Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Paralleling 6a Avenida is 7a Avenida, with a variety of architectural highlights. Among
these is the splendid
Palacio de Correos
(Central Post Office, 8:30 A.M.-5 P.M. Mon.-
Fri., 8:30 A.M.-1 P.M. Sat.), at the corner of 7a Avenida and 12 Calle, featuring a large
archway that reaches over to the building across the street. Also attractive is the nearby
Tipografía Nacional
(National Printing Press), at the corner of 7a Avenida and 18 Calle.
It dates to 1894 and somewhat resembles a gingerbread house.
Both6aand7aAvenidascontinuetheirstraightcoursesouthwardthroughZonas4and9
before ending at a series of archways marking the northern extreme of the airport runway.
Parque Minerva
As you head north along 6a Avenida and then Avenida Simeón Cañas, it's about 1.5 kilo-
metersfromthecitycentertoParqueMinervaintheadjoiningZona2sector.Theparkhere
hassomesportingfacilities,includingthe
Estadio Nacional de Béisbol
(NationalBaseball
Stadium), where there are games on weekends. Its informal atmosphere is a bit like that of
old-time minor league parks in the U.S. Midwest. Baseball is nowhere near as popular in
Guatemala as in other parts of Central America, namely Nicaragua, but if you're a fan of
the game you might want to stop and check it out.
The park's main attraction, however, is also one of Guatemala's most unusual. The
2,000-square-meter
Mapa en Relieve
(Relief Map, 9 A.M.-5 P.M. daily, $2), is built to
1:10,000 scale and was created in 1905, well before the invention of Google Earth. It gives
youagoodideaofthecountry'smountaintopographyandthecontrasting flatnessofPetén
and neighboring Belize, which, of course, is included as part of Guatemala in accord with
the long-standing border dispute. The scale of the mountains is somewhat exaggerated,
with the volcanoes and peaks looking steep and pointy. There are observation towers from
which you can get a better vantage point. The rivers and lakes are sometimes filled with
water from built-in taps, making for an even more authentic experience. It makes a good
stop if you're in Guatemala City before heading out to the interior and want to get a feel
for the country's unique geography.
