Things to do in  Guatemala City

Once a seat of the Maya empire, the ruins of the ancient city of Tikal are now the most famous archaeological site in Guatemala and one of the most-visited sets of pre-Columbian ruins in Latin America. The UNESCO World Heritage–listed Tikal National Park (Parque Nacional Tikal) consists of temples, plazas, pyramids, and two modern museums—plus diverse flora and fauna ranging from spider monkeys to jaguars.

Guatemala City’s huge central plaza is a hive of activity, with people and pigeons milling about. Surrounded by important historical buildings, such as the Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana and the National Palace, the square is the focal point of the city, and is frequently the setting for demonstrations and celebrations.

Situated in the heart of Guatemala City, the National Palace (Palacio Nacional de la Cultura) showcases the country's rich political past and cultural heritage. With its stunning neoclassical facade, impressive interiors, and earthquake-resistant foundation, the grand building stands as a testament to the nation's history and fortitude.

Overlooking Plaza de la Constitución in the center of Guatemala City is the impressive Metropolitan Cathedral. Though several devastating earthquakes have rambled through the city, the blue-domed Neoclassical-Baroque structure stands strong as the city’s main house of worship. Pass through the 12-pillar entrance to admire the massive interior, austere though wonderfully embellished with religious paintings, carvings, and sparkling gold altars.

Located in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, the 16th-century Santo Tomas Church (Iglesia de Santo Tomas) holds significant cultural and historical importance as a spiritual center for the indigenous Quiche Maya people. During a visit to the iconic church, you’ll glimpse the intersection of Mayan traditions and Catholicism.

The Popol Vuh Museum located within the Francisco Marroquin University campus exhibits one of the largest collections of Mayan art in the world. Extraordinary artifacts are here, including masks, ceramics, pre-Hispanic statuettes, traditional fabrics, and more. One of Guatemala City’s must-visit destinations, some pieces date back to 9000 BC.

Constructed in 1904, long before Google Earth, this huge 3-dimensional outdoor map of Guatemala offers a grand-scale viewpoint of the mountainous country from above. A family-friendly attraction, Mapa en Relieve contains all the country’s volcanoes, rivers and lakes (some with running water), as well as its cities, roads, bridges, and railroad tracks.

Though it’s much smaller than Tikal or nearby Copán, Quiriguál attracts attention thanks to its collection of large, intricately carved stelae. Standing as tall as 35 feet (10 meters, the towering monoliths are artfully carved with hieroglyphs that reveal clues about the rise and fall of this Maya city.

This 18-century neoclassical church in Guatemala City’s historic center rose to fame after the Virgen del Rosario was dedicated here in 1933. Join the pilgrims who come to visit the venerated image along with celebrated sculptures such as El Senor Sepultado and Jesus de la Buena Muerte. The splendid gold stuccoed altar is one of the best preserved in the country.

Named after Guatemala’s colorful national bird, Biotopo del Quetzal is a vast nature reserve in central Guatemala encompassing Lanquin Caves, Rey Marcos Caves, and the rock pools of Semuc Champey. Abundant wildlife populate the expanse, including howler monkeys and elusive birds such as emerald toucanets, highland guans, and the endangered quetzal.

Set on an elevated ravine-surrounded site, this Maya city was built with defense in mind, with its inhabitants—the Chajoma people—having battled against neighboring Maya groups before finally succumbing to Spanish forces. As well as being of historical interest, Mixco Viejo also offers spectacular views of the surrounding valleys.

One of the best-maintained zoos of Central Asia, the La Aurora Zoo is located next to Guatemala City’s International Airport. Established in 1924, the zoo also houses the relics of an ancient viaduct. This zoo has three distinct areas- African, Asian and American where animals from the respective continents can be found.

A lush green park in Guatemala City houses all that remains of Kaminaljuyu, an important Maya city that also shows later influences from Teotihuacán. Most of the remains appear only as mounds in the earth, but you can see the ruins of the acropolis and a ball court under a protective roof. The rest of Kaminaljuyu lies buried under modern-day sprawl.

In Guatemala City, the sprawling IRTRA Mundo Petapa amusement park offers a diverse range of rides, attractions, and live entertainment options for every age group. From adrenaline-pumping roller coasters to family-friendly activities, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy.

Set in an area of Guatemala City that was once the Maya city of Kaminaljuyu (and is now largely dominated by shopping centers), this archaeology museum features a massive collection of artifacts from the ancient city and beyond. A few ancient mounds sit just outside.