Tourist Attractions

“Live Indigenous Highlands due to its natural and cultural traits”

The Chajulense Association is seeking to develop sustainable tourism as another alternative for the economic growth, value, and recovery of the culture, as well as the preservation of natural and cultural resources.

Taking into account the following main components:

The area has a great tourist potential due to the diversity of its flora and fauna, and to the landscape diversity, since it is located between the mountain range of the Cuchumatanes and the Chama Mountain. The cultural diversity of San Gaspar Chajul is also one of the main factors that provide tourist attraction. The population is predominantly of Maya Ixil descent, and the Ixil is the language spoken in the town. The Ixil language has its roots in the Mam language, which constitutes one of the greater branches of the Eastern Protomaya. Chajul, as well as Nebaj and San Juan Cotzal are known as the “Ixil Triangle” and are the only three municipiums where the Ixil language is spoken. The community still preserves its indigenous costumes, specially the women, who use it in red and purple with the “huipiles” colorfully embroidered; they also wear a “tocoyal” on their heads. Women usually get together with the family to weave on their waist loom in their houses’ front porch, while watching out for their children. There is a compilation of 300 myths and legends from the people of Chajul that safeguard the historic and cultural value of the Ixil people. Besides these attractions, there are also the processes promoted by the Association, better known as “Social Wealth”. The common effort has allowed for clear outcomes as to the improvement of the quality of life of the Chajulense population. The Association is working in different projects which have been important tools to empower the Ixil communities. Brotherly attention is offered to the visitors in the area. Places that can be visited are:

• Main offices of the Chajulense Association
• Production, transformation, and marketing of coffee and honey.
• Manufacturing and marketing of handicrafts (textiles)
• Radio station
• Production and sale of fresh and mature cheese Italian type (Integral Development Association)