Travel Guide Santa Cruz Del Quiché

Santa Cruz del Quiché, the capital of the department, is located at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters on National Road 15, less than 18 km north of Chichicastenango. This authentic small agricultural town, quiet and dusty, was founded in 1539, with the population transferred from Utatlán, which inhabited the site of Gumarkaaj, 3 km to the southwest. Every Thursday and Sunday, farmers from the surrounding villages converge there to sell their produce.Tourists usually just pass through on their way to the village of Nebaj and the Ixil triangle to the north, in the beautiful mountains of the Cuchumatanes range. There is not much to do there, except to visit the ruins of Gumarkaaj. You can also visit the Santa Cruz parish church, which is located in the heart of the Parque Central. Another point of interest is the pretty Lemoa lagoon, a little less than 8 km south of the village, on the national road 15. Nicknamed "blue mirror of the sky", it is the scene of spectacular sunsets. You can also see the ceremonial center Pueblo Viejo.