At 2012 meters (6061 ft) above sea level, in the southwestern Sierra de Chuacús, Santa Cruz del Quiché is the capital of the El Quiché region and of the municipality of the Santa Cruz del Quiché. The population is around 21,000 and made up mainly of the K’iche’ and Ladino ethnic groups. The town serves as a central market point for the surrounding villages, which cultivate maize and beans, and raise livestock. Santa Cruz is also important academically with both the University of San Carlos Guatemala City and the Academy of Mayan Languages having established campuses here.

The town was founded in 1539 by Pedro de Alvarado, right hand man of Hernan Cortés. However, at least one hundred years before that the K’iche King Gucumatz chose an area four kilometers (2.5 mi) west of town for the site of the Mayan capital Ku’markaaj (or Utatlán in Nauatl). Alvarado burned down the entire city, reducing the K’iche rulers to peasant status. It is said that the church in the town plaza was built by Dominican friars out of the Ku’markaaj stones.

More recently, Quiché, as it is known, and the surrounding area suffered greatly during years of internal conflict. The army barracks in the center of town is a reminder of those difficult times.

Santa Cruz del Quiché is quite a small town, so restaurants, cafés, shops and hotels are all in walking distance. There are a few hotels to choose from, most in the budget category, and mainly comedores or cafés for food. Once it gets dark some food stalls around the square stay open for a while but the town center does get quiet and there isn’t much to do in the evening. The main attraction for tourists visiting Santa Cruz del Quiché is without a doubt the K’iche Mayan ruins. Being the regional capital it has good transport links to the north and south and serves as a transport hub for the Ixil Triangle.