//
Geographical region of Mesoamerica
Photo: Bruno Rijsman, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Western Highlands are a lush and beautiful mountainous region in Guatemala, stretching from the outskirts of Antigua to the Mexican border. The region is defined by two main features: the Sierra Madre, a mountain range of volcanoes on its south side, and the tall mountain ranges that form the northern side. The greatest of these are the Cuchumatanes mountains where the Ixil Triangle is located.
Buses from Guatemala City travel to all the major towns in the Western Highlands, notably Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango and San Marcos. IF travelling from Antigua, change at Chimaltenango for onward buses.
Read in the guideThere will be a constant flow of buses along the Interamericana Highway. Some of them will be branching off onto minor roads to more remote areas.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Guatemala City · International · GUA
Loading places around the airport…
Chichicastenango is a small town in the Western Highlands of Guatemala (pop. about 23000).
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.
Panajachel is in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Panajachel, or Pana as it is widely known is a small town on the North shore of Lake Atitlán.
Quetzaltenango, also known as Xela (pronounced SHAY-la) or Xelaju, is the second largest city in Guatemala. There are a number of attractions in town, and it's also a good base for exploring Guatemala's Western Highlands ("Los Altos").
Almolonga is a city in Guatemala on the road between Ciudad de Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango City) and Zunil. It provides medicinal sulfur baths, an up-close look at every day agro-business, and a taste of Guatemalan culture.
Cantel is a village in Guatemala, 10 km from the major city of Quetzaltenango. It is inhabited by K'iche' Maya.
San Andrés Xecul is in Guatemala.
San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta is a busy agricultural town in San Marcos department of western Guatemala, set amongst coffee plantations.
Santa Maria Nebaj is a small town in Quiche, Guatemala. A pre-Columbian Mayan archeological site is nearby and the town, and the area around it, is known for its Mayan culture, its many ranches, and excellent hiking opportunities.
Sololá is a city in a state (department) of the same name in the Western Highlands region of Guatemala.
Sacapulas is a town in Guatemala.
Salcajá is in Guatemala.
Todos Santos Cuchumatán is a town in Western Highlands, Guatemala
Uspantan is a city in the Western Highlands region of Guatemala.
Zunil is a small, mostly agricultural village in Guatemala.
active volcano on the border between Mexico and Guatemala, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Articles and travel topics about Western Highlands (Guatemala) and Guatemala.
Nature & adventureGuatemala has more than 30 national parks preserving many types of ecosystems including dense lowland tropical jungle, mountainous forests, volcanic peaks, and the subterranean wonders of natural caverns.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe indigenous peoples of North America are the tribes and nations whose ancestors were already on the continent when European explorers and colonizers arrived.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Maya civilization was one of the great Mesoamerican and Pre-Columbian civilizations. The Maya were renowned for having the most sophisticated and developed writing system in the Western Hemisphere as well as their…
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureVolcanoes come in many shapes and sizes, and their eruptions vary hugely in both frequency and intensity. Many volcanoes are tourist attractions and are worth a visit provided you take due care, in particular keeping a…
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.