Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.blackandwhitebar.com
; 11a Calle 2-54, Zona 1; 7pm-1am Wed-Sat)
This well- established gay
disco-bar is in a former private house near the city center.
Shopping
For fashion boutiques, electronic goods and other first-world paraphernalia, head for the
(
www.oaklandmall.com.gt
;
Diagonal 6 13-01, Zona 10; 8am-8pm)
. For a more everyday Guatemalan
Zona 1; 8am-6pm)
, where you can find CDs, shoes, underwear, overalls and pretty much
everything else under the sun.
Mercado Central
(9a Av, btwn 6a & 8a Calles; 9am-6pm Mon-Sat, 9am-noon Sun)
Until the quake of 1976, Mercado
Central, behind the cathedral, was where locals shopped for food and other necessities.
Reconstructed after the earthquake, it now deals in colorful Guatemalan handicrafts such
as textiles, carved wood, metalwork, pottery, leather goods and basketry, and is a pretty
good place to shop for these kinds of things, with reasonable prices.
MARKET
BOOKS
Sophos
( 2419-7070;
www.sophosenlinea.com
;
4a Av 12-59, Plaza Fontabella, Zona 10; 9am-9pm Mon-Sat,
10am-7pm Sun)
A relaxed place to read while in the Zona Viva, with a good selection of
books in English on Guatemala and the Maya, including maps and Lonely Planet guides.
Orientation
Guatemala City is quite spread out, with the airport to the south, the two major bus ter-
minals to the southwest and northeast, the majority of interesting sights in downtown
Zona 1 and museums and higher-end accommodation clustered around Zona 10. None of
these are really within walking distance from each other (except maybe the airport and
Zona 10), but taxis are plentiful and cheap and two new, relatively safe bus networks con-
nect various parts of the city.
MAPS
