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Beautiful aerial view of Guatemala City - Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago de Guatemala, the Constitution Plaza in Guatemala
Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago
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Guatemala City

Guatemala

Guatemala City Vacations and Tour Packages

Overview

Take a trip to Guatemala City on your Guatemala Vacation

Many a Guatemala vacation begins or ends in Guatemala City, home to the country’s largest airport. Located in the south-central part of Guatemala in a mountain valley called Valle de la Ermita, Guatemala City serves as the country’s capital and is the largest city in Central America.

Today, Guatemala City serves as the main point of entry into the country for most Guatemala vacations and all transportation routes travel through the city. The National Palace of Culture was the most important building in Guatemala and, at one time, the headquarters of the President of Guatemala. It is now a museum and is also used for important government occasions. It is very much cultural capital and is home to many writers, artists and thinkers as well as various art galleries, theatres and museums. Despite being a modern destination with modern facilities, Guatemala City hosts interesting old sections and ruins as well as colourful markets that add a historic feel.

At a Glance

Languages

Spanish

Currency

Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)

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Central America

History

Although discovered by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, the western part of modern Guatemala City was once Kaminaljuyú, an ancient Maya city that was one of the first and most important areas in the Maya region. The people of Kaminaljuyú first occupied the area between 1200-1000 BC and continued to inhabit it for 2,000 years before abandoning it. 

When the Spanish arrived, all that remained of the once great city were overgrown mounds. After an earthquake in 1773 caused considerable damage to the colonial capital Antigua, the king of Spain signed a royal charter thus establishing Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción as the new capital. In 1821, Guatemala City was the scene of Central America’s declaration of independence from Spain.

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