Travel to Guatemala City with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Guatemala City with single trip travel insurance from Essential Travel

The capital of Guatemala has a special charm in a country that has struggled to recover from over 30 years of civil war. Although Guatemala is one of the smallest Central American countries, it has much to offer, with high, active volcanoes, Mayan ruins, and colourfully dressed indigenous people.

Getting there

major international airlines fly into Guatemala City, with most passing through the North American hub cities of Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Houston, Mexico City and Miami. Bus and train journeys from North America are long and tedious; however, you can get buses from El Salvador direct to Guatemala City, and buses from Honduras and Belize stop at the border. You can also enter the country by sea, travelling from Punta Gorda in Belize to Puerto Barrios or Lívingston.

Key attractions in Guatemala City

Guatemala City serves as the nations administrative and transportation hub and is not much of a tourist destination. However, there are a few noteworthy sights, such as: the Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología, which has Mayan artefacts, and the Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno, containing 20th century Guatemalan art. Another important museum is the Museo Popol Vuh, housing an excellent private collection of Mayan and Spanish colonial art. There are also colonial churches worth visiting around the Zocala (central square).

Out and about in Guatemala City

northwest of Guatemala City and just an hour away by car is the charming city of Antigua. Arguably one of the oldest cities in the Americas, Antigua offers cobbled streets and charming plazas that complement the views of the volcanoes – Agua, Fuego and Acatenango - that encircle the town. Semana Santa (Holy Week – the week before Easter) is Guatemalas largest festival and is best seen here. Much farther away from Guatemala City (one hour by plane) are the Mayan temples of Tikal. There are over 3,000 structures here and no visit to the country would be complete without a journey to this site.

Leisure options

Guatemalan coffee is available everywhere and most of it is spectacularly good. Alternatively, you can spend time wandering around the colourful market stalls. The best time to visit is during Semana Santa, when you can enjoy the festivities. The traditional Qeqchi (Kekchí) Maya festival takes place in late July or early August and is also entertaining. Of course, there are also the usual assortment of bars and nightclubs to enjoy as well.

Safety

there are high levels of violent crime committed against foreigners in the country (even those in large groups) and carjackings are common, especially in Guatemala City. Additionally, travellers are advised to avoid demonstrations and political gatherings. You will also want to keep from taking photos of children without parental permission, as there are rumours of child abductions by foreigners, especially in rural areas, and your actions might be viewed unfavourably. Intercity travel after sunset should be avoided. We recommend you take out travel insurance.

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