Guatemala City: Overview

Big, noisy and chaotic, Guatemala City is the country's undisputed urban hub.

Guatemala City may not be strictly pretty, but it is the largest urban agglomeration in Central America. Sprawling across a range of flattened, ravine-scored mountains, the city blankets an entire mountain plain. Its rickety chicken buses and chaotic marketplaces are straight off a postcard.

Travel Warning: Street Crime

Street crime, including armed robbery, remains an issue in parts of Guatemala City. Use normal urban caution: don't flaunt anything of value, and avoid walking downtown alone late at night. Stay alert and leave your valuables in your hotel. Car-jackings against foreigners have been reported, particularly on the road to and from the airport.

severity: High-level alert

Fast Facts

Population

3,100,000

Currency

Name: Quetzal
Code: GTQ
Symbol: Q

Electrical Plugs

American-style plug with two parallel flat blades above a circular grounding pin Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades
115V-125V 60Hz

Languages Spoken

Official: Spanish

Time Zones

GMT/UTC -6 

Country Dialing Code

+502

Weights & Measures

Metric

Guatemala City - Free Guidebook Chapter

Guatemala - Pick & Mix Chapters

Want more information? Download the free Getting Started chapter or buy individual chapters from our Guatemala City guide, in our online Shop.
> Go to the Guatemala City download page.

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Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.

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