What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Photo: Fernando Reyes Palencia / Wikimedia Commons
Guatemala City is the country's political and commercial hub, with almost 1 million people spread across numbered zones. Visitors usually spend time in Zona 1, the historic centre, with its colonial-era Plaza de la Constitución, National Palace of Culture and Metropolitan Cathedral, then move to Zona 10 and Zona 13 for museums covering Maya textiles and archaeology. The best months to visit are December, January, February and March, when conditions are driest and most comfortable for walking around the different zones.
Most of the main sights, from Zona 1's historic core to the museums in Zona 10 and Zona 13, can be covered in 2 days, with an extra half-day if you want to add Kaminaljuyu Archaeological Park.
Zona 1
The main square of the historic centre, also called Parque Central, is lined by the cathedral and the National Palace. It is the easiest place to start a walk around the old city, and on weekends locals come here to meet, eat and shop from street sellers.
Zona 1
This large green-stone former government building stands on the north side of the main square. Guided tours show its courtyards, murals and ceremonial rooms, and explain key moments in the country's political history.
Zona 1
The city's main Catholic cathedral faces the east side of the main square. Inside you can see colonial religious art. The pillars outside carry the names of people who disappeared during the civil war.
Zona 10
This museum at Francisco Marroquín University holds one of the country's best collections of Maya pottery, figurines and carvings, plus colonial art. Its clear displays give good background before you visit Maya sites elsewhere in Guatemala.
Zona 10
Next to Museo Popol Vuh on the same campus, this museum covers the hand-woven clothing of Guatemala's Indigenous communities. It explains how patterns and colours differ from village to village, which helps you read the textiles you will see in highland markets.
Zona 13
The largest collection of Maya objects in the country, including carved stone monuments, jade and a scale model of Tikal. It sits in the La Aurora park area, close to several other museums.
Zona 7
These are the remains of an important early Maya city, now surrounded by modern neighbourhoods. Most of the site is grassy mounds, but covered areas show excavated structures and drainage channels, and the visit is a reminder of how old the valley's settlement is.
Zona 2
Known locally as the Mapa en Relieve, this is a huge outdoor model of the whole country with exaggerated mountains and volcanoes. It is viewed from raised platforms in Parque Minerva and gives a quick sense of Guatemala's geography.
Zona 1
Sexta Avenida is the historic centre's pedestrian street. It runs south from the main square past old buildings, shops, cafés and street performers, and it is the most pleasant way to walk through Zona 1.
Zona 1
The central market is behind the cathedral, partly underground. Look for handicrafts and textiles from around the country, flower and food stalls, and simple places to eat local dishes. It is crowded, so keep valuables close.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best month: January | 23°C / 13°C | 7 days (21 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 8.6/10 |
| Best month: February | 25°C / 13°C | 4 days (14 mm) | 11.1 h/day | 9.2/10 |
| Best month: March | 27°C / 14°C | 5 days (22 mm) | 11.5 h/day | 8.8/10 |
| April | 28°C / 15°C | 9 days (39 mm) | 11.5 h/day | 7.4/10 |
| May | 26°C / 16°C | 19 days (128 mm) | 10.6 h/day | 6.8/10 |
| June | 24°C / 16°C | 25 days (254 mm) | 9.3 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| July | 24°C / 15°C | 20 days (142 mm) | 10.9 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| August | 25°C / 15°C | 22 days (179 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| September | 24°C / 15°C | 25 days (215 mm) | 10.1 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| October | 23°C / 15°C | 22 days (173 mm) | 9.8 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| November | 22°C / 14°C | 13 days (74 mm) | 10.2 h/day | 7.5/10 |
| Best month: December | 23°C / 13°C | 7 days (18 mm) | 10.5 h/day | 8.7/10 |
Highs reach 23°C with only 7 rain days, giving dry, pleasant conditions; a best-rated month, ideal for sightseeing on foot.
The top-scoring month, with highs of 25°C and just 4.1 rain days, making this the driest, sunniest stretch of the year.
Warm and dry, with highs of 27°C, 4.7 rain days and 11.5 sun hours a day; another best-rated month for exploring.
Temperatures peak at 27.5°C and rain starts creeping in with 9.2 rain days; still a good month overall before the wet season begins.
The rainy season arrives hard: 19.1 rain days and 128mm of rain, so expect frequent downpours, though it still rates as good.
The wettest month, with 254mm of rain over 24.6 days and lower sun hours at 9.3; tough weather, but this is peak green season.
Rain stays heavy with 142mm over 19.7 days, though highs hold near 24°C; still rated good despite the frequent showers.
Rainfall climbs again to 179mm over 21.7 days with highs of 24.6°C; a wet but still workable month for travel.
The second-wettest month, with 215mm of rain across 25 days and the lowest sun hours of the year at 10.1; heavy, humid weather defines this month.
Rain remains frequent at 21.8 days and 173mm, with highs around 23°C; still rated good as the wet season starts to ease.
Rain drops sharply to 12.5 days and 74mm, with highs of 22.4°C, pushing this into a best-rated month as the dry season returns.
Dry and cool, with highs of 23°C and only 6.7 rain days, rounding out the year as one of the best months to visit.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit Guatemala →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for creatives, cafés, short stays
Zona 4 has been reshaped around Cuatro Grados Norte, a walkable strip of cafés, galleries and small bars set among older buildings. It sits between the historic centre and Zona 10, which makes getting around fairly simple. Away from the renovated streets it can feel patchy and empty at night.
Good for history lovers, budget travellers
The historic centre in Zona 1 has the Plaza de la Constitución, the cathedral, the National Palace and Sexta Avenida, a long pedestrian street. Staying here puts you next to the city's main sights and its older architecture. Many streets get very quiet after dark, so most visitors take a taxi at night instead of walking.
Good for families, quiet, business travellers
Zona 14 is a leafy residential area south of Zona 10, with tall apartment blocks, embassies and calm streets. It suits travellers who want a peaceful base while still being close to Zona 10's restaurants. It is far from the historic centre, and you will rely on cars to get almost anywhere.
Good for early flights, museum visits
Zona 13 is home to La Aurora International Airport, the zoo and a cluster of national museums, including archaeology and modern art. It is practical for a first or last night around a flight. Aircraft noise can be noticeable, and there is little evening life compared with Zona 10.
Typical journey times and fares from the airport and other cities.
| Route | By | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guatemala City → Quetzaltenango First-class Pullman buses, about 4 hours. Operators include Transportes Alamo, Línea Dorada, Galgos and Fuente del Norte. Buy tickets at the company's own bus station in Zona 1 or Zona 7 of the capital, or in Xela. Tickets are usually on sale just before departure. Several departures run each day. Check the times with the company, because the published schedules are not recent. | bus | 4 h | 75–100 GTQ ↗ |
| Guatemala City → Livingston No road goes to Livingston. Take a Litegua bus to Puerto Barrios: about 13 departures a day, around 5h55m, from USD 25 on Busbud. Then take a lancha across Amatique Bay, about 30 min. Lancha fares differ by source, roughly Q30–50. Fast boats leave when full, from about 6:00 to 17:00. The total time does not include the wait for a boat. Another way in is the collective boat from Río Dulce through the river canyon: about Q115–125, 1–2.5 h, morning and early-afternoon departures. | bus | 6 h 25 min | – ↗ |
Places within 2½ hours by train, bus, ferry or car.
bus · 15–20 USD
Shared tourist shuttle. Adrenalina Tours charges USD 15 and picks up at La Aurora airport and at hotels in the city. Its fare includes 1 large bag and 1 handbag, and each extra bag costs USD 10. Airport shuttle desks charge about USD 15–20, cash only. Welcome Pickups gives about 120 min for the airport shuttle, and the time depends a lot on city traffic. The Adrenalina page does not give a journey time. Public chicken buses cost about Q20–30.
This thick meat stew is made with a roasted spice and seed base, often with chicken or beef. It's considered a national dish and shows up at family gatherings and local comedores in Guatemala City.
A turkey broth spiced with achiote and local herbs, giving it a deep red color. It's traditionally a Mayan dish and is still served in markets and traditional kitchens around the capital.
Peppers stuffed with a mix of meat and vegetables, then fried or baked. Locals eat these as a main course, often sold by street vendors or in small family-run eateries.
Corn dough filled with meat or vegetables, wrapped in banana leaves or corn husks and steamed. They're a common breakfast or dinner item, especially popular during holidays and weekends in the city.
Sweet plantain dumplings filled with black beans and sometimes chocolate, then fried. These are a popular snack or dessert found at street stalls throughout Guatemala City.
Best: Jan, Feb
Best: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
Best: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
Yes, but expect rain. August scores 7 out of 10, rated 'good'. It has 21.7 rain days and 179mm of rainfall, with a high of 24.6°C. Showers tend to come in bursts, often in the afternoon, so mornings are usually drier for sightseeing.
The best months are February, March, December and January. February scores highest at 9.2 out of 10, with a high of 24.9°C, only 4.1 rain days and 11.1 hours of sun. These months fall in the dry season, so streets stay drier and skies are clearer than the rest of the year.
Two days covers the main sights. The city's attractions are grouped by zone: Zona 1 has the Plaza de la Constitución, National Palace, Cathedral and Paseo de la Sexta, each taking 30 minutes to 2 hours. Zona 10's museums and the Zona 13 archaeology museum (2–3 hours) can fill a second day.
Yes, June is one of the wettest months. It has 24.6 rain days and 254mm of rain, the highest monthly total in the data. Temperatures stay mild, with a high of 23.9°C and low of 15.8°C, so it's warm rain rather than cold rain.
December is dry and mild, scoring 8.7 out of 10. It has only 6.7 rain days and 18mm of rain, with a high of 22.9°C and low of 13°C. Sun hours reach 10.5, making it one of the clearer months to walk around the Zona 1 historic center.
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