Todos Santos Cuchumatán is one of the few municipalities in Guatemala to have preserved its culture—its clothing, language, traditions and traditional forms of organization—almost unchanged. In Todos Santos Cuchumatán, DĂa de Todos los Santos is celebrated on November 1 and is associated with a horse race and the Baile de la Conquista. If you are interested in attending, check current event dates before your trip.
Getting to the town of Todos Santos is also part of practical trip planning: the route follows an unpaved road, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended during the rainy season. As road conditions can change, check the latest situation before setting out.
Highland Landscape and Biodiversity
The Todos Santos Cuchumatán region is a cultural landscape of subalpine grasslands, rocky areas and slow-growing vegetation; it lies at an altitude of 3,850 m. It also has high levels of biological diversity and endemism. Endangered species found there include Pinabete (Abies guatemalensis), Huito (Juniperus standleyii), the Maya mouse (Peromyscus mayensis) and the Cuchumatanes salamander (Dendrotriton cuchumatanus). For nature lovers, both the character of this landscape and the diversity of its species are highlights.
Water Spots and Hikes
The Cenotes de Candelaria are in NentĂłn, in the department of Huehuetenango: two natural pools fed by clear spring water. Visitors can hike there to experience the natural surroundings and landscapes along the trail and at the cenotes.
At Laguna Brava in NentĂłn, community-led tours are offered to its colorful cenotes and waterfalls. Check the current availability of these tours before your trip. The activities offer a helpful way to choose between the two places: at the Cenotes de Candelaria, hikes along the trail and around the pools are part of the nature experience; at Laguna Brava, community-led tours take visitors to cenotes and waterfalls.
The small Laguna de Zaculeu is in the municipality of Huehuetenango. Compared with the lagoon, the Cenotes de Candelaria offer two natural spring-fed pools, giving visitors a choice between different types of bodies of water.
Guatemala in a Broader Context
The wider destination of Guatemala offers other distinct cultural and historical perspectives. Tak'alik Ab'aj has a 1,700-year history spanning 800 BC to AD 900; during the first half of this period, the transition from Olmec civilization to early Maya culture took place. Indigenous groups belonging to 22 different Maya-language communities continue to consider the site sacred and visit it for rituals. At Quirigua, the ruins preserve 17 monuments carved between AD 426 and 810; stelae and carved calendars document social, political and economic events of Maya civilization. Antigua Guatemala adds another dimension: founded in 1524 as Santiago de Guatemala, the city has preserved its 16th-century street plan and most of its architectural heritage.
Discover more destinations: Huehuetenango, El Durazno, La Alfalfa, El Progreso Department, Guatemala, Jalapa Department, Santa Rosa, San Marcos Department.
Back to the main travel overview: Guatemala.
