EAT IN ASIA / Destinations / Other destinations / Central america / Guatemala
Guatemala city sightseeing with 'Saúl'
Plan your Guatemala City sightseeing with Saúl. Start your day with a good cup of coffee served with a traditional Guatemalan breakfast. Then have a delightful lunch, and finally, relax in the shade with a home-brewed carbon black cappuccino.
Although the capital of Guatemala is not the most interesting place from the tourist perspective and given the little amount of sightseeing spots, it is a place that is still worth visiting. The number of historical places is limited and comparing to other archeological attractions in Guatemala, the capital is rather deprived of them. No spectacular Maya temples, no old convents and no magnificient monasteries.
However, there are places that should be seen, especially if you can spend there at least two days. The more time you spend in Ciudad de Guatemala, the more you can feel its vibe. Apart from that, the more time you stay, the more you can see how people do live, how do they behave and how a daily life looks like. Thanks to that you would be able to observe people rushing to their work, Guatemalan woman selling tortillas and tamales or local vendors pushing their trolleys and stalls to the market.
And if you have an option to spend a night or two in the old town, that is even better for you. Although some people believe it is better to choose an accommodation in the 4 Zone where many bars and restaurants are located, I would recommend at least one night in the heart of the Capital’s Old Town, what means in Zone 1. Here, you will be in the center of all attractions. Close to markets, stalls, restaurants, churches, main avenues and plazas.
Apart from that, some good hotels are available here too. Depending on your budget, your choice might even include some top locations close to the main avenue – Avenida 6.
Ciudad de Guatemala – Avenida 6
Here is where the life concentrates and close to where main attractions are located. On one side of the Avenida 6 you have a big Constitution Plaza, and on the other – the whole complex of the Plaza Cultural y Recreativa B'alam and Plaza Maya. From there you could walk to the Zone 4 for a bit of pleasure and some parties.
An easy walk from one side to another will give you an option to see most places and in the same enjoy your time in nice and elegant places. So, let’s start our sightseeing, but at the beginning – let’s take a good breakfast to have a lot of energy!
Breakfast in Saúl, Guatemala City
Saúl Bistros have a separate menu for different locations. When comparing with other locations like for example these in commercial centers, bistros offer some wider selection of beverages and food. They offer wonderful breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Depending on your hunger and preferences, you will surely find something for yourself. No matter whether you are looking for something typical for Guatemala (like a traditional Guatemalan breakfast), something full of meat, something from the international cuisine (European dishes are available too) or would prefer a healthy meal based on fish, grains or vegetables. Vegan and vegetarian option are available too! Another great information is, that Saúl serves delicious desserts and drinks too. I would recommend not only great burgers, pancakes or tostadas but also nice and satiating breakfasts that are served with a good cup of coffee.
Crocante Verdes
We started our day with a warm meal. We selected Crocante Verdes from the breakfast menu. Crocante Verdes set consisted of two crispy corn tortillas topped with chicken chunks in a green salsa. Although the sauce included peppers, it was moderately spicy and did not dominate the composition. On top of it, was mozzarella cheese and finally, all ingredients were covered with fried, semi-hard eggs.
It was served with one or more side dishes that could be selected from the list. The selection included avocado, fried platans, fried red beans and hash browns. We chose two additional ingredients – sliced avocado and fried platans.
The meal was served on a nicely warm white plate. All parts of the breakfast set were nicely put on the plate. Thanks to that, the whole composition looked very appetizingly.
Finally, the breakfast set was accompanied with a good, Guatemalan black coffee from the nearby area.
Coffee was brewed in a machine, had both a delicate and an intensive aroma.
After such a delicious meal, we started our sightseeing.
Sightseeing the heart of the Guatemala City
Our stroll was mainly on the Paseo de la Sexta, that is the main walking district in the capital. Here, many shops, restaurants, bars, institutions and offices are located. That is also a good place to buy accessories, some clothes or even jewelry.
Our first steps were towards the biggest place - Plaza de la Constitucion
Plaza de la Constitucion
Around this place many tourists attractions are located. That is also a place, where local people meat, spend their time, feed pigeons or just stroll. It is a nice, relaxing area with some green spaces, trees and a fountain in the center.
On one side of the Plaza de la Constitucion is located an impressive cathedral - Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago de Guatemala, on another is a worth visiting museum - Palacio Nacional de la Cultura.
Spend here a couple of moments sitting on a concrete block and admire the atmosphere. After that, head to the south of the capital walking on the Paseo de la Sexta.
On the way back, grab another cup of coffee in Saúl for take-away.
Choose your favorite one from latte, cappuccino, americano or take a regular black coffee from Guatemala.
From Iglesia San Francisco and Palacio de la Policía Nacional Civil to Rectoral parish of Our Lady of Remedies
Pass close to the Iglesia San Francisco and Palacio de la Policía Nacional Civil on your left side, and near the Parque Concordia on the right.
When you reach Calle 18, turn for a moment to the left to visit a beautiful Rectoral parish of Our Lady of Remedies.
Surroundings of the Plaza Italia, Guatemala City
Return to your main track and head further to the south until you get to the Plaza Italia surrounded by governmental buildings including the main one - Municipalidad de Guatemala.
On the other side of the 6th Avenue you will see a big complex with two plazas - Plaza Cultural y Recreativa B'alam and Plaza Maya. Here you will also find two interesting sights including Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias and military museum - Museo Militar y Ex Fuerte de San José.
Zona 4, Ciudad de Guatemala
Go straight ahead till Calle 24 and then head to the left to get to the crossroad of Avenida 9 and Via 5. There you will find the next Saúl Bistro where you can enjoy you time and have an incredible cappuccino or latte Nero with activated carbon that is believed to work magically on your digestion system.
Cappuccino Nero con carbon activado in Saúl Bistro
This is something that you really MUST try. A regular cup of a delicious Guatemalan coffee with added activated carbon has a unique taste. It is both slightly sweet and bitter. Has a nice creamy texture and the foam on top of it creates a great separation between different aromas – the one of the extremely creamy and foamy milk and the one of the coffee with carbon that has a bitter hint.
As a base for the cappuccino a local, Guatemalan coffee is used. This one comes from the Antigua region and has a delicate but in the same time strong aroma. It is well balanced and has interesting notes.
After spending some relaxing moments in shades and observing the environment, make a short stroll in the Zone 4 and come back to the main old part of the capital for a dinner.
Dinner in Saúl Bistro, Guatemala
A long day full of attractions, sightseeing and walking might be strenuous for you. Now, it is time for chilling, eating a good dinner and enjoying your life.
Return to Zone 1 where you started you sightseeing and have a great meal in Saúl Bistro. This time, I would recommend you taking some fancy burgers. I did so and it was wonderful!
From a burger set menu list, I decided to take ‘Burger de lomo con queso’, what translates to a loin burger with cheese.
Burger de lomo con queso, Saúl Bistro, Guatemala
The burger was nicely served on a long, narrow plate. On one side was fresh salad and on the other the burger. In the middle of the plate, a small bowl of fries and tomato sauce was standing.
The salad based on a composition of green, leafy fresh vegetables like lettuce and rucola. It was garnished with cherry tomatoes and some mushrooms. A moderate amount of a vinegar and olive oil was poured over it and created a nice combination.
Fries were crispy, narrow and well fried but not soaked with oil. They were fresh and had potato flavor.
However, the most important was the burger. It was put on the right side of the plate and, what was surprising for me, the upper and the lower part of the burger were separated and put side by side.
The bottom burger was topped with a rich portion of the meat. The loin was of a good quality and was juicy. On it a thick slice of a tomato was laid. Finally, a delicate mayonnaise sauce was covering vegetables. On top of it, a composition of different cheeses created a nicely crispy crust that was wrapping from around the meat and vegetables.
The upper part of the burger consisted mainly of a white salsa sauce and another set of cheese slices and a quarter of a pickled cucumber. This side was slightly grilled from the top and the cheese had a chewy texture.
I must admit that my choice was a really good one. The Lomo Burger was delicious. Apart from that, the interior design of the Saúl Bistro, Guatemala was amazing and offered a nice place to relax after a long day full of attractions and activities.
