Sprawling in a narrow valley hemmed in by mountains, Guatemala City is the capital city of Guatemala and a microcosm of this small but diverse nation. Guatemala City is also the largest metropolis in Central America. This crowded city has its share of nondescript modern shopping malls and shantytowns. However, its downtown harbors a number of well-preserved historic buildings, and the city offers much in the way of cultural attractions and entertainment.
Guatemala City is divided into 21 numbered districts called zonas. Most of the city’s tourist attractions are clustered in the city center or Zona 1. This area is especially lively on Sundays when people throng to the vast Plaza Mayor, Guatemala City’s main square. Maya women dressed in traditional clothing display their multicolored weavings, and the plinking of marimbas and the pungent smells of cooking food fill the air.
Flanking the Plaza Mayor are the Neoclassical-style Palacio Nacional and a cathedral that dates back to the late 18th century. The large Mercado Central crafts market and several worthwhile museums, including the Museo Nacional de Historia and the Museo Nacional de Artes e Industrias Populares, lie within walking distance from the Plaza Mayor.
One sight not to be missed is the Mapa En Relieve, a giant outdoor relief map of Guatemala in Zona 2. Located in tranquil Parque Minerva on the edge of downtown, this three-dimensional representation of Guatemala is an ideal place to get oriented before setting out to explore the country.
Two of Guatemala’s City’s best museums can be found in Zona 10, on the grounds of Francisco Marroquin University. The Museo Ixchel houses extensive displays of traditional Mayan costumes and textiles, and the Museo Popol Vuh has an excellent collection of Mayan artifacts and contemporary folk art. In Zona 13, the Museo Nacional de Arqueologia y Etnologia and the adjacent Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno are both well-worth visiting for their collections of archaeological treasures and Guatemalan art.
Most of Guatemala’s night life plays out in the Zona Viva spanning Zonas 9 and 10, and in the compact Quatro Grados Norte district in Zona 4. Both these trendy neighborhoods have bars and restaurants serving traditional Guatemalan dishes as well as international cuisine.
Written by: John Mitchell
Guatemala City Jobs 