial church. For a bird's-eye view of the situation, check out the little relief map of Huehuetenango department, which lists altitudes, language groups and populations of the various municipal divisions.
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Almolonga
Just south of Quetzaltenango, Almolonga is an indigenous town worth visiting on market days (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) for its deliciously fresh vegetables, most grown on small family plots. Locals export them as far as El Salvador. At the lower end of the village the road passes through Los Baños, an area with natural hot sulfur springs.
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A
Museo de Historia Natural
Housed in the Casa de la Cultura, the Museo de Historia Natural comprises a fascinating collection. Exhibits include the history of the Maya, the liberal revolution in Central American politics and the Estado de Los Altos, of which Quetzaltenango was once the capital. Marimbas, the weaving industry, and other local artifacts also claim places here.
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B
Los Vahos
Just a short hike south of town are the rough-and-ready sauna/steam baths at Los Vahos (the Vapors). These natural saunas are just two dark stone rooms behind plastic curtains - occasionally the vents are carpeted with eucalyptus leaves, giving the steam a herbal quality. The baths are a 2km (1.2mi) uphill walk away, with good view of the city.
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C
Parque Centroamérica
Quetzaltenango's focal point, this central park is surrounded by some of the town's grandest buildings. The once-crumbling cathedral has been restored in recent decades, while the Municipalidad was rebuilt after the 1902 earthquake in grandiose neoclassical style. On the west side of the park is Pasaje Enríquez, an imposing arcade.
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D
Parque Zoológico Minerva
This zoo-park is a good place to take the kids to see small animals such as monkeys, coyotes, raccoons, deer and Barbary sheep, plus there's a few rides. Outside is the neoclassical Templo de Minerva, built by dictator Estrada Cabrera to honor the Roman goddess of education and to inspire Guatemalans to new heights of learning.
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Teatro Municipal
The impressive neoclassical Teatro Municipal holds regular theater and cultural performances. Inside are three tiers of seating, the lower two with private boxes for prominent families; each is equipped with a vanity. The locals consider their theater something of an architectural jewel, and are very proud of it.
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Municipalidad
The Municipalidad (Town Hall), at the northeastern end of the park, was rebuilt after the 1902 earthquake in the grandiose neoclassical style so favored as a symbol of culture and refinement in this wild mountain country.
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Pasaje Enríquez
On the west side of the park between 4a and 5a Calles is Pasaje Enríquez, an imposing arcade built to be lined with elegant shops - but as Quetzaltenango has few elegant shoppers, it stands half-empty.
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cathedral
The once-crumbling cathedral has been rebuilt in recent decades. The facade of the colonial building has been preserved, and a modern church built behind it.
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