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Quetzaltenango

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Overview

Quetzaltenango is Guatemala's second city. It has a great atmosphere 鈥� not too big, not too small, enough foreigners to support a good range of hotels and restaurants, but not so many that it loses its national flavor. The city center has an interesting mix of architectural styles 鈥� once the Spanish moved out, the Germans moved in and their architecture gives the zone a somber, even Gothic, feel.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Centro Intercultural de Quetzaltenango

    Centro Intercultural de Quetzaltenango

    Quetzaltenango

    Quetzaltenango's railroad station, 1km east of the Templo de Minerva along 4a Calle, lay dormant for many years until the city converted it into this鈥�

  • Parque Centro Am茅rica

    Parque Centro Am茅rica

    Quetzaltenango

    Most of Xela's sights crowd in and around the broad central plaza. It's a great place for a stroll or to sit and people-watch. It was originally two鈥�

  • Arco Del Sexto Estado

    Arco Del Sexto Estado

    Quetzaltenango

    This monumental arch that greets all visitors on the road into Xela commemorates the 1897 Quetzalteca Revolution, a short-lived uprising in the city鈥�

  • Cemetery

    Cemetery

    Quetzaltenango

    Quetzaltenango's enormous cemetery is a pleasant and fascinating green space for a walk. To the left of the main entrance, visit the grave of the gypsy鈥�

  • Museo de Historia Natural

    Museo de Historia Natural

    Quetzaltenango

    The natural history museum holds a hodgepodge of Maya artifacts, vintage photos, dried leaves, old coins, marimbas, sports trophies, stuffed mammals and鈥�

  • Templo de Minerva

    Templo de Minerva

    Quetzaltenango

    Rising incongruously from an island in the middle of traffic-choked 4a Calle, this temple was erected by dictator Estrada Cabrera to honor the Roman鈥�

  • Cerro el Ba煤l

    Cerro el Ba煤l

    Quetzaltenango

    This wooded hill is a popular weekend destination for city dwellers, for its wonderful views across Xela's broad plain and to the volcanos that fringe it鈥�

  • Museo de Arte

    Museo de Arte

    Quetzaltenango

    An interesting if chaotic collection of some 400 paintings by Guatemala's leading modernists is exhibited here, including works by Efra铆n Recinos, Jorge鈥�

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