Major city · Guatemala
Sacapulas
Half-day stop on the Quiché–Uspantán bus route: see the unrestored Maya ruin Xutixtiox, then move on. Not a base.
Sacapulas is a small market town in the Río Negro valley, a transport junction between Santa Cruz del Quiché and the Cuchumatanes. Its main draw is Xutixtiox, an unrestored Maya site with stucco facades on a hill above the river. The town itself has basic services but no notable sights beyond the weekly market. Most travellers pass through on the way to Uspantán or Cobán.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid May–Oct (rain; the river at Xutixtiox may be impassable)
- Airports
- La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City (GUA) · Quetzaltenango (AAZ)
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Guatemala ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Guatemala's Migration Institute or a Guatemalan consulate. Guatemala shares a Central America border agreement (CA-4) with El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, so your permitted stay may count across all four.
- Guatemala ↗Hike volcanoes (Acatenango, Pacaya) only with registered guides and check eruption alerts; Fuego is highly active.
- Guatemala ↗Avoid public chicken buses between cities: they are frequent targets of robbery. Use tourist shuttles or private transport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sacapulas110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sacapulas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ, Q).Guatemala-wide
- SIM or eSIMTigo and Claro sell SIMs at the airport and shops; bring your passport.Guatemala-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations in Antigua and lake hotels.Guatemala-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10% — check if 'propina' is already on the bill.Guatemala-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guatemala-wide
- SafetySacapulas is generally safe during the day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 122 fire and ambulance · 1500 Tourist assistance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysAntigua's streets close for processions on Lenten Sundays and Semana Santa; museums may close on Mondays.Guatemala-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGUA La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City (No airport at Sacapulas…
- Getting aroundWalkable centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Tuk-tuk to Los TrapichitosQ15–25
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomGTQ 100
- Mid-range bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomGTQ 150
- High-end bedBasic guesthouse room, a night, per roomGTQ 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 150 · Mid GTQ 300 · High GTQ 500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUA La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala City (No airport at Sacapulas; long-distance buses from Guatemala City pass Los Encuentros on the Pan-American Highway, then connect to Santa Cruz del Quiché and Sacapulas — check times.) · AAZ Quetzaltenango (Los Altos) airport (Closest airfield to the western highlands; domestic service is limited — check before planning around it.)
Map of Sacapulas
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Sacapulas
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Santa Maria Nebaj · 14 km straight line
- Uspantán · 24 km straight line
- Chichicastenango · 38 km straight line
- Huehuetenango · 41 km straight line
- Sololá · 59 km straight line
- Salcajá · 59 km straight line
- San Andrés Xecul · 61 km straight line
- Todos Santos Cuchumatán · 61 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jun (18 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sacapulas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
18 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
16 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
16 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
17 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
13 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre. For Xutixtiox, take a taxi or tuk-tuk to Los Trapichitos (about 5 km west on the highway), then wade the river and climb. Ask locally for the best crossing point — it changes after rains.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Xutixtiox ruins
goDoor to door: About 1 h round trip from town, plus 1–2 h at the site
Taxi or tuk-tuk to Los Trapichitos (5 km (3.1 mi) west), then wade the river and climbTaxi or tuk-tuk to Los Trapichitos (3.1 mi (5 km) west), then wade the river and climb
Unrestored site with stucco facades; go in dry season and ask locally about the river crossing.
Uspantán
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from Sacapulas, about 1 h
Gateway to the Cuchumatanes mountains and onward to Cobán.
Santa Cruz del Quiché
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus from Sacapulas, about 1.5 h
Connections to Chichicastenango and Guatemala City.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
A few basic hotels and guesthouses near the main square; limited options, book ahead in high season.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Q150–250
- Mid
- Q250–400
- High
- Q400+
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse room1 × 1 night × GTQ 100 | GTQ 100 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × GTQ 150 | GTQ 150 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 250 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 250 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; transport and meals only, no accommodation.
Prices of common things
| Bus Sacapulas → Santa Cruz del Quiché | Q20–30 |
| Tuk-tuk to Los Trapichitos | Q15–25 |
| Simple meal (comida corriente) | Q25–40 |
| Bottle of water | Q5–8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Xutixtiox river crossing may be impassable in the rainy season (May–Oct). Check locally before setting out.
- No official tourist information office in town.
- Last buses to Santa Cruz del Quiché and Uspantán leave by late afternoon; confirm the schedule at the bus stop.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122
- Tourist assistance
- 1500
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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SacapulasSacapulas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122
- Tourist assistance1500
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Sacapulas → Santa Cruz del Quiché: Q20–30, about 1.5 h
- Bus Sacapulas → Uspantán: Q15–25, about 1 h
- Tuk-tuk to Los Trapichitos: Q15–25
Say or show
- ¿Dónde está el cruce del río? — Where is the river crossing? (DON-deh es-TAH el KROO-seh del REE-oh)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta a Los Trapichitos? — How much to Los Trapichitos? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah ah los trah-pee-CHEE-tos)
- ¿Se puede cruzar el río? — Is the river passable? (seh PWEH-deh kroo-ZAR el REE-oh)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sacapulas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid May–Oct (rain; the river at Xutixtiox may be impassable) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Sacapulas
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