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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- Guatemala
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- May–Oct (rainy season)
- Stay
- 0.5 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GTQ
- Money
- Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q). Cards work in Antigua hotels and restaurants; markets, lake villages and shuttles often need cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget Q100–150 excl. bed · Mid Q150–250 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Tigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 122/123 · Tourist assistance 1500
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; power cuts in storms.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.; Guides (Tikal, volcanoes): Q50–100 per person per day.; Shuttle drivers: Q10–20.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Street snack (antojitos) | Q5–10 |
| Roast chicken (vendedor) | Q12–15 |
| Bus ticket Quetzaltenango → San Andrés Xecul | Q30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- AAZ · Quetzaltenango Airport
- check
Typical fares
- Quetzaltenango → San Andrés Xecul bus
- about Q30 one way (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
From 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. Within the village walk is sufficient.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. Within the village walk is sufficient.
See and do
Known for
- Elaborate church façade
- San Simón (Maximón) shrine
- El Calvario hillside chapel
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Quetzaltenango | Bus or micro‑bus from Cuatro Caminos, about 30 min | ≈45 min total |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasˈɡɾasjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?ˈkwanto ˈkwesta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈbaɲo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'buenos días'; in villages a softer handshake; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Photography: Ask first and accept a no; avoid: Photographing children
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Flash during ceremonies
- Bargaining: Smile, make an offer, walk away politely; avoid: Haggling over a few quetzales with weavers
Scams and watch-outs
- No restaurants in the village; plan meals in Quetzaltenango.
- Entry fee for the San Simón shrine varies; ask locals for current price.
Generally safe for day visits; watch for traffic on the main road and keep valuables hidden; night travel outside Quetzaltenango is not recommended.
One and two days
No timed day plan for San Andrés Xecul yet. Suggested stay: 0.5 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Elaborate church façade
- San Simón (Maximón) shrine
- El Calvario hillside chapel
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – San Andrés Xecul: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: San Andrés Xecul, revision 5017797 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5017797
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/san-andres-xecul). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.