The capital of Guatemala is also the main and largest city of the Central America region. Divided into numbered zones (zonas), set within a valley and surrounded by mountains, Guatemala City (or Guate as it is affectionately known) is a modern metropolis with some interesting old sections and high crime levels. This is what puts most tourists off visiting Guatemala City and tourism in general suffers as a result, although there is no denying that the city has a certain draw, energy and fascination that attracts a certain type of visitor.

You can still have a good time, but always need to be on your guard and watch where you stay. Attractions in Guatemala City include impressive squares and churches, old ruins, colourful markets, the lively Zona Viva bars, and some funky museums with exceptional pieces. The city is working hard to improve its image and overall tourism appeal by cleaning itself up, adding new public spaces, upgrading public transport and hosting big weekend events.

WHY GO

Main entrance to Guatemala.

Nice historic area.

ORIENTATION

If you are just passing through Guatemala City, on your way to Antigua, then perhaps allow time for the TransMetro SubiBaja bus tour of the main sights. This leisurely tour will take in Central Park (Parque Central), which is also known as the Plaza Mayor and is flanked by many gorgeous buildings, being regularly used to host celebrations and military displays. The bus will also visit La Aurora Zoo (Parque Zoologico La Aurora), which always appeals to families and contains all of the expected exotics.

Also on the route is the pedestrianised promenade named the Cuatro Grados Norte, where a high concentration of restaurants and bars await, and the rather touristy Relief Map (Mapa en Relieve) - a giant 3D-map in Minerva Park (Parque Minerva) showing the country as it appeared roughly 100 years ago. Alternatively you may like to pay a visit to the Guatemala City Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanico) at the University of San Carlos (Universidad de San Carlos) in Zona 10, or perhaps catch a football match or other sporting event at the Mateo Flores National Stadium (Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores) in Zona 5. 

Further landmarks living in Zona 1 include the Baroque-style Church of Saint Francis (Iglesia de San Francisco) and La Merced Church (Iglesia La Merced), along with the more modern Miguel Angel Asturias Cultural Centre (Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias) entertainment complex, regularly referred to as the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional). Located in Zona 7, the Kaminaljuyu Archaeological Park (Parque Arqueologico Kaminaljuyu) features ancient ruins of a pre-Classic Maya city dating back almost 2,500 years. 

As the capital city, Guatemala City manages to boast the country's very best museums, with an enviable selection to choose from, housing some real national treasures. Particular highlights include the National History Museum (Museo Nacional de Historia) in Zona 1 and the National Museum of Ethnology and Archaeology (Museo Nacional de Etnologia y Arqueologia) in Zona 13.

Families on holiday in Guatemala City should be sure to check out either the Natural History Museum (Museo de Historia Natural) in Zona 10, where fossils and a butterfly house will captivate young minds, or the Children's Museum (Museo de los Ninos) in Zona 13, with its centrifugal force simulator and earthquake simulations. Art aficionados should not miss out on a trip to the National Museum of Modern Art (Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno) in Zona 13, which exhibits a large collection of works by important Guatemalan artists. 

HOW TO GET THERE

Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport also serves Antigua and is conveniently placed, being around 25 km / 16 miles to the east and easily reachable in under an hour. This is Central America's third-busiest airport and is a no-fuss facility, serving more than two million passengers each year and receiving flights from all over the Americas, as well as from Spain (Madrid and San Salvador) with Iberia Airlines. Passenger amenities are fair and regular shuttle transport runs to the city each day, until around 20:00. Taxis are also on-hand if required.

BEST TIME TO GO

Guatemala City is at altitude, meaning that it tends to not be as humid or as hot as the rest of the country. It has a subtropical climate, and though warm year-round, night-time temperatures come down somewhat - especially during the dry, cool season. Although it cools considerably at night, summer daytime temperatures can be very hot.

The best time to be in Guatemala City for the weather is some time between mid-November and early March. This is the dry season (also translated as the cool season) and has warm days and cool nights. There is little to no rainfall at this time, too. Most tourists visit at this time, and so booking the best hotels ahead is recommended.

The wet season (mid-May to mid-October) is the least favourable time to be in Guatemala City, since it is wet and humid. However, it doesn't rain as much in the capital as it does on the coast and other low-lying regions, yet it is still best to avoid August and September, the height of the wet season. Even then, though, it seldom rains all day, every day.