San Francisco EI Alto
Guatemala is famous for
its market towns. San Francisco located close to Quetzaltenango
is a good example of an authentic market town. These markets
are most active on Fridays and the weekends with crowds of
locals dressed in colorful garments, hawkers and vendors selling
their products. These markets attract a large number of visitors
for their low prices and high quality products that include
handicrafts, handmade garments, artwork, livestock, flowers,
fruits, vegetables and food. Textiles are the best buy with
beautiful and colorful lengths of material and embroidered
shawls and shirts.
Fuentes Georginas
Fuentes Georginas is a
beautiful natural springs located in the tropical jungle.
It was built in honor of the president Jorge Ubico. The waters
of this spring is said to have curative powers and attract
many tourists from all around the world. There are rustic
cabins that visitors can stay and enjoy a few days in the
midst on nature over looking the cloud forest valley and enjoy
activities like hiking and bird watching.
Zunil
Zunil is a small town a
short bus ride away from Quetzaltenango. It is located in
a beautiful valley surrounded by lush mountains. The town
is a maze of steep, dusty cobblestone streets lined with small
houses with patches of gardens and farms. The only building
that stands out is the colonial church with a beautiful ornate
façade. The market here is quite colorful with the
locals wearing bright garments and selling brightly colored
flowers and fruit.
Momostenango
The nights in Momostenango
get very cold and hence its no surprise that this town is
famous for thick blankets and ponchos instead of beautiful,
delicate patterns like the ones found in most of the other
towns. The thick hand-woven coats and the famous chamara blankets
are the best. The materials for the garments come from sheep
and goats raised in the town. You can also get people to show
you their wool spinning, weaving and dying techniques.
Los Vahos
You can take a Sauna at
the natural eucalyptus hot springs in Los Vahos a short distance
away from Quetzaltenango. The wet sauna is produced by natural
water vapor coming out from the volcano. From the Sauna you
can walk in the forest and surrounding mountains where the
views are remarkable.
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