location.beaches.districts_subtitle
Upscale tourist zone - hotels, restaurants, malls, nightlife. Where visitors stay. Safe and modern.
Historic downtown - National Palace, Central Plaza, markets. Interesting but requires caution. Visit by day only.
Emerging hip area - cafes, bars, street art, cultural centers. Young creative scene. More authentic alternative to Zona 10.
faq.subtitle Guatemala City
Most nationalities visa-free for 90 days (CA-4 zone) - US, EU, UK, Canada. Includes El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua. Stamp on arrival. Easy entry. Can extend at immigration. Very welcoming to tourists despite safety reputation.
Most tourists don't - they head to Antigua (1 hour), Lake Atitlán, Tikal. City is transport hub. If staying, 1-2 nights enough for museums, Zona 10 restaurants. Antigua much more charming and safe. Use city as connection point.
Higher crime than most capitals - but tourists mostly fine in Zones 10, 14, 4. Use Uber only, don't flash wealth, stay aware. Avoid Zone 1 at night. Most crime is gang-related and doesn't target tourists. Common sense essential.
Easy! Tourist shuttles run hourly, $10-15, 1 hour. From airport or city hotels. Uber also possible ~$25-35. Chicken buses cheap ($1) but not recommended. Antigua is where you want to be - colonial UNESCO beauty, volcanoes, safe.
Useful tips for visiting Guatemala City
Head to Antigua quickly - 1 hour from airport, much better base. Colonial UNESCO city, volcanoes, safe streets. Guatemala City is hub, not destination. Shuttles run constantly. Don't waste days in capital.
Use Uber exclusively - never street taxis. Safety first in Guatemala City. Very cheap rides. Download before arriving. Works everywhere in tourist zones. Peace of mind worth it.
If staying - visit Museo Popol Vuh (Mayan artifacts), Mercado Central (markets), Cayalá (upscale new town). Zone 4 for hipster scene. Oakland Mall. City has culture if you look.
Try pepián (meat stew), kak'ik (turkey soup), tamales, chuchitos, Gallo beer. Guatemalan coffee world-class. Zona 10 has excellent restaurants. Street food in Zone 1 if adventurous. Very affordable eating.
location.transport.subtitle
| location.transport.title | location.transport.price | location.transport.app | location.transport.note |
|---|---|---|---|
location.transport.bus | — | — | — |
location.transport.taxi | — | — | — |
Cost of food, accommodation and services
Prices are approximate and may vary by season and area.
Hotels and rental prices
Prices are approximate. Book in advance during high season.
location.payment.subtitle
Cash preferred throughout Guatemala! Cards accepted in larger hotels, restaurants, malls. Street vendors, markets, chicken buses cash-only. Bring USD or quetzales.
Quetzal (GTQ). Cash-heavy Central American capital! Zona 1 historic center and Zona 10 upscale area have ATMs - Banco Industrial, Banrural. Cards in Oakland Mall, Pradera Concepción. Markets (Mercado Central) cash-only. Chicken buses (colorful local buses) no cards! USD sometimes accepted at tourist sites (Antigua nearby). Cash culture persists - bring quetzales for daily use. Moderately affordable for Central America.
10-15% expected in restaurants. Hotel staff Q10-20. Tour guides Q50-100 per day per person.
Avoid remote areas, especially at night
Guatemala City has safety concerns - higher crime rate. Stick to Zones 10, 14, 4. Avoid Zone 1 at night. Use Uber always. Don't flash valuables. Most tourists pass through to Antigua, Lake Atitlán. Be alert but don't be paranoid.