Major city · Guatemala
Cantel
Do a half‑day visit from Quetzaltenango (bus 10 km (6.2 mi), ~30 min); see thermal baths, Chojolom site and K'iaqbal hill.Do a half‑day visit from Quetzaltenango (bus 6.2 mi (10 km), ~30 min); see thermal baths, Chojolom site and K'iaqbal hill.
Cantel is a small K'iche' village 10 km west of Quetzaltenango. Most attractions are within walking distance of the hill‑top centre or a short hike. A single half‑day is enough, using a local bus from Quetzaltenango and arranging site visits at the municipal office.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, road mudslides)
- Airport
- AAZ
- Nights
- 0–1 (day‑trip)
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 Cantel110 ▾
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 Cantel, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for day visitors; watch for sudden rain and slippery roads.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122/123 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.
- AirportAAZ Los Altos Airport (≈30 km (19 mi) north of Cantel, shuttle to Quetzaltenango).AAZ Los Altos Airport (≈19 mi (30 km) north of Cantel, shuttle to Quetzaltenango).
- Getting aroundLocal minibuses from Quetzaltenango stop at Cantel centre (labelled "Cantel Pueblo").
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at local caféQ5–Q10
- Metro or bus rideBus fare Quetzaltenango‑CantelQ2.50 each way
- Budget bedHostel or dorm bed, a night, per personGTQ 30
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse private room (double), a night, per roomGTQ 180
- High-end bedGuesthouse private room (double), a night, per roomGTQ 260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 30 · Mid GTQ 50 · High GTQ 80
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
- AAZ Los Altos Airport (≈30 km (19 mi) north of Cantel, shuttle to Quetzaltenango)AAZ Los Altos Airport (≈19 mi (30 km) north of Cantel, shuttle to Quetzaltenango)
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
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cantel: 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)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 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
Local minibuses from Quetzaltenango stop at Cantel centre (labelled "Cantel Pueblo"). Walk to sights; municipal office arranges guided trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chicovix thermal baths
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Walk from Cantel centre along CA2 highway, ~15 min
Zip‑wire opened Dec 2015; entry free.
Chojolom archaeological site
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Arrange visit at municipal office; short hike, ~20 min
Private land; nominal Q2 fee (check).
K'iaqbal hill site
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Climb La Pulguita hill from village road, ~30 min walk
Q2 entry fee (check).
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.
Quetzaltenango
Base here; bus to Cantel 10 km (6.2 mi), ~30 min.Base here; bus to Cantel 6.2 mi (10 km), ~30 min.
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
- Q30–50 excl. transport
Trip budget
| Hostel or dorm bed2 × 3 nights × GTQ 45 | GTQ 270 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × GTQ 50 | GTQ 300 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 95 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 570 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus fare Quetzaltenango‑Cantel | Q2.50 each way |
| Coffee at local café | Q5–Q10 |
| Meal (tortilla, beans, vegetable) | Q15–Q30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buses may not stop at the hill‑top centre; confirm "Cantel Pueblo" stop.
- Roads can be washed out in heavy rain; check conditions before travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CantelCantel
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Quetzaltenango → Cantel bus: about Q5 round‑trip, 30 min each way (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry
- Gracias — Thank you
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it?
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?
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 Cantel. 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 (dry season) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, road mudslides) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 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
- officialWikidata – Cantel
- secondaryWikivoyage: Cantel, revision 4520899 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Cantel
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