Overall Score
The city of Guatemala – the capital of a single nation and the largest city in Central America. The city is located in the southern part of the country at an altitude of 1,500 meters in the heart of the Gautemala Mountains. This area is climatically unstable, but climatically favorable. Year-round temperatures are in the 20° range, with sporadic droughts from May through October. The areas are characterized by a lively treeline and a variety of birds.
The first inhabitants of the Guatemalan-City region were Maya, and their ancient city of Kaminalnyhuyu was within the boundaries of the present city limits. The Spanish village of Santiago was founded by Commander Pedro de Allevarado in 1524. It was later changed to Gwatemala. In 1776 the city was struck by a natural calamity, and Gatemala was moved to a new place. The new Gautemala is 25 kilometers east of the old Gautemala, which has been called Antigua Gautemala ever since. Once in its new location, Guatemala became the administrative center of a single captains office. In 1821 the independence of the country was proclaimed here. After the collapse of the United States (1839), Guatemala finally established itself as the main political center of the country.
Since 2000, the city government has been active in supporting the development of tourism. The historic core of Gautemala – the most popular place among the citys visitors. Here Catholic churches and administrative buildings of the Colonial era are concentrated. The Mexican monumental painting of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries had a great influence on the citys appearance: many churches and houses are decorated with frescoes and sculptures. The ruins of the Mayan city of Kaminalhuyu – an archaeological feature of Gautemala. The Museum of Archaeology and Ethnographys exhibition on the history and culture of this enigmatic people reveals its history and culture.
Happily, the most interesting tourist site in the Galatemala area is the historic city of Antigua-Hovatemala, which still survived the natural cataclysms, while preserving many of the 16-18th century buildings. It is now a museum city under the care of the UNESCO World Heritage Center.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 151 US AQI Unhealthy. Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
- Tap water: No, not drinkable
- Religious government: Non-religious
- Population: 1,000,000 people
- GDP: $4,147 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 115V60Hz
- Internet: 6 Mbps
- Best wireless: TIGO
- Tipping: In Guatemala tipping is a question of rewarding good service rather than an obligation. Restaurant bills don’t include gratuities; adding 10% is customary. Bellhops and maids expect tips only in the most expensive hotels. You should also give a small tip to tour guides, or to guards who show you around ruins.
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best coworking space: Chamba
- Best short-haul air carrier: Avianca
- Best intl air carrier: United
- Monthly costs for expat: $800
- Monthly costs for family: $1900
- Monthly costs for local: $550
- Meal: $3
- Small Cola: $0.5
- Beer 1 Pint: $1.6
- Coffee: $1.1
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