a large building sitting on the side of a road

Quetzaltenango

Quetzaltenango, or Xela, is a highland city known for Spanish classes and colonial streets, with hot springs and volcano hikes within reach.

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Quetzaltenango, usually called Xela, is a city in the western highlands of Guatemala, at about 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) above sea level. The center has colonial-era buildings around a central square, and the city has long been a base for Spanish language schools. Many people come for classes that run a week or several, and the same streets suit a few slower days in a working highland city.

Most trips pair the city with day trips to nearby volcanoes and hot springs. The dry season, roughly November to April, is the most reliable time for hiking, and nights stay cool at this altitude, so pack layers. Three days cover the city and one day trip, and a longer stay suits anyone studying Spanish. If you move on, plan a long road journey to Lake Atitlán or Antigua.

Quetzaltenango in five

Pack for cold mornings and nightsThe city sits high in the western highlands, so bring warm layers and a rain shell, and ask hotels about heating before you book. Take the first evening quietly while you adjust to the altitude.Where to stay in Quetzaltenango
Check volcano conditions before you climbUK advice says to check the Guatemalan Meteorological Office and CONRED, that there is no mountain rescue service and that deaths have occurred. Climb only with an experienced guide.Xela in 3 days
Book a shuttle or driver, not a chicken busUK advice says to avoid public buses, the repainted US school buses, because of attacks, extortion and accidents. Travel by day and use the main highway.Xela to Lake Atitlán or Antigua
Ask before you photograph peopleUK advice says not to take photographs without permission, especially of children, because attacks have followed fears of child kidnapping in more remote areas.
Read the border advice before heading to MexicoUK advice is against all but essential travel within 5 km of the Mexican border from the Pacific coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing. Check your exact crossing.UK regional advice

Things to do in Quetzaltenango

See all attractions in Quetzaltenango

Church · QuetzaltenangoIglesia El Calvario

Museum · QuetzaltenangoRailway Museum Los Altos

a large building with columns on the side of it

Park · QuetzaltenangoParque Centro AméricaCome on a Sunday if you want the square at its busiest.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to QuetzaltenangoPut the places you like in Quetzaltenango on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Guatemala City (GUA) is the usual gateway
Getting there: Pan-American Highway by booked shuttle or driver
Getting around: Walking in the center; taxis for day trips
Best base: Historic center around Parque Centro América
Time needed: 2–3 days; more with Spanish classes

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Dry, cold nights
FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Dry, sunny
MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Dry, warm days
AprilRain26 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Dry, hazy
MayRain30 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Rains start
JuneRain30 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh18°Low13°Wet afternoons
JulyRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh19°Low13°Wet, some dry days
AugustRain30 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh19°Low13°Wet
SeptemberRain30 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh18°Low13°Wettest
OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Wet
NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Rains ease
DecemberRain18 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh18°Low11°Dry, very cold

Average daily high and low in Quetzaltenango, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Quetzaltenango

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 16°
Humidity: 56%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Quetzaltenango

06:20 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today19°8°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue18°5°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed19°6°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 19°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu18°5°100%Thursday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri17°7°100%Friday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat18°6°100%Saturday: Rain. High 18°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun17°6°100%Sunday: Rain. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 02:31 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 7.656 GTQ

Amount

Converted to

GTQ · Guatemalan Quetzal

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Zunil and the hot springshalf a day with a driverA highland village, vegetable fields at Almolonga and thermal pools in the hills.
Laguna Chicabalfull day with a guideA crater lagoon with local rules; ask your guide what is allowed.
Lake Atitlánhalf a day by shuttleThe next stop east on the Pan-American Highway.Read the guide

Before you go to Quetzaltenango

Hotels in the historic centerAsk about heating before you bookCheck availability

Guided volcano and lagoon tripsExperienced guides for cold peaksCompare day trips

eSIM for the highlandsMaps and shuttle pickups on hill roadsRead the guide

Insurance for volcano hikesCheck guided trekking coverRead the guide

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Rules for Quetzaltenango, checked

Before you climb a volcano, check the Guatemalan Meteorological Office and CONRED; there is no mountain rescue service.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Carrying ID is a legal requirement; in most parts of the country a copy of your passport photo page is accepted.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 5 km of the Mexican border from the Pacific coast up to the Gracias a Dios crossing.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source

All Quetzaltenango guides

a group of people standing outside of a large building

Head to headXela to Lake Atitlán or Antigua: which way, and how to travelChecked Oct 3, 2026

ItineraryXela in 3 days: city, hot springs and one volcano or lagoon dayChecked Oct 3, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Quetzaltenango (Xela): three bases comparedChecked Oct 3, 2026

Plan around Quetzaltenango

Guatemala City

The airport hub: four zones compared and the road west.

Read the guide Lake Atitlán

The next stop east along the highway.

Read the guide Antigua Guatemala

Colonial base close to the airport.

Read the guide All of Guatemala

Entry rules, routes and the best months.

Read the guide

Quetzaltenango FAQ

How many days do you need in Quetzaltenango?

Three days cover the center, a day south to Zunil and the hot springs and one highland excursion. Two work if you skip the excursion. Add days only for Spanish classes or an overnight volcano climb.

Is Quetzaltenango worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a working highland city with fewer tour groups than Antigua, plus hot springs, markets and volcano day trips. It is a poorer fit for a trip with only a few days or one that depends on warm weather.

Is Quetzaltenango cold?

Mornings and nights are cold because the city sits high in the western highlands. Bring a warm layer and a rain shell, ask hotels about heating, and plan a quiet first evening while you adjust to the altitude.

How do you get from Quetzaltenango to Lake Atitlán?

By booked tourist shuttle or private driver along the Pan-American Highway, in daylight. UK advice says to avoid public buses and names the Godinez bypass and the Cocales to San Lucas Tolimán road as routes to avoid.

Is it safe to climb a volcano near Xela?

Only with an experienced guide and after checking the Guatemalan authorities. UK advice says there is no mountain rescue service, that local tour organizers tend to underestimate the risks and that deaths have occurred.