Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Avenida Las Américas parallels La Aurora Airport's runway. Branching off from the
main artery are a number of side streets and residential areas. Two-story houses now share
these streets with 20- and 30-story commercial and residential buildings. Between the air-
portrunwayandAvenidaLasAméricasisAvenidaHincapié,wherethehangarsofsomeof
the domestic carriers and helicopter flights are housed just off its juncture with 18 Calle.
On Sundays, a stretch from Avenida Las Américas all the way to Avenida La Reforma's
Plaza Israel is closed to pedestrian traffic, making for a very pleasant place to take a stroll.
Carretera a El Salvador
FromBoulevardVistaHermosa,theroadwindsoutofthecityandupamountainsidehead-
ing southeast, eventually making its way to neighboring El Salvador. The first 35 kilomet-
ers or so of this Carretera a El Salvador are Guatemala City's suburb extraordinaire. After
climbing up the mountains to the east of Guatemala City, the road eventually traverses
a plateau, providing the perfect topographic conditions for the establishment of a virtual
satellite city. The area around Carretera a El Salvador is also prime agricultural farmland.
You'll find countless subdivisions springing up all over this fast-growing area, giving it all
the feel of a U.S. suburb. The plateau lies at an altitude of about 2,135 meters (7,000 feet),
so it's a bit cooler than Guatemala City and it also receives more rainfall during the rainy
season. Those familiar with San José, Costa Rica, might find this area very similar to the
Escazú suburbs near that city.
Althoughit'sverymucharesidential area,youmayfindyourselfherevisitingfriendsor
staying at one of the hotels in this neck of the woods. Catering to the ever-increasing num-
bers of Guatemala City residents fleeing to the surrounding suburbs, the area has at least
one sizable shopping mall in Pradera Concepción, which adjoins the Condado Concepción
shoppingdistrict.Betweenthem,theyboastanumberofrestaurants,PriceSmartwarehouse
shopping, Wal-Mart, Sears, banks, car dealerships, and even an IMAX movie theater. The
selection of goods in local supermarkets is more upscale (with prices to match), so a lot of
folks looking for favorite import items do their shopping up here. This area is also home to
two of Guatemala's most upscale golf courses and one of the city's finest hotels.
Entertainment
NIGHTLIFE
Guatemala City has a fairly lively nightlife scene with bars, clubs, and music found mostly
in the Zona Viva, Zona 4's hip 4 Grados Norte, and downtown. There are plenty of places
to dance salsa and Latin beats in addition to rock and pop music. Electronica is also a big
 
 
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