Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Huehuetenango
POP 155,500 / ELEV 1909M
Often used as a stopoff on the journey to or from Mexico, or as a staging area for forays
deeper into the Cuchumatanes mountain range, Huehuetenango offers few charms of its
own, though some may appreciate its welcoming if scruffy character. Fortunately, 'Hue-
hue' (
way-way
) packs in plenty of eating and sleeping options along with some striking
mountain scenery.
Huehuetenango was a Mam Maya region until the 15th century, when the K'iche', ex-
panding from their capital K'umarcaaj, near present-day Santa Cruz del Quiché, pushed
them out. But the weakness of K'iche' rule soon brought about civil war, which engulfed
the highlands and provided a chance for Mam independence. The turmoil was still unre-
solved in 1525 when Gonzalo de Alvarado, the brother of Pedro, arrived to conquer
Zaculeu, the Mam capital, for Spain.
