Are you heading to Guatemala City and looking for the best places to go? If that’s the case, you came to the right place!
Let’s check out 10 of the most popular places in the city and the marvels they have to offer. Unless otherwise noted, entrance to these sites is free.
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Places to Visit in Guatemala City
1. Ciudad Cayalá
Cayalá means “paradise” in the Cakchiquel Maya language. It started with the idea of creating a European-style open mall where people could take walks, eat in delicious restaurants, shop, and catch a movie.
It also has condos, a hotel, offices, spaces to celebrate events, and even a church! This picturesque mini-city has become a site where locals (and tourists) spend their time with family and friends, while enjoying the beautiful European architecture of the place and all it has to offer.
Location: Zone 16, Guatemala City
Business hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (or later for restaurants and events)
2. Parque de Robots
This is a great space to have fun with your family and friends. You´ll see metal sculptures that are around 8 feet tall, including a giant bumblebee. It also features trails, fountains, playgrounds, sculptures by Guatemalan artists, fish ponds, ample parking, and restaurants.
On weekends, enjoy the delicious typical foods like atol de elote, enchiladas, rellenitos, and granizadas, and get your cotton candy fix. Without a doubt, this free public park is perfect to enjoy a different activity with your travel partners!
Location: Zone Portales, Zone 17, Guatemala City
Business hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
3. Centro Cívico
The Centro Cívico (Civic Center) is an area made up of buildings from the 1950s and 60s. The design and positioning of the buildings represent a contemporary interpretation of the Mayan acropolis (which were also organized with pyramids and palaces around wide squares).
The construction of the buildings was in the middle of the 20th century, thanks to a generation of young architects who studied abroad and returned to Guatemala City. Amazing artists painted impressive murals in each building.
Location: Zone 1, Guatemala City
Business hours: always open
4. Zoológico La Aurora
La Aurora Zoo in Guatemala City features beautiful facilities that host a great variety of animals, from a beautiful serpentarium to a small farm. Their vision is to encourage education and recreation for Guatemalans and promote the conservation of biodiversity.
This zoo is ranked as one of the best in Latin America and it has 16 blocks of beautifully landscaped land, making it one of the largest “oxygen lungs” in Guatemala City. Entrance costs Q30 for adults and Q15 for children.
Location: Zone 13, Guatemala City
Business hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
5. Paseo la Sexta
Sixth avenue is one of the best known destinations in Zona 1 of Guatemala City. It’s a pedestrian-only street with tons of colors, commerce, and people. You can find a little bit of everything, from street vendors to the Lux Theater, a popular and historical destination.
Formerly called the Calle Real, Paseo de la Sexta was established after the last transfer of the capital city after the earthquakes of Santa Marta in 1773.
Location: Sexta Avenida, Zone 1, Guatemala City
Business hours: always open
6. Mapa en relieve
The mapa en relieve (relief map) is considered a jewel of engineering and art, since it’s a scale model of the physical map of Guatemala. In other words, it’s a small replica of the national territory made of brick, mortar, and cement.
See all the wonders that exist in Guatemala by simply looking at the map. Also, there are stairs that you can climb to see it from above and take some pictures.
Location: Zone 2, Guatemala City
Business hours: always open
7. Cuatro Grados Norte
This is the ideal destination to walk and enjoy an incredible day with many innovative restaurants, colorful streets, and shops selling organic Guatemalan products. It consists of several pedestrian streets with a creative and pioneering urban vision.
Here, you’ll find a bohemian style with colors, graffiti, music, and small cafes. It’s a lovely place to have lunch or dinner while enjoying artisanal food and drinks.
Location: Zone 4, Guatemala City
Business hours: shops open from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm
8. Mercado Central
If you’re coming to Guatemala City, you must visit its central market. This is the best place to find typical Guatemalan souvenirs. You’ll find different sections ranging from sale of textiles, jade, typical food, leather, and much more.
All merchants will want to sell you their products, so just make sure to have a set budget and choose the things you like the most. You won’t regret it!
Location: Zone 1, Guatemala City
Business hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
9. Parque Central
Also known as La plaza de la constitución, the central park of Guatemala City is one of the most iconic places in the country. It’s a destination full of history and beautiful architecture.
This site consists of the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Commerce Portal, the Centennial Park, and the National Library of Guatemala. If you walk through the Paseo de la sexta you’ll get here, so if you’re going to Zone 1 plan to visit both sites.
While you’re in the park, you’ll also find merchants selling souvenirs, toys, and food, so don’t hesitate to buy whatever calls your attention.
Location: Zone 1, Guatemala City
Business hours: always open
10. Irtra Mundo Petapa
Irta Petapa is an amusement park in Guatemala City! It has high-quality dry and wet rides, skyscraper towers, specialized playgrounds for children, a zoo, an outdoor pool, a dinosaur park, a theater with free performances, and much more.
It’s the ideal place to have an adventure while you’re visiting the city. The entry fee is 100 Q ($12.50) for adults and 50 Q ($6.25) for children and seniors.
Location: Zone 12, Guatemala City
Business hours: Thursday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Visit Guatemala City!
Don’t you think Guatemala City looks super fun and entertaining? It’s a place where you’ll find many activities to do and enjoy your time with your loved ones. Of course, learning Spanish can help you to have an even better experience, so go ahead and sign up for a free class to practice Spanish before your visit to this beautiful city!
Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these
“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”
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“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”
– Cindy D, Parent of 3
“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”
– Erica P. Parent of 1
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