Quetzaltenango: Getting there & around

For 2nd-class buses, Terminal Minerva, a dusty, crowded yard in Zona 3, is the main departure point. Buses leave frequently for many highland destinations. Services include Chichicastenango (3hr), Antigua (4hr), Guatemala City (4-5hr), Ciudad Tecún Umán (Mexican border; 3.5hr), El Carmen/Talismán (Mexican border; 2hr) and Panajachel (2.5hr). First-class companies operating between Quetzaltenango and Guatemala City have their own terminals. Tour companies run more expensive but quicker shuttle minibuses to many destinations.

Leaving or entering town, some buses make a stop east of the center at the Rotonda, a traffic circle on Calzada Independencia. Getting off here when coming into Xela saves crossing town to Terminal Minerva.

Cars can be rented from Econorent and Tabarini.

Terminal Minerva is linked to the city center by minibuses (known as microbuses ), which you can pick up on the south side of 4a Calle. The Rotonda bus stop on Calzada Independencia is also served by Parque microbuses running to the center. City buses run on fixed routes around the town, and plenty of taxis are available - there's a taxi stand at the north end of Parque Centroamérica.

Central Xela can easily be covered on foot - the majority of places of interest are within a few hundred meters of Parque Centroamérica.