Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
canoes, the nation's capital is a bustling urban agglomeration of four million inhabitants
occupying a broad valley and spilling into ravines and neighboring hillsides.
The beauty of its physical surroundings aside, Guatemala City, or “Guate,” as it's more
commonly called by locals, can seem polluted, noisy, and downright dodgy once you step
onto its streets—however, the same can be said of New York or Mexico City. It's all a
matter of getting acquainted with your surroundings and discovering the pleasant aspects
of this mountain city. Among these are a temperate spring-like climate, a splendid scenic
backdrop, excellent dining and entertainment options, and the opportunity to travel in rel-
ative comfort with all the amenities of a First World city.
If you give it a chance, you'll find that “Guate” grows on you after a while. As far as
Latin American capitals go, you could certainly do worse. (I actually find other Central
American capitals, including San José, Costa Rica, less agreeable.) As the region's largest
and most cosmopolitan city, Guatemala City has a greater variety of accommodations and
entertainment options suited to tastes, needs, and budget.
The remodeled La Aurora International Airport serves as a fitting gateway to Central
America's largest city. Just minutes from the airport, you'll find most of the areas frequen-
ted by Guatemala's well-to-do and foreign residents. Scattered among forest-clad ravines
and sprawling east into neighboring mountainsides are Guatemala City's business, retail,
and residential sectors. The northern part of the city is home to its downtown core, which
has unfortunately seen better days as a colonial capital but is also the ongoing focus of
some much-needed gentrification. Tumbling out into surrounding ravines and plateaus in
thevicinityofthedowntowncorearethecity'sslums,whileitsindustrialsectorsliemostly
to the south and west.
