From Wikitravel

Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala, a country in Central America.

[edit] Understand

Guatemala City is located in the department (territorial division) of Guatemala, and its the capital of the country. All the main highways start at Km. 0, located inside Palacio Nacional de la Cultura (National Palace), in Centro Histórico (Historic Center).

Guatemala City became the capital after Antigua Guatemala had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1776. With a population of around 3 million people, Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala and the country's center for finance and politics. It can be interesting to visit "Guate" - as it is also called by the locals. Guatemala City has attractions and restaurants, often with few tourists. Attending a Sunday evening gathering of hundreds of locals at the main plaza is certainly an unforgettable experience.

[edit] Tourist Information

• INGUAT, 7 Avenida 1-17, Zona 4. Don't expect to get too much information here except for a decent copy of a city map. The written material is sparse. You can get some nice posters for Q6, and if you bring your own black CD-Rs, they will copy some marimba music for you (normally takes 2 days).

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Guatemala City has one big airport, La Aurora. There are daily arrivals from the US, México, El Salvador, Honduras (San Pedro Sula), Costa Rica (San José), Nicaragua (Managua), Panamá. Number of arrivals in parenthesis.

• American Airlines: Miami (4), Dallas, Chicago.
• Continental Airlines: Houston (2), New York.
• Cubana de Aviación: Cuba, Costa Rica.
• Copa: Panamá (3), Panamá-Managua, Managua (2), San José-Managua.
• Delta: Atlanta, Los Angeles (5 times a week), New York.
• Taca, Aviteca, Lacsa, Aeronica: Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington, México, San José (3), El Salvador (2), San Pedro Sula, Flores (2), Cancún.
• Iberia: Madrid (direct 3 times a week).
• Mexicana: México (2).
• United Airlines: Los Angeles, San José.
• US Airways: Charlotte.
• Spirit Airlines: Ft Lauderdale

The online newspaper Prensa Libre host live arrival and departure information for the airport.

There are always taxis at the airport. They operate with fixed prices (around 12USD from the airport to Zona 10) that are 2-3 times higher than what you would pay for the same distance with an ordinary taxi. If your hotel is in Zona 10 chances are high that there is a free shuttle service. There is also a bus route operating the road that passes the airport. It will take you to Zona 10 at around La Reforma and 12 Calle. If you are going to the old city center (Zona 1), there are a lot of buses going that way from La Reforma or from 7 Avenida that runs in parallel with La Reforma one block away.

Regular shuttles run to Antigua each day, several times a day from 6AM to 8 PM (prices 8USD to 12USD per person).

[edit] By car

The Central American highways CA1 and CA9 run through Guatemala City.

[edit] By bus

In almost any town in Guatemala you will find a bus that eventually will take you to Guatemala City. The 2nd class extra-urbanos are often crowded and not very comfortable, but cheap. Expect to pay around Q5 per hour. There are also various 1st class buses from some of the larger cities and from neighboring countries (Belize, México, El Salvador and Honduras). Most buses end up in Zona 1 or Zona 4.

[edit] Get around

The city is divided into 21 zones (zonas). Zona 1 is the old historic center. Here you'll find the national palace, the presidential palace, the cathedral, the main plaza and the Central Market. South of Zona 1 is Zona 4 where many of the official buildings are situated, like the national bank, the national theatre, the tourist board (INGUAT). Further south is Zona 10 and Zona 9, divided by Avenida La Reforma. Zona 10 hosts most of the high class hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping facilities. A small part of Zona 10 is called Zona Viva (the lively zone) because of its nightlife.

[edit] By bus

The common way to get around in Guatemala City is by bus or taxi. Hardly anyone walks (people might find it odd if you do). Traveling inside the city by bus costs Q1.00 (a few routes costs Q1.10 (you'll see a sign in the window of the bus), and everybody charges Q1.25 on Sundays). The buses run from early morning till about eight in the evening. It is not advisable to take the bus after dark. Also, robbery on the buses is quite common (statistics from 2003 shows around 60 robberies per day.)

[edit] By taxi

There are two kinds of taxis, the ones with a meter and the ones that you have to agree on a price before the trip. Of the metered taxis, the best service is given by Taxis Amarillo (Yellow Cabs). It is not possible to hail them in the street, you have to call. The number to the central is 2332-1515. They will demand an address (they can sometimes by quite picky about getting an exact address - look around at nearby houses, and don't forget to give the correct Zona) and normally a telephone number, so it might be wise to have someone call on your behalf, from a restaurant or so. With the Taxis Amarillo every trip is logged, and riding with them is considered safe. The other kind of taxis is white. With these you have to negotiate a price, and being a tourist/foreigner, they most likely will demand more than the normal fare. Normally the white taxis should be cheaper, but if you're not that good at negotiating, the yellow taxis might actually be the cheaper choice. It is also the question of safety. There are approximately 800 unregistered/unlicenced/stolen white taxis circulating the city. If you do find a white taxi who is decent, they will be happy to give you a card and pick you up if you call in advance; many locals who can afford the odd taxi have their favorite "taxista" whom they call, and the drivers themselves can refer you to another reliable driver should they be busy. The minimum price for a metered cab ride is 25 Quetzals.

• Taxis Amarillo: 2332 1515
• Taxis Mariscal: 2473 2441
• Taxis Las Americas: 2362 0583
• Servitaxis Rotativos: 289 5188
• Blanco y Azul: 360 0903

[edit][add listing] See

Antique churches provide the capital city with a very special historic and architectural touch, such as Cerrito del Carmen, Catedral Metropolitana, Calvario, Iglesia de Santo Domingo, Iglesia de Yurrita, and Iglesia de la Merced. The archaeological site of Kaminal Juyú is located within this capital city, which according to specialists, is a city buried underneath one of the most commercial areas of the city, comprising zones 7 and 11.

• Mapa en Relieve located at Minerva Park, at end of Av. Simon Cañas, Guatemala Zona 2 Tel. 2254-1114 Entrance is Q16 and it's open daily 9-5 This relief map depicting Guatemala's precipitous topography is so immense you have to view it from an observation tower. What makes it even more amazing is that it was built in 1904, before satellite or even aerial topography.

• Ixchel Museum of traditional costumes, 6 Calle final, Zona 10, at the campus of Universidad Francisco Marroquín. Tel 331-3638/34. Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 Sat 9:00-13:00. Q25 adults, Q15 students. A large collection of traditional costumes, information on weaving and dying techniques, the processing of the materials in use, the history and development of the traditional costumes and a collection of paintings by Carmen Pettersen. The explanations are in both English and Spanish. The museum also has a shop where you can get fine examples of Guatemalan artesania. The prices are higher than at the markets, but the quality is also higher and the selection is good. The shop also has a variety of books, including its own series of publications about the traditional costumes of Guatemala, hard to come by in other book stores, and also the book The Maya of Guatemala - life and dress (with text in English and Spanish) by Carmen Pettersen, for Q465 (price recently raised because the book is now out of print).

• Popol Vuh Museum, 6 Calle final, Zona 10, at the campus of Universidad Francisco Marroquín. Tel 361-2301/11. Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 Sat 9:00-13:00. http://www.popolvuh.ufm.edu.gt. Q25 adults, Q15 students, Q15 for permission to take pictures (without flash), Q25 for video. The museum doesn't have a particular focus on the Popol Vuh as the name suggests, but has a rather nice collection of archaeological items from the pre-Hispanic Mayan world. There is also a room dedicated to Colonial items. The explanations are in both English and Spanish.
• Archaeology and Ethnology Museum, 7 Avenida, Zona 13. Presents an archaeological sample of the Mayan civilization. This is where you find the famous Tikal mask.
• Museum of Modern Art, 7 Avenida, Zona 13. This is directly across from the Archeology and Ethnology Museum and the ticket from it should get people into both.
• Aurora Zoo, Zona 13. See local and exotic animals in a reasonably good scenario. Enjoy songbirds that gather in the trees.
• Kaminaljuyu, Zona 7. An early Maya ruin right in the city. The buildings are mostly mounds, but the excavations are have opened up a lot of areas and are interesting.
• Museo Miraflores, 7 Calle 21-55, Zona 11. Tel 475-4621. http://www.museomiraflores.org/ museomiraflores@spectrum.com.gt. Tu, Wed, Sun 9-19, Thu, Fri, Sat 9-20. Monday closed. Museum focused on the ancient city of Kaminaljuyú.
• Parque Central and The Cathedral
• Palacio Nacional, Zona 1, can be seen via free guided tours that operate every 15 minutes, and last about 1/2 hr. You can see the interior courtyards and official function rooms, as well as some decorative artwork and wall murals, and a small statue commemorating the end of the civil war, a pair of hands that hold a fresh rose.
• National History Museum (Museo Nacional de Historia)
• Museo Carlos F. Novella Mirador Basin Museum is free and located inside a cement factory. 15 Avenida 18-01 Zona 6, Interior Finca La Pedrera. (502) 2286-4100 ext. 6435. Go by cab to the front entrance and you must tell the guard you are visiting the Museo de la Cuenca Mirador.

[edit][add listing] Do

Recreational activities can be carried out, from climbing volcanoes (Agua and Pacaya), to swimming in several recreational facilities, as well as water sports in Lago de Amatitlán (lake).

For recreation, you can visit 4 Grados Norte, pedestrian roads that offer great entertainment, commerce and cultural activities, and Zona Viva, an area of zone 10 that has become the main center for nightlife. Guatemala City is an urban center with cultural diversity, cosmopolitan as well as traditional, in which traditional and folkloric abundance stands out, with legends such as El Cadejo or La Llorona. The city offers the tourist all the services and commodities and is normally the center of operations to set out to any of the other destinations in the Republic.

• Shopping at the Central Market
• Every Sunday hundreds of People stroll at the Main Plaza ("Plaza Mayor")in Zona 1, where music, arts and food is provided

Cinema

• Magic Place, Avenida Las Americas, Zona 14.
• Los Proceres
• La Pradera
• Miraflores.
• Tikal Futura
• Pradera Concepcion. Newest cinemas in Guatemala with IMAX Theater

Fútbol

If you want to experiance a fútbol game in a fútbol nation, don't hesitate to spend a Sunday morning/afternoon at Estadio Mateo Flores. You can catch a match of the most popular fútbol club in the country, CSD Municipal. Tickets are cheap and you can get them at the stadium entrance. Go to http://www.rojos.com to see when there is a local match to go to. "Palco" is the most expensive seating with ample spaced seats followed by "Preferencia", "Tribuna",where the "hinchas", or fanatics, sit and "General Sur y Norte" which are the cheapest. I would recomend the first three for a good view. The other big Guatemala City fútbol team is Comunicaciones. If Municipal isn't playing, maybe you can go see Comunicaciones play as they both share "Estadio Mateo Flores" as their home venue.

[edit] Learn

[edit] Language schools

• Oxford Language Center, 20 Calle 23-59, Zona 10. Tel 2368-1231/2368-1332, [1]. A small, friendly language school specializing in English, but also offering several other languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Mandarin, Dutch, French, Italian, and German, which are taught exclusively by native speakers. This school fills a unique niche in the market because it provides professional, yet personal service. Oxford Language Center also has a second location in Coban.
• IGA - Instituto Guatemalteco Americano, Ruta 1 4-05, Zona 4. Tel 338-5555. Fax 338-4571. cursosiga@iga.edu, [2]. Teaching in small groups, normally 1-5 students. 7 levels, from basic and up. More weight on grammar than the typical language schools in Antigua, but also some courses with just practice. The price is around Q850 for a course of 2 hours a day (Mon-Fri), seven weeks (approximately). You can get a discount if you only plan to follow part of the course. The classes are from 9-11 or 11-13 and you can combine two classes if you like. The students are from all over the world, many of them children or spouses to someone that works in the city.
• Easy-Fácil, 14 Avenida 13-68, Oakland, Zona 10. Tel 2337-3970/2368-1187. easyfacil@hotmail.com, [3]. Private teacher. Since it is run by linguists and located in the best zone of the city it is more expensive, but the results are really effective. Directors are a university lecturer in Spanish Literature and an expert in Grammar, author and critic, and a British citizen with many years experience in teaching English at all levels. Clients include diplomats, businessmen, ONGs, lawyers, housewives, university students and children. All teachers are professionals.
• Academia Europea, 15 Calle 2-64, Zona 10. Tel 2363-5760, 2368-1002, [4]. Most of the teachers (in other languages) from this Academy teach their native language. It has taken a large portion of the market for language learning because of its unique and patented system.
• Berlitz, Av. Reforma 7-62, Zona 9. Tel 362-4444, [5].
• USAC - University of San Carlos, Av. Reforma 0-63, Zona 10. Tel 331-0904/334-7662/335-5635. Q600 for 40 hours (4 weeks).

[edit] University courses

Some of the universities give courses that also are open to the public. Check out their websites for more information.

• Universidad Rafael Landivar
• Universidad Francisco Marroquin
• Universidad del Valle
• Universidad San Carlos

[edit] Work

If you have English as your native language (and also speak Spanish), you might find work as a private tutor in English, or as a translator. Look at the classifieds in the paper Prensa Libre.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Guatemala is famous for its textiles. In the city you should be able to find textiles from all over the country. If you are particularly interested in Guatemala or the Maya, you might find books (in Spanish) here that you can't easily get anywhere else. For books in English you'd most likely get better prices at an online bookstore like Amazon.

[edit] Textiles/artesania

• In Nola, 18 Calle 21-31, Zona 10. Tel 367-2424/367-2655/59. Mon-Fri 8:30-18-30, Sat 8:30-13:30. Enormous selection of fabrics by the yard (prices from Q20-60 depending on quality/thickness). Wood, clothes, leather, ceramic, souvenirs, traditional costumes. You can also get clothes sewn there. Highly recommended.
• The artesania market, Zona 13.
• Lin-Canola, 5 Calle 9-60, Zona 1. Tel 253-0138. Fax 232-0858. Enormous selection of fabrics by the yard (prices from Q20-60 depending on quality/thickness). Wood, clothes, leather, ceramic, souvenirs, traditional costumes. You can also get clothes sewn there. Highly recommended.
• Centro guatemalteco de textiles, 5 Calle 9-41, Zona 1. Ceramic, wood and fabrics by the yard (Q15-25). Can't compete with the selection at Lin-Canola, but cheaper. In the same street you will find more shops with fabrics in the same price range, but none with the selection of Lin-Canola.
• Central Market, between 8 and 6 Calle/8 and 9 Avenida, Zona 1

[edit] Bookstores

You might, but don't expect to find travel guides for the region at these places (not even a Guatemala guide).

• Sophos, Av Reforma 13-89, Zona 10.
• Artemis Edinter, Gémimis Center, 12 Calle/1 Avenida, Zona 10, or 5 Avenida 12-11, Zona 1, or Centro Comercial La Pradera, Zona 10.
• Libreria del Pensativo, 13 Calle/7 Avenida, Zona 9. Tel 2332-5055.
• Arnel, 9 Calle/7 Avenida, Edificio el Centro, Local 108 (basement), Zona 1.

[edit] Shopping Malls

• La Pradera, Blv. Los Proceres, Zona 10
• Los Proceres, 16 Calle/2 Avenida, Zona 10
• Unicentro, Zona 10
• Tikal Futura, Zona 11
• Miraflores, Zona 11
• Pradera Concepción, the newest in the city. It's located in Puerta Parada, next to the road to El Salvador.

[edit] 6 Avenida (Zona 1)

The gray economy is substantial in Guatemala, and 6 Avenida is a pulsating proof of that. On the sidewalks of this avenue you can get fake branded clothes, pirated cd's, dvd's, vcd's, game consoles, watches, shoes etc. A cd goes for Q10, dvd Q20, vcd Q15. The selection is better than most shops, and the blockbuster movies hit the streets long before the cinemas. Buying and selling pirated CDs and DVDs is illegal in Guatemala, but the law is not enforced. In fact, even the police buy the pirated discs in. This part of the city has a lot of smog, is not clean and beware of pick pockets.

[edit] The Aurora International Airport

The Airport is going through remodeling in phases. The first phase, the North wing, has been finished as of December 2007. It is a modern design with nothing to envy from airports in developed nations. Phase two will see the construction of the South wing. When finished, the airport is said to be the most modern and larges airport in Central America being able to tend to 32 airplanes of different sizes at one time.

One thing you should take with you home from Guatemala is the prize winning rum Ron Zacapa Centenario. If you don't drink rum yourself, somebody else is bound to be very happy for a bottle of this exquisite rum. The price tag is around $22, some 25% cheaper than at a supermarket. Note that there are two Duty Free shops. The fancy one everybody passes by on the way to/from the gates and one at the end of the terminal behind Gate 11. The latter one is about 20% cheaper for Ron Zacapa rum. The souvenir shops have some nice things if you need some last minute gifts before you leave the country (more expensive than the markets, but you won't get ruined). The books they sell at the airport are ridiculously expensive, double or triple price of a bookstore.

[edit] ATM

Visa is the most common credit card for use in ATMs. In the main shopping areas, especially in Zona 10, you should have no trouble finding an ATM that takes Visa. There is a Visa/MasterCard ATM at the south side of the central plaza 8 Calle 5-36, a Visa only in 5 Avenida 9-39, and a MasterCard only at the corner of 5 Avenida/11 Calle, all in Zona 1.

A fascinating 'Gotch-ya' to traveling in Guatemala is that ATM key pads can be oriented with the 9 at the top left with the numbers descending right and down, or with the 1 at the top left with numbers ascending. If you have a spatial memory and have memorized the motion of punching in your P.I.N. instead of the actual numerical sequence, you might be in for a surprise!

[edit][add listing] Eat

Street Food Though a little risky, there are great street vendors that offer a variety of good local foods. Just remeber to scope out the one with the best hygene. You can't get more local that this.

• "Shucos" can be found in carts that are usually parked in between "Estadio del Ejercito" and "Campo Marte" zona 5. They are comparable to a super charged hot dog with guacamole, meats such as "longaniza", "chorizo", bacon etc... Just make sure you get the one with everything (Con todo).

• "Mangoes or Cucumbers with Salt, Pepitoria & Limón"You can also get sliced fruit such as magoes with "pepitoria", salt, and lemon in a small clear bag. Or sliced oranges from carts all over the city. Very fond memories of eating fruit this way as a kid. Everytime I go back to Guate, I make sure I get them. I can't stress enough, If you are going to eat on the street, pick the vendor with the most hygene.

• "Gauchitos" are also a good cart foods. They are basically a pattie with scrambled egg, "chimichurri" and some dressings on a bun. You can find them in various places throughout the city but my favorite is on the "Mirador" on Carretera al Salvador. It sits adjacent to Cafesa, dinner like restaurant, on an outlook overlooking the city. You can order a "Súper Gauchito", a soda, and sit and admire the hustle and bustle of the city below.

• "Atol de Elote" Is a very local and custom drink made from a corn (maize) base. Its somewhat sweet and its a drink you must try. It's very rich so if you're not to hungry you can substitute it for a meal. The best place to try it is on the outlook on the other side of the city leaving towards Antigua. Just before you get to San Lucas. Its also another place where you can sit and admire the city from atop a mountain.

Carretera a Antigua Guatemala

• Restaurante La Abuelita, The best home made food in San Lucas.

Zona Viva, between Avenida La Reforma, 6 Avenida, 16 Calle and 10 Calle in Zona 10 is the best place to find restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Zona 10/Zona Viva

• Kacao, 2 Avenida between 13 and 14 Calle, Zona 10. A nice restaurant with waiters in traditional Mayan costumes, tables covered with huipiles, under a big thatched roof. Serves traditional Guatemalan food like Pepián, Jocón, Suban-lek (ceremonial dish from the Cakchiquel royalty of San Martín Jilotepeque), Lomito Chiltepe. Q70-170. Recommended.
• Café de Paix, Hotel Intercontinental, 2 Avenida, Zona 10. Expensive French restaurant with typical dishes like entrecote and onion soup. Q90-190.
• Hacienda Real, 13 Calle 1-10, Zona 10. Tel 2368-1168/2333-5408/9. One of the best places for steak. Try the tortillas with guacamole, frijoles (beans) and chorizo for starters, and the steak pimienta as the main course. Main dish Q70-140. Serves a free, delicious caldo while you wait for the meal. Highly recommended.
• Tre Fratelli, 2 Avenida 13-25, Zona 10. Tel 2366-3164/68. infogua@trefratelli.com http://www.trefratelli.com. Mainly Italian food. Main dish Q40-80. Highly recommended. Also restaurants at Unicentro, Tikal Futura, Miraflores and Las Majadas.
• Tamarindos, 11 Calle 2-19A, Zona 10. Tel 2360-2815/35. http://www.tamarindos.com.gt. Asian fusion cuisine, duck, ostrich, steak, shrimps, and maybe the best sushi in town. Try the Moo Shu Duck, the tuna dishes, and for dessert the bread pudding with ice cream and bourbon sauce, or the chocolate surprise. Main dish Q80-170. Expensive cocktails, Q45.
• FRIDAS, 3a AVE 14-60, Zona 10. Tel 2333-7473/2368-0686. Mexican food. Main dish Q35-60. Recommended: Chicken fajitas, Tortilla soup, pechuga de pollo en salsa de mango, pay azteca, a la flauta flautas, and for starters the queso fundido mixto (melted cheese with mushrooms). The best margaritas in Guatemala, but watch out when they ask you what kind of tequila you would like in/with it - the price might rise from the normal Q29 till Q85. Highly recommended.
• Casa Chapina, 1 Avenida 13-42, Zona 10. Tel 2337-0143/2368-0663. Traditional Guatemalan food. If you are lucky/unlucky (depending on your preferences) you might also be treated to the traditional marimba during your meal.
• Donde Mikel, 13 Calle 5-19, Zona 10. Great place for steak and shrimps. Often full, so book in advance, or show up early.
• Tapas y Cañas, 13 Calle 7-78, Zona 10. Tel 2367-2166. Spanish tapas. Try pinchos españoles, pinchos de pollo and albondigas de lomito. You have a choice between sitting in the restaurant or in the bar. Recommended.
• El Gran Pavo, 6 Avenida 12-72, Zona 10. Tel 2362-0608/9. Mexican food.
• Inka Grill, 2 Avenida 14-22, Zona 10. Tel 2363-3013. Peruvian food. Main dish Q45-100.
• Vesuvio, 18 Calle 3-36, Zona 10, close to Los Proceres shopping mall. Tel 337-1697. Great pizza made over open fire.
• Saint Honore, Hotel Intercontinental, 2 Avenida, Zona 10. Maybe the best coffee in Guatemala City. Serves cakes and small dishes. Expensive.
• Los Alpes, Zona 10. Tel 2331-4606. Swiss bakery, lunch dishes at Q30-45 (a bit boring), fancy cakes.
• Zurich, 6 Avenida 12-52, Zona 10. Swiss bakery with cakes and chocolate. Also serves breakfast and lunch.
• HOOTERS, Avenida La Reforma 16-01, Zona 10, local 18. The same as the ones in the USA
• Friday's, 12 Calle 1-25 Zona 10, Edificio Géminis 10 and 8 Calle 26-55 Zona 11, Parque Comercial Las Majadas and at Pradera Concepción shopping mall; the same as the ones in the USA
• El Ganadero, 20 Calle 2-19 Zona 10, across the street of Los Próceres shopping mall; excellent steaks

Zona 9

• Chili's, Av Reforma/12 Calle. Big burgers and Tex-Mex style food. Slow service.
• Los Cebollines, Plaza España, 7 Avenida/12 Calle, Zona 9.
• Del Tingo Al Tango 12 Calle Esquina 4-08 Z-9 Tel. 2334-2449 You'll find some of the best "lomitos" for very comfortable prices here. In my opinion, the best stake house for the buck in the city.
• Restaurante Gardenia De Plata 7 Ave. 13-01 Zona 9 Tel: 2331-9346 Restaurant is owned by Guatemala's greatest all time fútbol player, Juan Carlos Plata, still playing for CSD Municipal as of 2008 season.

Zona 1

• Altuna, 5 Avenida 12-31, Zona 1. Stylish interior. Spanish and Basque cuisine, seafood and paella.
• Hotel Pan-American, 9 Calle 5-63, Zona 1. Tel 232 6807/8/9. Fax 232 6402. panamhot@terra.com.gt http://www.hotelpanamerican.com. Beautiful old hotel with decorations from around Guatemala. Nice restaurant with waiters dressed in traditional costumes. Q60-100.
• El Rey Sol 8 Calle 5-36, Zona 1 (just off Plaza Central). Vegetarian restaurant, good value.

Carretera a El Salvador

• San Ángel, Carretera a El Salvador. Great view of the city, especially at night; security is VERY tight, so you can eat with no worries; recommended dishes: lomito and the one called Mar y Tierra (Sea and Land): you get a large steak and big shrimps

Santa Catarina Pinula (suburb just above Zone 10 and the airport) This town is historically famous for its pork products, and the best tasting, cleanest, most authentic place around is "La Cabanita" which is a quarter block directly south of the Cathedral. Fresh "carnitas" guatemalan style, plus "chicharrones", "longanizas", etc... if you're a fan of those exotic dining-gems from the Food or Travel channels then you'll love this place.

[edit] Supermarket/foodmarket

• Central Market, between 8 and 6 Calle/8 and 9 Avenida, Zona 1
• Paiz supermarket, 9 Avenida 5-30, Zona 1, just one block from the Central Market
• Paiz supermarket, 6 Avenida/13 Calle, Centro Capitol, Zona 1
• Econo Super, Av Reforma/16 Calle (close to Obelisco), Zona 9
• Gourmet Center, Blv. Los Proceres, Zona 10
• tiendas, little grocery stores (with any name imaginable) that you can find all over the city; you can get soft drinks, beer, bread, candy, combs, razors, pens, toilet paper, any kind of snack you can think of, phone cards (some of them), etc.; cash only

[edit][add listing] Drink

• 4 Grados Norte, Zona 4. Rejuvenated part of Zona 4. The most interesting places are perhaps the ones just outside the main street.
• Bodegita del Centro, Zona 1.
• El Portal, inside the complex (entrances from 8 Calle, 9 Calle and 6 Avenida) facing Parque Central, Zona 1. Supposedly Che Guevaras favorite place when he lived in Guatemala City in the early '50s.
• El Establo, Zona 10.
• Kahlua. Zona 10

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Most accommodations in the Zone Viva are within a few blocks making location less important than amenities like airport transfers or breakfast. Check for hidden costs and taxes (22%) before booking.

[edit] Budget

• Pension Meza, 10 Calle 10-17, Zona 1. Tel/fax unknown. $3 p/p. In Zona 1, near the Parque Central, safe, cheap, basic.
• 2 Lunas Guest House[6], 21 Calle 10-92, Zona 13. Tel/fax 334-5264. doslunas@itelgua.com. Bed & breakfast, $10 p/p. Close to the airport.
• Hostal Hermano Pedro, 6 Avenida 20-53, Zona 13. Tel 360-4862/332-4474/212-6129. hermanopedro11@hotmail.com. Bed & breakfast, $10 p/p. Close to the airport.
• Hostal Los Volcanes[7], 16 Calle 8-00, Zona 13. Tel 360-3232. Fax 332-6873. info@hostallosvolcanes.com. From $15 p/p. Close to the airport.
• Hotel Spring, 8 Avenida 12-65, Zona 1. Tel 232-2858. Double Room $22. English spoken. Situated in the colonial house, it has a nice cafeteria in the courtyard. But one annoying thing is that the entrance to the bathroom is very low, expect to bang your head at least once. It also provides internet access, but the prices are a bit steep. Apart from that clean and pleasant, recommended.
• Hotel Fenix, Corner 7 Avenida/16 Calle, Zona 1; Nice, shady and inexpensive Hostel with only double rooms; In the Bistro outside you can buy the best sandwiches around. Double Room $5 / Single $4
• Hotel San. Martin, 7. Av. between 15 and 16 calle; tiny rooms but "real" budget: 3,5$ p/p
• Xamanek Student Inn[8]: 13 calle 3-57 zona 10, $14 dorm rooms and three $35-$50 private rooms with bath include breakfast, full kitchen access, DSL and a pleasant place to stay. Although this is in an area of nightlife and great restaurants, there is an inexpensive local place to eat at nearby (as well and a McDonalds also if you go to that sort of place). If you were to get a metered cab to or from the airport, Xamanek is so close that you would pay the 25Q minimum. You can walk to the Museos Popul Vuh and Ixchel and to the Archaeological Museum and the zoo from there. Reservations are recommended, but they can be done via e-mail.

[edit] Mid-range

• Hotel Spring, 8 Avenida 12-65, Zona 1. Tel 232-2858. Double Room $22. English spoken. Situated in a colonial house, it has a nice caffeteria in the courtyard. But one annoying thing is that the entrance to the bathroom is very low, expect to bang your head at least once. It also provides internet access, but the prices are a bit steep. Apart from that, clean and pleasant, recommended.
• Hotel Princess Guatemala[9], 13 Calle 7-65, Zona 9. Tel 2334-4545. 1 mile from Intl Airport. Free Shuttle Rates from $79
• Hotel Mansión Imperial, 15 Calle 5-85, Zona 10. Fax 367 2874/75/76. hotelimperia@guate.net.gt. $45 for a double room with breakfast. Highly recommended, a peaceful oasis close to Zona Viva.
• Ciudad Vieja[10], 8 Calle 3-67, Zona 10. Tel 331-9104.

[edit] Splurge

• Hotel Pan American[11], 9 Calle 5-63, Zona 1. Tel 232 6807/8/9. Fax 232 6402. panamhot@terra.com.gt. Beautiful old hotel with decorations from around Guatemala. Nice restaurant with waiters dressed in traditional costumes.
• Marriott[12], 7 Avenida 15-49, Zona 9. Tel 339 777. Fax 332 1877. reservacionesguatemala@marriott.com.gt. $75 for a double room with breakfast.
• Holiday Inn, 1 Avenida 13-22, Zona 10. Tel 332-2555.
• Westin Camino Real, Possibly the best hotel in the City.
• Real InterContinental Guatemala, 14 Calle 2-51, Zona 10, ☎ +502 2379 4444 (fax: +502 2379 4445), [13]. Located in the "Zona Viva", near financial and commercial destinations and other major hotels. 10 minutes from the airport. 239 rooms, from a Presidential Suite on down. US$125-159/night, up to $549/night and more.  edit

[edit] Apartment Hotels

• Uxlabil[14], 15 Calle final, Oakland, Zona 10. For those planning a longer stay in the city. Differently sized (mostly small) apartments with kitchen. Cleaning service included. Internet connection in the reception. Washing machine. Around $600 per month (shorter stays also possible).

[edit] Contact

[edit] Phone

There are phone booths spread out generously over the whole city. Most of them are from the company Telgua, some from Telefonica, and most take only phone cards. Look for the sign Ladatel or Telefonica both on the phone booths and the places that sell the cards.

[edit] Internet Cafe

• MABER CYBER Internet, Internet of high speed; 8th street 33-51, colony Justo Rufino Barrios, 21th zone, Phone/Fax: (502)-2449-9391, Q 8.00/Hour, Internet, Scan, Print,Works in Computer, Support and Technical service, sale of new equipment and accessories, and every thing that you need and want.
• Jv Servicios, 1 calle 1-02 y 1-04 zona 1. Tel 2251-6543 Fax. 2251-6543 Q6.00-hour. Scan, Print, Burn, hardware new and used and suministries.
• E@sy Web, 2 Avenida 9-72, Zona 1. Tel 2220-4645 and 5689-7315 Q4.00-hour. Scan, print, burn, copy,
• Y2K, 2 Avenida 13-17, Zona 10. Tel 366-4783/93. Mo-Sa 10:00-22:00, Su 10:00-15:00. Q16/hour. Scan, print, burn, copy.
• EvolutioNet, 1 Avenida/12 Calle, Zona 10. M-F 9:00-20:00, Sa 9:00-15:00. Q15/hour.
• Cafe Virtual, Centro Comercial Los Proceres, ground floor, at the main entrance, Zona 10. Tel 332-8027. Mo-Sa 08:00-21:00, Su 09:00-20:00. Steep prices, but includes coffee of your choice. Q20 for 1/2 hour (inc. coffee).
• @.com, Centro Comercial Los Proceres, third floor, locale 310 next to Bancafe. Tel 332-3439. Q15 1/2 hour, Q20/hour, cheaper with prepaid cards of 3, 7 or 10 hours.
• Cafe Internet, 5 Calle 9-25, Zona 1. M-Sa 8:30-19:00. Q6/hour. Additional services like scan, print, burn cd.
• Fatima Cafe Internet, 10 Avenida 7-23, Zona 1. M-Sa 8:30-18:00. Q7/hour.
• Cafe Internet 2M, Edificio el Centro, basement, Zona 1. Q6/hour.
• Internet Cafe, Local 207 (2nd floor facing 9 Calle), Edificio el Centro, Zona 1. M-F 8:00-17:00, Sa 8:00-12:00. Q6/hour. Sells computer accessories.
• Internet, Local 5, Centro Comercial 6 Avenida, 6 Av. 9-27, Zona 1. M-Su 8:00-19:00. Q5/hour.
• Global Net Cafe, Edificio Plaza Vivar, 6 Avenida/10 Calle, Zona 1. 1 room in the 1st floor and 4 in the 2nd. M-Sa 9:30-18:00. Q3.50/hour.
• Cyber Blue, 1st floor, Edificio Plaza Vivar, 6 Avenida/10 Calle, Zona 1. M-Sa 8:00-18:00 Q4/hour, 18:00-20:00 Q6/hour. Scan, print, burn services.
• De@webo.com, 2nd floor, Edificio Plaza Vivar, 6 Avenida/10 Calle, Zona 1. Scan, print, burn services.
• Ovnitech, 3rd floor, Edificio Plaza Vivar. Q3.50/hour. Tel 230-0335.
• Net Club, Local 328, Centro Capitol, 6 Avenida/13 Calle, Zona 1. Q8/hour. Sells computer accessories.
• J&J Internet Services, 5 Avenida 9-42, Zona 1. M-Sa 8:00-17:00. Q5/hour.
• Internet, 5 Avenida 10-58, Zona 1. M-Sa 8:00-22:00. Q6/hour.
• Extract Libre, 5 Avenida 11-30, Zona 1. M-Su 8:30-21:00. Q6/hour.
• Cafe Internet, 5 Avenida 12-16, Zona 1. M-Sa 8:00-19:00. Q5/hour. Scan, print, burn services.
• Cafe Internet, 14 Calle 5-23, Zona 1. Q6/hour.

[edit] Post office (El Correo)

The main Post office is in 7 Avenida/12 Calle, Zona 1. A stamp for a postcard to Europe costs around Q4. The postal system in Guatemala has a reputation for not being very reliable, and many Guatemalans have a P.O.Box in Texas where they receive post/magazines/online purchases (brought to Guatemala by courier). You can't buy stamps or post mail anywhere but at the post offices/affiliates. Look/ask for El Correo.

• 7 Avenida/12 Calle, Zona 1
• The airport, Zona 13
• Av. Reforma/14 Calle, Zona 9

[edit] Stay safe

Guatemala City has a high level of crime. Check the U.S. Embassy website (http://guatemala.usembassy.gov/recent_incidents.html) for a summary of recent crimes against foreigners. These include carjackings on the road from the airport and robberies and assaults of tourist vans as well as ordinary buses and cars.

Even though it has a "high level of crime" if you use some common sense and good travel practices, you should not be exposed to any of it. Make sure you sharpen your "street smarts" because as with any big metropolitan urban area, you might be exposed to crimes. Just make sure you are aware of your surroundings at all times just as you would be in any big city around the world.

If you experience a robbery, please be advised to give away anything the robbers want. It would be best you just stay inside almost everywhere there after sunset. But at night you can have fun safely in Zona Viva (zona 10), zone 14 or 4 Grados Norte nightlife.

If you eat the food prepared in the streets be prepared to maybe get sick. Even the locals get sick from time to time eating this food. Your chances are probably worse. If you happened to get sick, you can pick up any medicine from "farmacias" (pharmacies) located almost anywhere around the city. Just brush up a little on your most common food borne illnesses and their common symptoms. If you must eat something from the streets because of craving or just to experiance the most local cuisine available, make sure you scope out the vendor with the best hygene!

[edit] Stay Healthy

Guatemala City is at a somewhat high elevation (about 1500 m) in the mountains (plus the air is very polluted in Zona 1), so if coming from a location near sea-level, you might wish to plan to take it easy and get extra rest on your first day while your body adjusts to the altitude.

Hospital treatment is expensive so you'd better have a good insurance, and preferably a credit card. Being a foreigner with insurance, or if they figure you can pay the hospital bill, you run a high risk of getting over-treatment if you visit a hospital. Things to watch out for are unnecessary surgery just to be sure, hospitalization in a private room with TV to get rest, unnecessary test like an aids-test for diarrhea.

• Centro Médico, 6 Avenida 3-47, Zona 10. Tel 334-2157/384-2600/332-3555. 24 hour service.
• Hospital Bella Aurora, 10 Calle 2-31, Zona 14. Tel 384-3535. 24 hour service.
• Hospital Universitario Esperanza, 6 Avenida 7-49, Zona 10. Tel 362-8626.

[edit] Pharmacy

You'll find pharmacies all over city.

[edit] Cope

If you have electrical equipment that need 220-240V 50Hz input instead of the country's standard 110V 60Hz, you can find a transformer at Electronica Panamericana, 3 Avenida y 11 Calle, Esquina, Zona 9. They have various models with prices depending on how much power you require. Q230 for a 500-Watts transformer.

Also, in the smaller hotels/motels, the electrical outlets only take 2-pronged plugs. So, if you have a laptop, for example, you'll need a plug adapter that will allow you to utilize the 2-pronged outlets.

[edit] Get out

Buses to all of Guatemala leave from various parts of Zona 1 and 4.

Destination (via)	Comp/departureaddr.	schedule	time/dist	price
La Antigua Guatemala (& San Lucas)	Various 18 Calle/4 Avenida Z1	7:00-20:00 every 15min	1 hour 45 km	Q5
Panajachel (Chimaltenango, Los Encuentros, Sololá)	Transportes Rebuli 21 Calle/4 Avenida Z1	5:30-15:30 every hour	3 hours 148 km	Q15
Puerto Barrios (El Rancho, Teculután, Río Hondo, Los Amates, Quiriguá)	Transportes Litegua 15 Calle 10-40 Z1	4:45-15:00 every hour	5 hours 307 km	Q40
Flores (El Rancho, La Ruidosa, Río Dulce, San Luis, Poptún)	Fuente del Norte 17 Calle 8-46 Z1	every hour	9-10 hours 506 km	Q80
Autobuses del Norte	Estación Central 8a Avenida 16-41 Zona 1	first class buses, two overnight and one in the day.	8-9 hours	Q180 one way.