landmark
Chichicastenango Market
Central America's largest indigenous market held every Thursday and Sunday, overflowing with textiles, masks, flowers, and Maya rituals.
34 km · about 40 min drive
North AmericaGuatemalaQuiché
Joyabaj
Quiché, Guatemala · North America
About Joyabaj
Joyabaj sits on the route: 15 minutes from Zacualpa, 48km from Lake Atitlan.
Joyabaj is in Quiché, Guatemala, with about 13,000 people. The nearest town is Zacualpa, about 9 km away.
Joyabaj (Spanish pronunciation: [xoʝaˈβax]) is a town and municipality in the Guatemalan department of El Quiché. It is located about 50 kilometers from Santa Cruz del Quiché, in the Sierra de Chuacús mountains.
Joyabaj was an important part of the royal route to Mexico during the Spanish time. On February 4, 1976,Read more
the town was almost destroyed by an earthquake. Most of its beautiful colonial houses and buildings were lost and hundreds of people died. Joyabaj was also hit hard by the civil war that lasted about 30 years in Guatemala. The majority of the ladinos (people with mixed Spanish and Indian heritage) fled to Guatemala City.
The town's fiesta is celebrated from August 8–15. Many activities take place every day. One of the most important and fantastic celebrations is El Palo Volador. This is a traditional dance in which flying angels (ángeles) spin to the ground from a huge wooden pole. The Palo Volador reenacts the descend of the angels into the underworld to battle the forces of darkness. This a pre-conquest ritual that has survived many centuries.
The people from Joyabaj are called Xoyes or Joyabatecos.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Joyabaj?
Within an hour or so of Joyabaj: Chichicastenango Market (34 km), Lake Atitlan (48 km), Antigua Guatemala (49 km), Acatenango (55 km).
Where is Joyabaj?
Joyabaj is in Quiché, Guatemala, about 9 km from Zacualpa.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 13,164
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- Guatemala
- Region
- Quiché
- Timezone
- America/Guatemala
- Coordinates
- 14.9931, -90.8016
Tags
Worth the detour from Joyabaj
4 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Lake Atitlan
A breathtaking volcanic lake surrounded by three towering volcanoes and traditional Mayan villages, often called the most beautiful lake in the world.
48 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Antigua Guatemala
A UNESCO colonial city framed by volcanoes, filled with cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and stunning ruined churches.
49 km · about 55 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Acatenango
A 3,976 m stratovolcano near Antigua climbed overnight so hikers can camp on the ridge and watch neighbouring Volcán de Fuego erupt through the night: one of the most reliable live-eruption views on earth.
55 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Joyabaj
- 55 kmAcatenangoA 3,976 m stratovolcano near Antigua climbed overnight so hikers can camp on the ridge and watch neighbouring Volcán de Fuego erupt through the night: one of the most reliable live-eruption views on earth.
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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