Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing produced by Maya weavers. Trama Textiles, just uphill from the park, is a similar
weaving cooperative, comprised of 400 Maya women.
WORTH A TRIP
EXPLORE MORE OF QUETZALTENANGO
The wide-open spaces and mountainous countryside around Xela offer an almost endless array of opportunities
for getting out there and doing a bit of solo exploration. Small villages dotted around the valley mean that you
shouldn't ever have much trouble getting directions, and the relative safety of the area means that the biggest
danger you're likely to face is that of a yapping dog (carry a stick). A few destinations to head towards:
Santiaguito lookout
Get a close-up view of volcanic eruptions, going off like clockwork every 20 minutes.
Lava fields
Over near Mt Candelaria, these extensive fields are a great place for a picnic and a spot of sun-
bathing.
San Cristóbal waterfall
Halfway between Xela and San Francisco, the falls are most impressive in the wet sea-
son.
Las Mojadas
The walk to this pretty flower-growing village takes you from Llanos del Pinal and past the Santi-
ago volcano. You can catch a bus back.
Orientation
The heart of Xela is the oblong Parque Centro América, graced with neoclassical monu-
ments and surrounded by the city's important buildings. Most accommodations are within
a few blocks of this plaza.
The main bus station is Terminal Minerva, on the western outskirts and next to one of
the principal markets.
Information
EMERGENCY
7761-2002)
Firefighters.
Bomberos
(
7761-2746)
Red Cross.
Cruz Roja
(
7761-5805)
Local police force.
Policía Municipal
(
7765-4990)
National police force.
Policía Nacional
(
4149-1104)
Tourist police.
Proatur
(
INTERNET ACCESS
