Major city · Guatemala
San Andrés Xecul
Spend half a day visiting the colorful church and El Calvario chapel; return to Quetzaltenango for meals and overnight.
San Andrés Xecul is a small K'iche' Maya village 16 km west of Quetzaltenango, known for its elaborately painted Catholic church and nearby chapels. With limited services, a half‑day visit is enough to see the main sights before heading back to the city for food and lodging.
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)
- Airport
- AAZ
- Nights
- 0.5
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
Emergency numbers for San Andrés Xecul110 ▾
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 San Andrés Xecul, 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 visits; watch for traffic on the main road and keep valuables hidden; night travel outside Quetzaltenango is not recommended.
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.
- AirportcheckAAZ Quetzaltenango Airport (check).
- Getting aroundFrom Quetzaltenango take a bus or micro‑bus to the Cuatro Caminos turn‑off (≈30 min); walk the last 3.5 km (2.2 mi) or flag down a local bus.From Quetzaltenango take a bus or micro‑bus to the Cuatro Caminos turn‑off (≈30 min); walk the last 2.2 mi (3.5 km) or flag down a local bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet snack (antojitos)Q5–10
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personGTQ 80
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomGTQ 500
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomGTQ 800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 100 · Mid GTQ 180 · High GTQ 300
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 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
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
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°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 (13 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Andrés Xecul: 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)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 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)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
13 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°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
From Quetzaltenango take a bus or micro‑bus to the Cuatro Caminos turn‑off (≈30 min); walk the last 3.5 km or flag down a local bus. Within the village walk is sufficient.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Quetzaltenango
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Bus or micro‑bus from Cuatro Caminos, about 30 min
Meals, accommodation and additional attractions.
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
City 16 km (9.9 mi) east; many hostels and hotels, good base for a night.City 9.9 mi (16 km) east; many hostels and hotels, good base for a night.
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
- Q100–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q150–250 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed2 × 1 night × GTQ 120 | GTQ 240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × GTQ 180 | GTQ 360 |
| Bus round‑trip Quetzaltenango ↔ San Andrés Xecul2 × GTQ 30 · check | GTQ 60 |
| Church entry donation2 × GTQ 10 · check | GTQ 20 |
| San Simón shrine entry2 × GTQ 15 · check | GTQ 30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 71 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 391 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 781 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Street snack (antojitos) | Q5–10 |
| Roast chicken (vendedor) | Q12–15 |
| Bus ticket Quetzaltenango → San Andrés Xeculcheck | Q30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No restaurants in the village; plan meals in Quetzaltenango.
- Entry fee for the San Simón shrine varies; ask locals for current price.
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.
San Andrés XeculSan Andrés Xecul
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
US consulate in Guatemala City; other embassies also in the capital.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Quetzaltenango → San Andrés Xecul bus: about Q30 one way (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (ˈdonde esˈta el ˈbaɲo)
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 San Andrés Xecul. 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) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 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
Ask about San Andrés Xecul
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