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Visit Chiquimula

Chiquimula

This department is located on the highlands of the Sierra Madre and is characterized by steep mountains, deep ravines, beautiful valleys and wide plains. When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived in 1526, it was a Cackchiquel city.

In the municipium of Esquipulas, the Montecristo small mountain known as the "Friendship Biosphere" that in 1987 was declared a Trephine protected area by the Central American presidents. The department of Chiquimula has an amazing history. During the Third Period it had a strong volcanic activity. The ch'orti' culture still prevails in the municipiums of Jocotan and Camotan. It is important to point out that Chiquimula is located in a region economically and socially important since prehistoric times. During the colonial time it was the called the Kingdom Road because it was the commercial way from Guatemala City to the department of Izabal. One of the most visited places is Esquipulas. Visitors from many places come to this municipium to worship the Black Jesus Christ who is at the Basilica of Esquipulas.

There are other many tourist places to visit like the Ipala volcano and its lagoon, as well as a curious site known as the "Piedra de los Compadres" (one person child's godparents). Also in Chiquimula you can enjoy delicious typical food. Esquipulas is one of the most important municipiums because of its Basilica of the Black Jesus Christ where visitors from Guatemala, Mexico, and Central America come to worship the Christ. Also, many important political reunions have taken place in this city. The "market days" are very important at the municipium of Jocotan. Jarcia and palm handicrafts are traded in large amounts at a local and international level.

Also, we recommend a visit to Olopa in order to know coffee plantations. The Guatemala's Coffee Tours Program brings to tourism an innovative concept -a personal encounter with the world's best coffee. Each one of the host coffee farms explains the tips on coffee cultivation and processing, interacting with he people from the community in a natural setting. Most are located near urban centers to be able to work cooperatively with hotels that lodge foreign tourists. Coffee Tours are currently available in the departments of Alta Verapaz, Solola, and Sacatepequez, all of them offering a walk or horseback ride through coffee plantations that produce fair trade and organic coffee. These farms are located in the shadow of surrounding volcanoes, on mountains partially on cloud forest, crossed by ravines and magnificent waterfalls these Coffee Tours will provide a different and exotic experience in Guatemala.

Chiquimula's average altitude ranges from 900 to 1,500 meters over sea level. Some points reach up to extreme altitudes, like the Montecristo small mountain with 2,524 meters, the Quetzaltepeque volcano with 1,904, and the Ipala volcano withy 1,650 meters. Bramble patches, pines, mixture and cloud forest, are the most known four eco-systems. The first one represents the Chaparral Espinozo, where desert fauna can be found. The other three are mountain forest found in the highlands. At the Montecristo small mountain, you will be able to watch Quetzals (Guatemala national bird); auroras and other birds that live close on the trees and clouds.

Places to visit in Chiquimula:

Ipala Volcano and Lagoon

The Ipala volcano is a peculiar one, since it has a water body at its crater. The lagoon, of almost 59 hectares of diameter is located at approximately 1,500 meters of altitude. It has a fresh environment ideal for picnics, walking, taking pictures, and bird watching. Access is easy, comfortable, and safe. Quetzaltepeque Volcano: It is located at 10 kilometres from Quetzaltepeque town. It has an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters. Climbing is awarded by a top that permits to enjoy beautiful scenery. It is an ideal place for those who enjoy climbing.

The Pila Poza (well):

It is an ideal place for taking a relaxing bath. It is located at the Jocotan town, at the shores of the Rio Grande River. There are many cooking places under big trees where you can relax and meditate.

The Compadres Stone:

Interesting story with lots of imagination! It happens that rain sculpted two rocks but as per a legend, God punished two travellers going to the Basilica, who were "compadres" and had an affair so they were transformed in stones as punishment. Even today, people still talk about this story surrounding sin.

Montecristo Small Mountain:

It is located at the border with the Republics of El Salvador and Honduras. Around it the "Friendship Biosphere" is located which has been declared as a Biosphere Reserve. At the top, you can find a humid, fresh, cloudy, and abundant forest with a lot of wild life. This forest is the heart of the reserve and an ideal place for those who like to climb, walk, study nature, and for environmental education.

The Peregrino Historical Route:

Many years ago to go from Quetzaltepeque to Esquipulas, it was necessary to cross out a place full of trees, ditches, and deep holes. It is an ideal place for walking, taking pictures, enjoy nature, bird watching, or just to relax and meditate.

Local fairs

Chiquimula, August 15; Camotan, December 8; Concepcion Las Minas, February 25; Esquipulas, January 15, July 25; Ipala, January 23; Jocotan, July 25; Olopa, March 15; Quetzaltepeque, November 12; San Jacinto, February 8; San Jose La Arada, March 19; San Juan La Ermita, August 29.

Guatemala Departments:

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