Zunil
Zunil is a small town a short
bus ride away from Quetzaltenango. It is located in a beautiful
valley surrounded by lush mountains. The town is a maze of steep,
dusty cobblestone streets lined with small houses with patches
of gardens and farms. The only building that stands out is the
colonial church with a beautiful ornate façade. The market
here is quite colorful with the locals wearing bright garments
and selling brightly colored flowers and fruit.
San Francisco EI Alto
Guatemala is famous for
its market towns. San Francisco located close to Quetzaltenango
is a good example of an authentic market town. These markets
are most active on Fridays and the weekends with crowds of locals
dressed in colorful garments, hawkers and vendors selling their
products. These markets attract a large number of visitors for
their low prices and high quality products that include handicrafts,
handmade garments, artwork, livestock, flowers, fruits, vegetables
and food. Textiles are the best buy with beautiful and colorful
lengths of material and embroidered shawls and shirts.
Fuentes Georginas
Fuentes
Georginas is a beautiful natural springs located in the tropical
jungle. It was built in honor of the president Jorge Ubico.
The waters of this spring is said to have curative powers and
attract many tourists from all around the world. There are rustic
cabins that visitors can stay and enjoy a few days in the midst
on nature over looking the cloud forest valley and enjoy activities
like hiking and bird watching.
Momostenango
The
nights in Momostenango get very cold and hence its no surprise
that this town is famous for thick blankets and ponchos instead
of beautiful, delicate patterns like the ones found in most
of the other towns. The thick hand-woven coats and the famous
chamara blankets are the best. The materials for the garments
come from sheep and goats raised in the town. You can also get
people to show you their wool spinning, weaving and dying techniques.
Los Vahos
You can take a Sauna at the
natural eucalyptus hot springs in Los Vahos a short distance
away from Quetzaltenango. The wet sauna is produced by natural
water vapor coming out from the volcano. From the Sauna you
can walk in the forest and surrounding mountains where the views
are remarkable.
