Historic Downtown (Old Town)

- 6A Avenida, 7A Av, Edificio de Correos, Plaza Vivar, Parque Concordia, Ministerio de Gobernación, Pasaje Rubio

The Historic Downtown of Guatemala City is situated around Plaza Mayor de la Constritución and to the south of the square, around the pedestrian part of 6A Avenida, the city's main road. Notable buildings along 6A Avenida is the colourful 6-storey 70s looking shopping mall Plaza Vivar, the yellow shopping arcade Pasaje Rubio in old style with nice cafés, the beautiful red Hotel Royal Palace, Church of Santa Clara (Rectoria de Santa Clara, a large blue/white baroque church with an impressive baroque interior), Church of San Francisco (Iglesia de San Francisco, a small beige baroque church with a simple white interior), Centro Cultural de España (Teatro Cine Lux) and Ministerio de Gobernación (Ministry of Interior, also Policía Nacional Civil de Guatemala ), a large palace like beige 5-storey building with renaissance elements. There are also many fastfood restaurants, restaurants, cafés and brand stores along this road. One block to the east of 6A Avenida, you find one of Guatemala City's most beautiful landmarks: Edificio de Correos, the main Post Office building, two brown historic buildings connected by an arch above the road, opened in 1949, that is in good shape with beautiful Gaudi like decorations. The street that leads there, 12 Calle, is a bit shady with obscure types, so beware! Unfortunately the post office was closed just a few days prior to our visit, so we couldn't visit the interior. The reason was that the post was privatized, and the Canadian company that owns it didn't get their contract delayed! Thre is an art school in the building as well. Parque Concordia, a small elevated park, is situated one level above 6A Avenida. Here you find people relaxing and the statue of Guatemala's famous writer, poet, journalist and diplomat Enrique Gómez Carrillo. 7A Avenida is the parallel road to 6A, that has less sights.

During our visit there was a large student's parade with young students playing in colourful uniforms playing various instruments in a walking orchestra along the pedestrian street. They were also dancing and juggling. The sound was alarming from the orchestra's instruments (drums, horns etc), but was very colourful and a unique culturally interesting experience.

Edificio de Correos Edificio de Correos Edificio de Correos Edificio de Correos Edificio de Correos Edificio de Correos 6A Avenida, Old Town 01 6A Avenida, Old Town 03 6A Avenida, Old Town 11 6A Avenida, Old Town 02 - Pasaje Rubio 6A Avenida, Old Town 02 6A Avenida, Old Town 03 - Pasaje Rubio 6A Avenida, Old Town 04 - Pasaje Rubio 6A Avenida, Old Town 05 - Pasaje Rubio 6A Avenida, Old Town 06 - Pasaje Rubio 6A Avenida, Old Town 07 - Pasaje Rubio 6A Avenida, Old Town 12 - other arcade 6A Avenida, Old Town 13 6A Avenida, Old Town 14 - Plaza Vivar 6A Avenida, Old Town 15 6A Avenida, Old Town 16 - Plaza Vivar 6A Avenida, Old Town 17 - Plaza Vivar 6A Avenida, Old Town 18 - Plaza Vivar 6A Avenida, Old Town 19 - Plaza Vivar 6A Avenida, Old Town 20 6A Avenida, Old Town 21 6A Avenida, Old Town 22 - Burger King 6A Avenida, Old Town 23 6A Avenida, Old Town 24 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 25 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 26 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 27 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 28 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 29 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 30 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 31 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 32 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 33 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 34 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 35 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 36 6A Avenida, Old Town 37 Towards Volcano Agua 6A Avenida, Old Town 39 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 40 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 41 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 42 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 43 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 44 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 45 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 46 - parade 6A Avenida, Old Town 47 - Hotel Royal Palace 6A Avenida, Old Town 48 - Hotel Royal Palace 6A Avenida, Old Town 49 - Iglesia de Santa Clara 6A Avenida, Old Town 50 - Iglesia de Santa Clara 6A Avenida, Old Town 51 - Iglesia de Santa Clara 6A Avenida, Old Town 52 - Iglesia de Santa Clara 6A Avenida, Old Town 53 - Iglesia de Santa Clara 6A Avenida, Old Town 54 -Santa Clara, Royal Palace 6A Avenida, Old Town 55 - Iglesia de Santa Clara 6A Avenida, Old Town 56 6A Avenida, Old Town 57 - Hotel Royal Palace 6A Avenida, Old Town 58 - Iglesia de Santa Clara 6A Avenida, Old Town 59 - Iglesia de San Francisco 6A Avenida, Old Town 60 - Iglesia de San Francisco 6A Avenida, Old Town 61 - Iglesia de San Francisco 6A Avenida, Old Town 62 - Cine Tikal 6A Avenida, Old Town 63 - Ministerio de Gobernacion 6A Avenida, Old Town 64 - Ministerio de Gobernacion 6A Avenida, Old Town 65 - Ministerio de Gobernacion 6A Avenida, Old Town 66 - Ministerio de Gobernacion 6A Avenida, Old Town 67 - Ministerio de Gobernacion 6A Avenida, Old Town 68 6A Avenida, Old Town 69 6A Avenida, Old Town 70 6A Avenida, Old Town 71 - Ministerio de Gobernacion 6A Avenida, Old Town 72 6A Avenida, Old Town 73 - Iglesia de San Francisco 6A Avenida, Old Town 74 6A Avenida, Old Town 75 - Iglesia de San Francisco 6A Avenida, Old Town 76 - Iglesia de San Francisco 6A Avenida, Old Town 77 - Iglesia de San Francisco 6A Avenida, Old Town 78 - Iglesia de San Francisco 6A Avenida, Old Town 79 - Iglesia de San Francisco 6A Avenida, Old Town 80 6A Avenida, Old Town 81 6A Avenida, Old Town 82 6A Avenida, Old Town 83 6A Avenida, Old Town 84 6A Avenida, Old Town 85 7A Avenida, Old Town 01 7A Avenida, Old Town 02 7A Avenida, Old Town 03 7A Avenida, Old Town 04 7A Avenida, Old Town 05 7A Avenida, Old Town 06 7A Avenida, Old Town 07 7A Avenida, Old Town 08 7A Avenida, Old Town 09 7A Avenida, Old Town 10 7A Avenida, Old Town 11 7A Avenida, Old Town 12 7A Avenida, Old Town 13 12 Calle, Old Town 01 12 Calle, Old Town 02 12 Calle, Old Town 03 12 Calle, Old Town 04 Parque Concordia 01 Parque Concordia 02 Parque Concordia 03 Parque Concordia 04 Parque Concordia 05 Parque Concordia 06 - statue of writer Enrique Gómez Carrillo Parque Concordia 07 Parque Concordia 08 - statue of writer Enrique Gómez Carrillo Parque Concordia 10 6A Avenida from Parque Concordia 6A Avenida from Parque Concordia