In the early 20th century, Retalhuleu was an important way station for cotton, coffee and sugar exports to the port at Champerico. The trains have long since stopped running, but this abandoned station, with its rusting clock and atmospherically overgrown tracks and platforms, makes for a diverting insight into the town's heyday.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Centro Intercultural de Quetzaltenango
23.59 MILES
Quetzaltenango's railroad station, 1km east of the Templo de Minerva along 4a Calle, lay dormant for many years until the city converted it into this…
23.07 MILES
Most of Xela's sights crowd in and around the broad central plaza. It's a great place for a stroll or to sit and people-watch. It was originally two…
28.46 MILES
San Andrés Xecul boasts one of the most exuberantly decorated churches in the country, a fiesta almost in itself. Technicolored saints, angels, flowers…
23.37 MILES
Quetzaltenango's enormous cemetery is a pleasant and fascinating green space for a walk. To the left of the main entrance, visit the grave of the gypsy…
23.37 MILES
This wooded hill is a popular weekend destination for city dwellers, for its wonderful views across Xela's broad plain and to the volcanos that fringe it…
23.59 MILES
An interesting if chaotic collection of some 400 paintings by Guatemala's leading modernists is exhibited here, including works by Efraín Recinos, Jorge…
23.59 MILES
This museum is devoted to Maya weaving, with traditional outfits arranged by region. Director Raquel García is an expert on the symbols and meanings of…
Parque Arqueológico Takalik Abaj
7.64 MILES
This 6.5-sq-km archaeological site spreads over nine natural terraces. The rainforest-like grounds boast temple mounds, ball courts and flights of steps…
Nearby attractions
0.16 MILES
Retalhuleu's church occupies pride of place in the middle of the plaza, and is a useful landmark to orient yourself by.
2. Museo de Arqueología y Etnología
0.2 MILES
Retalhuleu has a small museum of archaeological relics from local Mayan sites, as well as an interesting collection of historic photos showing the town in…
3. Parque Arqueológico Takalik Abaj
7.64 MILES
This 6.5-sq-km archaeological site spreads over nine natural terraces. The rainforest-like grounds boast temple mounds, ball courts and flights of steps…
21.4 MILES
Zunil has a particularly striking old church. Its ornate yellow facade, with eight pairs of serpentine columns, is echoed inside by a richly carved gilt…
22.97 MILES
The church that lends its name to the neighborhood west of the center was built four centuries ago on a rise to avoid Xela's periodic flooding. Check out…
23.01 MILES
The natural history museum holds a hodgepodge of Maya artifacts, vintage photos, dried leaves, old coins, marimbas, sports trophies, stuffed mammals and…
23.05 MILES
The ornately carved facade of the Iglesia del Espíritu Santo marks the site of the original 1532 construction, which was pulverized by the quakes of 1853…
23.07 MILES
Most of Xela's sights crowd in and around the broad central plaza. It's a great place for a stroll or to sit and people-watch. It was originally two…