Major city · Guatemala
Santa Maria Nebaj
Two nights: hike the Ixil highlands, visit the pre-Columbian site and buy brocade at the cooperative market. A day-trip from Sacapulas is too rushed.
Santa Maria Nebaj is a small town in the Ixil region of the Western Highlands, known for its Maya culture, hiking trails and a nearby pre-Columbian archaeological site. It is quieter than Chichicastenango and offers direct access to the Ixil Triangle villages of Chajul and Acul. Most travellers stay two nights to hike and visit the cooperative market.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, trails muddy)
- Airport
- GUA
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Santa Maria Nebaj110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Santa Maria Nebaj, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetyNebaj is safe for travellers who stay on the main streets and avoid hiking alone.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (Then a shuttle or bus to Sacapulas and a chicken bus to Nebaj; about 6–7 h total).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideChicken bus Sacapulas–NebajQ20–30
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personGTQ 80
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (Hotel Santa Maria type), a night, per roomGTQ 350
- High-end bedPrivate room (Hotel Santa Maria type), a night, per roomGTQ 500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 250 · Mid GTQ 450 · High GTQ 800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUA La Aurora International Airport (Guatemala City) (Then a shuttle or bus to Sacapulas and a chicken bus to Nebaj; about 6–7 h total)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jun (22 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santa Maria Nebaj: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
22 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
20 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
19 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
21 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
17 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable. Chicken buses run to Chajul; for Acul and other villages you need your own transport or a hired tuk-tuk.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chajul
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Chicken bus from Nebaj, about 30 min
Visit the church and see Ixil weavers.
Sacapulas
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Chicken bus, about 45 min
Connection point for Quetzaltenango and Antigua.
Todos Santos Cuchumatán
overnightDoor to door: About 4 h
Chicken bus via Huehuetenango, about 3 h
Long day; better to sleep one night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Around the main plaza
Hotels like Hotel Santa Maria are a block from the plaza; walkable to the market and cathedral.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q200–350 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q350–600 excl. bed
- High
- Q600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (Hotel Santa Maria type)1 × 2 nights × GTQ 350 | GTQ 700 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × GTQ 450 | GTQ 1,800 |
| Chicken bus Sacapulas–Nebaj, one way2 × GTQ 25 | GTQ 50 |
| Guide for a day hike (check)1 × GTQ 400 | GTQ 400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 295 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 811 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 3,245 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Chicken bus Sacapulas–Nebaj | Q20–30 |
| Hotel Santa Maria double roomcheck | Q200–350 |
| Market handicraft (small brocade) | Q50–150 |
| Meal at a comedor | Q25–50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Chicken buses run on no fixed timetable; leave early for connections.
- The archaeological site is unexcavated; ask locally for directions.
- Rainy season (May–Oct) can make trails impassable.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
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Santa Maria NebajSanta Maria Nebaj
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Guatemala City; most other countries have embassies there as well.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chicken bus Sacapulas → Nebaj: about Q25, 45 min (check)
- Tuk-tuk within town: Q5–10
Say or show
- Buenos días / Buenas tardes — Hello (BWEH-nos DEE-ahs / BWEH-nas TAR-des)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el mercado? — Where is the market? (DON-de es-TA el mer-KA-do)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRA-syas)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Santa Maria Nebaj. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, trails muddy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Santa Maria Nebaj
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