San Marcos
Right next to the Mexican Border San Marcos is a mixture of different micro climates allowing the most variated landscapes you can get together in one region. San Marcos offers a lot to be seeing. Its low altitude region leads to the sea, right to the south of Guatemala.
Here the warm land offers fertile lands and refreshing rivers.
As for the high altitude part to the north of Guatemala, San Marcos offers perhaps the best landscapes to be seein around the region: great mountains, amazing valleys and colorful scenes of the local costumes.
San Marcos is the home of the two highest summits in Guatemala (Tajumulco and Tacana volcanoes, in fact, it holds the highest summit in Central America (Tajumulco) reaching 4,220 meters above sea level.The city is very well urbanized and has all the accommodations you might need. There is something common in the "cold lands" of Guatemala like Quetzaltenango and San Marcos and it is the peaceful atmosphere and kindness of their people.
What to expect at San Marcos?
- Amazing fresh-to-cold weather with mostly clear sky.
- The highest summits of Guatemala.
- Incomparable landscape views, valleys and mountains.
- Kind people all around.
- Yes, great meals with the local flavor.
- Trust me, you will find yourself sitting at the side of any road on the highlands watching a beautiful view.
- Bring your coat, is kinda cold most of the year.
How to get to San Marcos?
Take the CA1 from Guatemala City and drive leaving Solola and Quetzaltenango behind. Right at Quetzaltenango entrance you will see a fork, here take the turn to San Marcos (the signs are really clear) and follow the road passing by San Mateo, San Juan Ostuncalco and San Antonio Sacatepequez reaching the main city of San Marcos with the same name. Its a long drive from Guatemala City (about 5 hours non stop).Guatemala guides is written and managed by travelers and for travelers
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The irony of life: the highest summit in Central America is not the most difficult to reach. Tajumulco is the highest volcano and still is not the hardest. It reaches 4,220 meters above sea level, but the altitude of San Marcos itself means you only have to ascent the difference. You can complete the journey to the summit in one day without camping gear.