Aguacatán

Aguacatán doesn’t appear to be much more than a town built around the through road which cuts east to west across the base of the Cuchumatanes from Sacapulas to Huehuetenango. It is, however, the source of the Río San Juan and also an important part of history, forged by Dominican friars out of two opposing villages – even now the Chalchitek still live to the east and the Awakatek to the west of town. Gold and silver were mined here during colonial times but today the town survives on the growing and selling of vegetables, mainly garlic. The traditional dress is distinctive with the women wearing elaborate headdresses.

It is quite a lively little town especially late afternoon/early evening with plenty of people out in the square, walking around and eating snacks from the many food stalls. Market day is Sunday, although it often gets going Saturday afternoon. Running from east to west from the point you enter the town on the main road to the plaza in the center, you will find the Centro Comercial, Hotel Emperador, Comedor Frances, Restaurante Campo Alegre, Hotel y Restaurante Ray (Tel: 502-7766-0877), parqueo (opposite Ray’s), Banrural and Farmacia Galicia. On the other side of the square there is a pizza take-out joint.

Buses leave Huehue every half and hour until about 7 p.m. The journey takes 40 minutes.

Other neighborhoods in Huehuetenango: Barillas, Nentón, Gracias A Dios, El Mirador, Chiantla, Unicornio Azul and Laguna Magdelena.