Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing, rather than from fruits that are found on or close to the ground. Good, safe bets are
pineapple or cantaloupe (or, even better, mixed together). Strawberries sold locally are no-
torious for carrying amoebas and other parasites, so unless you plan on disinfecting them
yourself or are in a place where you have assurance that this has been done, stick to fruits
with peels. Orange juice served in Guatemala is often freshly squeezed and delicious, a de-
lightful surprise for North American palates that have become all too accustomed to the
taste of juice made from concentrate.
Sodas and carbonated beverages are widely available, as you'll guess from the ubiquit-
ous advertising on town walls. Although plastic soda bottles and cans have become more
widely available in recent years, you'll still see plenty of glass bottles in use. If you plan
on buying a soda and taking the glass bottle with you, you'll have to fork over a few extra
bills for the glass deposit. Otherwise, you can have it put in a sandwich bag with a straw,
which is a bit unnerving for first-time visitors but perfectly normal and hygienic.
Alcoholic Beverages
Guatemala's eastern region produces Zacapa Centenario, a highly acclaimed rum that has
won numerous international awards. It makes a great gift for folks back home. If you're
not heading to the eastern lowlands of Zacapa or don't want to lug your purchase around
the country during the rest of your travels, keep in mind the Guatemala City airport has a
Zacapa Centenario Duty Free shop where you can buy a bottle or two on your way out of
the country. In the Mayan highland towns and villages, the liquor of choice is
aguardiente,
locallymademoonshinealsoknownas
guaro.
Popularbrandsinclude
Quezalteca Especial
and
Venado. Rompopo
and
caldo de frutas
are two types of alcoholic beverages made in
the town of Salcajá, near Quetzaltenango. The first is essentially a spiked eggnog and the
latter is made from fermented fruits.
Cervecería Centroamericana produces most of Guatemala's beers from its brewery in
Guatemala City, including Gallo, a lager that is Guatemala's national brew. You can find
it in the United States under the name Famosa, as Ernest and Julio Gallo Wines holds the
rightstotheuseoftheGallonameinNorthAmerica.“Gallo”meansroosterinSpanishand
thebeeriseasilyidentifiablebythestylizedcockonitslabel.OtherbeersbrewedbyCerve-
cería Centroamericana include Dorada Draft, smooth export pilsner Monte Carlo, and dark
beer Moza. Brewed by Cervecería Nacional and available only in and around Quetzalten-
ango, Cabro is another good beer. Cervecería Centroamericana once enjoyed uncontested
dominion of the Guatemalan beer market but has seen competition in recent years with the
arrival of competing brands, most notably Brazilian Brahva.
