48 hours in Guatemala City – Weekend Edition
Guatemala City In Less Than 48 Words
Guatemala City is Guatemala’s capital and the largest city, populated by more than three million people. Guate, as it is often called, isn’t particularly known for its beauty (plagued by pollution and poor city planning), but it has a vibe and energy unlike any other in the country.
Catedral Metropolitana (Photo by bullcreek)
First 24 Hours
You can arrive at the largest city in Central America via the La Aurora International Airport, which is located six kilometers south of Guate’s city center. From there, you can catch a shuttle bus that will take you directly to any hotel in the city, which will cost you between GTQ38 to GTQ75. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi at the airport terminal exit, which will charge you up to GTQ75.
Guatemala City is often very difficult to navigate, especially for first-timers. The city’s bus system is a mess, gridlocks are common, and the streets form a complex web. Its major sights, however, are spread out, and so walking is not really an option. You can get valuable tourist information at its main tourist office (7a Av. 1-17, Zona 4, 502/2421-2800, website), which is open during Mondays to Fridays from 8 am to 4 pm.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Guatemala City’s hotels
You can arrange for a nice place to stay in during your 48 hour visit to Guatemala City at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Barcelo Premium Guatemala City (7a avenida 15-45 zona 9, Guatemala City 01009, 2320 4000, website). It is an upscale hotel with spacious rooms, modern amenities, excellent service, and delicious breakfast.
Junior Suite Club of Barcelo Premium Guatemala City (Photo from Google images)
You can also try out the Clarion Suites Guatemala City (14 Street 3-08 Zona 10, Guatemala City 01010, (502) 24 21 3333, website), which offers a convenient location and comfortable rooms at reasonable prices. A nice alternative is the Posada Belen Museo Inn (Calle 13 10-30 Zona 1 | Centro Historico, Guatemala City, 22 53 45 30, website). It is a luxury hotel with simple but elegant rooms, manicured gardens, and a helpful staff.
PLAZA MAYOR: Have a cultural hike
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Guatemala City is the Plaza Mayor (Between 6a Calle and 8a Calle, and between 5a Av. and 7a Av., Zona 1, Zona 1), which is often called the “center of all Guatemala.” It is a square formed by two plazas: the Parque del Centenario and the Plaza de las Armas. Established in 1778, a mere two years after the foundation of the city, it houses various historical monuments and buildings.
Perhaps the most notable among them is the Palacio Nacional (6a Calle, between 6a Av. and 7a Av, Zona 1, 502/2253-0748), which was once the country’s administrative hub. It was built in 1943 by the then-President Jorge Ubico, and is known for its ornate rooms where you can find Bohemian crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows, and fine arts. You can also head to the Presidential Balcony, where you can get nice views of the square, or imagine yourself giving a speech. The site is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission is free.
Palacio Nacional (Photo from Google images)
Another attraction in the square is the Catedral Metropolitana (8a Calle and 7a Av., Zona 1), which is one of the best-known churches in the city. It was built over the course of 86 years, and features an impressive neo-Classical architecture, a massive blue dome, stone floors, and exquisite arches. Its entrance is supported by 12 pillars, and inside, you’ll see various religious icons, art works, carvings, colonial paintings, and gold-plated altars. The site is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm, and admission is free.
Plaza Mayor is also home to the National Library, an Eternal Flame dedicated to the anonymous peace heroes and a central fountain. You can also buy different goods from vendors who converge on the square in a makeshift market during Sundays.
ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM: Experience history
You can have a historical experience by visiting the Museo Nacional de Etnología y Arqueología (5a Calle and 7a Av., Finca La Aurora, Local 5, Zona 13, 502/2475-4010, website), which is also known as the National Museum of Ethnology and Archaeology. It is a museum housing Guatemala’s most important collection of ancient Mayan artifacts. Inside, you’ll find relics of Mayan technology, such as bone and shell tools, paper, and ceramics. Other artifacts include masks, bracelets, earrings, and jade pieces. The site is open during Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm, and admission will cost you GTQ30.
Museo Nacional de Etnología y Arqueología (Photo by Cuchurrumín)
JARDIN BOTANICO: Have a flowery experience
You can have a flowery experience by visiting the Jardin Botanico (Calle Mariscal Cruz 1-56, Zona 10, 502/2334-6064), which is noted for being the first botanical garden in Central America. It covers an area of around 18,000 square meters, and is home to more than 1,400 species of Guatemalan and exotic flora. You can take a leisurely stroll along its winding paths while admiring the unique plants. That will be an ideal way to relax and get away from the traffic and pollution of the city. The site is open during Mondays to Fridays from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 8 am to noon. Admission will cost you GTQ15.
DINNER TIME: Discover Guatemala City’s restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is Hacienda Real (5a Av. 14-67, Zona 10, 502/2380-8383). It specializes in the Guatemalan and Mexican cuisines, and is particularly noted for its steaks. A nice alternative is Tamarindo’s (11 Calle 2-19 Zona 10, Guatemala City, +502 2360-2815), which offers a Thai and fusion cuisine, and is reputed for its creative dishes.
Tamarindo’s (Photo from Google images)
Have a taste of France in Guatemala City at Jean Francois (Diagonal 6 13-63 Zona 10, Guatemala City, 502 2368-0351), which serves authentic French delicacies with a twist in a Spanish colonial setting. You can also try out Tua (Km.14.5 Carr. El Salvador C.C. Escala L.#30, Guatemala City, 6637 5443 y 44). It is a bistro restaurant offering an International cuisine, with delicious delicatessen.
Next 24 Hours
You can discover Guatemala City’s other tourist attractions during your next 24 hours in the city. You may start the day with a visit to the Museo Popol Vuh (Universidad Francisco Marroquín, end of 6a Calle, Zona 10, Zona 10, 502/2361-2301, website). It is a museum noted for its rich collection of pre-Colombian art, which occupies seven rooms. Inside, you’ll find various artifacts such as funeral pyres, incense holders, stone sculptures, pottery, colonial art forms, traditional clothing, and dance masks, among others. The site is open during Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Admission will cost you GTQ35.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK: Have an archaeological experience
Iglesia San Francisco (Photo by bullcreek)
In the midst of Guatemala City’s urban jungle, you’ll find the Parque Arqueológico Kaminaljuyú (12a Av. 11-65, Zona 7, Guatemala City, 502/2322-5571), which contains the remnant of a former pre-Classic Mayan city. Also known as the Kaminaljuyú Archaeological Park, it dates back to the pre-100 AD days, and its numerous hieroglyphs are testament to the fascinating history of Mayan literacy. Inside the complex, you’ll find excavated pyramids, tombs, and other buildings, although it is believed that much more remain buried at the site. The park is open during Mondays to Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm, and admission will cost you GTQ30.
IGLESIA SAN FRANCISCO: Let’s go to church
You can go to church at the Iglesia San Francisco (13a Calle and 6a Av., Zona 1, 502/2232-6325), which is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Built in the early 19th century by the Iglesia San Francisco order, it is best known for its massive main altar, which measures 300 feet in height and 40 feet in width. Inside, you can also see various woodcarvings, as well as art works donated to the church by King Charles V of Spain. The site is open daily from 6 am to 5 pm, and admission is free.
MUSEUM OF INDIGENOUS DRESS: See unique clothing
Another noteworthy attraction for tourists in Guatemala City is the Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena (Universidad Francisco Marroquín, end of 6a Calle, Zona 10, 502/2331-3622), which is also called the Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Dress. It is a museum named after the Mayan goddess of weaving, and is home to a rich collection of textiles made by the country’s more than 120 indigenous communities.
You’ll also see a display of paintings inside, such as 61 watercolor paintings of traditional Mayan dresses, and 48 oil paintings from Cakchiquel artist Andrés Curruchiche. The site is open during Mondays to Fridays from 8 am to 5:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Admission will cost you GTQ35.
Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena (Photo from Google images)
AURORA ZOO: Visit wildlife
Animal lovers will definitely enjoy a visit to the Aurora Zoo (Boulevard Juan Pablo II, Zona 13, Zona 13, 502/2475-0894, website). Established in 1924, it is a fairly small zoological garden, but makes up for the fact by having one of the most extensive wildlife collections in Central America. Inside, you’ll find Guatemalan animals such as water buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes, and hippopotamuses. It also has animals taken from the Asian jungles, the tropics, and the African savanna. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you GTQ20.
NIGHTLIFE: Enjoy Guatemala City’s vibrant nightlife
At night you may proceed to Guatemala City’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the city’s exciting nightlife. One of the most popular is the La Bodeguita del Centro (12a Calle 3-55, Zona 1, 502/2230-2976). It is a bar known for its “beatnik” culture, and plays live music ranging from jazz and folk to hardcore punk. A nice alternative is Rattle ‘N’ Hum (4a Av. 16-11, Zona 10, 502/2366-6524, website), an Australian bar with a lively happy hour scene, live music, and good bar food.
You can also try out Trovajazz (Vía 6 3-55, Zona 4, 502/2360-5362), which is a hip bar known for its live bands playing music that ranges from Latin American folk to jazz. The place is ideal for socializing and drinking the night away.
Related posts: