When I first arrived in Guatemala City, I honestly first saw it as nothing more than a place to land before heading to Coban and Lake Atitlán. But, I always like to walk around most places I visit to get to learn about the area better, discover new things and just immerse into everyday life.
I ended up staying a little longer than planned, and while I still think Antigua and Lake Atitlán are the highlights of Guatemala, I was surprised by how much Guatemala City had to offer once I actually started looking at things to do and exploring more.
What I enjoyed most about Guatemala City wasn’t checking famous landmarks off a list because there weren’t many of those anyway. It was getting a better understanding of Guatemala before exploring the rest of the country. Visiting the museums gave me a much deeper appreciation for the Mayan culture I would later see around Lake Atitlán, while places like the Central Market and La Aurora Zoo was something fun to experience as well.
So while I probably wouldn’t tell someone to spend an entire week here, I do think the city deserves at least a couple of days. If you’re flying into Guatemala anyway, it’s worth slowing down before rushing off to the touristy stuff.
For a guide on the cheapest countries in Central America to visit which includes Guatemala, start here.
Guatemala City is made up of different zones and there are zones I wouldn’t recommend people visit and then there are zones that you can visit. The city itself is large, I was surprised by how big it is. The capital has it’s own identity, mainly shaped by food and history. If you’re visiting Guatemala, there are many cool things to do in the Guatemala City and amazing half day trips just outside of the city.
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Is Guatemala City Safe for Tourists?
Guatemala City can be visited safely with the right precautions, but I wouldn’t treat every part of the city the same. I stayed in Zone 10 and spent several days exploring different parts of the city, mostly using Uber to get around. Around Zone 10, I felt comfortable walking during the day, but once we moved farther into less touristy areas, there were definitely places where I wouldn’t have wanted to wander around without knowing the area.
Current travel advice also recommends extra caution in Guatemala City because of robbery and violent crime. The U.S. State Department specifically advises travelers not to visit Zone 18, while UK travel advice warns that crime can occur even in popular areas such as Zone 10 and Zone 1.
Personally, I wouldn’t avoid Guatemala City completely because of safety concerns, but I would be more careful here than somewhere like Antigua. Stick to the main tourist areas, avoid displaying expensive phones or cameras, use Uber or a reputable taxi instead of wandering long distances through unfamiliar neighborhoods, and avoid walking around quiet areas at night. I used Uber regularly during my stay and found it convenient for getting between places like Zone 10, the museums and La Aurora Zoo. Conditions can change, so I also recommend checking the latest official Guatemala travel advice before your trip.
My experience in Guatemala City
It surprised me by how confusing it was to navigate and drive here. The roads were weaving in and out and I just didn’t know where to stand or how to properly cross the street. I got used to it after the first day though. I stayed in a hotel called Hotel San Carlos. We would walk from here to anywhere else we want to go. Right next to the hotel was my favorite restaurant called patsies. It was like a fast food chain and sold literally every type of fast food.
Like most places I go I used Uber to get around to near by places like the zoo or a museum and it was pretty reliable. All our Uber drivers were super friendly, which was good. The area where our hotel was located is zone 10. Everything in this area was nice and looked safe enough to walk around. However when we walked past here and went deeper into the city things started to look sketchy.
One time we were going to a steak restaurant and there was a security guard with a shotgun just standing in front of the store. Is that normal here? All the best street food places are usually at sketchy locations everywhere I go, so I am used to it. There were definitely some strange characters hovering around us while buying food and some homeless people begging for money. Again, this is all normal for any big city.
Explore the Historic Center Zone 1
The most popular part of Guatemala City is zone 1. It has the Guatemala Palacio Nacional and other old colonial looking buildings. Lot’s of tourists come here and take pictures and take in all the history and architecture. Everything around you feels normal because there are people going to work and local life carrying on. This is the best place to start.
The Central Plaza is in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral. From here, you can walk toward many historic landmarks like national congress and the presidential house. Street vendors sell snacks like chuchitos, fresh juice, and small pastries. I appreciated how easy it is to settle in and just observe. Even though I didn’t have a travel plan set out, Zona 1 is really cool to look at.
Visit the National Palace of Culture
The National Palace of Culture is one of the main focal points in Guatemala City. To me, it looks like a castle or a royal building you’ll find king and queens in. Inside, murals and detailed tile work show parts of the country’s long and often difficult history. You can do guided tours of inside the building where someone will tell you all about the history, culture and how the country was shaped to what it is now.
Many tours will tell you the story of the “Kilometer Zero” marker located inside, which is the point from which all distances in Guatemala are measured. When people ask about the best things to do in Guatemala City, it’s hard to leave out historic sites and this building is one of them.
Visit Guatemala City’s best museums
Guatemala has very deep Mayan roots that I very strongly saw in many places especially Lake Atitlan. The museums in the city will allow you to see these people and immediately think about these old traditions and ways. The Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia has artifacts that show the scale and skill of Maya civilization. You see carvings and pottery from ancient cities spread across the country.
Close by, there is the Museo Popol Vuh that tells more about cultural heritage and the famous Maya text that explains their worldview. Just next door the Museo is Ixchel del Traje Indigena, which focuses on traditional textiles. These museums help you understand the meaning behind designs you see in markets all over Guatemala. There are a lot of symbols and styles that they use often in their crafts.
Visit the Guatemala City Zoo
The La Aurora Zoo was one of the places I enjoyed the most in Guatemala City. It’s right in the center of the city and you can easily take an uber or taxi from anywhere to it. I expected something small, but it was very large and very clean.
There were so many different animals that I’ve never seen before like brown bear, hippos and rhinos. There were many different paths to take all looping and connecting each other. It was a little confusing to navigate just because of how large it was.
If you want a break from plenty traffic and noise in the city, this is a good place to chill and bring your family. Food stands sell local snacks and cold drinks. If someone asks what to do in Guatemala City with a free afternoon, the zoo is a good time killer, especially if you want something calm before traveling to other parts of the country.
Zone 10 and La Zona Viva
This zone is more modern and bustling with nightlife and people. There are large hotels, restaurants and malls you can shop in. Most people who decide to stay in Guatemala City stay in this area because it has everything you need basically. It’s used as a base if you plan to do day trips to visit other places such as Hobbitenango.
Walking through Oakland Mall and the surrounding streets gives you a look at the city’s growing urban culture. This zone is very opposite to the other where they are historic and rustic looking.
Explore Cayala
Cayala really stands out as a different looking part of Guatemala City and looks like a different world. White buildings, wide pedestrian streets, and open plazas make it feel more like a walkable European town. It is a planned community with shops, cafes, and places to walk with no traffic. People come here to relax in the evening, eat gelato, or take kids to play in open spaces. One of my favorite places in Guatemala City.
It is one of the safest areas to explore without feeling rushed. You can sit on a bench and enjoy the atmosphere. Many people who ask what to do in Guatemala City want something like this, and most people don’t know a place like this exists in Guatemala City.
Eat Street Food and Local Restaurants
One of the best restaurants I ate at in Guatemala City was La Estancia. Large interior with a bunch of chefs. The food was great and it was very cheap for the quality.
You can find anything you want here, from sit down fancy restaurants to street vendors selling tacos and fried chicken. They usually sell tostadas, tamales, grilled corn, and small pastries. I tried street food several times and found the flavors straightforward and but nothing really stood out besides the meat from La Estancia Reforma.
One spot I remember is Patsy’s, a chain that serves a wide range of meals and desserts. It is nothing fancy, but it feels friendly and easy to enjoy. The building is huge, like 3 floors and lots of people go there to eat. There are also coffee shops with fresh local beans roasted right in the city. Guatemalan coffee stands out across Central America, and tasting it in its home country feels like a must.
Mercado Central and Local Shopping
Near the main plaza is the Mercado Central, a good place to see local crafts and materials. Vendors arrange goods in tight stalls. You find colorful textiles, wooden carvings, and small souvenirs. Even if you do not plan to buy anything, walking through the lower levels shows how local markets are organized.
Food sections smell of fresh produce and cooked meals. This is not really something that is built for tourists, markets have mostly locals, but this is just my inside scoop. This one gives you a raw and honest look at daily commerce.
Day Trip to Hobbitenango and Pacaya Volcano
Hobbitenango is my second favorite place in Guatemala, second only to Lake Atitlan. It’s a Lord of the Rings theme park high in the mountains of Antigua and not far at all from Guatemala City. Getting here was very quick and easy. We just took an uber to the beginning of Antigua and then a truck up to Hobbitenango.
There are hotel rooms for you to stay at here, restaurants and bars to enjoy the day. Most people just do a day trip, but you can sleep here if you want. It’s really high up in the mountains so it is cold and windy.
There are many activities to do here like archery, golf, giant swings, pictures on the hand, axe throwing and shopping from the local craft vendors at the park.
You can book a tour guide to hike the Pacaya Volcano in Antigua. It’s a very popular volcano trip that tourists do here and is a perfect way to experience the nature of Guatemala.
Final thoughts
Before visiting Guatemala, I didn’t expect Guatemala City to be one of the places I’d remember most. Like many travelers, I saw it as a stopover before heading to Antigua or Lake Atitlán. After spending a few days here, though, I came away with a much better appreciation for the country’s history, food, and culture.
No, I don’t think Guatemala City is the highlight of a trip to Guatemala. If you only have a few days in the country, I’d still prioritize places like Antigua, Lake Atitlán, or Acatenango. But if you’re flying into the capital anyway, I think it’s worth slowing down for a day or two instead of rushing straight out.
What surprised me most was how different each part of the city feels. Walking around the historic streets of Zone 1, relaxing in Cayalá, exploring La Aurora Zoo, and eating at local restaurants all gave me a completely different perspective on Guatemala than I would have gotten by only visiting the country’s tourist hotspots.
I also found Guatemala City to be a great introduction to the rest of the country. Visiting the museums gave me a much deeper understanding of Maya history before I arrived at places like Lake Atitlán, where that culture is still very much alive today. It made the rest of my trip feel more meaningful.
If you’re planning your own Guatemala itinerary, I’d recommend giving the capital at least a little of your time. I don’t recommend staying here for more than 2 days. But while you’re here I just wanted to share some stuff that I enjoyed and that you could pass some time with.
