Portray of the Destination
Being a mixture of traditional and modern features, this city is regarded as the most cosmopolitan metropolis in Central America; it is situated inn the beautiful Ermita valley, where an outstanding mountain range and volcanoes appear beyond. By the end of the 18th C, a devastating earthquake destroyed the old Spanish capital, which nowadays is known as “Antigua” [Old City]; hence, it was moved to its current location, “Nueva Ciudad de Guatemala” [New City of Guatemala].

This large city has a hectic cultural life and offers the most important museums, galleries, exhibitions, and theaters in the country. Here, you will be able to enjoy the Guatemalan works of art as well as significant hotel facilities and restaurants. Further, it houses big pedestrian and shopping centers, and leisure areas.

The most fascinating treasures include the historical center –which will take you back to past-, the outstanding cathedrals and churches, parks and gardens, luxurious hotels and the Central Market. You should visit the National Museum of Archeology and Ethnology displaying an interesting cultural heritage as well as the Kaminal Juyú archeological site, a buried Mayan city that used to be a jade and obsidian trade center.

On the outskirts of the city, you can enjoy the widest variety of leisure activities such as climbing volcanoes, swimming in the recreational centers, and practicing water sports. Due to its geographical location and infrastructure, this city constitutes the starting point to discover the different interesting sites of this country.

We would like to thank the Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) for the texts and pictures provided. Visit: www.visitcentroamerica.com.