Huehuetenango

Huehuetenango (often shortened to Huehue)is a city in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. The last big city in Guatemala before you reach the Mexican border, or the first major settlement when arriving from. Not many tourists stay over, but it is a great city to stock up on supplies, Quetzales and other city needs.

Understand
Huehuetenango has a predominantly Ladino population, with many colourful Maya villages around it.

By bus
The is 2.5 km southwest of downtown in Zona 4 along 6a Avenida. From here a number of companies operate chicken buses, mini-buses and/or vans (colectivos) to ply the same routes to various places in the Central and Western Highlands such as: Information is not posted in any coherent fashion and it is best to inquire locally around the bus station or in the adjacent market. Local city buses (Rt 11 Terminal-Centro-Calvario) into town are a block or two east at while the taxi stand is on the other side of the market building, east of the bus station lot.
 * Cuatro Caminos (every 15 min, 1 hr 30 min, Q20)
 * La Mesilla (Mexican border) (every 15 min, 2 hr 30 min, Q20 by Transportes Los Verdes)
 * Quetzaltenango (Xela) (every 30 min, 3 hr, Q20)
 * Todos Santos Cuchumatán (every 30 min, 2 hr, Q20)
 * Soloma (every 30 min, 2 hr, Q25)
 * Gracias a Dios (Mexican border) (every 30 min, 5 hr Q50)
 * Coban (7 hr, Q40)
 * Barillas (6 hr, Q50)
 * Sacapulas (2 hr, Q20)
 * Santa Cruz del Quiché (2 hr, Q20)

From Guatemala City, Antigua, Panajachel: If going to Antigua take the bus going towards Guatemala City and get off at Chimaltenango to transfer to another bus going to Antigua and Esquintla. To get to Panajachel get off at Los Encuentros and take another bus going downhill (south).



To Coban and Barilla via Soloma and San Mateo Ixtatán: There's another stop at a gas station in El Calvario on the corner 1a calle and 1a avenida, four blocks northeast of El Parque Central

Get around
The city center is small enough to get around on foot, but you can catch a local colectivo downtown to get to the bus terminal 2 km out of town.

Buy
The city is a great place to stock up on supplies in the pharmacies, and there are lots of banks. Banco International, next to Hotel Mary (doesn't have an ATM, but does change dollars). It has more offices over town, some of which have an ATM. Furthermore there are lots of 5B ATMs.

Eat
There are lots of local eateries with deep fried food or tacos (3 for Q10) which won't hurt your wallet too much around the park.


 * Restaurante Las Palmeras, local and comfort food (hamburgers), good prices and a great view over the main square at sunset.
 * Cafe Museo (M-Sa 07:00-22:00, Su 14:00-21:00), great hangout spot with great coffees, chocolate and a wide menu on food. They offer WiFi too, which in this town is a big plus.

Near the bus terminal is a market with food and a supermarket (Despensa Familiar), further up towards the Interamericana you can find a big shopping centre named Pradera Huehuetenango, with a McDonalds, Pollo Campero and a Maxi Bodega supermarket.

Sleep
Near the bus terminals:

Downtown:



Connect
There are some internet cafes around town.

Go next
Next attractions could be hiking around Quetzaltenango (Xela) or travelling towards Mexico though La Mesilla.


 * Todos Santos Cuchumatán is a possible day trip, but better to stay overnight.
 * There are unrestored Maya ruins at San Mateo Ixtatán, direct buses from Huehuetenango but best to break the journey and spend the night in San Pedro Soloma.
 * Aguacatán and onwards to Sacapulas