Quetzaltenango trip planner

Named for the Quetzal bird--one of Guatemala's national symbols--Quetzaltenango once included the territories controlled by K'iche' Mayans, a pre-Columbian tribe eventually supplanted by Spanish conquistadores. Today, the area's main claim to fame is its eponymous capital, which boasts fine examples of classical, neoclassical, and Renaissance architecture. The city's young student population endows it with a cosmopolitan and bohemian feel, which remain its main attractions, along with a good selection of restaurants and shops. Outside the busy provincial capital, tourists on a Quetzaltenango vacation discover a largely agricultural countryside known especially for its coffee plantations and small settlements hosting colorful outdoor markets. Take a look at our Guatemala online attractions planner to refine the details of your trip to Quetzaltenango.