Major city · Guatemala
Zunil
Half-day stop from Quetzaltenango for the hot springs and San Simón shrine; not a base.
Zunil is a small agricultural village 20 min from Quetzaltenango, known for the Fuentes Georginas volcanic hot springs and the syncretic San Simón (Maximón) shrine. Market day is Monday. Most visitors come for a few hours on a shuttle from Xela.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, roads to Fuentes Georginas may be tricky)
- Airport
- XAL
- Nights
- 0
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 Zunil110 ▾
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 Zunil, 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
- SafetyZunil is safe for day visits; be respectful at the San Simón shrine.
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.
- AirportcheckXAL Quetzaltenango Airport (check).
- Getting aroundOn foot in the village; shuttle or taxi to Fuentes Georginas (about 15 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus Xela–ZunilQ5–10
- SIM or eSIM, a weekSan Simón entryQ10–20 (check)
- Museum or sight ticketFuentes Georginas entryQ50 (check)
- Budget bedBasic hotel room (per person), a night, per personGTQ 150
- Mid-range bedFuentes Georginas cabin (per room), a night, per roomGTQ 600
- High-end bedFuentes Georginas cabin (per room), a night, per roomGTQ 800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 150 · Mid GTQ 300 · High GTQ 500
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
- XAL Quetzaltenango Airport (check)
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
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°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 (20 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Zunil: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
5 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 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)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
15 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
20 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
18 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
18 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
20 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
16 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 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
On foot in the village; shuttle or taxi to Fuentes Georginas (about 15 min).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min
Local bus from Minerva or Rotonda terminal, about 20 min
Base for Zunil; Spanish schools and hikes.
Fuentes Georginas
goDoor to door: 20 min
Shuttle or taxi from Zunil, about 15 min
Hot volcanic springs; restaurant and cabins.
Pico Zunil
cautionDoor to door: 2–3 h round trip
Trail from behind Fuentes Georginas, steep
Strenuous hike; views of volcanoes around Lake Atitlán.
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.
Zunil village
Two basic hotels near the gas station; about Q150/person/night.
Fuentes Georginas
Overnight cabins at the hot springs; book ahead.
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
- Q150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q250–400 excl. bed
- High
- Q400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room (per person)1 × 1 night × GTQ 150 | GTQ 150 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × GTQ 150 | GTQ 150 |
| Shuttle Xela–Zunil round trip1 × GTQ 30 | GTQ 30 |
| Fuentes Georginas entry1 × GTQ 50 · check | GTQ 50 |
| San Simón entry1 × GTQ 10 · check | GTQ 10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 39 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 429 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 429 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Local bus Xela–Zunil | Q5–10 |
| Fuentes Georginas entry | Q50 (check) |
| San Simón entry | Q10–20 (check) |
| Meal in village | Q30–60 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- San Simón is moved between houses; ask locals for the current location.
- Be respectful at the shrine; locals take the worship seriously.
- Fuentes Georginas entry and transport cost: check current prices.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
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ZunilZunil
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)
- Xela → Zunil bus: Q5–10, 20 min
- Zunil → Fuentes Georginas shuttle: Q30–50, 15 min
Say or show
- ¿Dónde está San Simón? — Where is San Simón? (DON-deh es-TAH san see-MON)
- ¿Cuánto a Fuentes Georginas? — How much to Fuentes Georginas? (KWAN-to ah FWEN-tes he-or-HEE-nas)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-as)
Spanish is the main language; some K'iche' spoken.
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 Zunil. 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, roads to Fuentes Georginas may be tricky) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas 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
- Place pages for Fuentes Georginas and San Simón with verified hours and entry fees.
- Walking cluster with rescue anchor: Zunil village, Fuentes Georginas, Pico Zunil.
Sources
Ask about Zunil
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