Things to Do in Guatemala City, Guatemala - Guatemala City Must-See Attractions
Things to Do in Guatemala City
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Historical Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$60- fromper adult (price varies by group size)$125
Historical Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$136
Historical Toursfromper adult$398
Historical Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$416
Historical Toursfrom$135per adult (price varies by group size)$115- fromper adult$80
Bus Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$94
Street Art Tourfromper adult$35- fromper adult (price varies by group size)$114
Other Top Attractions around Guatemala City
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travelers are saying
- Fiona KMelbourne, Australia15 contributionsMuch better than I was expecting. The zoo was actually quite big. There is a place to eat food before or after going to see all the animals. Most animals seemed well cared for except there was only one elephant, which I expect is very lonely. They need to work on population control with their baboons and gazelles, there were far too many for the size of their enclosures.Written August 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Vanessa BColorado Springs, CO13 contributionsBeautiful city with lots of blooms flowers and parks, lovely Church and many stairs to fancy stores and creative restaurants, definitely a place to see and enjoy the view as well, I did the zip line witch was greatWritten April 25, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- betiverPanama City, Panama11 contributionsWell organized and maintained, and prices are very reasonable.
Interestingly they don’t allow sandals (Birkenstock or similars) in water rides.Written March 17, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Penelope8 contributionsThis is a fantastic introduction to Mayan history, along with the textile museum on the same site. And if you go to the museums first before a trip to markets, it puts all the work, all the skill, into perspective. I learnt new things, and I was fascinated by the jade work and obsidian. I had a guide who was also able to tell me much more how it all linked together. I highly recommend incorporating it into a visit to the city.Written April 21, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TravelandfoodSingapore, Singapore278 contributionsA nice mall with plenty of options for shopping and dining. Does not have enough restrooms for its size. You must walk the entire mall to reach restrooms.Written January 3, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ian GLondon, UK42 contributionsI haven't been to this museum for decades, but it has recently been renovated (Nov 23) and it is fabulous. On a par with anywhere I've seen in the world. The contents are great - and they're all beautifully presented. I've always told visitors to Guatemala not to bother with the City, but this is definitely worth a visit. It's near the airport, so visit when you arrive, before you explore the country.Written April 10, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Julie W9 contributionsFor a fairly small museum, there is a ton to see and the clothing/textiles on display are gorgeous! As a crafter but not a weaver, I found the different styles of weaving and embellishments/embroidery fascinating. Great displays and photos. The staff were very nice and the shop has great products too. Definitely worth a visit! The museum is on the university campus so there is ample parking, easy dropoff/pickup by Uber, and a nice shaded courtyard between this museum and Popol Vuh.Written November 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LandoBelize City, Belize9 contributionsTour was very good with plenty of historical information. Many beautiful symbolic paintings. Tour cost is Q40 and lasts around 45 minutes to an hour. Tour was done in spanish with english translation.Written August 6, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- trisharaewong44new york city114 contributionsSuper awesome chic plaza with a bunch of restaurants and shops. Very safe establishment with an abundance of security throughout the whole establishment. It was safe to walk there during the day time with my husband from Barcelo hotel. The hardest part of the walk might have been crossing the streets. However at night it looks a bit sketchy, thankfully it was only (at the time of this review) about a 25 Quetzal Uber ride back to Barcelo. If I was staying at El Camino Real hotel I might have walked back since it would have been only a five minute walk.
The best restaurant there might be Little India on the second level they know how to make food really tasty and spicy, better than the UK. Definitely check out the super chic book store also on the second level.
I think this Plaza is perfect for when you’re hungry and have limited time and energy and want something close to your hotel without making a lot of effort. The standard and quality of this plaza in my opinion is nicer than Cayalá.Written March 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Luv2TravelFarNWideAtenas, Costa Rica1,352 contributionsOnly 10 minutes from the airport, this upscale part of the city offers a variety of "better" hotels, restaurants, shopping, clubs, casino, etc. Always felt safe walking around (although we were never out late night).
Biggest problem is if you're doing tours out of the city, you will be spending at least an hour or more getting out of the city and another hour or more getting back into the city after the tour. And this was true 6 days a week!Written March 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Myo MCoquitlam, Canada26,599 contributionsReally "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").Written December 6, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - The Wandering ReviewerMelbourne, Australia11,931 contributionsI stopped at a market stall to look at a headband (which I bought) and began chatting with the vendor.
Meet Fiorella. Born in Antigua in 1971, she was fortunate enough to attend school for a few years but then had to support her family both on the farm as well as caring for her younger siblings.
Fiorella and her husband Ervon (who is quite frail at 56), have their own stall in the market and feel very privileged to stock this 2m x 3m space with tourist paraphernalia. Fiorella displays the usual popular traveller items. However, what stood out to me was the huipil (pronounced wē-pēel) she was wearing.
The intricately embroidered blouse was paired with a woven skirt. The skirt wraps around the body and then fastened with a woven sash called a faja (fah-hah).
My home stay host had me try one on and it’s a heavy and a hot outfit to wear.
These clothes and similar items combine weaving, dyeing, and needlework techniques that date back to the local Mayan culture.
Fiorella’s forte is hand sewing and embroidery. The blouse / top she is wearing (huipil) she sewed herself. Plus she sews them for all of her children. One huipil takes her 3 months to make and assemble.
Just take that in:
Three
Long
Months!
As a Mayan woman, she is proud to pass this tradition down through her family, particularly as Guatemala is one of the few countries in the world where these ancient textile arts still thrive.
We chatted for about a half hour using google translate, her little English and my appalling Spanish and another vendor who wanted to practice her English with me. We shared stories of our families and lives. I showed her a photo of my son Tiger and it made her jaw drop - “es un gigante”! Mayan people can often be short in stature.
During the 30 minutes we chatted, Fiorella continued to try and sell me more crafts but I declined.
I felt a strength in this woman, not unlike I’ve felt many times across the globe where women are the life-blood of the home and underpin their family’s journey. Her story touched me as many do.
Strength.
Resilience.
Conviction.
Humbleness.
Devotion to family.
When I left, I took her hand with a smile and gave it a gentle squeeze, passing into her palm $10 USA note. I typed into google translate: “From one mother to another. You are an amazing mother, wife and daughter. I wish you all the best in the future”.
Her head cocked slightly as she looked at the transcription and passed to her friend who could read (yes 65% of people Fiorella’s age cannot read in Guatemala: TBC). Her friend translated. She looked at me quizzically and smiled, then grinned, then a tear trickled down her cheek.
“Gracias Gracias preciouso mama”.
I put my palms together in a gesture of gratefulness 🙏 and nodded. She nodded back at me, her eyes now filled with tears.
It was time for me to pay it forward.
Thank you Fiorella for sharing and grounding me!
@intrepidtravel #intrepidtravel #bestofcentralamerica #guatemalamarket #antiguamarket #supportwomen
#payitforwardWritten June 20, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
