The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Guatemala City, Guatemala Department

September 15, 2021 Layne Dawes

Guatemala City draws visitors whose interests range from Maya history to contemporary culture. Two museums house Maya artifacts, some of which were discovered on a nearby archaeological site. Other museums exhibit indigenous and modern art. In Mercado Central, an underground market, shoppers bargain with vendors selling local handicrafts. Additional attractions include a botanical garden and a scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. A night out in bustling Zona Viva caps off a day of sightseeing.
Restaurants in Guatemala City

1. Authentic Guatemala

Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 123 reviews

Authentic Guatemala

Authentic is a private tour & transportation service created by experts in tourism for people seeking privacy, safety and comfort. We love to advise, interact, and serve our customers to make each trip an unforgettable experience. We make a difference, offering a real adventure with the support of community guides and local people.

2. Mercado Central

8 Calle and 8 Ave., Guatemala City 01001 Guatemala
Excellent
53%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 163 reviews

Mercado Central

For really good deals on Guatemalan handicrafts, especially leather goods, woolen blankets and masks, check out the underground stalls here, where fresh produce is also available.

Reviewed By tg0mide - Westbury, United States

Right behind the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Mercado Central is a must. You can get lost in it. Wonderful crafts to delight your eyes and a great place to shop. Prices are incredible, but never pay what the sellers are asking for. Bargain, bargain and bargain. Things are much cheaper than Antigua. If you don't intend to shop, do not skip it. It is a wonderful experience!

3. Palacio Nacional

6 Calle and 7 Ave. Plaza de Armas - Zona 1, Guatemala City 01001 Guatemala +502 2239 5000 http://mcd.gob.gt/palacio-nacional-de-la-cultura
Excellent
50%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 454 reviews

Palacio Nacional

The elaborate interior of this former presidential palace houses paintings and sculptures by famous Guatemalan artists.

Reviewed By Sierrita - Guatemala City, Guatemala

We Just invited to this special building made in 1944 i think. The ceremony was nice and we were with the president of the country. This place was made from a special kind of rock, green colored. The rooms are wonderful and the paintings and everything are splendid. Today is a musuem too, a place to visit in This beautiful country.

4. Museo Ixchel del Traje Indigena

Calle Final 6 Francisco Marroquin University, Guatemala City 01010 Guatemala +502 2361 8081 http://www.museoixchel.com
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 327 reviews

Museo Ixchel del Traje Indigena

Textiles and clothing of the Mayan people, Guatemala's indigenous community, are displayed at this outstanding museum, which also contains paintings, interactive weaving exhibits, a bookstore and gift shop.

Reviewed By Suwatss - Bangkok, Thailand

While small, this museum is really worth your time to visit given its comprehensive exhibits about Mayan textile, festivals, and their presences in Guatemala. The presentations include videos, exhibits, and figures. We learnt a lot about the Mayan textiles more than anywhere we visited in Mexico.

5. Iglesia de San Sebastian

6 Avenida y 2 Calle, Guatemala City 01001 Guatemala
Excellent
45%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22 reviews

Iglesia de San Sebastian

6. Museo Popol Vuh

Calle Manuel F. Ayau - 6a Calle Final - Centro Cultural de la Universidad Francisco Marroquin Zona 10, Guatemala City 01010 Guatemala +502 2338 7896 [email protected] http://www.popolvuh.ufm.edu
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 254 reviews

Museo Popol Vuh

This is one of Central America's most famous Maya art museums. Its collection is renown due to its large number of funerary urns. It also includes unique Maya pottery pieces and other artifacts spanning from 2000 B.C. through colonial times.

Reviewed By Suwatss - Bangkok, Thailand

This small museum is truly a gem in Guatemala and should be in anyone’s list while in town. While it is small containing only less than 10 rooms its exhibits and the way to tell the story is superb, organized chronologically in five segments starting from pre-columbian period (before 1500s BC) down classic and colonial period (1600s-1800s). There are many interesting pieces exhibited and related to many tribes including Mayan in Guatemala. Tip. Don’t miss the twin museum of Ixchel showcasing Mayan textiles. Tip. It is a bit difficult to come here and we recommend to take Uber here.

7. National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

6a. Calle 7a. Avenida Building No. 5, Finca la Aurora Zona 13, Guatemala City 01013 Guatemala +502 2475 4010 [email protected] http://www.munae.gob.gt
Excellent
51%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 288 reviews

National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

The National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology is a public institution and is part of the Directorate General of Cultural and Natural Heritage. Protects and disseminates the most important collection of archaeological artifacts of Mayan Culture, as well as a collection of ethnological material showing the cultural diversity of Guatemalan society. The permanent exhibition occupies 3500 square meters including pieces of jades, pottery, textiles and masks. Two rooms for temporary exhibitions present general topics of Mayan Culture and Guatemalan Archaeology.

Reviewed By 625sherylt - Mahwah, United States

The museum is organized into pre classic, classic and post classic exhibits of the Mayan civilizations. It is a good way to get background before going to the actual ruins.

8. Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias - Teatro Nacional

Calle 3 - 81 24, Guatemala City 01001 Guatemala +502 2232 4041 [email protected]
Excellent
74%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 43 reviews

Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias - Teatro Nacional

Named for a Nobel Prize winner, this theater is a popular venue for opera, theater and ballet performances.

9. Catedral Metropolitana

8 Calle 7 Av., Guatemala City 01001 Guatemala +502 2504 6868 http://catedralbicentenaria.org/
Excellent
52%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 519 reviews

Catedral Metropolitana

Built between 1782 and 1868 on the edge of Plaza Mayor, this Baroque-styled church contains ornate altars, statues and colonial artwork.

Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada

Really "quite awesome" once stepped inside this cathedral was seeing its main aisle which I would just describe as one "packed with grandness" where along its both sides are not small but "quite sizeable" paintings depicting the life events of Christ (and with brief descriptions of the artists below from which can be determined the "historic ages" of the paintings themselves!) and also a "unique sight" (as such had been seen in no other cathedral before) which is that of "super-sized" medals likely kind of bigger versions of the medals awarded in this country for exceptional services & such. So yes, a big cathedral with quite plentiful to see inside where apart from those along the main aisle are also shrines & secondary altars (along the two length-side aisles) also with their own displays of interesting sculptures & such, this cathedral actually is one reminiscent for me of those in South America (with grand & ornate interiors in many of the "main cathedrals" of the cities) than in Central America (with just generally plain cathedral interiors from Panama & up with a few exceptions such as the Cathedral of Leon in Nicaragua & the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City). And with the entrance from a "pedestrian street" located on the south side, very conveniently right beside that entrance is Mercado Central (a great place for all kinds of Guatemala souvenirs & also like a food court down below for some delicious "local meals"). And yes, also definitely to stop by while at this area are the 2 sites at just a very short walk from this cathedral (to the right after coming out): the city's "main plaza" Plaza Mayor de la Constitucion (with really quite a bit of space to walk around where at about its center are a big national flag & a fountain and yes where the "west face" of this cathedral is on the Plaza's east side) and the "long building" of Palacio Nacional de la Cultura on the Plaza's north side (with 2 levels of a "fairly impressive" interior to see on an hourly-or-so "guided tour").

10. Edificio de Correos Central

Avenida 12-11 7 Zona 1, Guatemala City 01010 Guatemala +502 2318 7700 http://www.correosytelegrafos.civ.gob.gt/
Excellent
51%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 138 reviews

Edificio de Correos Central

The cantaloupe-colored post office is one of the loveliest buildings in the city.

Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

While visiting the historic center of Ciudad de Guatemala, this awesome building will certainly catch your attention. This is the "Palacio de Correos", the main post office of the country's capital city. It was designed by Guatemalan architect and engineer Rafael Pérez de León and was inaugurated on November 10, 1940. It is clearly inspired by the famous "Arco de Santa Catalina" in Antigua (Guatemala) and represents the perfect fusion of 1930-1940's neo colonial and art deco styles. The monumental arch over 12ª Calle, in Zone 1, is one of the most pictured tourist attractions of Ciudad de Guatemala. A great frame for selfies! No wonder, due to its beauty and architectural richness, the "Edificio de Correos Central" was appointed as a Guatemalan National Cultural Heritage Site! Unmissable! Enjoy!

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