The 15 Best Day Trips from Quetzaltenango
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 15 good day trips from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, led by Guatemala City, Villa Nueva, Mixco. The closest is Totonicapán, about 30 min by car, and 3 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 15 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Quetzaltenango
- 1
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car111 km east of QuetzaltenangoKnown for Bernardo O'Higgins.
- 2
Villa Nueva, Guatemala
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car107 km east of Quetzaltenango - 3
Mixco, Guatemala
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car101 km east of Quetzaltenango - 4
Tapachula, Mexico
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car79 km west of Quetzaltenango - 5
Cobán, Guatemala
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car142 km north-east of Quetzaltenango - 6
Escuintla, Guatemala
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car100 km south-east of Quetzaltenango - 7
Villa Canales, Guatemala
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car114 km east of Quetzaltenango - 8
Chichicastenango, Guatemala
Half-day tripAbout 55 min by car46 km east of Quetzaltenango - 9
San Juan Sacatepéquez, Guatemala
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car96 km east of Quetzaltenango - 10
Petapa, Guatemala
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car110 km east of Quetzaltenango - 11
Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Guatemala
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car78 km south-east of Quetzaltenango - 12
Coatepeque, Guatemala
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car40 km south-west of Quetzaltenango - 13
Chinautla, Guatemala
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 45 min by car111 km east of Quetzaltenango - 14
Totonicapán, Guatemala
Half-day tripAbout 30 min by car19 km north-east of Quetzaltenango - 15
Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 30 min by car78 km east of Quetzaltenango
A sample day: Quetzaltenango to Guatemala City
- 07:30Leave Quetzaltenango
- 09:15Arrive in Guatemala City (1 hr 45 min drive)
- 09:30Bernardo O'Higgins
- 11:30Lunch
- 12:45Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Guatemala City
- 15:15Head back to Quetzaltenango
- 17:00Home in Quetzaltenango
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Quetzaltenango?
- The best day trips from Quetzaltenango are Guatemala City, Villa Nueva, Mixco, Tapachula, Cobán. The closest is Totonicapán, about 30 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Quetzaltenango?
- Totonicapán is the closest, 19 km north-east of Quetzaltenango, roughly 30 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Quetzaltenango?
- 3 places are within about an hour's drive of Quetzaltenango: Totonicapán (30 min), Coatepeque (45 min), Chichicastenango (55 min).
- What is the biggest city near Quetzaltenango for a day out?
- Guatemala City is the largest city in day-trip range, 111 km east of Quetzaltenango and about 1 hr 45 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Quetzaltenango?
- For a weekend away from Quetzaltenango, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Cobán (142 km, 2 hr 15 min), Villa Canales (114 km, 1 hr 45 min), Chinautla (111 km, 1 hr 45 min), Guatemala City (111 km, 1 hr 45 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Quetzaltenango?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Cobán at 142 km, around 2 hr 15 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
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