Chimaltenango, Guatemala

Capital City

With a population of 116,642, Chimaltenango is a Guatemalan city that serves as both the capital of its department and the municipal seat. While it produces textiles and pottery, the town itself is described as "dull" and "uninteresting" by a 19th-century traveler, who also found the local hotel "dirty" and the bedrooms "unpleasant." Bureaucratic headaches seem to be a persistent issue, as evidenced by the political turmoil surrounding the 1898 presidential election. With a subtropical highland climate, Chimaltenango may not be the most enticing destination for those seeking an escape from the daily grind. Unless you have a deep passion for textile manufacturing or can overlook the town's shortcomings, this city is likely not the best fit for the average expat.