Quetzaltenango Museums

(Quetzaltenango / Xela, Western Highlands, Guatemala)

Museum buffs may be slightly disappointed with Quetzaltenango's fairly meagre offerings, although what there is makes for an interesting day's wander

Covering various periods and aspects of the country's history and heritage, the most interesting collections are those dealing with the indigenous Mayans, tracing their occupation of the country to its earliest beginnings. The fact that, in Guatemala's Western Highlands and in and around Quetzaltenango, the Mayan cultures and languages are still very much alive makes a glimpse into their history all the more interesting.

Marimba Museum (Museo de la Marimba)

Address: Casa de la Cultura, Calle 7a, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, GT
Tel: +502 7761 6031
Set in the spectacular Casa de la Cultura is this interesting little museum commemorating Guatemala's Liberal Revolution in 1871. The revolution's aim was to modernise and improve trade via the introduction of new crops and industry. Guatemala's leader, President Justo Rufino Barrios, took the country to war in an attempt to reunite Central America and was killed in battle in 1885.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Natural History Museum (Museo de Historia Natural)

Address: Casa de la Cultura, Calle 7a, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, GT
Tel: +502 7761 6427
As museums go, the Museo de Historia Natural in the Casa de la Cultura is definitely an oddity, filled as it is with strange and occasionally amazing artefacts, such as stuffed birds and animals, dinosaur bones and fossils, Mayan ceramics, marimbas (African xylophones) and textiles. The history of the Mayan people and the Liberal Revolution is documented and illustrated with exhibits. This really is a hodge-podge of anything and everything, and fun to wander around.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Railroad Museum (Museo del Ferrocarril de los Altos)

Address: Calle 4a / Avenida 19, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, GT
The small Museo del Ferrocarril de los Altos showcases the brief and somewhat unsuccessful glory of the first inter-urban electric train service in Guatemala, linking Quetzaltenango with San Felipe and the Pacific Coast. Established in 1930 at a cost of US$9 million, the 44-km / 27-mile line was an instant commercial disaster. Storm damage in 1933 resulted in its closure and subsequent dismantling, but it is remembered with great affection by the locals.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 12:00, 14:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Ixkik Museum (Museo Ixkik)

Address: Calle 4a / Avenida 19, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, GT
Founded in 2004 and located next to the Museo del Ferrocarril de los Altos, the Museo Ixkik is dedicated to all aspects of traditional Mayan weaving and contains many fascinating visual materials and special monthly activities. There are also displays of local clothing and historic outfits originating from the country's numerous different indigenous communities.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 13:00, 15:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge