Home
Guatemala
PLAN MY VISIT
Guatemala Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Guatemala
  3. Destinations
  4. Western Highlands

Huehuetenango, Guatemala

Set at the foot of the Cuchumatanes Mountains in Guatemala’s Western Highlands, the departmental capital town of Huehuetenango is a lively town that lies adjacent to the ruins of Zaculeu. It has a relaxed atmosphere despite the fact that it’s a hub for trade and transport in northwest Guatemala.

THINGS TO DOHOTELS
Similar places: City  Maya  Mountain  Nature  Rest and Relaxation 
Huehuetenango Guatemala
Huehuetenango Guatemala
Huehuetenango Guatemala
Huehuetenango Guatemala
Huehuetenango Guatemala
Huehuetenango Guatemala
←→

Known affectionately as “Huehue” by locals, the town lies in a valley ringed by mountains. As a departmental capital, the city is busy with coffee farmers, traders, and travelers heading to or from the western border with Mexico. Its location makes it a great place to begin trips into the deeper portions of the Huehuetenango department.

Like other towns in Guatemala, Huehuetenango is centered on a central park. The park is well-cared for and rather pretty. Catedral Templo de la Inmaculada Concepción, a neoclassical church that dates back to 1874, sits along the park’s southern end. On the eastern end is the regional seat of the government, which is notable for its clock tower and early 20th-century architecture.

Huehuetenango has decent hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés. This is a good place to learn Spanish, as there are far fewer foreigners here than in other parts of Guatemala. The city’s bus terminal is about a mile outside the city center and has frequent buses to other towns and villages. The Mam ruins of Zaculeu lie a few miles west. The Mam were an important indigenous highland tribe prior to the arrival of the Spanish. Dating back to 400–700 AD, Zaculeu was likely occupied for 1,000 years before being conquered by Gonzalo de Alvarado (brother of Pedro de Alvarado) in 1525. In October of this year, the Spanish surrounded the city and cut off supplies from neighboring villages. With precious few resources, the Mam eventually gave in to the Spanish.

Unfortunately, no Mam records survived and not much is known about the early history of the site. It is thought to have religious and administrative purposes, and was likely the hub of the Mam people, who lived in scattered settlements in the nearby mountains and valleys.

Zaculeu underwent a restoration project in the 1950s. The tallest temple pyramid, Structure 1, is around 40 feet (12 m) high. There are a few other impressive structures here, as well as a museum that has burial pieces on display.

Huehuetenango Things to Do

Check out more tours and activities in Huehuetenango.

Hike From Todos Santos to Nebaj | GuatemalaHike From Todos Santos to Nebaj
←→


Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 528 reviews
Trustpilot
GUA and BZE a success!
Anywhere inc made another trip a delight. I can’t wait for my next Adventure with Anywhere!!
Mar 17, 2020
– Shawn Ng
Trustpilot Rating
Easy & Cost Effective
easy to use and transact, would definitely recommend to friends and family. thank you for making my experience while in ...
Mar 11, 2020
– Elle Mac
Trustpilot Rating
Enrico Estrada of Anywhere.com planned…Great Trip!!
Enrico Estrada of Anywhere.com planned an amazing trip for my husband and me to Belize, Guatemala and Costa Rica. The tr...
Jun 24, 2019
– FAITH HOF.
Trustpilot Rating
Book with Anywhere! Easiest decision you'll have to make
Booking with Anywhere was the best decision we made. Our trip was absolutely amazing, everything we wanted, plus everyth...
Apr 26, 2019
– Stephanie
Trustpilot Rating
Great company
Great company! They’re more than helpful and they make your trip a time to remember. The customer service is in a class ...
Apr 26, 2019
– Johnny
Trustpilot Rating
We were delighted with the quality of…
We were delighted with the quality of service. The staff were professional, courteous, punctual and reliable. We would ...
Apr 05, 2019
– Deepak D
Trustpilot Rating
The trip was a once in a lifetime…
The trip was a once in a lifetime experience. Anywhere.com did an exceptional job of planning this trip. It couldn't h...
Mar 30, 2019
– Vickie B.
Trustpilot Rating
This service is outstanding
This service is outstanding. We had changes to be made, and they were done so with ease. All of the excursions and dri...
Mar 23, 2019
– Linda A
Trustpilot Rating
Wonderful staff, amazing service.
I highly recommend this company! Everyone throughout the whole process was friendly, professional and so understanding a...
Mar 08, 2019
– Luanne
Trustpilot Rating
awesome company to deal with
awesome company to deal with. Everything they planned, including hotels and sightseeing tours, was wonderful. Every ve...
Mar 06, 2019
– Happy tra.
Trustpilot Rating
The Hidden Treasure of Travel Agency ( that shouldn't be anymore )!
Super pleasant, helpful, and knowledgeable staff! We plan to have them coordinate our next trips to the areas they ser...
Feb 15, 2019
– Mari
Trustpilot Rating
I would recommend anywhere to anyone…
I would recommend anywhere to anyone traveling anywhere. I was treated exceptionally well with professionalism and kindn...
Feb 14, 2019
– Steven
Trustpilot Rating
Best vacation of my life
Best vacation of my life! I told them the type of vacation and experiences I wanted and they somehow found the most perf...
Feb 08, 2019
– Lisa
Trustpilot Rating
This is our second vacation with…
This is our second vacation with Anywhere. As the first time, the use experience of the website was easy, our travel pla...
Feb 07, 2019
– Rosemary
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere did a fantastic job planning…
Anywhere did a fantastic job planning my vacation. My family loves to travel and this was one of the best trips we’ve ta...
Jan 11, 2019
– Elena
Trustpilot Rating
Guatemala Vacations
  • Adventure
  • Archaeology
  • Bird-watching
  • Community
  • Family
  • Nature
  • Rainforest
  • Romantic
  • Sustainable
Highlights
  • Mayan
  • Unique & Authentic
  • Relaxation
  • Mountains
  • Rainforests
  • Lakes
  • Volcanoes
  • Indigenous
  • Colonial
PLACES TO GO
  • Antigua
  • Tikal
  • Peten
  • Panajachel
  • Languin
  • Chichi
  • Quetzaltenango
  • Pacific Slope
  • Quirigua
  • Acantenango Volcano
  • Pacaya Volcano
  • Todos Santos Cuchumatanes
THINGS TO DO
  • Nature Walks
  • Birdwatching
  • Ruins
  • Archeology
  • Hiking
  • Coffee Farms
  • Horseback Riding
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2022 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy