Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
San Andrés Xecul
Totonicapán
From the Cuatro Caminos Junction, the road heads northeast for 30 kilometers through
pine-studded forests to the departmental capital of Totonicapán, also known as San Miguel
Totonicapán. It's a fairly laid-back town with few foreign visitors. Sights include the ubi-
quitous town church, on a plaza superjacent to a second one below it harboring a statue of
indigenous leader Atanasio Tzul, who led a peasant rebellion in 1820 spurred by govern-
mentdemandsfortaxation. Alsoontheupperplaza isafarlesscommon
municipal theat-
er,
built in 1924 in neoclassical style. It has been recently restored and painted in bright
orange. The town's other main attraction is the
Casa de la Cultura Totonicapense
(8a
Avenida2-17Zona1,tel.7766-1575),whichwasclosedforremodeling.Itshouldcontinue
to house displays, including audiovisual presentations of local indigenous culture, history,
andcrafts,uponreopening.Thevisitorscenteralsoofferstourstolocalartisans'workshops
and the opportunity to try some Mayan dishes in local homes.
