landmark
San Pedro La Laguna
A backpacker and artist hub on Lake Atitlán's shores beneath San Pedro Volcano, known for Spanish schools and Tz'utujil Maya culture.
33 km · about 40 min drive
North AmericaGuatemalaQuetzaltenango
El Palmar
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala · North America
About El Palmar
El Palmar sits on the route: 5 minutes from San Felipe, 46km from Lake Atitlan.
El Palmar is in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, with about 15,000 people. The nearest town is San Felipe, about 4 km away.
El Palmar is a municipality in the Quetzaltenango department of Guatemala which has a population of 32,065.
El Palmar is mostly an agricultural municipality, with coffee being one of its main products.
Many years ago, El Palmar was nearly destroyed by a volcanic eruption of the Santiaguito volcano. Nuevo El PalmarRead more
was founded a few kilometers away where most people re-settled. Some inhabitants chose to stay or go back to the original town.
The original town was nearly destroyed again by another volcanic eruption in the late 1990s. The inhabitants were given the alternative to re-settle in El Nuevo Palmar by the Guatemalan government. Those who chose to stay would do so at their own risk. Those who re-settled in El Nuevo Palmar did so into the suburbs of this town. A few months later, the entire town was destroyed by another flood of mud from a volcanic eruption. The old town is still declared a risk zone and anyone who enters does so under their own risk.
In October 2005 a bridge was destroyed here by Hurricane Stan, cutting off a large portion of the southwest region from the rest of the country. It has since been restored.
Where to Stay in El Palmar
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near El Palmar?
Within an hour or so of El Palmar: San Pedro La Laguna (33 km), Lake Atitlan (46 km), Chichicastenango Market (60 km).
Where is El Palmar?
El Palmar is in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, about 4 km from San Felipe.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 15,167
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- Guatemala
- Region
- Quetzaltenango
- Timezone
- America/Guatemala
- Coordinates
- 14.6508, -91.5780
Tags
Worth the detour from El Palmar
3 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Lake Atitlan
A breathtaking volcanic lake surrounded by three towering volcanoes and traditional Mayan villages, often called the most beautiful lake in the world.
46 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Chichicastenango Market
Central America's largest indigenous market held every Thursday and Sunday, overflowing with textiles, masks, flowers, and Maya rituals.
60 km · about 70 min drive
Driving roads near El Palmar
- 77 kmAcatenangoA 3,976 m stratovolcano near Antigua climbed overnight so hikers can camp on the ridge and watch neighbouring Volcán de Fuego erupt through the night: one of the most reliable live-eruption views on earth.
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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