About Guatemala

The city of Quetzaltenango is the second most populated city of Guatemala, and the capital city of the department of the same name. Quetzaltenango is also known as Xelajú, or Xela for short. It’s located in a mountain valley at an altitude of 2333 m above sea level, and it’s population (estimated 300,000) is mainly indigenous.

Xela’s history begins in pre Columbian times, but it was until the 19th century when Quetzaltenango’s development was improved as a result of the introduction of coffee plantations. It became the most important urban center of the region; some remarkable Belle Époque buildings and houses of this period can still be found around the city.

Quetzaltenango has become a popular destination for foreign students studying Spanish, and naturally, the number of Spanish Schools has increased over the years. Restaurants, coffee shops and hotels have proliferated too due to a recent tourist increase.

The natural beauty of the region surrounding Xela and traditions of the nearby towns are very worth visiting. Some of the most visited destinations include thermal mountain pools, eco-tourism activities and volcano climbing. Quetzaltenango can be a great starting point to visit some of Guatemala’s most authentic villages.