Guatemala City
Guatemala City is one of the most flourishing cities in Central America. The Capital of Guatemala boasts of modern high-rise buildings, shopping malls, night life and various business centers. This city is the ideal setting for conferences and conventions and visitors will also find medical centers equipped with the latest technologies, world class shopping centers, and renowned golf courses amongst other perks. A must see is the Historic Center with its iconic buildings, churches, museums and shops. Another important area is Zona 10 or “Zona Viva” as it is known by the locals, one of the city’s top entertainment hubs, with exclusive hotels, restaurants and bars.
Discover Guatemala City
Guatemala City is nestled in a mountain valley called “Valle de la Ermita”. The Capital was moved here after a series of earthquakes destroyed the old Capital of Antigua and received the name of Nueva Guatemala (New Guatemala). The city serves as the economic, governmental, and cultural epicenter of the nation of Guatemala. The city also functions as Guatemala’s main transportation hub, hosting an international airport and serving as the start and end point of most of Guatemala’s major highways.
The city is subdivided into 22 zones with 4 being the most important zones touristically speaking. They are Zona 1, 9, 10 and 15. A curious fact is that zones are numbered 1 to 25 with zones 20, 22 and 23 not existing. Zone 1 is the Historic Center, lying in the heart of the city, the location of many important historic buildings, including Palacion Nacional de la Cultura (National Palace of Culture), the Metropolitan Cathedral, National Congress, the Presidential Residence, the National Library, Constitution Plaza (Central Park) and other churches and museums. Other places of interest are the National Theater, La Sexta boulevard, Guatemala Relief Map, General Cemetery, Kaminaljuyu archeological center, Paseo Cayala Shopping mall, Torre del Reformador (the world’s only scale replica of the Eiffel Tower), Ixchel museum of Indigenous Costume, Popol Vuh museum, Zona Viva, Miraflores Museum, National Archeology and Ethnology museum, Modern Art museum, Natural History Museum and La Aurora zoo.
Tourist Office Guatemala City http://www.visitguatemala.com/en/discover.com
Located at: 7th avenue 1-17, zone 4, Civic Center
Tourist assistance phone number: 1500
Public Transportation
It is not safe in Guatemala City to take street taxis but you can call 2229-5959 for the Yellow Cabs, the safest taxis in Guatemala. The Yellow Cabs are the best way to move since public transportation is not a good option. Your hotel will also provide you with safe drivers if you need them ask at the reception.
Highlights
Enjoy a walk through the 6th avenue street, visit Zona Viva, Paseo Cayala, the museums, La Aurora Zoo, the Historic Center and the Relief Map. The best way to see Guatemala is with a tour since going on your own is not recommendable.
The essentials of Guatemala City:
1) Zona Viva
2) Historic Center
3) Shopping Malls
4) Museums
5) Relief Map
Zona Viva
The neighborhood of “Zona Viva” is one of the city’s top entertainment hubs, with exclusive hotels, restaurants, shopping mall, and bars.
Historic Center
The Historic Center is full of history, culture, night life, shops, museums, etc. here you will find a little bit of everything. Walk along the 6th avenue; visit the Cathedral, the National Palace of Culture, Casa Mima (A wonderfully presented museum and cultural center set in a house dating from the late 1800s.), Central Park all in one day while enjoying the perfect Guatemalan weather.
Shopping Malls
There are several shopping malls in Guatemala, being the most attractive Fontabella, Oakland Mall, Miraflores Mall, Paseo Cayala and Pradera Concepcion.
Museums
You can find several museums in the Historic Center, like the Museum of the railway, National Palace of Culture, etc.; in zone 10 you can find the Popol Vuh Museum, Ixchel Museum of Ethnic Costume; Miraflores Museum in zone 11; National Archeology and Ethnology museum, Modern Art museum, Natural History Museum and La Aurora Zoo in zone 13.
Relief Map
The Relief Map is an open air map of Guatemala, in Minerva Park, and is a good place to see the extension of Guatemala. It is located in zone 2, north of the Historic Center, in a residential area. It was constructed by Francisco Vela in 1905 and it was restored in 1999. One of the curiosities of the map is that Belize is still represented as part of Guatemala.
Full-day excursions
Complete Guatemala City Tour
The best way to know Guatemala City is taking this 8 hours tour that will take you to the Historical Center, the Relief Map, National Palace of Culture, National Archeology and Ethnology museum, Modern Art museum and Natural History Museum. If you do not have one day free you can also take the Half Day City tour.
Antigua Guatemala full day Tour
Antigua Guatemala is one of the main tourist destinations in Guatemala. Antigua is a colonial city surrounded by hills and the Agua Volcano and has a well-preserved Spanish Baroque influenced architecture and several ruins of colonial churches. Even though there are other colonial cities in America, you will not find another one like Antigua. Walk through its cobblestone streets and enjoy the architectural beauty. A lot can be said about Antigua but, is better if you see it yourself, you will want to return.
Pacaya Volcano Tour
The only active volcano that can be hiked and if you are lucky you can see lava as close as you dare. It is an hour and a half hike up and is not a big challenge but you need to be a little bit in shape. If not in shape, taxis (gentle horses) are offered throughout the hike and will help you get to the top.
Chichcastenango One Day tour
If you are in Guatemala city a Thursday or Sunday you can visit the Market, the biggest one in Central America. You can buy souvenirs from the locals and all the indigenous people that gather from different towns of the area. You can also visit the 400-hundred years old church, where you will see Catholic and Mayan rites come together. Just the ride there is worth the visit, the Highlands of Guatemala have the best views.
Panajachel One Day Tour
Panajachel, or “Pana” as it is called by most Guatemalan, it is the busiest and biggest town surrounding Lake Atitlan. It is located on the shores of Lake Atitlan and with perfect views of the three volcanos and the lake. With this tour you will take a boat and visit also Santiago, here most of the habitants are Indigenous. Lake Atitlan is not the largest lake but it is the deepest lake in Central America and it is called “the most beautiful lake of the world”.
Panajachel and Chichicastenango one day tour
It is also possible to visit Chichicastenango and Panajachel in one day (Thursdays or Sundays), you can witness the view of the most beautiful lake of the world and buy souvenirs in the largest indigenous market in Guatemala.
Splendid Tikal Tour
A most see in Guatemala is Tikal, this is one of the largest archeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Mayan civilization. Tikal was declared World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. The ruins are surrounded by lush vegetation and monkeys and other animals can be seen in the park.
Entertainment in Guatemala City
You will find casinos, bars, restaurants in Guatemala City for all the tastes in Guatemala City, the best places to go out are zone 1 and 10. In Zone 10 (Zona Viva) you will find some of the best bars, sport bars and restaurants, most of them within walking distance from the hotels. If you feel more adventurous, hire a taxi (always call Taxis Amarillos or Yellow Cabs) and go to Zone 1 (Historic Center) excellent if you like to experience the night life as the locals do, the most visited place is Pasaje Aizinena, where you will find, quiet bars to have a drink with your friends to loud places to dance, street food and bars with all kinds of music. Have at least one drink at the most famous bar in the Pasaje Aizinena, Las Cien Puertas (The hundred doors) an old and bohemian bar with cheap drinks.
Events in Guatemala City
There are several theatres and restaurant/theaters but, you have to be sure to practice your Spanish since the plays are in Spanish. Holy Week is important in Guatemala and in Zone 1 you can see processions and carpets made with sawdust, if you enjoy living the traditions of a country this is a great week to be in Guatemala. If you like culture, you can visit one or more of the museums in the city. In zone 13 you will find the National Archeology and Ethnology museum, Modern Art museum and Natural History Museum next to each other. Every Sunday you can walk in Pasos y Pedales, a municipal activity in Avenida las Americas and La Reforma (Zone 13 and 10). The traffic is blocked off for 3 km where you can walk, jog or rent a bicycle and bike, this is one of the best places to see the social side of the people in Guatemala, families walking and enjoying together the Sunday (open from 10:00am to 2:00pm). All along the street you will find food vendors, tai chi classes, and playgrounds for kids, bike rentals, skate parks, clowns and other activities.