Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Regions at a Glance
The Highlands
Fancy Dress
From the pom-pommed headdresses of women in Chajul to the flamboyant red-and-white
striped trousers of men in Todos Santos Cuchumatán, traditional Maya clothing is a
dazzling display of identity throughout the highlands.
Peaking Out
With a chain of 33 volcanoes, four of them active, climbers, geology buffs and landscape
painters find plenty to inspire them here. An early morning hike up the Santa María vol-
cano leads to a mesmerizing view of the periodically erupting Santiaguito.
Party Time
Every highlands town likes to let its hair down at an annual fest and outsiders are always
welcome. Good bets include Quetzaltenango's late September toast to its Virgen del Rosar-
io and Todos Santos Cuchumatán's patron saint's day with madcap horse racing and drunk-
en marimba dancing.
