Western Highlands of Guatemala Overview

For many travelers, the Western Highlands are the reason to come to Guatemala. A vast expanse of rolling farmland rises up to dense jungle volcanoes and twisting roadways lead to stunning miradores. Meanwhile, the majority of Central America’s indigenous population is packed into the region’s untouched tiny hillside villages. Dialects of Mam, Ixil, and Cakchiquel echo in the vibrant markets; men stand outside churches swinging coffee-can censers filled with smoldering resin while chanting the cycles of the Mayan calendar.

The graceful colonial splendor of Antigua serves as a gateway to the altiplano. The unsurpassed beauty of Lago de Atitlán is ringed by traditional Mayan villages, while the colorful Mayan market of Chichicastenango is one of the country’s most famous sights. Quetzaltenango, Guatemala’s second-largest city, is home to increasingly popular language schools and provides easy access to hot springs. Two beautiful mountain towns offer a more serene highlands atmosphere: traditional Todos Santos, in the Cuchumatanes, and Nebaj, situated in northern Quiché.