Nestled in the highlands of Guatemala, Huehuetenango is an important coffee exportation hub in the country’s west. It was already established as a Mayan settlement before the arrival of the Spanish, with the name “Huehuetenago” translating from Nahuatl as the “place of the ancestors”.
Things to do in Huehuetenango
In the heart of Huehuetenango is Parque Central, a bustling square with a relief map detailing the region’s topography. Experience all the comings and goings of the daily market while admiring the Neoclassical buildings that frame the square. On the southern edge is the magnificent Huehuetenango Cathedral, which was built on the remains of a Mayan temple and completed in 1874.
On the eastern edge of Huehuetenango is the Templo de Minerva, which was constructed in the early 20th century by Don Felipe Cardona. It is one of several temples commissioned by the former Guatemalan president Manuel Estrada Cabrera, who believed strongly in the Goddess of Wisdom. Recently restored, the temple plays an important role in Holy Week celebrations and offers spectacular views across the city.
History buffs can visit Zaculeu, a pre-Columbian Mayan archaeological site that once served as the capital of the Mam kingdom. In the 1940s, the site was restored to recreate the appearance of an ancient religious centre. It features temple pyramids that exhibit both Mam and Kʼicheʼ architectural styles, with double stairways, talud-tablero constructions and a ball court. Skulls and grave goods uncovered at the site are exhibited at the on-site museum.
Getting around Huehuetenango
Huehuetenango Airport is a 15-minute drive from the city centre and has regular flights to Guatemala City. By road, the Guatemalan capital is five hours away. Long-distance buses connect to Huehuetenango while local services travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions.