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Zunil, Quetzaltenango: Safety, Cost & Attractions (2026)

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Where is Zunil?

Zunil is located in the department of Quetzaltenango, 106.5 km from Guatemala City and 6.4 km from Quetzaltenango (department capital) .

Guatemala City
106.5 km
Quetzaltenango
6.4 km
View on map
14.7848°, -91.4848° →

Distances are straight-line. Coordinates from OpenStreetMap.

Key Stats

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Where to Stay in Zunil

Find accommodation in Zunil — from hotels to entire homes.

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Zunil is a municipality in Quetzaltenango department with a population of 16,000 at 2,076m elevation (cool highlands). The area has a safety score of 7/10 (generally safe with normal precautions), monthly living cost around $400. Key highlights: Fuentes Georginas hot springs, Below Xela, Traditional textiles. For department-level data, see Quetzaltenango. Check the latest exchange rates and cost of living data.

Municipal Services

The Municipalidad de Zunil handles local government services including boleto de ornato (annual residence tax), IUSI (property tax), construction permits, and municipal business licenses.

For national government services, the Quetzaltenango department capital Quetzaltenango has the nearest offices for:

  • RENAP – DPI (cedula/national ID), birth certificates, marriage records
  • SAT – NIT (tax ID), fiscal registration, import/export paperwork
  • PNC – police services, reports, background checks

For step-by-step instructions on any government procedure, see our complete tramites guide.

Climate & Weather

Zunil sits at 2,076m elevation in the temperate highlands (tierra templada). Typical temperatures range from 15-25C. Spring-like weather year-round. The most comfortable climate zone — no AC or heating needed.

For current conditions and forecasts, see our weather page.

Local Festivals & Ferias

Zunil celebrates 6 festivals throughout the year:

  • Semana Santa in Xela — March 1
  • Festival de Rompopo y Caldo de Frutas — August 1
  • Feria Centroamericana de la Independencia (Xelafer) — September 1
  • Feria de la Virgen del Rosario — October 1
  • Fiesta de San Simon — October 1

Guatemala’s ferias feature traditional dances, marimba music, processions, food stalls, and community celebrations. See our complete ferias calendar for dates across all 337 municipalities.

Local Costs & Services

Key cost data for Zunil (Quetzaltenango department):

  • Gas price: Q32.42/gallon regular (Q33.56 premium)
  • Exchange rate: Check today’s live rate

Compare remittance rates and check the cost of living calculator for detailed budgets.

Safety Overview

Safety score: 7/10 (Generally safe). Generally safe for visitors. Standard travel precautions apply. Tourist areas are well-patrolled.

Emergency contacts:

  • CONRED (disaster): 1566
  • Police (PNC): 110
  • Fire department: 122
  • Ambulance: 128
  • Tourist police (PROATUR): 1500

Read our full Guatemala safety guide for department-by-department data.

Explore Quetzaltenango Department

Zunil is one of the municipalities in Quetzaltenango department. Explore nearby areas and compare data across the region.

Useful links:

FAQ

Where is Zunil located?

Zunil is located in the Quetzaltenango department of Guatemala. It is 106.5 km from Guatemala City and 6.4 km from Quetzaltenango, the department capital.

Is Zunil safe?

Zunil has a safety score of 7/10. Generally safe with normal precautions.

How much does it cost to live in Zunil?

Monthly living costs in Zunil are approximately $400. This is in Quetzaltenango department.

What is Zunil known for?

Zunil is known for fuentes georginas hot springs, below xela, traditional textiles.

What government offices are in Zunil?

The Municipalidad in Zunil handles local services: boleto de ornato, IUSI property tax, and municipal licenses. For national services like RENAP (DPI/cedula), SAT (tax/NIT), and PNC, you will need to go to Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango department capital). See our [complete tramites guide](/tramites/) for step-by-step procedures.

What are the main festivals in Zunil?

Every municipality in Guatemala celebrates its feria patronal (patron saint festival), usually lasting a week with parades, marimba music, traditional dances, and food stalls. Zunil also participates in national celebrations like Semana Santa, Independence Day (Sep 15), and local cultural events. Check our [ferias calendar](/ferias/) for exact dates.

Is there good internet in Zunil?

Zunil has standard internet coverage for its region. Tigo and Claro provide 4G service, with speeds typically 10-30 Mbps in the town center. Fiber availability varies. Check our [internet guide](/internet/) for detailed ISP coverage in Quetzaltenango.

What is the nearest hospital to Zunil?

The nearest hospital is the Hospital Nacional in Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango department capital). Local health centers (Centros de Salud) in Zunil handle basic medical needs. For specialized or emergency care, Guatemala City hospitals (Roosevelt, San Juan de Dios) are the reference facilities.

Data from locations.json, government sources, and field surveys

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