Guatemala flag in front of national bank

Guatemala City

Ignore the rhetoric of ‘dangerous’ and ‘ugly’, Guatemala City is vibrant, fun, and plenty safe.

So many personal travel blogs wrongly tell travellers to avoid Guatemala City, citing danger, ugliness, and lack of activities as reason to skip this city and head straight to Antigua. They cannot be more wrong. If you want something exciting and interesting, somewhere you can understand and experience an array of Guatemalan culture past and present, then you want to visit Guatemala City.

More established travel sites such as Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, and Culture Trip all have good things to say about Guatemala City. It was through reading these that I knew I had to spend at least one full day here, despite what other travel bloggers have said. (And I have to wonder how many travel bloggers are actually writing from their own experiences of Guatemala City.) My advice to you would be to check the date of publication when reading about Guatemala City. A lot has changed in a seemingly short time. What Fodor’s Travel refers to Zona 4 as a ‘seedy area’ is now a hip and trendy arts district known for its craft breweries, colourful street art, and many bars and eateries.

As a general guide, Zona 1 and Zona 4 are the more interesting and lively areas to visit. Zona 1 is the historic city centre. As with any busy major city centre, it is generally safe during the day and evening, but be sure to have a plan for nights so you are not lost and roaming the streets in the dark alone. Zona 4 is a safe and great place to hang out day and night if you are looking to socialise. Zona 9 and 10 are quieter and more upscale areas with plenty of shopping malls and restaurants to entertain you. Zona 13 and 14 are quieter still and considered the wealthy suburban area of Guatemala City. All of these zonas, also including zona 2 and zona 11, are considered safe.

Zona 1

As reference, Zona 1 is like being in downtown Los Angeles, California; Leicester Square in London, UK; or Avenida 1 in San Jose, Costa Rica. All busy areas that require you to have your wits about you, but not inherently dangerous areas.

Zona 1, sometimes referred to as ‘the old city’ is the historic district of Guatemala City.

With Zona 1, because it is so busy and bustling, I was more aware of having my possessions close to me, as you would be in any major city. I’d also avoid walking around on my own at night in Zona 1 and instead opted to have Uber’s drop me off at locations in this area instead.

Things to do in Guatemala City, Zona 1

Learn about the history of Guatemala from the Spanish invasion up to the 1950s at the National History Museum.
Feel the buzz of Constitution Plaza which is bordered by Palacio Nacional de la Cultura, Catedral Metropolitana, and La Sexta walkway.
Explore the large underground market of Mercado Central de Guatemala. Definitely don’t skip the food hall.
For a change from the colonial architecture in central zona 1, head towards Banco de Guatemala to see more modern architecture and pay a visit to the free museum.
The large relief map in Zona 2, Mapa en Relieve de Guatemala, has received numerous good reviews, althgouh I didn’t visit here myself.
There aren’t a whole load of green spaces in the city, so if you’d like a dose of nature, head north to Ciudad Nueva Ecological Park.
For some evening entertainment, try Las Cien Puertas for a drink and some snacks. An atmospheric courtyard with ‘a hundred’ doors.

Zona 4

Zona 4 is the hip, trendy, culture district. Plenty of places to eat and drink, and plenty of art and culture events to immerse yourself in. I stayed in Zona 4 and found it a very safe area to walk around on your own day and night. There is also a great LGBTQ+ scene here.

Things to do in Guatemala City, Zona 4

A huge culture hub, Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias is a complex that houses the National Theatre, including the main theatre, a chamber theatre, and an outdoor theatre. The architecture alone is reason enough to pay a visit.
Get a taste of some local brew at these craft beer bars: El Principe Gris, Øl: Centro Cultural Cervecero and Cuatro Altares.
To view some art shows and musical events, look up what’s happening at La Erre.
See some live local music at Trova Jazz. Not just showcasing jazz music, this venue was buzzing every night of my stay.
A great spot for date night, catching up with friends, or soaking up the atmosphere solo, Casa del Aguila Cultural Center houses various restaurants, bars and cafes.
For creative dishes that use fresh, local, market produce, try Mercado 24.
For an extra fun night out, check out the LGBTQ+ friendly nightclubs: Genetic Majestic Club and G Bistro & Lounge.

Zona 10

A little quieter, a little more upscale, zona 10 is a more commercial area with shopping malls and restaurants. There are 2 great museums about culture and the indigenous Maya population that I’d recommend visiting in this area, and they are located near the university. Stay in this area if you’re prioritising comfort in your accommodation. Again a safe area to walk around alone day or night, although it is quiet. I spent 1 night in this area at Central Hostel, and although the area was nice, I much preferred the hostel (Tequila Sunrise) and the buzz in zona 4.

Things to do in Guatemala City, Zona 10

As you will have noticed, Mayan textiles are bright and beautiful. To learn about the history behind the cloth, and see some wonderful exhibits of indigenous dress, head to Museo Ixchel de Traje Indigena.
Next door to Museo Ixchel is the popular museum Museo Popol Vuh, a museum on Guatemalan culture and history.
Treat yourself to some serious retail therapy at these malls: AVIA, Fontabella, and Oakland Mall, great places to escape the rain.
Some of the best restaurants in Guatemala City can be found in zona 10. Be prepared to pay a little extra for some delicious dishes. Try La Maison, Casa Escobar, Le Rendezvous, Espectacular Restaurante, or Palermo.

to Xela

Need to knows

Safe and tourist friendly zones: 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 13, 14.

And I’d recommend taking Uber as a cost-effective and secure travel option.

Special Recommendations

Food: Espectacular Restaurante

Attractions: Walk around the different zonas and get a feel of the city.

Accommodation: Hostel Tequila Sunrise

R’s take

I was pleasantly surprised by Guatemala City. Stick south to be truly at ease in regard to personal safety. Central and north areas of the city are still safe, but busy, so keep your wits about you.

Guatemala City has a bad reputation as being a city high in crime. This primarily came about due to mass internal migration to the city in the 1970s. Migrants were typically coming from impoverished rural areas in the country. This rapid increase in the city’s population put a strain on the city’s infrastructure and resulted in a surge in crime. While rural migration still continues today, the city has had time to grow, adapt and improve. Although some areas may still be considered ‘unsafe’ for tourists, this is no different to any other major city. In fact, a lot of Guatemala City has undergone investment and regeneration. Areas that were once derelict and ‘dangerous’ are now buzzing hubs filled with restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Violent crime rates are considerably higher here compared to other countries in the ‘Western world’, however tourists are unlikely to be victims of such crimes. These crimes are usually linked to gangs, drug trafficking, and other organised crimes. Instead, as a tourist you are more likely to be at risk of petty theft, pick-pocketing, and scams. As with any crowded areas, keep your personal items close, and your wits about you. If visiting quiet or rural areas, try not to explore unfamiliar areas alone. Instead, ask the locals about general safety in new areas, and this should give you a fair judgement.

Zonas in Guatemala City that are broadly considered tourist friendly include: 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14. Zonas 10, 13 and 14 are particularly safe as they are considered the more suburban and high-end areas of Guatemala City.

Why do people think that Guatemala City is so dangerous? and how safe is Guatemala City?

What is the weather like in Guatemala City?

Because of its altitude, Guatemala City is warm, but not as hot and as humid as other Central American cities. Temperatures usually sit around 20 °C, although the presence of wind or direct sun can make that feel cooler or hotter, respectively. The rainy season occurs between May to October, where most afternoons will have heavy rain.

How to get to and from Guatemala City airport

There is no direct public transport options to or from Guatemala City Airport, as in there is no official airport stop. Apparently, it is possible to take a bus to a stop close to the airport and then walk the rest of the way, but it’s not clear to me what path you’d walk.

By bus (Apparently. I haven’t tried to option and from online maps it’s not obvious whether you can walk from the stop to the airport): The Transmetro #13 bus can take you between the La Aurora International Airport, and central Guatemala City. The stop for the airport is Fuerza Aerea, although I haven't been able to distinguish what the walking route is between this stop and the entrance to the airport. There are various stops for Guatemala City depending on what area you are aiming for, Zona 1, Zona 9 or Zona 4. Here is a link to a website with the bus routes: https://metrorouteatlas.net/cities/central_america/ciudaddeguatemala.html Bus fares cost 10Q and are paid via contactless payment on boarding.

By taxi: There are taxi ranks just outside the airport where you can pay for a taxi to transport you to your destination. Yellow taxi cabs use taximeters, White taxi cabs do not use meters, so make sure to negotiate a price before starting your journey. A ride into central Guatemala City should take around 15-20 minutes.

By Uber: In my opinion, Uber is the easiest option as you don’t need to negotiate a price, the route is clearly laid out for you, and the additional safety features. In Guatemala, Uber is very affordable - a trip from the airport to my hostel in Zone 10 (8 minutes) cost around 30Q. Wi-Fi is available in the airport, however once you leave the arrivals building there is no Wi-Fi connection, so make sure to confirm your Uber before leaving this section. If you do leave happen to leave the arrivals building, you can return to the tourist information desks and ask for their Wi-Fi password.

By prebooked shuttle: This is a good option if you are looking to travel to a destination outside of Guatemala City, or if you are arriving/departing and obscure times. There are loads of options to book from. Some companies are listed on the La Aurora website, more options can be found on GuateGo. Additionally, your accommodation should also be able to help arrange transportation for you.

Where should I stay in Guatemala City?

If you are looking for comfort and style in your stay, I’d recommend zona 10 and the surrounding areas. If you want to be based in a more lively area, close to evening entertainment, then I’d recommend zona 4. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend Zona 1 just because it is so busy and not as safe as the other areas at nighttime. However, if you are in a group and/or more comfortable with your surroundings, zona 1 could be a good option for affordable accommodation close to some of the major tourist attractions.

Accommodation options are limited, particularly for hostels or similar price-range alternatives, but I’ve listed some suggestions below:

Tequila Sunrise Hostel
Central Hostel
Hotel Bluehouse
Hotel Spring
El Prado apartments