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Heritage & monuments

Cerro Quiac

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Cerro Quiac

Overview

Cerro Quiac is a small Maya archaeological site located at an elevation above 2,600 meters in the Guatemalan highlands. The grounds feature ancient stone carvings and serve as an active ceremonial location where local Maya communities conduct traditional rituals. Travellers visit to see these surviving carvings and experience a functioning spiritual site rather than a large monument complex.

Getting There

Located outside central Quetzaltenango, the site can be reached by taxi or local bus in roughly 20 to 30 minutes from the city center.

Time to Allow

Plan to spend about 45 minutes to 1 hour exploring the grounds and viewing the stone monuments.

When to Visit

Mornings offer the best chance of clear weather before afternoon cloud cover and highland rain set in. The location is rarely crowded with tourists. When rituals are taking place, visitors should maintain a respectful distance and observe quietly.

Nearby Attractions

You can combine your visit with other sights in and around Quetzaltenango:

  • Cerro El Baúl (7.5km)
  • Quetzaltenango Municipal Theatre (9.2km)
  • Holy Spirit Cathedral (9.3km)
  • Almolonga (10km)

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

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This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Cerro Quiac

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

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Cerro Quiac Nearby stays

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Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Quetzaltenango 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Quetzaltenango grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Cerro El Baúl

Parks & gardens

Cerro El Baúl

A forested lava dome at the southeastern edge of Quetzaltenango's city center. As one of the city's few remaining green spaces, it's a great place for a walk with valley views.

7.5 km away
Quetzaltenango Municipal Theatre

Culture & venues

Quetzaltenango Municipal Theatre

A theatre in Quetzaltenango where visitors can experience the local performing arts scene.

9.2 km away
Holy Spirit Cathedral

Temples & religious sites

Holy Spirit Cathedral

A historic Catholic cathedral in Quetzaltenango, built shortly after Spanish conquerors took the region. The city itself was dedicated to the Holy Spirit, underscoring the cathedral's symbolic importance.

9.3 km away
Almolonga

Nature

Almolonga

Almolonga is a stratovolcano near Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, nicknamed 'Cerro Quemado' for its peak shape. Part of the Sierra Madre range, it offers volcanic scenery close to Guatemala's second-largest city.

10.0 km away
Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple

Temples & religious sites

Quetzaltenango Guatemala Temple

A temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located near Minerva Zoo Park on the west side of Quetzaltenango. As the second temple built in Guatemala, it's a peaceful place to admire fine architecture.

11.5 km away
Santa María

Nature

Santa María

A 3,772 m volcano rising near Quetzaltenango, notable for its smooth, conical shape. It's still active, making the scenery encountered on a trek all the more special.

15.4 km away