scubish.com: Travel information for Guatemala City

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

Understand

Guatemala City is located in the territorial division of Guatemala, 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 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. And attending a Sundays evening gathering of hundreds of locals at the main plaza is certainly an unforgettable experience.

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 empty cd's they will copy some marimba music for you (normally takes 2 days).

Get in

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: 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).

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.

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 that are 2-3 times higher than what you would pay for the same distance with an ordinary taxi. 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 until 8 PM.

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

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.
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. 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.

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.)

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.

Taxis Amarillo: 2332 1515

Taxis Mariscal: 2473 2441

Taxis Las Americas: 2362 0583

Servitaxis Rotativos: 289 5188

Blanco y Azul: 360 0903

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.

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.

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. 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)

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

Learn

Language schools

IGA - Instituto Guatemalteco Americano, Ruta 1 4-05, Zona 4. Tel 338-5555. Fax 338-4571. cursosiga@iga.edu http://www.iga.edu. 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 http://www.easyfacil.com. 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. 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. http://www.academia-europea.com

Berlitz, Av. Reforma 7-62, Zona 9. Tel 362-4444. http://www.berlitz-ca.net/

USAC - University of San Carlos, Av. Reforma 0-63, Zona 10. Tel 331-0904/334-7662/335-5635. Q600 for 40 hours (4 weeks).

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

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. Otherwise, if you would like to work as an volunteer or internship visit http://www.intexpro.com International Exchange Program they can help you to find a place. http://www.mayaspanish.org Guatemalan Maya Association is another option.

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.

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

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.

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, Is the biggest mall in Central Americal and the newest in the city. It's located in Puerta Parada, next to the road to El Salvador.

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 cd's is illegal (even in Guatemala), but this part of the law is not enforced. In fact, even the police buy the pirated stuff in the streets (but a bit more discreet than the average citizens).
This part of the city has a lot of smog, is not clean and beware of pick pockets.

The Aurora International Airport
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. 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.
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!

Eat

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.

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.

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.
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

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

Sleep

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, 21 Calle 10-92, Zona 13. Tel/fax 334-5264. doslunas@itelgua.com http://www.xelapages.com/doslunas. 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, 16 Calle 8-00, Zona 13. Tel 360-3232. Fax 332-6873. info@hostallosvolcanes.com http://www.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 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 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: 13 calle 3-57 zona 10, $14 dorm rooms and two $35 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 from there. Reservations are required, but they can be done via e-mail. If you are staying for three days or there are three of you, the ride from the airport is included.

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, 13 Calle 7-65, Zona 9. Tel 2334-4545. 1 mile from Intl Airport. Free Shuttle Rates from $79 http://www.hotelesprincess.com/guatemala.php?s=0&l=eng&op=&h=

Hotel Mansión Imperial, 15 Calle 5-85, Zona 10. Fax 367 2874/75/76. hotelimperia@guate.net.gt http://www.mansionimperial.com. $45 for a double room with breakfast. Highly recommended, a peaceful oasis close to Zona Viva.

Ciudad Vieja, 8 Calle 3-67, Zona 10. Tel 331-9104.

Splurge

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.

Marriott, 7 Avenida 15-49, Zona 9. Tel 339 777. Fax 332 1877. reservacionesguatemala@marriott.com.gt http://www.marriott.com. $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.

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.

Apartment Hotels

Uxlabil, 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).

Contact

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.

Internet Cafe

MABER CYBER Internet, Internet of high speed; 8th street 16-24, road Justo Rufino Barrios, colony Morse, 21th zone, Phone/Fax: (502)-2448-5300, 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.

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 Miami 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

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.

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) nightlife.

Don't eat the food prepared in the streets. Even the locals get sick from time to time eating this food. Your chances are probably worse. Some locals even call the mangoes sold on the street "Cholera Mangoes."

Stay Healthy

Guatemala City is at a somewhat high elevation (a little less than 5000 ft) 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.

Pharmacy
You'll find pharmacies all over town.

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.

Get out

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

{| cellpadding="5" border="0"
!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
|-

Guatemala City (in full, La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción; locally known as Guatemala or Guate) is the capital and largest city of the nation of Guatemala. It is also the largest city in Central America.

Population estimates for Guatemala City is 2,541,581. The city is located at , in a mountain valley in the south central part of the country. Temperatures in the city vary from 10 to 25 degrees celsius.

History

Within the confines of modern Guatemala City is the ancient Maya city of Kaminaljuyu. Kaminaljuyu dates back some 9,000 years and is one of the Americas' most notable archaeological sites. The center of Kaminaljuyu was located a short distance from the oldest part of Guatemala City. However, in the late 20th century, the city grew around the ruins, and, in some cases, over some of the outlying ruins before they were protected. Many of the several hundred temple mounds have been built over with freeways, shopping centers, commerce, luxury hotels and residential areas. The central ceremonial center of Kaminaljuyu was protected by the Guatemalan government and is now a park within the city.

In Spanish colonial times, Guatemala City was a small town. It had a monastery called 'El Carmen', founded in 1629. The capital of Spanish colonial Central America was moved here after an earthquake destroyed the old capital, Antigua Guatemala, in 1775. King Charles III of Spain authorized the moving of the capital on September 27, 1775. This resulted in a great expansion of the city.

The city was the scene of the declaration of independence of Central America from Spain, and became in 1821 the capital of the United Provinces of Central America.

Features

Guatemala City is the economic, governmental and cultural capital of the Republic, and it functions as the main port of entry into the country, with the country's largest international airport, La Aurora International Airport. In addition to a wide variety of restaurants, hotels and shops, the city has a wide variety of art galleries and museums (including some fine collections of Pre-Columbian art) and continually offers an increasing amount of cultural activities. There are 10 universities, Universidad Mariano Gálvez, Universidad Panamericana, Universidad Mesoamericana, Universidad Rafael Landivar, Universidad Francisco Marroquin, Universidad del Valle, Universidad del Istmo, Universidad Galileo, Universidad Rural and Universidad de San Carlos, the only public one and third oldest university in the New World.

Guatemala City does not have an efficient public transportation service, despite the many proposals and projects for the construction of a mass transit system. Although the construction of freeways and underpasses by the municipal government, as well as the establishment of the Department of Metropolitan Transit Police, PMT, has helped traffic flow in the city, the Guatemalan metropolitan area faces a growing transportation problem. However, a new project called Transmetro, consisting of special-purpose lanes for high-capacity buses, began operating in 2007 and aims to improve traffic flow in the city.

Guatemala City is subdivided in 25 zones, each one with its own streets and avenues, resulting in very easy to find addresses in the city. However, the city has grown so fast in the past years that it has already absorbed into it most of its neighbor towns, including Villa Nueva, Santa Catarina Pinula, Mixco, and the suburban area of Carretera a El Salvador.

The Historic Center (Centro Histórico) of the city lies in the very heart of the city, and there is located many important buildings including the Palacio Nacional (National Palace), the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Congress, and the Casa Presidencial (Presidential House).

The city has been host of several sports events. In 1950 it hosted the VI Central American and Caribbean Games, and in 2000 the Futsal World Cup.

Zona Viva (Zone of Life)

Zone Ten or the Zona Viva is among the most popular areas for Pop Culture and Shopping as well as entertainment we find Zona Viva, where most of the hotels, restaurants, bars, discotheques, and other entertainment places in the city are located, also many of the embasseis are located in Zone Ten, this zone is very safe and well patrolled.

Sister Cities

San Salvador, El Salvador

Mexico City, Mexico

Managua, Nicaragua

External links

http://www.visitguatemala.com