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Battle of La Arada

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Historical site

Weather…

The Battle of La Arada took place on February 2, 1851, and is regarded as the most significant military victory in Guatemalan history. Led by General Rafael Carrera, Guatemalan forces successfully defended their sovereignty against an invasion from El Salvador and Honduras. Although the allied forces were far superior in numbers, Carrera utilized the strategic terrain of the La Arada hills near Chiquimula to his advantage. Through clever maneuvering and the use of ambushes, he managed to break the enemy lines and force a retreat. This victory consolidated Carrera's hold on power and secured Guatemala's independence during a politically volatile era in Central America. Today, a monument at the site commemorates the bravery of the soldiers and the strategic importance of the conflict. The battle is celebrated annually as a national event, symbolizing the nation's patriotism and spirit of resistance.

Location: Guatemala
Nearby: Poptún (9 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	20	21	23	25	25	24	23	23	23	22	21	20
Rain mm	58	45	38	43	133	200	171	193	223	169	101	63

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The Battle of La Arada site is a historical place commemorating the decisive battle of 1851. The area is freely accessible and consists of open fields with some monuments and commemorative plaques.

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Typical hours

As an open-air monument, it can be visited at any time. The best visiting time is early morning or late afternoon to avoid the strong midday sun.

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Photography

Photographs of the monuments and surrounding landscape are allowed and recommended. The wide fields offer good wide-angle shots; a polarizing filter can help enhance colors.

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Time needed

A visit to the main area with the monuments takes about 30 minutes to an hour. For a hike across the entire battlefield, allow two hours.

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Combine with

The nearby town of Chiquimulja provides colonial architecture and a museum about the battle. The ruins of Mixco Viejo are also a good addition for history enthusiasts.

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Getting there

The battlefield is about 10 kilometers southeast of Chiquimulja and reachable by car via a secondary road. A taxi from the town is a convenient option; access is via asphalt road with a short unpaved section.

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Insider tip

Inform yourself about the battle at the museum in Chiquimulja before visiting the site to better understand the historical context. Bring plenty of water as there are no supply points on site.