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San Juan Tourist Places to Visit in San Juan, Guatemala, America

San Juan Tourist Places to Visit in San Juan, Guatemala, America

San Juan La Laguna or San Juan is a municipal town located towards the southern shore of Lake Atitlan of the Solola department in Guatemala. It is situated between 14°42′ N latitude and 91°17′ W longitude, about 150 km from the national capital Guatemala City. San Juan is placed at lowest altitude of 1,562 meters.

San Juan La Laguna municipality is home to a major village, San Juan La Laguna and three smaller villages. Tz’utujil people cover 95% of the total population of San Juan La Laguna. Agriculture is the major economy source of the natives and in recent years tourism is also gradually improving in San Juan La Laguna because of its nearness with one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Atitlan.

Connectivity to San Juan La Laguna:

Quetzaltenango Airport is the nearest airport to San Juan La Laguna situated about 75 km from the heart of the town. Retalhuleu Airport (81 km), Quiche Airport (78 km) is the other airports located near San Juan La Laguna. The closest international airport to San Juan La Laguna is La Aurora International Airport which is placed in Guatemala City, about 150 km from San Juan La Laguna.

There are regular tourist vehicles plying between Guatemala and San Juan La Laguna and it costs around Q5 from San Pedro la Laguna to San Juan La Laguna by tuk-tuk.

Food and Shopping in San Juan La Laguna:

San Juan La Laguna is a nice town with a variety of shops including jewelry, gift items and perfume and the major restaurants in San Juan La Laguna include:

El Artesano Wine and Cheese Restaurant
Cooperativa La Voz Que Clama En El Desierto

Places to see in San Juan La Laguna:

Lake Atitlan:

Lake Atitlan is a must visit marvelous natural tourist attraction in Guatemala, located in the proximity of San Juan La Laguna. It is considered as the deepest lake in Central America with a depth of 340 meters. There are frequent bus services available from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan.

La Nariz del Indio:

La Nariz del Indio is a peak sited to the northwest of San Juan La Laguna. Now it has been converted into a national park with roofed miradores and nice trails. Entrance fee is Q30.

The Maya Traditions Herbal Medicine Garden:

The Maya Traditions Herbal Medicine Garden is a nice place to know about herbal medicine production, use and advantage. It is also home to different colorful plants.

Other places of interest in San Juan La Laguna include:

Casa Cakchiquel
Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo Museum
Atitlan Nature Reserve
Atitlan Butterfly Sanctuary
Circus Bar
La Palapa
La Galeria
Casa Cakchiquel
Hotel Atitlan Gardens
Thirteen Threads Fair Trade Store
Iximche

Best time to visit San Juan La Laguna:

From June to September is the ideal time to travel San Juan La Laguna to enjoy the beauty of world famous Lake Atitlan.

Accommodation Options in San Juan La Laguna:

San Juan La Laguna hosts numerous luxurious hotels with world class features. Ecohotel Uxlabil is one of the top end hotels in San Juan La Laguna and it charges around US$50 for double per night with amazing facilities. The other major hotels in and around San Juan La Laguna are listed here below:

Hospedaje Estrella del Lago
Hotel Chi-Ya
Pa Muelle
Hotel Playa Linda
Rancho Grande Inn
Hotel K’amol B’ey
Hotel San Buenaventura de Atitlan
Hotel Atitlan
Hotel Utz Rajil
Posada de los Volcanes
Hotel Primavera
Hotel Utz Jay
Jardines del Lago
Hotel Regis Panajachel
Porta Hotel Del Lago
Hotel Real Santander
Hotel Dos Mundos
La Riviera Atitlan Hotel

Places to Visit in Retalhuleu, Guatemala, America

Places to Visit in Retalhuleu, Guatemala, America

Retalhuleu is an administrative headquarters of both Retalhuleu department and Retalhuleu Municipality in the south-western Guatemala. It is located about 205 km from Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala. Retalhuleu is nicknamed ‘Reu’. Juventud Retalteca is the local football club of Retalhuleu.

The municipalities in Retalhuleu department are El Asintal, Champerico, Nuevo San Carlos, Retalhuleu, San Andrés Villa Seca, San Felipe, San Martin Zapotitlan, San Sebastian and Santa Cruz Mulua. Retalhuleu is home to many Pre-Columbian ruins.

Geography of Retalhuleu:

Retalhuleu is positioned between 14°32′ N latitude and91°41′ W longitude at an altitude of 240 meters. Retalhule department occupies an area of 1856 km². Retalhuleu experiences a tropical savanna climate.

Connectivity to Retalhuleu:

Retalhuleu Airport operates only domestic flights, is located few kilometers away from the city centre. Other nearby airports are Quetzaltenango Airport and Coatepeque Airport. The nearest international airport is La Aurora International Airport which is 210 km away from Retalhuleu.

Retalhuleu also has good connectivity with Guatemala City by regular bus services, operated by many private bus companies. For local travel, tourists can choose bus or taxi or bicycle or bike.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Retalhuleu:

Kiche people dominate the population of Retalhuleu and the department of Retalhuleu houses many Pre-Columbian ruins and Takalik Abaj and San Juan Noj are the major sites among them. Football is very popular sport in Retalhuleu and Juventud Retalteca is the native football club.

There are many restaurants and shopping centres in Retalhuleu department and most of them are sited in Retalhuleu city. The prominent restaurants in Retalhuleu are:

Carnitas Rosi
Puro Rollo
Restaurant y Churrascos Mandarin Oriental
Restaurant Maxim´s
Pollo Campero
Restaurante Flor Azul
Restaurante Albamar
Restaurante De La Cruz

Things to do in Retalhuleu:

Visiting villages
Historical sites
Boat tour
Internet browsing
Shopping

Places to see in Retalhuleu:

Takalik Abaj:

Takalik Abaj is a pre-Columbian archaeological site located in the Retalhuleu Department, houses many sculptures, monuments from the Early Pre-classic, Middle Pre-classic and Late Pre-classic periods.

San Juan Noj:

San Juan Noj is one of the well known archeological sites in Retalhuleu department housing many historical buildings and carved rocks.

Champerico:

Champerico is a picturesque beach town and popular vacation spot, established in the year 1872. The port of Champerico is one of the top attractions of Retalhuleu Department.

Other places of interest in Retalhuleu include:

San Felipe
San Martin Zapotitlan
San Sebastian
Santa Cruz Mulua
El Asintal
Nuevo San Carlos
Retalhuleu
San Andres Villa Seca
Xetulul
Xocomil
Centro Comercial Paseo Las Palmas
Retalhuleu Airport

Best time to visit Retalhuleu:

The months of dry season are ideal to visit Retalhuleu.

Accommodation Options in Retalhuleu:

Retalhuleu is one of the major cities in Guatemala well known for its archeological sites and restaurants. Also Retalhuleu is very famous for its luxurious accommodation centres with upgraded amenities. The facilities provided by the hotels are dry cleaning, hot water bath and private bathroom, free Wi-Fi, 24 hour room service and help desk, conference hall and outdoor activities as well. The prominent hotels in and around Retalhuleu are as follows:

Hotel La Colonia
La Quinta Hotel Bed & Breakfast
Hotel Astor
Hotel Posada De Don Jose
Tak’alik Maya Lodge
Hotel & Bungalows Don Pepe
Hotel Gran Karmel
Hotel Irtra
Hotel y Restaurante Siboney
Hotel y Restaurante Eco Resort Samala
Hotel y Restaurante El Submarino
Takalik Maya Lodge

Quiche Tourist Places to Visit in Quiche, Guatemala, America

Quiche Tourist Places to Visit in Quiche, Guatemala, America

Quiche is one of the departments in Guatemala located about 260 km northwest of Guatemala City. Santa Cruz del Quiche is the capital of the department. Quiche occupies an area of 8,378 sq. km. and is located at highest altitude of 3,200 meters. Quiche department is home to many popular archeological sites, natural reserves and regional museums.

Quiche department is divided into 21 municipalities and the major municipalities are Canilla, Chicaman, Chichicastenango, Cunen, Playa Grande Ixcan, San Antonio Ilotenango, San Bartolome Jocotenango, San Juan Cotzal, Santa Cruz del Quiche and Uspantan.

Geography of Quiche:

Quiche is sited between latitude 15°1′48″ in the north and longitude 91°9′0″ in the west. Laguna de Lemoa, Laguna de La Estancia and Laguna de San Antonio are the three shallow lakes placed in Quiche department. Quiche is also home to several drainage basins and the major basins are Xaclbal, Salinas, Motagua and Ixcan.

Connectivity to Quiche:

The airport of Quiche is located in the capital city, Santa Cruz del Quiche and it is connected only with domestic locations. Other nearby airports includes Playa Grande Airport, Coban Airport and Quetzaltenango Airport. La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City is the nearest international airport to Quiche located at a distance of 265 km.

Other than airway, Quiche is also well connected with Guatemala City and nearby cities through roadway by private buses. Tourists can use taxi or car for local travel.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Quiche:

K’iche is a widely spoken language in Quiche’s regions and other languages include Ixil, Uspantek, Sakapultek, Poqomchi and Q’ekchi.

There are many shopping centres located in all the towns of Quiche and the major food corners in Nebaj, Chichicastenango in Quiche are:

Casa de San Juan
Casa de la India
Restaurante Don Pasqual
Tacos Cancun
Hacienda Mil Amores
Restaurant Kieq-ik-wa’im Ja

Things to do in Quiche:

Boating
Swimming
Archeological sites
Village Visiting

Places to see in Quiche:

Chichicastenango:

Chichicastenango also called as Santo Tomas Chichicastenango is one of the towns of El Quiche department famous for Church of Santo Tomas and Chichicastenango Regional Museum. Thursday and Sunday markets of Chichicastenango are very popular.

Qumarkaj:

Q’umarkaj is an archeological site housing many historic temples including Tohil, Awilix, Jakawitz and Q’uq’umatz. It is also home to small museum that showcases the history and culture of Q’umarkaj.

Visis Caba Biosphere Reserve:

Visis Caba Biosphere Reserve is located in Chajul covering an area of 450 sq. km. It is the only protected natural reserve in El Quiche department drawing tourists from all around the department.

Other places of interest in Quiche include:

Pascual Abaj
Cerro de San Andrés
Los Cerritos
La Laguna
Chichicastenango Regional Museum
Church of Santo Tomas
Chichi Cemetery
ChiChi Market
Pascual Abaj
Parque Ecologico Los Senderos del Abuelo
Catarata de Santa Avelina
Laguna Lemoa
Museo de Arqueologa

Best time to visit Quiche:

From February to August is the ideal time to travel Quiche to visit archeological sites and museums.

Accommodation Options in Quiche:

Quiche department is home to several well facilitated accommodation centres with different facilities like swimming pool, spa, hot water bath, doctor on call and 24 hour room service. The prominent hotels in Quiche are listed below:

Hotel Santa Maria
Hotel El Sitio
Hostal de Santa Maria
Hotel San Pasqual
Hacienda San Antonio
Hotel Rey K”ich”e
Posada El Arco
Santo Tomas Hotel
Hotel Chalet
Hotel Villa Grande
Hospedaje Salvador
Hotel Ixil
Hotel Chuguila
Mayan Inn
Hotel Giron
Posada Vetz K’aol
Hotel Turansa

Tourist Places to Visit in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, America

Tourist Places to Visit in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, America

Quetzaltenango also known as Xelaju is the 2^nd largest city in Guatemala. It serves as the capital of both Quetzaltenango Department and Quetzaltenango municipality.

The municipalities coming under Quetzaltenango department are Zunil, El Palmar, Concepcion Chiquirichapa, Salcaja, Cantel, Almolonga, San Mateo, La Esperanza, and Olintepeque.

Geography and Climate of Quetzaltenango:

Quetzaltenango is situated about 195 km from Guatemala City, the capital and largest city of Guatemala, is spread over an area of 120 sq. km. located at 14°50′40″ N 91°30′05″ W at an altitude of 2330 meters.

Quetzaltenango features a subtropical highland climate with rainy season which runs from May through October and dry season from November to April. Quetzaltenango enjoys coldest months from November to February and warmest months from March to July.

Etymology and History of Quetzaltenango:

Quetzaltenanco was the original name of Quetzaltenango deriving from the Nahuatl language meaning’ the place of the quetzal bird’. It served as the capital of many kingdoms and states from 15^th to 19^th century including Los Altos. Quetzaltenango was founded on May 7, 1524.

How to reach Quetzaltenango?

Quetzaltenango is well connected with Guatemala City by Chicken buses costing around Q30 and the known bus operators include:

Autobuses Del Notre
Alamo
Fuentes Del Notre
Linea Dorada
Galgos

Quetzaltenango Airport is located 5 km away from the city centre, operated by Aviones Comerciales de Guatemala and Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos with charter flights.

Minibuses are very common in Quetzaltenango and also they are very helpful, charging 1.25Q to move all around the city. Taxis and bicycles are other local travel options.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Quetzaltenango:

Quetzaltenango is popularly called as ‘The City that is the Soul of Culture’ because of its cultural importance. It is also known for rich nightlife.

There are all the types of shops in Quetzaltenango including fashion and sport. The major food corners in Quetzaltenango are listed below:

La Genovese
Comida Taiwanesa
Churrascaria Cajola
Luna Cafe
El Cuartito Cafe

Must visit and things to do in Quetzaltenango:

Internet Cafes
Volcanoes
Mountains
Hot springs
Kamalbe Spanish School & Volunteer Center
Escuela de Espanol Utatlan

Places to see in Quetzaltenango:

Espiritu Santo Cathedral:

Espiritu Santo Cathedral is the most prominent religious site as well as tourist attraction of Quetzaltenango. ‘Espiritu Santo’ parish’s ancient facade and ‘Diocesis de los Altos’ are the two major structures of Espiritu Santo Cathedral.

Central America Park:

Central America Park also called as Parque Central is a cultural centre located in the midpoint of the city and it hosts regular cultural activities and amusements.

Municipal Theatre:

Municipal Theatre is the major landmark and tourist attraction in Quetzaltenango, built and designed with neoclassical style architecture.

Other places of interest in Quetzaltenango include:

Enrique Passage
Gobernacion
Accidental Cultural Centre
Alliance Française de Quetzalteango
Rivera Building
Railway Museum

Best time to visit Quetzaltenango:

Between November and April is the ideal time to travel Quetzaltenango.

Accommodation Options in Quetzaltenango:

Quetzaltenango is the cultural capital of Guatemala with historical buildings designed with classical, neoclassical and Italian renaissance styles and is also well known for its hospitality industry. There are many luxury and mid range hotels located in Quetzaltenango with upgraded facilities. The price per night may vary on the facilities provided by the hotels and the prominent hotels in Quetzaltenango are as follows: