Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala

Posted December 12, 201212 yr

Quetzaltenango

Guatemala's second largest city nestled in Guatemala' highlands. The city probably has no more than 200,000 inhabitants but I found it to be a very charming urban environment; especially in the City's core (Zone 1). This is a city Jane Jacobs could fall in love with, with its high density (not tall but no lawn space can be found), integrate mix of uses, high walkability (if you discount the fact that the sidewalks are not always in the best shape), and a very active central park . In zone 1 the city has set strict preservationist codes to insure the historic buildings and fabric of the oldest part of the city stay in-tact.

Here is the link for my entire Flickr Set:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54815043@N06/sets/72157632210068772/

From the rooftop of the Spanish School I was studying at:

Quetzaltenango (65) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (62) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (64) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (63) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (62) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Most of the streets in Zone 1 were cobbled stone

Quetzaltenango (57) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (56) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (35) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (32) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (31) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (25) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (24) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

I guess you can avoid traffic this way. But is it really worth it?!

Quetzaltenango (23) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (20) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (18) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (16) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Planning Firm!

Quetzaltenango (21) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

And sensitively done rehabs

Quetzaltenango (36) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

I imagine this has a feel of Havana here. This is their arcade. The following buildings are all around the main square

Quetzaltenango (54) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (1) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (2) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (53) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (28) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (26) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

And the square itself. On this day they were celebrating El Día de Guadalupe:

Quetzaltenango (10) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (19) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (12) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (29) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (15) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (9) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (8) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

This was the City Hall Courtyard

Quetzaltenango (6) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (5) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

Quetzaltenango (3) by rockafeller06, on Flickr

These shots are from Zona 3 where the outdoor public market is and another lovely park. The Market was particularly bustling with the Christmas season.