Guatemala Guide
Around Guatemala City
A couple of destinations are well-suited for day-trips from the Guatemala City, while the rest of the surrounding hills are easily explored using other towns as a base. To the south the main road runs to Escuintla and the Pacific coast, passing through a narrow valley overshadowed by the highly active Volcán de Pacaya which often spouts smoke, gases, rocks and lava. To the northwest of the capital, the villages of San Juan Sacatepéquez and San Pedro Sacatepéquezboth have impressive markets, while further northwest lie the ruins of Mixco Viejo, the ancient capital of the Poqomam Maya.