{"id":1306853,"date":"2026-10-12T11:07:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T11:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?page_id=1306853"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:56:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:56:35","slug":"xela","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/north-america\/guatemala\/xela\/","title":{"rendered":"Xela"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":200,"featured_media":0,"parent":1306299,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"hw-hub-city","meta":{"footnotes":"","hw_hub_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_hero_image":"","hw_hub_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_why_title":"","hw_hub_why_body":"","hw_hub_why_link_label":"","hw_hub_why_link_url":"","hw_hub_why_cards":"","hw_hub_stats":"","hw_hub_countries_title":"","hw_hub_countries_intro":"","hw_hub_featured":"","hw_hub_regions":"","hw_hub_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_hostels":"","hw_hub_when_title":"","hw_hub_when_intro":"","hw_hub_seasons":"","hw_hub_costs_title":"","hw_hub_costs_body":"","hw_hub_cost_rows":"","hw_hub_cost_note":"","hw_hub_money_reads":"","hw_hub_rail_title":"","hw_hub_rail_body":"","hw_hub_rail_link_label":"","hw_hub_rail_link_url":"","hw_hub_rail_image":"","hw_hub_routes":"","hw_hub_events_title":"","hw_hub_events_intro":"","hw_hub_events_source":"","hw_hub_events_continent":"","hw_hub_events_count":"","hw_hub_events_cache":"","hw_hub_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_events":"","hw_hub_events_pills":"","hw_hub_reads_intro":"","hw_hub_article_rows":"","hw_hub_show_read_time":"","hw_hub_all_title":"","hw_hub_all_body":"","hw_hub_all_cta":"","hw_hub_trips_title":"","hw_hub_trips_note":"","hw_hub_trips":"","hw_hub_faq_title":"","hw_hub_faq_note":"","hw_hub_faqs":"","hw_hub_cta_title":"","hw_hub_cta_body":"","hw_hub_cta_buttons":"","hw_hub_newsletter_title":"","hw_hub_newsletter_body":"","hw_hub_newsletter_shortcode":"","hw_hub_hub_term":"","hw_hub_scope_rows":"","hw_hub_country_hero_eyebrow":"","hw_hub_country_hero_h1":"","hw_hub_country_hero_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hero_image":"","hw_hub_country_hero_overlay":"","hw_hub_country_hero_cta":"","hw_hub_country_stats":"","hw_hub_country_intro_title":"","hw_hub_country_intro_body":"","hw_hub_country_facts":"","hw_hub_country_cities_title":"","hw_hub_country_cities_intro":"","hw_hub_country_cities_live":"","hw_hub_country_cities":"","hw_hub_country_trips_title":"","hw_hub_country_trips_intro":"","hw_hub_country_trip_types":"","hw_hub_country_do_title":"","hw_hub_country_do_body":"","hw_hub_country_do_points":"","hw_hub_country_do_tag":"","hw_hub_country_do_more":"","hw_hub_country_food_title":"","hw_hub_country_food_body":"","hw_hub_country_food_points":"","hw_hub_country_food_tag":"","hw_hub_country_food_more":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_title":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_body":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_points":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_tag":"","hw_hub_country_nightlife_more":"","hw_hub_country_transport_title":"","hw_hub_country_transport_body":"","hw_hub_country_transport_points":"","hw_hub_country_transport_tag":"","hw_hub_country_transport_more":"","hw_hub_country_money_title":"","hw_hub_country_money_body":"","hw_hub_country_money_points":"","hw_hub_country_money_tag":"","hw_hub_country_money_more":"","hw_hub_country_safety_title":"","hw_hub_country_safety_body":"","hw_hub_country_safety_points":"","hw_hub_country_safety_tag":"","hw_hub_country_safety_more":"","hw_hub_country_entry_title":"","hw_hub_country_entry_body":"","hw_hub_country_entry_points":"","hw_hub_country_entry_tag":"","hw_hub_country_entry_more":"","hw_hub_country_season_title":"","hw_hub_country_season_intro":"","hw_hub_country_season_note":"","hw_hub_country_season_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_title":"","hw_hub_country_budget_intro":"","hw_hub_country_budget_note":"","hw_hub_country_budget_rows":"","hw_hub_country_budget_currency":"","hw_hub_country_events_title":"","hw_hub_country_events_intro":"","hw_hub_country_events_source":"","hw_hub_country_events_country":"","hw_hub_country_events_count":"","hw_hub_country_events_cache":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_events_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_events":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_title":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_intro":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_label":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cta_url":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_source":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_type":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_location_id":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_currency":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_count":"","hw_hub_country_hostels_cache":"","hw_hub_country_hostels":"","hw_hub_country_team_title":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guide","hw_hub_city_hero_h1":"Things to do in Xela","hw_hub_city_hero_intro":"Quetzaltenango, known as Xela: Guatemala's second city, high in the western highlands, with cheaper Spanish schools than Antigua, a neoclassical centre, volcano hikes, hot springs, and a three-day trek to Lake Atitl\u00e1n.","hw_hub_city_hero_image":"1306863","hw_hub_city_hero_overlay":"light","hw_hub_city_hero_cta":"Plan your days | #do\r\nWhat it costs | #money","hw_hub_city_live_stats":"1","hw_hub_city_stats":"2,330 m | Above sea level\r\n3+ | Days","hw_hub_city_intro_title":"The highland city","hw_hub_city_intro_body":"Quetzaltenango, almost always called Xela, from its K'iche' name Xelaj\u00fa, is Guatemala's second city, at around 2,330 metres in the western highlands. It is a working city with a large Maya population, a university and far fewer tourists than Antigua.\r\n\r\nIts centre, around the Parque Centroam\u00e9rica, has grand neoclassical buildings from the coffee boom, and it is one of the best places in Central America to learn Spanish, with schools that are cheaper than Antigua's and fewer English speakers around to fall back on.\r\n\r\nXela is a base for hiking: Santa Mar\u00eda volcano for sunrise views of the active Santiaguito, the crater lake of Laguna Chicabal, and the Fuentes Georginas hot springs in the cloud forest. The three-day trek from Xela to Lake Atitl\u00e1n, run by community organisations, is one of the best walks in the country. Give it three days, or weeks with Spanish school.","hw_hub_city_facts":"Language | Spanish and K'iche'\r\nCurrency | Quetzal\r\nFrom Antigua | About 4 hours\r\nGetting around | Walk, local buses\r\nEmergency | 110 police, 1500 tourist line\r\nTap water | Do not drink\r\nTipping | 10% in restaurants\r\nAlso called | Quetzaltenango\r\nHow long to stay | Three days or more\r\nBest months | November to April","hw_hub_city_areas_title":"Where to base yourself","hw_hub_city_areas_intro":"The centre around Parque Centroam\u00e9rica for schools, cafes and bars.","hw_hub_city_areas_map":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_zoom":"13","hw_hub_city_hostels_pins":"1","hw_hub_city_areas_live":"","hw_hub_city_areas":"Centro | Schools, cafes | Around Parque Centroam\u00e9rica. | 14.8340 | -91.5180 |  | ","hw_hub_city_itin_title":"How long have you got?","hw_hub_city_itin_intro":"Volcanoes, hot springs and lessons.","hw_hub_city_itin":"","hw_hub_city_do_title":"Things to do in Xela","hw_hub_city_do_body":"Study Spanish at one of the city's many schools, with a homestay. Walk the Parque Centroam\u00e9rica, the cathedral and the Pasaje Enr\u00edquez, and visit the market in Zona 3.\r\n\r\nHike Santa Mar\u00eda volcano before dawn to watch Santiaguito erupt below, walk to the sacred crater lake of Laguna Chicabal, and soak in the hot pools of Fuentes Georginas in the cloud forest.\r\n\r\nTake the three-day trek to Lake Atitl\u00e1n with a community-run guide group, and visit the Monday market in San Francisco El Alto or the hot springs at Almolonga.","hw_hub_city_do_points":"Spanish school | Cheaper than Antigua\r\nSanta Mar\u00eda volcano | Sunrise over Santiaguito\r\nFuentes Georginas | Hot springs\r\nXela to Atitl\u00e1n | Three-day trek","hw_hub_city_do_tag":"things-to-do","hw_hub_city_do_more":"All things to do in Xela","hw_hub_city_free_title":"And what it costs nothing to do","hw_hub_city_free_body":"Walking the centre, the Parque Centroam\u00e9rica and the markets costs nothing.\r\n\r\nThe view from the Cerro El Ba\u00fal park is free.\r\n\r\nHot springs, volcano guides and Laguna Chicabal charge small fees.","hw_hub_city_free_points":"Parque Centroam\u00e9rica | Free\r\nMarkets | Free to browse\r\nCerro El Ba\u00fal | City views\r\nCathedral | Free","hw_hub_city_free_tag":"free","hw_hub_city_free_more":"All free things to do in Xela","hw_hub_city_food_title":"Eating and drinking","hw_hub_city_food_body":"Xela is cheap. Comedores and markets serve set lunches for \u20ac2 to \u20ac4, and street stalls sell tostadas, tamales and atol.\r\n\r\nTry the local chocolate, hot chocolate and sweet breads, and craft beer from the city's small breweries.\r\n\r\nA 10 per cent tip is customary in restaurants, and is sometimes already added to the bill.","hw_hub_city_food_points":"Comedor lunch | \u20ac2\u20134\r\nHot chocolate | Local\r\nTamales | Street stalls\r\nCraft beer | Local breweries","hw_hub_city_food_tag":"food","hw_hub_city_food_more":"All food guides for Xela","hw_hub_city_nightlife_title":"Going out","hw_hub_city_nightlife_body":"With its university and language students, Xela has a lively, low-key nightlife of bars, live music and salsa nights around the centre.\r\n\r\nIt is cold at night, so evenings are spent indoors.\r\n\r\nGallo costs \u20ac1.50 to \u20ac3.","hw_hub_city_nightlife_points":"Bars | Around the centre\r\nSalsa | Weekly nights\r\nLive music | Small venues\r\nGallo | \u20ac1.50\u20133","hw_hub_city_nightlife_tag":"nightlife","hw_hub_city_nightlife_more":"All nightlife guides for Xela","hw_hub_city_transport_title":"Getting around","hw_hub_city_transport_body":"Shuttles run from Antigua in about four hours, and from Lake Atitl\u00e1n in about two and a half hours. First-class buses and chicken buses run to Guatemala City.\r\n\r\nThe centre is walkable, and local buses and taxis cover the rest. Chicken buses go to Almolonga, Zunil and San Francisco El Alto.\r\n\r\nShuttles also run to the Mexican border.","hw_hub_city_transport_points":"From Antigua | About 4 hours\r\nFrom Atitl\u00e1n | About 2.5 hours\r\nLocal buses | To the villages\r\nCentre | Walkable","hw_hub_city_transport_tag":"transport","hw_hub_city_transport_more":"All transport guides for Xela","hw_hub_city_money_title":"What Xela costs","hw_hub_city_money_body":"Xela is one of the cheapest cities in Guatemala. Dorm beds start at around \u20ac6 to \u20ac12 a night. Set lunches cost \u20ac2 to \u20ac4.\r\n\r\nA week of Spanish school with homestay costs about \u20ac120 to \u20ac200, the Xela to Atitl\u00e1n trek about \u20ac90 to \u20ac120, and Fuentes Georginas a few euros.\r\n\r\nCarry cash for markets and buses.","hw_hub_city_money_points":"Dorm bed | From around \u20ac6\u201312\r\nSpanish school | About \u20ac120\u2013200 a week\r\nAtitl\u00e1n trek | About \u20ac90\u2013120\r\nSet lunch | \u20ac2\u20134","hw_hub_city_money_tag":"budget","hw_hub_city_money_more":"All budget guides for Xela","hw_hub_city_safety_title":"Safety and scams","hw_hub_city_safety_body":"Xela is generally fine for travellers. Avoid walking alone late at night, and keep phones out of sight on buses.\r\n\r\nHike volcanoes with a guide, as trails are remote, and bring warm layers: it can be close to freezing at night and on the summits.\r\n\r\nDo not drink the tap water; bottled and purified water is cheap everywhere. In an emergency, call 110 for the police, or 1500 for PROATUR, the tourist assistance line.","hw_hub_city_safety_points":"Emergency | 110 police, 1500 tourist line\r\nHikes | With a guide\r\nCold | Bring layers\r\nBuses | Watch your phone","hw_hub_city_safety_tag":"safety","hw_hub_city_safety_more":"All safety guides for Xela","hw_hub_city_trips_title":"Worth the trip","hw_hub_city_trips_intro":"Volcanoes, springs and markets.","hw_hub_city_trips":"Santa Mar\u00eda volcano | Pre-dawn hike | Guided | Views of Santiaguito. |  | 1307505\nLake Atitl\u00e1n | 3-day trek | Guided | Walk to the lake. |  | 1307501","hw_hub_city_trips_tag":"day-trips","hw_hub_city_trips_more":"All day trips from Xela","hw_hub_city_season_title":"When to go","hw_hub_city_season_intro":"November to April is the dry season, best for hiking, with cold nights. May to October brings afternoon rain.","hw_hub_city_season_note":"Average highs, rounded. Cold nights at 2,330 metres.","hw_hub_city_season_rows":"January | 22 | 4 | Dry, cold nights\r\nFebruary | 23 | 4 | Dry\r\nMarch | 24 | 4 | Dry\r\nApril | 24 | 4 | Semana Santa\r\nMay | 23 | 3 | Rains begin\r\nJune | 22 | 3 | Afternoon rain\r\nJuly | 22 | 4 | Holidays\r\nAugust | 22 | 3 | Rain\r\nSeptember | 21 | 2 | Wettest\r\nOctober | 21 | 2 | Fiestas\r\nNovember | 21 | 3 | Dry returns\r\nDecember | 21 | 4 | Holidays","hw_hub_city_events_title":"What is on while you are there","hw_hub_city_events_intro":"Festivals and markets.","hw_hub_city_events_source":"manual","hw_hub_city_events_count":"8","hw_hub_city_events_cache":"24","hw_hub_city_events_cta_label":"All events in Barcelona","hw_hub_city_events_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/events\/europe\/spain\/barcelona\/","hw_hub_city_events":"Feria de Independencia | September | Xela | The city's big fair. |  | \nSemana Santa | March or April | Xela | Processions in the centre. |  | ","hw_hub_city_budget_title":"What your trip will cost","hw_hub_city_budget_intro":"Per night, for one person, based on Xela prices.","hw_hub_city_budget_note":"Treat these as a guide. Spanish school and treks cost extra.","hw_hub_city_budget_rows":"Shoestring | 8 | 7 | 2 | 6\r\nMiddle of the road | 18 | 15 | 5 | 18\r\nComfortable | 40 | 25 | 10 | 35","hw_hub_city_budget_currency":"\u20ac","hw_hub_city_hostels_title":"Where to stay","hw_hub_city_hostels_intro":"The highest-rated hostels in Xela, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_label":"All hostels in Guatemala","hw_hub_city_hostels_cta_url":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/guatemala\/","hw_hub_city_hostels_source":"api","hw_hub_city_hostels_count":"12","hw_hub_city_hostels_cache":"12","hw_hub_city_picks":"Best for solo travellers |  |  | \nBest for a party |  |  | \nQuietest |  |  | ","hw_hub_city_hostels":"","hw_hub_city_team_title":"","hw_hub_city_team_intro":"","hw_hub_city_team":"","hw_hub_city_faq_title":"Xela questions","hw_hub_city_faq_note":"The ones we get asked most.","hw_hub_city_faqs":"Is Xela good for learning Spanish? | Yes. Schools are cheaper than Antigua's and there is less English around.\r\nWhat does Xela mean? | It is short for Xelaj\u00fa, the K'iche' name for Quetzaltenango.\r\nIs Xela cold? | Days are mild, but nights can be close to freezing.\r\nCan I walk from Xela to Lake Atitl\u00e1n? | Yes, on a three-day guided trek.\r\nHow do I get to Xela? | By shuttle from Antigua or Lake Atitl\u00e1n, or by bus.\r\nIs Xela safe? | Generally, with normal city precautions.\r\nWhen is the best time to visit? | November to April.","hw_hub_city_cta_title":"Say yes to hostels, meet the world","hw_hub_city_cta_body":"Compare hostels across Guatemala: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.","hw_hub_city_cta_buttons":"Find hostels in Guatemala | https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/hostels\/north-america\/guatemala\/\r\nGet the app | https:\/\/hostelworld.onelink.me\/IdiK\/f5a50nhd","hw_hub_city_newsletter_title":"Get the good stuff monthly","hw_hub_city_newsletter_body":"New city guides, deals and route ideas. 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