The Guatemalan cities, Guatemala

Quetzaltenango is considered the second biggest city in the so-called “eternal spring country”. If you enjoy cold weather, rainy days and mountains, this is the place for you. Many people call this city Xela and  say that the name changed from Xelajú to Quetzaltenango because of the village’s hero, Tecún Umán, who died in battle against Pedro de Alvarado, during the Spanish invasion. When he was defeated, a quetzal (the national bird), flew in the scene and placed itself on top of Tecún Umán’s chest, henceforth the city was then called Quetzaltenango.

Once the capital of Guatemala, its streetscapes of pastel facades unfold beneath the gaze of three volcanoes, and meticulously restored colonial buildings sit next to picturesque ruins in park-like surroundings. Antigua´s World Heritage–listed status means that even fast-food chains have to hide themselves behind traditional building facades. Antigua’s cobblestone, idyllically-pretty streets are clean with quaint stores. The crumbling ruins on each corner of the city’s streets clearly represent the town’s colonial past. 

Guatemala City, the capital of the country, is a sprawling, bustling mixture of mayhem, smog, chicken buses and a unique energy that is specific to this country. The skyscrapers mix with the Guatemaltecan favelas for this stunning insight into the social structure of the country. The country is under a development programme and the historical city now has pedestrianised walkways, with a bohemian café or two. This eclectic capital is nuts but fascinating at the same time.