About Guatemala

Guatemala City, located in a mountain valley, is the economic, governmental and cultural capital of Guatemala. It’s the biggest and most populated city of Central America, with a population of over four million people.

The New Guatemala de La Asunción is the forth and last capital founded. The first capital of Guatemala was founded by Don Pedro de Alvarado in Iximché in 1524 but the hostilities of the Cakchiquels against Alvarado caused the abandonment of the Spanish city. The next capital was founded in 1527 in the valley of Almolonga, known as Ciudad Vieja. This city suffered a terrible flood of water and mud. The tragedy caused a third moving to the valley of Panchoy. The third city known today as Antigua Guatemala; was destroyed by the terrible earthquake of Santa Marta in 1773. The New Guatemala de la Asunción was founded two years later in the valley of La Ermita.

The capital of Guatemala is the main business center of the country. Since its founding, the city was developed in phases, which can be seen clearly in different zones, each having a distinct architectural style. In the Historical Center you will find colonial and neoclassical architecture.

Guatemala City has been subdivided into 25 zones. The zone 1 is the center of the city; the important buildings like the Cathedral and the National Palace are located in this area.

Although many tourists coming to Guatemala avoid staying in the city and head straight to other areas, there are several places to explore around the city for those who decide to give Guatemala City a try. The city can be chaotic, peaceful, interesting or shocking depending on what part of the city you are. But it’s definetly a different place with a distinctive taste that is worth visiting.

There are more than 20 museums. The Archaeology and Ethnology museum and the Ixel museum of traditional costumes are very interesting and easy accessible. In the city you can buy artisan pieces, textiles, jewelry, coffee, etc.

The relief map was made in 1905; it is a 3D map of the topography of Guatemala. Organized tours of the city are also given; they include visiting the Historical Center, Artisan’s Market, malls, and cultural centers.

The modern Guatemala City even has a group of mayan ruins within it’s confines called Kaminal Juyú dated to around 150 AD, an important and developed mayan city.

Nightlife: Most nightclubs, restaurants, bars and discotheques are located in the zone 10. (Most known as Zona Viva or hotel area)

Central Market: It is located in the center of the city, behind the Cathedral in zone 1. Here you can buy artisan pieces, jewelry, textiles, masks, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Central Park: With the Metropolitan Cathedral in the background, the Central Park constitutes the Civic Center of the City.

Metropolitan Cathedral: was designed by the Spanish architect Marcos Ibáñez. It is approximately 300 feet long by 100 wide. The first pipe organ in the country was installed here in 1937.