PARQUE CENTRO AMÉRICA

If there is one place that you must see in Quetzaltenango, it is this one. Located in the heart of the city, the Parque Centro América is also its soul. It is the center of the cultural and social life of the residents, who like to meet there on Sundays and in the evenings after work, as well as the students of the many Spanish schools in Xela. The plaza is framed by impressive buildings of different styles and eras and is decorated with colonnades, statues and kiosks:

To the east stands the Palacio Municipal, an emblematic building with neoclassical influences. It has a beautiful hall of honor that displays photographs of important people. It has a ceiling with details of rare finesse, painted with talent.

The Casa de la Cultura, originally a prison built in 1875, stands to the southwest. It took on its current function in 1960, with the former cells now used as offices. It also houses the municipal library and an auditorium, as well as the Museo de Arte e Historia Natural y de la Marimba.

Besure to take the Enriquez Walk, northwest of the Parque Centro América, between 5A and 4A Calles. This is now one of the city's "lively" areas, and is said to be the first shopping mall of its kind in Guatemala. Also, note that the first section of 4A Calle has beautiful colonial homes, with wrought iron gates and carved wooden doors, evidence of Xela's lavish past.