How to Spend a Day in Guatemala City
Guatemala City doesn’t have the best reputation for safety. Many travelers skip it and head straight for the colonial charm of Antigua, but I decided to just be street-smart and give it a chance. I wouldn’t say it’s the prettiest capital in Latin America, but here are some things to do in Guatemala City if you wanna have a look around.
Explore Zone 4 and Admire the Street Art
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To begin with, walking around Zone 4 you’ll notice lots of cool street art! Including legal murals, tags, and different characters. It’s a highlight of the area. They say Zone 4 is the Brooklyn of Guatemala City, and with its hip bars, cafes, art, and coffee shops it’s easy to see why. Check out these other spots en zona quatro while you’re in the neighborhood…
Visit 14 Grados for Food and Craft Beer
Guatemala has an emerging craft beer scene and this corner brewery is where you can get an IPA in Guatemala City. Why not stop in for a pint after admiring the local street art?
They have American microbrews like Rogue and Abita. They also have wines, whiskeys, and mezcal if you prefer booze over brews. Sit on the sidewalk or up on the rooftop and sip the afternoon away!
Open 12pm-11pm daily and 12pm-12am on weekends.
Hang Out at Atte For Coffee
This hip slow coffee bar in Zone 4 is owned by a couple of friendly capitalinos. Pablo and Isabel. Pablo the co-owner and main barista is a coffee expert. In fact, it was in this coffee shop during my first few days in the country that I started learning about Guatemalan coffee for the first time.
I enjoyed picking Pablo’s brain. He speaks English well and he taught me a lot.
Along with the standard pour-over coffees, I think their cafe de limonada is a must-try beverage. It’s probably one of the best drinks I’ve ever tasted. A mix of brown sugar, lemonade, and soda over ice, topped off with strong cold-brew coffee.
It’s a wonderfully refreshing drink on a hot day. I also recommend trying the Iced Yamanaka. Finally, don’t miss Isabel’s vegan desserts. They are divine! My favorites were the maracuya tart and cacao brownie cookies.
Open Wed to Sat 11:30am-9:30pm. Tues & Sun 12pm-6pm. Closed Mondays.
Eat Ceviche
Whenever I find myself in Latin America I always seek it out. In Zone 4 you can try it at Restaurante 7 Caldos. It’s a chain restaurant, but the ceviche is still pretty damn good there. Personally, I recommend the mixto.
Read Next: 10 Cheap Eats in Antigua, Guatemala
Things to Do in Zone 1 Guatemala City (Centro Histรณrico)
Below you’ll find an assortment of things to do in Zone 1 in Guatemala City. These things should be done during the day. Zone 1 is a yellow zone and it’s not the safest area to wander around at night.
Visit La Plaza de la Constituciรณn
This is the center of the city. The plaza is similar to others in Latin America if you’ve seen one before. It’s nothing special, but worth a visit if you’re going downtown. Try a granizada, throw some birdseed to the pigeons, have a peek in La Catedral, or go inside Palacio Nacional and take the free tour.
Wander Around Mercado Central
Next, you should also wander the market and have a look at the local offerings. A mix of colorful fruit vendors, flowers, cheap knick-knacks, souvenirs, and everything in between. This is also an excellent place to sample some food or many of the various postres Guatemaltecos (Guatemalan desserts).
Try Some Street Treats
I always try to eat some street food wherever I go. In Zone 1 you’ll find sweet vendors on the street selling postres callejeros. Churros, granizadas (snow cones), or atole are the ones I remember. Atole is a corn or rice-based beverage made with milk, water, cinnamon, and sugar.
See Iglesia La Merced
Parroquia Nuestra Seรฑora De La Merced is a beautiful baroque-style yellow church with religious art and sculptures inside. The church was constructed in 1813 and reconstructed after the earthquake in 1976. The day I went was a Saturday, so, unfortunately, it was closed. Maybe you’ll have better luck!
You Might Also Like: 9 Best Coffee Shops in Antigua, Guatemala
Two More Things to Do in Guatemala City
Any trip to Guatemala should involve lots and lots of coffee drinking. Guatemala has some of the best coffee in the world. You may have heard?
Visit Teco Coffee House
This coffee house in Zone 10 is owned by Teco and his wife Salo. Teco is a Cup of Excellence judge, the former barista champion of Guatemala in 2014, and has previously been ranked as one of the top 20 baristas in the world.
He’s usually there cupping coffee or hanging out too. If you’re lucky he might prepare your cup!
This is also a great shop to try coffee from Guatemala City itself. On my recent visit, they had a Red Bourbon and a Pacamara from Zone 18. They also have a bean roaster and cupping lab on site!
I was fortunate enough to do a cupping session with Teco. The passion these people have for coffee is undeniable. So if you want to try great coffee, learn something, or get work done with solid Wi-Fi this is the spot.
Open 8am-7pm daily. Closed on Sundays.
Try El Injerto Coffee
Firstly this company has won the Cup of Excellence 9 times! Their family estate coffee comes from Huehuetenango and is some of the best in the country. I bought some of their Pacamara coffee for myself and as a gift.
It won first place as the best coffee in Guatemala seven times! It has hints of pineapple, peach, and tropical fruit. It’s a great place to buy coffee before you head home.
They even bring your coffee in a thermos so that it stays hot. To be poured as you wish. Loved that! They also have coffee classes for those wanting to improve their knowledge. A very friendly staff as well. Take an Uber here in the morning and try it for yourself!
Open 7am-6:30pm Mon-Fri. 9am-1pm Sat. Closed Sunday.
Is Guatemala City Safe?
It’s smart to avoid the red and orange zones of the city that are known to be dangerous. Visit or stay in the green zones of Zone 10 or Zone 9 if you need to be near the airport or Zone 4 if you’re looking to explore a trendy area. You can also visit Zone 1 to see the historic district during the day.
Avoid Zones 3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 17, 18, 19, 21, and 24.
Generally, it’s not smart to stay out late. If you do go out try to go with a group! It’s best to use Uber or radio taxis at night. Don’t carry valuables or dress too fancy. If your accommodation has a safe or lockers, use them for your important stuff.
It’s not considered safe to take the camionetas (also known as chicken buses, although some locals find the term offensive) in Guatemala City or to and from there either. However, I definitely recommend you try them in Antigua or elsewhere.
There are risks in any big city, but if you follow this advice and use common sense you should be fine.
Looking for Adventure in Guatemala? A Night Hike of Volcan Santa Maria for Sunrise in Xela
Where to Stay in Guatemala City
- Zone 4 Hotel: Good Hotel Guatemala City 9.0/10
- Zone 4 Hostel with Lockers: Tequila Sunrise Hostel 8.1/10
- Zone 10 One Bedroom Apartment: Casa Mesa 9.2/10
- Zone 10 Hotel Near the Airport: Eco Suites Uxlabil Guatemala 8.5/10
Final Thoughts
Lastly, if you want to give the city a chance I think you should. There’s definitely enough going on to spend a day or two there. I liked it overall. If you’re arriving in Guatemala City or flying home take a little extra time to check it out. In my opinion, if you have the time, it’s not worth skipping entirely.
Two additional places I heard good things about but didn’t visit myself were the Museo Popol Vuh and Museo Miraflores if you’re interested in Maya history or visiting museums. Thanks for reading and safe travels!
Have you ever been to a city that other people seem to skip over?
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