Location: Guatemala City
Top Things to do in Guatemala City
Top Restaurants in Guatemala City
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Guatemala City, Guatemala Department
Guatemala City draws visitors whose interests range from Maya history to contemporary culture. Two museums house Maya artifacts, some of which were discovered on a nearby archaeological site. Other museums exhibit indigenous and modern art. In Mercado Central, an underground market, shoppers bargain with vendors selling local handicrafts. Additional attractions include a botanical garden and a scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. A night out in bustling Zona Viva caps off a day of sightseeing.
Restaurants in Guatemala City
1. Authentic Guatemala
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 123 reviews
Authentic is a private tour & transportation service created by experts in tourism for people seeking privacy, safety and comfort. We love to advise, interact, and serve our customers to make each trip an unforgettable experience. We make a difference, offering a real adventure with the support of community guides and local people.
2. Mercado Central
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
For really good deals on Guatemalan handicrafts, especially leather goods, woolen blankets and masks, check out the underground stalls here, where fresh produce is also available.
Reviewed By tg0mide - Westbury, United States
Right behind the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Mercado Central is a must. You can get lost in it. Wonderful crafts to delight your eyes and a great place to shop. Prices are incredible, but never pay what the sellers are asking for. Bargain, bargain and bargain. Things are much cheaper than Antigua. If you don't intend to shop, do not skip it. It is a wonderful experience!
3. Palacio Nacional
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 454 reviews
The elaborate interior of this former presidential palace houses paintings and sculptures by famous Guatemalan artists.
Reviewed By Sierrita - Guatemala City, Guatemala
We Just invited to this special building made in 1944 i think. The ceremony was nice and we were with the president of the country. This place was made from a special kind of rock, green colored. The rooms are wonderful and the paintings and everything are splendid. Today is a musuem too, a place to visit in This beautiful country.
4. Museo Ixchel del Traje Indigena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
Textiles and clothing of the Mayan people, Guatemala's indigenous community, are displayed at this outstanding museum, which also contains paintings, interactive weaving exhibits, a bookstore and gift shop.
Reviewed By Suwatss - Bangkok, Thailand
While small, this museum is really worth your time to visit given its comprehensive exhibits about Mayan textile, festivals, and their presences in Guatemala. The presentations include videos, exhibits, and figures. We learnt a lot about the Mayan textiles more than anywhere we visited in Mexico.
5. Iglesia de San Sebastian
6. Museo Popol Vuh
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 254 reviews
This is one of Central America's most famous Maya art museums. Its collection is renown due to its large number of funerary urns. It also includes unique Maya pottery pieces and other artifacts spanning from 2000 B.C. through colonial times.
Reviewed By Suwatss - Bangkok, Thailand
This small museum is truly a gem in Guatemala and should be in anyone’s list while in town. While it is small containing only less than 10 rooms its exhibits and the way to tell the story is superb, organized chronologically in five segments starting from pre-columbian period (before 1500s BC) down classic and colonial period (1600s-1800s). There are many interesting pieces exhibited and related to many tribes including Mayan in Guatemala. Tip. Don’t miss the twin museum of Ixchel showcasing Mayan textiles. Tip. It is a bit difficult to come here and we recommend to take Uber here.
7. National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 288 reviews
The National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology is a public institution and is part of the Directorate General of Cultural and Natural Heritage. Protects and disseminates the most important collection of archaeological artifacts of Mayan Culture, as well as a collection of ethnological material showing the cultural diversity of Guatemalan society. The permanent exhibition occupies 3500 square meters including pieces of jades, pottery, textiles and masks. Two rooms for temporary exhibitions present general topics of Mayan Culture and Guatemalan Archaeology.
Reviewed By 625sherylt - Mahwah, United States
The museum is organized into pre classic, classic and post classic exhibits of the Mayan civilizations. It is a good way to get background before going to the actual ruins.
8. Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias - Teatro Nacional
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Named for a Nobel Prize winner, this theater is a popular venue for opera, theater and ballet performances.
9. Catedral Metropolitana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 519 reviews
Built between 1782 and 1868 on the edge of Plaza Mayor, this Baroque-styled church contains ornate altars, statues and colonial artwork.
Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada
Really "quite awesome" once stepped inside this cathedral was seeing its main aisle which I would just describe as one "packed with grandness" where along its both sides are not small but "quite sizeable" paintings depicting the life events of Christ (and with brief descriptions of the artists below from which can be determined the "historic ages" of the paintings themselves!) and also a "unique sight" (as such had been seen in no other cathedral before) which is that of "super-sized" medals likely kind of bigger versions of the medals awarded in this country for exceptional services & such. So yes, a big cathedral with quite plentiful to see inside where apart from those along the main aisle are also shrines & secondary altars (along the two length-side aisles) also with their own displays of interesting sculptures & such, this cathedral actually is one reminiscent for me of those in South America (with grand & ornate interiors in many of the "main cathedrals" of the cities) than in Central America (with just generally plain cathedral interiors from Panama & up with a few exceptions such as the Cathedral of Leon in Nicaragua & the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City). And with the entrance from a "pedestrian street" located on the south side, very conveniently right beside that entrance is Mercado Central (a great place for all kinds of Guatemala souvenirs & also like a food court down below for some delicious "local meals"). And yes, also definitely to stop by while at this area are the 2 sites at just a very short walk from this cathedral (to the right after coming out): the city's "main plaza" Plaza Mayor de la Constitucion (with really quite a bit of space to walk around where at about its center are a big national flag & a fountain and yes where the "west face" of this cathedral is on the Plaza's east side) and the "long building" of Palacio Nacional de la Cultura on the Plaza's north side (with 2 levels of a "fairly impressive" interior to see on an hourly-or-so "guided tour").
10. Edificio de Correos Central
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
The cantaloupe-colored post office is one of the loveliest buildings in the city.
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
While visiting the historic center of Ciudad de Guatemala, this awesome building will certainly catch your attention. This is the "Palacio de Correos", the main post office of the country's capital city. It was designed by Guatemalan architect and engineer Rafael Pérez de León and was inaugurated on November 10, 1940. It is clearly inspired by the famous "Arco de Santa Catalina" in Antigua (Guatemala) and represents the perfect fusion of 1930-1940's neo colonial and art deco styles. The monumental arch over 12ª Calle, in Zone 1, is one of the most pictured tourist attractions of Ciudad de Guatemala. A great frame for selfies! No wonder, due to its beauty and architectural richness, the "Edificio de Correos Central" was appointed as a Guatemalan National Cultural Heritage Site! Unmissable! Enjoy!
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