San Andrés Xecul

The colourful church is the main attraction in San Andrés Xecul

San Andrés Xecul is in Guatemala.

Understand

San Andrés Xecul is a sleepy K'iche' Maya village about 16 km (10 mi) outside Quetzaltenango, most famous for its colourful church.

Get in

The road to San Andrés Xecul turns west off from the old main road between Salcajá and Cuatro Caminos, close to a petrol station, just under a kilometer west of Cuatro Caminos, at a right-angle bend in the road. You can flag down buses and microbuses there as they turn in, or walk the 3.5 km (2 mi) to the village.

See

View from El Calvario viewpoint

• Church. The village is most famous for the elaborate facade of its Catholic church. (updated Feb 2016)
• San Simón (Maximón). Although not as famous as San Simón of Zunil, this local deity is also worshipped in San Andrés in a mixture of Maya and Roman Catholic religion. The image of the deity is a mannequin that the local cofradía (brotherhood) tend, burning candles, offering cigarettes and liquor, and carrying our rituals. The custodians charge for entry, with extra to take photos. The mannequín is regularly moved between houses of members of the cofradía, so you will have to ask around to find where it is housed now. Be respectful - the locals take his worship very seriously. (updated Feb 2016)
• El Calvario (Head straight up the street with the church on your left behind you, and the main plaza on the left. The street climbs steeply and takes a sharp turn to the right, where the chapel will be obvious.). El Calvario is a chapel on a hillside overlooking the valley. It is a colourful small chapel modelled after the more famous church in the village centre. There is also a viewpoint with a fine view across the village and the valley, and some modern Maya altars where locals offer sacrifices. (updated Sep 2022)

Go next

• San Cristóbal Totonicapán - the neighbouring village is pleasant, with a large colonial church.
• Salcajá - another neighbouring village, whose claim to fame is the hermitage of Concepción La Conquistadora, the first church founded in Central America. Also known for its sales of Maya textiles.