From Volcán Santa María, you can observe the ongoing eruptive activity of Volcán de Santiaguito and the central volcanic chain that runs through Guatemala. Together, they present volcanoes on two scales: the activity of a named volcano and a chain that stretches across the country. Santiaguito’s activity can vary. This shift in scale offers a concrete introduction to the landscape of Quetzaltenango.
Volcanoes and Sacred Landscapes
At Volcán Chicabal, lush cloud forest forms the backdrop to the sacred lagoon. Chicabal means “thunder” in the Mam language; the name refers to the echo that occurs in the crater during thunderstorms. The name and its explanation connect the site to a natural phenomenon. The Rogativa por la Lluvia ceremony is also held at Volcán Chicabal, annually 40 days after Semana Santa. The date is therefore given in relation to Semana Santa. If you are interested in the tradition, this timing is a helpful point of reference.
A Culinary Tradition from Almolonga
Another cultural perspective comes from Choka’ (chiuwach ka’), a ceremonial dish from Almolonga, a Maya K’iche’ community in the department of Quetzaltenango. Unlike other recados, it is prepared with pepita de ayote instead of pepitoria. The difference lies specifically in the ingredient used. This makes it possible to describe what sets the dish apart without reducing the culinary tradition to a general label.
A Wider View of Guatemala
Elsewhere in the broader destination of Guatemala, other places offer their own cultural and historical perspectives. Antigua Guatemala was founded in 1524 as Santiago de Guatemala. The city has preserved its 16th-century layout and most of its architectural heritage. Its many churches and monasteries bear witness to the influence of the Christian church on every aspect of city life during the colonial period. Here, the city plan and buildings can be considered together as evidence of this history.
The ruins of Quirigua offer a different insight: 17 monuments were carved there between 426 and 810 CE. Stelae and carved calendars document social, political and economic events of the Maya civilization. The dates of the monuments and the events recorded on them offer two distinct historical perspectives.
Tak'alik Ab'aj adds a long cultural history to these perspectives. The site’s 1,700-year history spans 800 BCE to 900 CE; during its first half, the transition from Olmec civilization to early Maya culture took place. Innovative water management systems have been found there, and sacred spaces and buildings were designed according to cosmological principles. Indigenous groups belonging to 22 different Maya language communities continue to regard Tak'alik Ab'aj as a sacred place and visit it for rituals.
Discover more destinations: Quetzaltenango, Olintepeque, El Rosario, San Mateo, Coatepeque, Petén, Sacatepéquez, Department of Baja Verapaz.
Go to the broader travel overview: Guatemala.
