The Highlands | Porta Hotels

The Highlands

Adjacent to the Verapaces and Petén, in the Western region of Guatemala, you can experience the beauty and cultural and historical importanceof the Guatemalan highlands. The geographical characteristics of this vast territory, as well as its attractive mountains and majestic volcanoes, offer the freshest climate in the country. The region is crossed by the Sierra Madre mountain range that endows the six departments of the region with a diversity of landscapes, unforgettable sunsets, mysterious lagoons, legendary mountains and welcoming towns.   

The Western region  of Guatemala offers a variety of tourist attractions. Among those stand out mountaineering in the high volcanoes in the department of of San Marcos: the Tacaná (4,042 m/13,425 ft), and the highest in Central America, the Tajumulco (4,220/13,845 ft). On a clear day, you can see the entire volcanic range in the cuntry from its summit.  With less height, but similar in beauty, the Cuchumatanes Mountains shadow picturesque towns like Todos Santos Cuchumatán, with its colorful horse races, or the Mirador in the highest part in the mountain at 3,800 meters (9,847 ft). Their coniferous forests, charming towns and kind people will welcome you any time of the year. The highland territory preserves an important biodiversity in the country, beautiful brooks of pure and clear water, like San Juan River, as well as many Mayan sacred lagoons, like Chicabal in the department of Quetzaltenango, where Mayan ceremonies are still carried out since ancient times.   

Quetzaltenango is also very attractive for visitors. Its capital, Xelajú, is the second largest city in Guatemala and is considered the cultural capital of the country. Many famous characters in local history were born here, as well as important composers, politicians, writers and eminent actors of Guatemala’s Independence. Xelajú still conserves the neoclassical beauty of its central buildings, formed around a rectangular square, where moonlight promenades and intellectual conversations are the focus of attention. Its exquisite local food, beautiful architecture and cultural events don’t shadow the importance of its festive Independence Day celebration, which takes place in Mid-September, and is the most renown in the country.   

North of Quetzaltenango lies the department of Sololá, one of the most beautiful places in Guatemala. Each turn of the road will show you a landscape of incomparable exquisiteness, with little hotels of excellent quality and unparallel hospitality, until reachingAtitlán, the most beautiful lake in the world, surrounded by twelve picturesque towns, each one with singular characteristics. Panajachel, the commercial and social center of Atitlán, is well known for its first-class hotels, exquisite restaurants and friendly people. But the most renowned characteristic is the immeasurable beauty of its lake, guarded by three volcanoes framed each afternoon by impressive skylines. Just a mere look from any viewing point will steal your heart. You will witness such beauty that if  Paradise exists, Atitlán was modeled after it.