The Black Cat in Xela

Prices of the rooms

2007-10-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

We have:

dorms for 50 Quetzales a night (6.67 USD)
private rooms without bathroom for 140 Quetzales for 2 people and 210 Quetzales for 3
private room with own bathroom for 180 Quetzales for 2 people

The price include a BIG FREE Breakfast and internet (we have wireless too).

We have a TV with DVD and a laundry service.

Te esperamos!!!

A few comments of our guests

2007-08-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Customer: Miranda Doyle - Mon, 9 July 2007
Would you recommend: Yes
Great hostel, very clean, friendly staff. There is a common area with TV, a bar and restaurant, etc. but it isn't noisy. The hostel seemed new, or recently renovated. Comfy beds, very pretty place. One of the bet I've stayed at. It is also just one block from the central park and most of the services.

Filip from Czech Republic stayed here on 12th July 2007
Its a really nice place.The building is great with a courtyard inside.Beds are comfortable,staff friendly,2 minutes walk from main square in a quiet street.

Amanda from USA stayed here on 30th July 2007
The balck cat is a great hostel to stop in.. i love the tab system and you just pay at the end of the trip. They also hadd some nice movies to watch inthe TV room.

1st Intercultural Night in Xela!!

2007-08-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

Do you want to practice your Spanish and exchange ideas with Guatemalans?

Quieres practicar tu ingles con extranjeros de diferentes pais?

Come and join us for the 1st Intercultural night in Xela!!!

Every Monday at 7 pm
Todos los Lunes a las 7 pm

Nice atmosphere and cheap drinks.
Te esperamos!!!

Black Cat Xela
13 Avenida 3-33, zona 1
Phone: 7765-8951
blackcatxela@gmail.com
www.blackcathostels.net

Welcome to Xela

2007-08-13T16:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the Central Park of Xela.

casa de la cultura

Black Cat Xela
13 Avenida 3-33, zona 1
Phone: 7765-8951
blackcatxela@gmail.com
www.blackcathostels.net

What to do around Xela?

2007-08-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

Xela is not known by the backpackers but there are some nice places to visit in the region. And some nice hikes to do.

Zunil and its neighbourhood

Zunil
The city is known for its Catholic Church constructed by the Catholic missionaries who came. They have a famous market of vegetables where we can observe the traditional dresses of the women.
In Zunil, you can visit the spiritual center of San Simon, a local Mayan hero venerated by Catholic and Mayan people. The statue is moved every year to a different house so ask people where the house of San Simon is.

From this city, you can take a pick up to the famous Fuentes Georgina where you can take a bath in the hot natural springs and observe the beautiful panorama. There is a service of Bungalows to spend a night there. Entrance fees for the day are 20 Quetzales.

Almolonga
It’s called “the garden of America” because the majority of the inhabitants live of the agriculture and they cultivate very good vegetables which are sold in the markets of the country but exported too to other countries in Central America.
There are too some baths with natural hot water where locals come regularly.

The Volcanoes around Xela

Santa María
It’s one of the most important volcanos in Guatemala and has an altitude of 3,772 meters. From the top, you can observe others volcanoes, the pacific coast and the city of Quetzaltenango. But the most spectacular are the explosions and smoke of the active Volcano Santiaguito.
It takes about a 4 hour hike for someone in a physical condition normal to go to the top and 3 hours back.
Don’t go on your own!! You can get lost easily on the way.

view of Xela

Eruptions of Santiaguito

Chikabal
The magical lake is nestled in the crater of the volcano Chikabal (2712m). It’s the most important sacred site for the Maya Mam in the western area of Quetzaltenango. There are at least 26 Maya altars located around the Lake.
It takes about 1h30 by bus to go to the closest town San Martin Chili Verde, then a 1h hike to the park. It’s an easy hike accessible to everybody.
The zone is administrated by people of the Department of protected areas with help of the Association of Ecology.
The entrance costs Q 15.00 for foreigners
Camping 10 Quetzals
Bungalows Q 20.00 per person
The money helps at the protection and keeps clean the Laguna of Chicabal.

the stairs to do to the lake

Tajumulco
Tajumulco is the higest volcano in Central America with its 4220 m. It’s a beautiful hike that can be done in one or two days. For the two day trek, you will camp before the top and see a beautiful sunrise the day after.

Villages around and markets

Totonicapán
It’s the city of Atanasio Azul, ferrous guerrilla who defended the liberation of the village Maya- Quiche.
They have an impressive theatre and Catholic Church which shows the faith of the indigenes in this area.
Saturday is the market day, where you can buy typical clothes or pottery. All the products are locales and fabricated in town or in the villages around.
At 2 kilometers of Totonicapán, you can visit an ecological park which was opened last year.

San Francisco el Alto
In Guatemala, the villages have a local market once a week where people come to buy and sell but to assist to the religious activities.
In San Francisco el Alto, it’s one of the biggest indigenes market in Guatemala and it takes place 3 times per week. But it’s better to go on Friday.

Momostenango
In Momostenango, they make nice ponchos and wool blankets. The majority of the population speaks Quiche. Wednesday and Sunday are the market days.
At 15 minutes from the town, you can visit the Rocks of Momostenango which are geological red rocks.

San Andrés Xecul
Xecul means “under the blanket”.
One of the most beautiful churches of Guatemala is at San Andres Xecul. But there is one smaller where you can see the entire village and around where they cultivate corn. At the back, we can see the mountains which form the western Highland of Guatemala.

On the road to the Pacific Coast
Tak’alik Ab’aj
It’s a Mayan archeological site with influence Olmeca. There are temples and many of them have not been yet studied by the archaeologies nationals and internationals. The site is 2h30 from Quetzaltenango. The vegetation is dense and the climate tropical, so it’s very different from Quetzaltenango.
Close to the site there is a restaurant ecological where you can eat a delicious breakfast before to start the visit

Black Cat Xela

13 Avenida 3-33, zona 1

Phone: 7765-8951

blackcatxela@gmail.com

www.blackcathostels.net

Tours and Shuttles

2007-08-10T17:00:00.001-07:00

At the Black Cat we're working with a travel agency named Highland Tours. They are professional and experienced guides. All the prices are per person.

We offer shuttles to: (2 pers mini)

Panajachel: 3 hours, 15 USD
Antigua: 4 hours, 25 USD
Chichicastenango: 3 hours , 15 USD
Guatemala city: 5 hours, 45 USD
San Christobal de Las Casas (Mexico): 8 hours, 35 USD

and others.... just ask!

We offers 1/2 day tours from Xela (mini 2 pers.)

Fuentes Georginas (hot springs): 10 USD
Cantel, Zunil, Fuentes Georginas, Almolonga: 20 USD
San Andres Xecul, Salcaja and San Christobal Totonicapan: 20 USD
Market of Totonicapan on Tuesday and Saturday: 20 USD
Market San Francisco El Alto on Friday: 15 USD
Market Momostenango on Sunday: 25USD

We offer day tours from Xela:( mini 2 pers.)

Abaj Takalik, Viejo Palmar, Finca del cafe: 55 USD
Todo Santos : 65USD
Zaculeu, Huehuetenango, Chiantla: 50 USD

We offer 1/2 hikes (4 pers mini)

Santa Maria: 20 USD
Laguna de Chicabal: 20 USD
Mirador de Santiaguito: 15 USD

We offer 2 day hikes (mini 4 pers)

Tajumulco: 45USD
Santa Maria: 40 USD

We offer a 3 day hike to Lago Atitlan for 550 Quetzales (mini 4 pers).

Black Cat Xela

13 Avenida 3-33, zona 1

Phone: 7765-8951

blackcatxela@gmail.com

www.blackcathostels.net

Let's meet the team!

2007-08-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

In front, Isabel and Rosalba who are responsible for the cleaness of the hostel. And they do it well, it's one the cleanest place in Xela!
Behind Ana Claudia and Lety who are cooking you delicious meals and breakfast.

Magda and me (left). Madga welcome you with a large smile in the morning and serve you breakfast. She's there to answer all your questions.

Lety cooking.

Is missing in the pictures Rodrigo who joined the cooking team a week ago.

And our two night guards, Edgar and Oscar. They are responsible for your security at night.

Black Cat Xela
13 Avenida 3-33, zona 1
Phone: 7765-8951
blackcatxela@gmail.com
www.blackcathostels.net

Welcome to The Black Cat!!

2007-08-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

A bit of history...

The first Black Cat hostel opened in March 2006 in Antigua. After a successful first year, Alejandra and Jose Manuel Gutierrez decided to open a new Black Cat in Xela, where they are from.

Welcome to the hostal!

The hostal is situated in the center of Xela in the building of the ex Casa Kaehler. A beautiful old house with a nice courtyard. Please follow me, I'll do you the visit.

please enter!

and sit for a while in our sunny courtyard

Are you hungry or thirsty? you can eat in our restaurant and bar, or watch the DVD of your choice.

Now let's go upstair to visit the rooms

We have 5 dorms with 6 to 10 beds, for 50 Qetzales a night including a BIG free breakfast and free internet

We have 3 privates rooms, two without bathroom for 140 Q a night, a one with private bathroom with 180 Q.

Bathroom are big with the hottest shower in Xela!!

Our address: 13 Avenida 3-33, zona 1.
Tel: 77658951
Blackcatxela@gmail.com

for more information, check our website http://www.blackcathostels.net/