How to Find Hotels in Guatemala City, Guatemala

Covering an entire mountain plain, Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala, and is the largest and most modern of all of Guatemala's cities. Guatemala City is also home to most of the libraries and museums in the country, as well as the center of finance and politics.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Know Your Destination

1. Consult your city map. Guatemala City is divided into 21 zones or zonas. Zona 10 is host to most of the higher-class accommodations, shopping, restaurants and bars, and is referred to as Zona Viva because of its nightlife.
2. Pack for uncertain weather. Although Guatemala is a tropical climate, temperatures vary greatly due to differences in altitude. The rainy season is typically from June to October.
3. Rest your feet by traveling within Guatemala City by bus or taxi. Few people walk here, and they may think it is strange if you do.

Choose Your Hotel and Accommodations

4. To book accommodations, contact Guatemala Tourism Commission at (800) INGUAT1 or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
5. Stretch your money by staying at a mid-level franchise hotel. Many famous hotel chains offer accommodations in Guatemala City.
6. Take advantage of one of Guatemala's hostels and travel on the cheap. They often offer accommodations starting as low as $15.
7. Splurge and stay at The Westin Camino Real, a five star hotel which offers top-notch accommodations, service and amenities. It is considered the finest hotel in Guatemala.

Discover Local Customs

8. Consult your phrase book if you need to confer with the locals, as Spanish is the most common language spoken in Guatemala City.
9. Discover the traditional food of Guatemala, or branch out and taste one of Guatemala City's other fine culinary options, like Italian, Asian Fusion or Chinese.
10. Seek out the beautiful textiles that Guatemala is famous for. The artesania market in Zona 13 is a good place to shop for various fabrics.

Visit Tourist Attractions

11. Stroll the Plaza Mayor in Zona 1, and listen to traditional music as you contemplate local art and food.
12. Tour one of the many antique churches in Guatemala City, and notice their individual archaeological details.

Tips & Warnings

• Alert yourself to any potentially dangerous situations. Petty and violent crimes are a problem in most of Guatemala, and foreigners are often the targets. Don't travel alone or at night, and if you are faced with a criminal act, don't resist.
• Be careful to only drink bottled water and try to avoid eating food from street vendors. Bacterial illnesses are commonly contracted by careless or unsuspecting visitors.