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 capital of Guatemala and home to 994,938 people. It is an inland city divided into numbered zones. Zona 1, the old centre, has Plaza de la Constitución, the National Palace of Culture, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Paseo de la Sexta and Mercado Central. Zona 10 has the Museo Popol Vuh and the Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena. The best months to visit are December, January, February and March.
Most main sights take 1 to 2 hours each. The National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in Zona 13 takes 2 to 3 hours. Sights are grouped by zone, so plan your time around Zona 1, Zona 10 and Zona 13.
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 |
Dry and mild, with highs of 23.4°C, lows of 12.5°C and about 7 rain days. Scores 8.6, one of the best months.
The top-scoring month at 9.2. Highs reach 24.9°C, rain falls on about 4 days and the sun shines for 11.1 hours a day.
Warm and dry, with highs of 26.6°C, only about 5 rain days and 22 mm of rain. A best month, scoring 8.8.
The warmest month, with highs of 27.5°C. Rain days rise to about 9 as the wet season nears. Rated good, at 7.4.
The rains arrive, with about 19 rain days and 128 mm. Highs stay at 26.4°C. The lowest score of the year, 6.8, but still rated good.
Tough weather: this is the wettest month, with 254 mm of rain over about 25 days. Highs drop to 23.9°C. Still rated good, at 7.
Rain eases a little, to about 20 days and 142 mm. Highs of 24°C and 10.9 hours of sun a day. Rated good, at 7.
Wet, with about 22 rain days and 179 mm of rain. Highs of 24.6°C and lows of 15.3°C. Rated good, at 7.
Tough weather: rain falls on about 25 days, the most of the year, with 215 mm in total. Highs of 24.1°C. Rated good, at 7.
Still wet, with about 22 rain days and 173 mm of rain. Highs fall to 23.1°C and sun drops to 9.8 hours. Rated good, at 7.
The rains fade, with about 13 rain days and 74 mm. Highs of 22.4°C are the coolest of the year. Rated best, at 7.5.
The dry season returns, with about 7 rain days and 18 mm of rain. Highs of 22.9°C and lows of 13°C. Rated best, at 8.7.
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.
Guatemala City's own street hot dog: a toasted bun with sausage or other meats, guacamole, cabbage and sauces. Locals buy them from street carts, often late in the evening.
A thick stew of chicken or beef in a sauce of roasted seeds, chillies and tomatoes, often called Guatemala's national dish. It is usually served with rice and tortillas at a family lunch.
Small, firm corn tamales filled with meat and tomato sauce and wrapped in corn husks. People eat them as a snack from street stalls and markets, often with salsa and grated cheese.
Larger tamales with a red tomato sauce, meat and sometimes olives or peppers, wrapped in banana leaves. Many families make them on Saturdays and for Christmas Eve.
Mashed plantain shaped around a sweet filling of black beans and chocolate, then fried and dusted with sugar. They are a common dessert or afternoon snack from bakeries and street vendors.
A large cold salad of cured meats, sausages, cheeses, pickled vegetables and beets. Families prepare it once a year for All Saints' Day and share it with relatives.
Best: Jan, Feb
Best: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
Best: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
The best time to visit Guatemala City is December to March. This is the dry season. February scores highest at 9.2, with only 4.1 rain days, 14 mm of rain and 11.1 hours of sun. Days are mild, with highs between 22.9°C in December and 26.6°C in March. Nights are cool, with lows of 12.5°C to 14°C.
The rainy season in Guatemala City runs from May to October. May brings 19.1 rain days, and June is the wettest month with 254 mm. September has the most rain days at 25. November is a transition month, with 12.5 rain days and 74 mm. Even in the wet months, the city still gets 9.3 to 10.9 hours of sun a day. Every month from May to October scores as good.
Yes, August is a good month for Guatemala City, with a score of 7. Expect rain on about 21.7 days and around 179 mm in total. Temperatures stay pleasant, with highs of 24.6°C and lows of 15.3°C. The sun still shines for about 10.8 hours a day. Pack a rain jacket and plan indoor museum visits as a backup.
Guatemala City is mild all year and never gets very hot. April is the warmest month, with highs of 27.5°C. December and January are the coolest, with highs near 23°C. Nights can feel fresh, especially in January, when lows drop to 12.5°C. Bring a light jacket for evenings in any season.
Plan at least a full day for the historic centre in Zona 1, plus extra time for the museums. In Zona 1, Plaza de la Constitución and Mercado Central take about 1 hour each, the National Palace of Culture 1–2 hours, and Paseo de la Sexta 1–2 hours. The National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in Zona 13 needs 2–3 hours. Museo Popol Vuh and Museo Ixchel in Zona 10 take 1–2 hours each.
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