Santa María Nebaj
Guatemala · Americas
About Santa María Nebaj
Santa Maria Nebaj is a small town in Quiche, Guatemala. A pre-Columbian Mayan archeological site is nearby and the town, and the area around it, is known for its Mayan culture, its many ranches, and excellent hiking opportunities.
Santa María Nebaj travel guide
Getting there
Frequent chicken buses run to and from Santa Cruz del Quiche and Sacapulas on no set timetable. For most points in Guatemala (Panajachel, Antigua, Guatemala City, etc.) you need to change at Sacapulas. There is one direct bus to Guatemala City daily.
Getting around
The town itself is easy to walk around and there is frequent bus service to Chajul. For most other outlying villages (e.g., Acul) you need to find your own transport.
See
Iglesia de Nebaj. The cathedral. The plaza outside is the busy center of old Nebaj and well worth idling away the cooler evening hours (updated Apr 2017) Centro Cultural Kumool (Easy walking distance from the plaza. Just ask someone!). A small but friendly museum with artifacts from the nearby pre-Columbian Mayan site (updated Apr 2017)
Buy
Mercado de Artesanias. Run as a cooperative, the mercado has beautiful handicrafts. The heavy brocade is unique to the Ixil highlands and you'll get much better stuff at a cheaper price than at the more famous market at Chichicastenango. Ask to visit a Mayan family at work! (updated Apr 2017)
Sleep
Hotel Santa Maria (A block from the main plaza). Barebones hotel, but clean and safe. Excellent breakfast! $25-$35. (updated Apr 2017)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.