What are the best things to do in Guatemala City?
Top picks in Guatemala City include National Palace of Culture, La Aurora Zoo, Parque Central (Plaza de la Constitucion). See the full list and itinerary on this Guatemala City travel guide.
🇬🇹 Guatemala travel guide
North America · Central America
Guatemala City Travel Guide
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Photo: Rene Hernandez · CC BY-SA 2.0
Why visit Guatemala City
Travel guide for Guatemala City, Guatemala — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Guatemala City is a stop in Guatemala, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 1 days. If time is short, prioritise National Palace of Culture, La Aurora Zoo, Parque Central (Plaza de la Constitucion) instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 35–90 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Guatemala City
1
National Palace of Culture
2
La Aurora Zoo
3
Parque Central (Plaza de la Constitucion)
Plan your trip
Guatemala City itinerary (1 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit National Palace of Culture
- Visit La Aurora Zoo
- Visit Parque Central (Plaza de la Constitucion)
- Eat at Hacienda Real
Budget
Guatemala City trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 35–90
per person / day
Luxury
USD 105–170+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Guatemala City
Estimated total (USD)
$1,900
≈ $950 per person · $271 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $65/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Guatemala City mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 35–90 · luxury 105–170+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Hacienda Real
5A Avenida 14-67, Zona 10. One of the best places for steak. Try the tortillas with guacamole, frijoles (beans) and chorizo for starters, an
Tre Fratelli
Mainly Italian food.
Tamarindos
5 Avenida 9-27, Zona 10. Asian fusion cuisine, duck, ostrich, steak, shrimps, and maybe the best sushi in the city. Try the Moo Shu Duck, th
Restaurante Fridas
Mexican food. Chicken fajitas, Tortilla soup, pechuga de pollo en salsa de mango, pay azteca, a la flauta flautas, and for starters the ques
Tapas y Cañas
13 Calle 7-78, Zona 10. Spanish tapas. Try pinchos españoles, pinchos de pollo and albondigas de lomito. You have a choice between sitting i
Hooters
Avenida La Reforma 16-01, Zona 10, local 18. The same as the ones in the USA.
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Hotel Spring
Double room US$22. English spoken. Situated in the colonial house, it has a nice cafeteria in the courtyard. But one annoying thing is that
- $
Hilton Garden Inn
One mile from Aurora international airport. Free shuttle.
- $$
Hostal GuateFriends
In Zona 13, one minute from La Aurora International Airport, safe, private parking, affordable, breakfast, lunch and dinner, international f
- $$
Pension Meza
In Zona 1, near the Parque Central, safe, cheap, basic.
- $
Dos Lunas Guest House
Free services included: airport transfer to or from La Aurora airport, breakfast and WiFi internet. Close to the airport.
Shopping
- Lin-Canola
- Librería SOPHOS
- Artemis Edinter
- Mundo de los Libros a Domicilio Guatemala
- Gran Centro Los Próceres
- Unicentro
Nightlife
- 4 Grados Norte
- El Establo
- Genetic Majestic Club
Museums & culture
- National Palace of Culture
In pictures
Guatemala City gallery
Photos: Rene Hernandez, Gobierno de Guatemala, George Revline, Fabriccio Díaz, Unknown authorUnknown author — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Guatemala City travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Guatemala City?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Guatemala City?
Plan at least 1 days in Guatemala City for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Guatemala City?
Popular stays in Guatemala City include Hotel Spring, Hilton Garden Inn, Hostal GuateFriends. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Guatemala City cost?
On the ground in Guatemala City (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 35–90, and luxury about 105–170+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
