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Back to Zunil

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Voykit pocket guide · 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.

AlmolongaCantelCarmelitaChichicastenangoChimaltenangoChiquimulaCobánDoloresEl ParedónEl RemateEscuintlaEsquipulasFloresGuatemala CityZunil100 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Guatemala
Best months
Nov–Apr
Avoid
May–Oct (rainy season, roads to Fuentes Georginas may be tricky)
Stay
0 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 Q150–250 excl. bed · Mid Q250–400 excl. bed · High Q400+ 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

ItemPrice
Local bus Xela–ZunilQ5–10
Fuentes Georginas entryQ50 (check)
San Simón entryQ10–20 (check)
Meal in villageQ30–60

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

XAL · Quetzaltenango Airport
check

Typical fares

Xela → Zunil bus
Q5–10, 20 min
Zunil → Fuentes Georginas shuttle
Q30–50, 15 min
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

On foot in the village; shuttle or taxi to Fuentes Georginas (about 15 min).

See and do

Known for

  • Fuentes Georginas hot springs
  • San Simón (Maximón) shrine
  • Monday market
  • Pico Zunil hike

Day trips

WhereHowTime
QuetzaltenangoLocal bus from Minerva or Rotonda terminal, about 20 min30 min
Fuentes GeorginasShuttle or taxi from Zunil, about 15 min20 min
Pico ZunilTrail from behind Fuentes Georginas, steep2–3 h round trip

Sleep

Zunil village
Two basic hotels near the gas station; about Q150/person/night.
Fuentes Georginas
Overnight cabins at the hot springs; book ahead.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
Where is San Simón?¿Dónde está San Simón?DON-deh es-TAH san see-MON
How much to Fuentes Georginas?¿Cuánto a Fuentes Georginas?KWAN-to ah FWEN-tes he-or-HEE-nas
Thank youGraciasGRAH-see-as

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

  • 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.

Zunil is safe for day visits; be respectful at the San Simón shrine. The main risk is petty theft on buses.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Zunil yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Fuentes Georginas hot springs
  • San Simón (Maximón) shrine
  • Monday market
  • Pico Zunil hike

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Zunil

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

Spanish is the main language; some K'iche' spoken.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/zunil). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.