Guatemala City
Guatemala City is divided into zones. Streets are numbered, but the same numbers may be repeated in different zones. Commercial sections of the city are concentrated in zones 1, 4 and 9, along the axis of Avenidas 6 and 7. Taxis are unmetered so agree on a fare in advance. A taxi between the airport and the business center is about $15-$20.
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To Get There
Aurora International Airport is located on the south side of the city in zone 13. A taxi downtown should take about 10 minutes, and cost around $10. There is a $30 departure tax.
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To Stay
Real InterContinental Guatemala (14 Calle 251, Zona 10, tel: 502-379-4444) is centrally located in the Zona Viva and just two blocks from Avenida La Reforma, the city’s most important thoroughfare. Room rates range from $111-$750 plus 22% tax. Visit www.gruporeal.com or e-mail: Guatemala@interconti.com.
We also like the Westin Camino Real Guatemala (Prolongación Boulevard Los Próceres, Km 9, Zona 15, tel: 502-420-7720), a grand and majestic hotel located in the most exclusive residential area of the city, five minutes from the financial area. The hotel has private gardens and a panoramic view of distant volcanoes. Visit www.quintareal.com.gt or e-mail: reservaciones@quintareal.com.
To Eat
Tamarindos (11 Calle 2-19A, Zona 10, tel: 360-2815) serves Thai and Italian food with a Guatemalan twist. The décor is unusual, with curved lamps and oddly shaped sofas, but the food is top-notch.
Some of the best Guatemalan cuisine is served at La Hacienda Real (13 Calle 1-10 Zona 10, tel: 335-5409). It serves róbalo, steak and pork dishes enhanced with condiments and a delectable caramel flan.
Ambia (10 Avenida 5-49 Zona 14, tel: 566-6890) has plush cushions, low tables and billowing sheets overlaying spotlights. The restaurant, which serves Thai food, has an outdoor terrace and breezy rooms with high ceilings.
To Drink
Villa los Añejos (Avenida de la Reforma 13-35 zona 10, tel: 379-8787) is an old Spanish-style ranch. The elegant setting makes this a great place to sip a glass of Ron Zacapa Centenario, the most famous of Guatemalan rums.
To Unwind
Popol Vuh Museum (6a. Calle final, Francisco Marroquín University Campus, zone 10, tel: 361-2301) has a outstanding collection of Mayan and colonial art. The National Museum of Archeology and Ethnology (Finca Nacional La Aurora, zone 13, tel: 472-0489) houses the most comprehensive collection of Guatemalan Mayan archeological pieces.
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To Buy
Hand-wrapped in royal palm leaves, a bottle of aged Ron Zacapa Centenario makes a great gift, as does Guatemalan coffee, and wood ornaments. Jade masks and jewelry and Indian textiles are available at Mercado Central (9A Avenida between Calles 6A and 8A).
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2004 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS May 1 – May Day June 30 – Army Day August 15 – Feast of the Assumption September 15 – Independence Day October 2 – Revolution Day November 2 – All Saints Day December 25 – Christmas Day |
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