9 Reasons Why Guatemala City Should Be Your Next Vacation Destination Really

Guatemala City has long been overlooked in favour of the colonial city of Antigua, or the natural delights of Lake Atitlan, but the Guatemalan capital is fast becoming a top destination in its own right. Here are the top reasons why you should visit.

A vibrant art scene

Guatemala City has seen a flowering of creative projects of every stripe in the past decade or so. With galleries such as the 9.99 and La Erre providing spaces for exhibitions, and projects such as NuMu taking Guatemalan creativity to an international audience, there is a sense that cultural life is blooming.

Third-wave coffee shops with the finest beans

Local bands lighting up the music scene

Alongside art and design, the music scene adds another dimension to cultural life. From punk to house music, there are regular events that showcase the best emerging musicians from the capital. With little done to support artists for years, there is a lot of untapped talent waiting to be discovered.

Great museums

Thanks to its long and complicated history, Guatemala is home to a selection of fascinating museums. Take a look at Museo Popol Vuh to find out about the Mayan belief system, or head to the Ixchel Museum of Indigenous Textiles and Clothing to learn about the stories behind the fabrics that many Mayan communities still use today.

Innovative restaurants

Guatemala isn’t known as a culinary destination but perhaps it should be. There are plenty of traditional dishes such as “pepian” and “kak’ik” to try, and contemporary fusion restaurants such as Mercado 24 serve delicious food made from local ingredients.

Fascinating history

As if the history of the Mayan culture isn’t interesting enough, more recent events in Guatemala make it an amazing place to visit. The country suffered a 36-year-long civil war that only ended in 1996, and political instability has reigned ever since. For those with an interest in history or politics, there is plenty to learn about.

It’s the largest city in Central America

Guatemala City is home to 3.3 million people in the metropolitan area, making it the largest urban area in Central America. There are plenty of areas that you won’t want or need to visit, but the scale of the place makes it feel different to the more parochial capitals like San Salvador.

Safety on the rise in tourist areas

For years the city has been famous for its crime rates, and they remain high compared to North American or European cities. However the vast majority of crimes are committed against locals, with tourists rarely affected. Areas that see a lot of tourist traffic also tend to be safer than average, but you should keep your wits about you.

Effervescent feeling of change

Thanks to the fall of the previous government due to popular protests in 2015, there is a sense that Guatemala could be on the verge of great change. Controversy now dogs current president Jimmy Morales, and activists are working to change the political situation. All of this upheaval contributes to a sense that a new dawn could soon arrive in Guatemala, and there is a great energy around the capital.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.