Many travelers prefer to skip Guatemala city and go to other “more attractive destinations” as La Antigua or Atitlán Lake. However, to skip touring the capital of the country means to miss the history of the economic, political and religious power of all Central America.
Photo by Bosa Tours
Guatemala City is one of the most impressive cities in the region due to its history, architecture, and modern life, being the most populated city in Central America.
History
Before being established as the capital of Guatemala, it was a village located in the “Hermitage Valley”. Many stories happened in this area such as:
- One of the oldest Mayan settlements with the largest occupation in all Mesoamerica was established in what today is Guatemala City: Kaminaljuyó, which was also the center of the routes of commerce among different Mayan settlements within the nation. Today we visit the ruins.
- Cattle in Guatemala was introduced in this area, this is the reason why previously was called the “Cattle Valley”.
- An Italian hermitage brought a statue of the Virgin Mary in the 17th century and the vision indicated that next to this virgin a great city would emerge.
Those are a few examples of interesting facts that you get while visiting the city.
Keeping with the history of the city, we have that in 1773 the capital of Guatemala was located in “Panchoy Valley” today known as “La Antigua". However, after three great earthquakes that damaged the main buildings, it was decided to move the capital to where it is located today. So what once was a village in the “Hermitage Valley”, in 1776 became the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala; it encompassed all Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica).
Photo by Bosa Tours
The center of power, commerce, and religion of all Central America was based in Guatemala Capital City, thus the city was a rich, modern, visionary place where people from around the world came to establish important political and business alliances. All this richness can still be appreciated today in the Historic Center.
Recommendations
While touring the Historic Center in Guatemala, you must get to visit and learn about:
- The outline of the city, which reflected a visionary city that was designed to support its population within its perimeters for one hundred years.
- The Metropolitan Cathedral and its well-kept treasures.
- The National Palace and the thirst for power represented on it.
- The commerce street where the best hotels and restaurants in Central American where located.
- The plaza of commerce and its oldest bar where personages as Che Guevara, José Martí, Miguel García, and diplomatics came to relax and find inspiration.
- Paseo la Sexta, which is the longest pedestrian street in the region, learn how diplomatic and elite people lived.
- Emblematic houses and streets.
Also, during a tour in the capital, you should learn about:
- The main two streets that connect the capital from north to south.
- The Civic Center and its meaning.
- The Sports Center and its meaning.
After discovering the Historic Center, you should get into the Central Market. This is an underground 3-floor market. On the 1st floor, you find the national fruits and vegetables that come from all over the country and represent the Guatemalan gastronomy. Walk the halls and discover textures, colors, forms, and flavors. On the 2nd floor, you find gastronomic stands where locals sell traditional Guatemalan food. On the last floor, you find the souvenir area where locals sell hand-made products that represent the Guatemalan culture, which is a mix between Mayas, Spanish, and modern life.
Photo by Bosa Tours
At the end of the day, you may want to extend your visit to another side of the capital: “Cayalá City”.
Cayalá city represents the elite area of Guatemala. Originally, it was a farm acquired in 1913 by Cayalá Group. This farm encompassed 13 ha or 34 acres. It was until 1982 that the urbanization project began. Ten years later, in 1992, more condos were built in the area and at that moment, a new living era started in Guatemala.
Taking into consideration that the already constructed and populated elite condos in the area were a hit, in 2003, the outline of Caylá City was drawn. The idea was to create a city within the city; to create a city that would fulfill all the needs of the nearby elite inhabitants. The Master Plan of Cayalá City was inspired on Greek, Italian, and Spanish cultures. It included the main plaza, a chappell, modern stores, restaurants, movie theater, health centers, sports centers, business centers, walk and bike paths, and green areas. All of it was built for 5 years approximately, and today -besides the nearby condos-, the Cayalá City contains lux apartments at prices varying from U$300,000 to U$500,000.
Additionally, as the area evolved, other 102 acres were acquired and today are preserved as a nature reserve of Cayalá.
Cayalá City
Now, after this brief introductory description of Guatemala city, do you think it is worthy to visit the city?
