Xela, Guatemala

Our time in Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala staying with a host family while we studied Spanish. Highlights are time with our family, the processions & parades, eating Pepian, visiting the markets and amazing natural volcanic hot springs, and the crazy chicken buses.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• xela
• fuentas
• georginas
• guatemala
• spanishschool
• homestay
• semanasanta

[2155antonio]

hey you i from guatemla and live close to xela, and i was looking your video thank it nice i love my country , for now i living in los angeles but will be there next year 2011 thank you so much and sorry for my english i'm trying to write much better god bless next time visit pajapita san marcos is close to xela and it beautifull too bye

[twotraveling]

@2155antonio Thank you for the compliments. Judging by the popularity of this video, many people also love your country. I wish my Spanish was better but the time we spent there was so wonderful. We hope to return.

[guestwho789]

What did you think of Xela? I'll be studying Spanish there for 4 weeks -- any hints about what to wear, safety, travels to & from Guatemala City?

[twotraveling]

@guestwho789 - We were there in late March, early April. The weather in Xela reminded me at times of San Francisco, hot one minute and then chilly the next. Have a light jacket as an extra layer. No mosquitoes there. Stay in after dark in Guat City. Pay for an extra seat on the chicken bus to have your pack next to you. Don't flash a fancy camera out in Guatemala city but Xela was fine. We rec Pop Wuj (our Spanish School) & our host family (ask for Samara). Hope that helps. Have fun!

[guestwho789]

@twotravelingDo you recommend the chicken bus over the nicer buses to travel to Xela? Also, how worried should I be about all the violence that the State Department warns about?

Any places outside of Xela that you particularly recommend to see?

Also, what did you do about a cell phone? Where did you purchase it?

Many thanks !!

[twotraveling]

@guestwho789 - We recommend the Pullman buses, more comfortable but at times, you will need to take a chicken bus plus you should at least experience it once. :) We were cautious and used common sense about safety and that was it. I was *medium* "worried." Ask around to locals and other travelers for specific unsafe locations or tips.

We enjoyed our time at Lake Atitlan and Antigua. Never had a cell phone, although lots of travelers we met did. We used skype when we had internet.

[shire2005]

Fuente Geoginas was beautiful. I have been wanting to study Spanish there for a long time. 20 years really just need to find the time.

[jme1985111]

Hi! I loved the video. It makes a great preview for what to expect. I'm headed to Xela in a few weeks, and I'll study spanish for 8 weeks. Can you tell me more about your host stay experience? Thanks!

[philippine20]

damn!!! many memories back to my head! i used to study over there!!!!!! nice vid guys!!!!!!!!

[hyhyhy967]

is cold in xela 15 in the day and 3 at night

[MrUzair649]

I like this video

i love guatemala and especially 7 zone xela

ucafdh