Major city · Guatemala
San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta
Spend a half‑day in San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta; one full day lets you see the market, a waterfall and the nearby cloud‑forest reserve.
San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta is a small commercial hub in the coffee‑plantation region of San Marcos. It sits on the RN1 highway, offering easy bus connections and basic services. The town is a convenient stop for travelers heading to the highlands or the Pacific coast, with a pleasant 23 °C average temperature and access to cloud‑forest nature spots such as Refugio del Quetzal and the Cataratas de La Trinidad waterfall.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GTQ
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season, cooler evenings)
- avoid May–Oct (rainier, hotter lowland weather)
- Airport
- La Aurora (GUA)
- Nights
- 1
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 San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance1500 (check)
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 San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for day visits; watch traffic on RN1 and keep valuables secure in markets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin; public toilets charge Q1–5.Guatemala-wide
- Emergency numberscheck110 police · 122/123 fire and ambulance · 1500 (check) 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.
- Getting aroundBuses on RN1 stop in town; walk or tuk‑tuk to nearby attractions.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)Q5–Q8
- Budget bedHotel Victorias double room, a night, per roomGTQ 300
- Mid-range bedHotel Victorias double room, a night, per roomGTQ 500
- High-end bedHotel Victorias double room, a night, per roomGTQ 800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget GTQ 80 · Mid GTQ 150 · High GTQ 250
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
Map of San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Tapachula · 37 km straight line
- Quetzaltenango · 44 km straight line
- San Andrés Xecul · 47 km straight line
- Almolonga · 47 km straight line
- Zunil · 49 km straight line
- Salcajá · 50 km straight line
- Retalhuleu · 51 km straight line
- Cantel · 51 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°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
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Dec
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 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
Buses on RN1 stop in town; walk or tuk‑tuk to nearby attractions. No local taxi network; arrange rides at the municipal office or via hotel.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Refugio del Quetzal
goDoor to door: ≈30 min each way
Local bus or tuk‑tuk east on RN1, about 5 km (3.1 mi)Local bus or tuk‑tuk east on RN1, about 3.1 mi (5 km)
Pay ~Q20 entrance; cloud‑forest trails and possible quetzal sightings.
Cataratas de La Trinidad
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Bus to Finca El Vergel (upper), then walk down trail
Cheap entry; trail well‑maintained, return via same path or steep side track.
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.
Hotel Victorias
Pool, hot tub, restaurant/bar, breakfast; central location.
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
- Q80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- Q120–200 excl. bed
- High
- Q200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Victorias double room1 × 1 night × GTQ 500 | GTQ 500 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × GTQ 150 | GTQ 150 |
| Bus from San Pedro Sacatepéquez to San Rafael (round trip)1 × GTQ 30 · check | GTQ 30 |
| Entrance to Refugio del Quetzal1 × GTQ 20 · check | GTQ 20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | GTQ 70 |
| Trip total≈ GTQ 770 per person per day, bed included | GTQ 770 |
2026 estimate in quetzales; flights and long‑distance bus tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | Q5–Q8 |
| Meal at Restaurante El Punto | Q30–Q60 |
| Market fruit | Q2–Q5 per kilo |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads can be busy with trucks; allow extra time for bus connections.
- Entrance fee for Refugio del Quetzal is about Q20; confirm price locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 122/123
- Tourist assistance
- 1500 (check)
Pocket card
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San Rafael Pie de la CuestaSan Rafael Pie de la Cuesta
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance122/123
- Tourist assistance1500 (check)
Embassy
US consulate in Guatemala City; nearest for San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- RN1 bus San Pedro Sacatepéquez → San Rafael: ≈ Q30 one way (check)
- Tuk‑tuk to Refugio del Quetzal: ≈ Q15–Q20 round trip (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oˈla)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwanˈto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está el mercado? — Where is the market? (ˈdonde esˈta el merˈkado)
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 San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta. 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 (dry season, cooler evenings) · avoid May–Oct (rainier, hotter lowland weather) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a guided coffee‑plantation tour (arranged at municipal office).
- Include a night at Hotel Victorias for pool relaxation.
Sources
Ask about San Rafael Pie de la Cuesta
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