Escapades in Central America

Located a short distance from the Radisson, the Hacienda is sure to please the steak lover in you. Judging by the amount of business that was there on that Saturday night, the locals must feel the same way.

With open air and indoor seating, the rustic surroundings of the Hacienda add to the ambience and pleasure of the meal. The steak is the centerpiece however.

I ordered the local sirloin and asked for it to be medium rare and it was great.

The price was fantastic as well, only costing about $20 total US dollars.

I've stayed in this hotel several times in my trips to Guatemala City and it is great. The staff is excellent and they are friendly, quick and efficient. Inside the hotel there is a nice sushi restaurant with good food and another restaurant upstairs that has a great breakfast bar. One thing about the bar that is very interesting is the juices. They have about eight or nine different types of freshly squeezed juice and yogurt drinks that are all great. The bar is not your standard continental either, with lots of hot food as options.

The hotel is very close to great shopping, with a Mall just down the road within walking distance and also a small native artisan's market on the corner.

If you're going to be in Guatemala City, Zone 10 is the best and safest place to stay and the Radisson is one of the nicer hotels in the Zone. Check it out.

As usual, when I visited Guatemala City for the second time, shopping for local authenticities remained a high priority! However, since I had been to this location a few months before, I knew the area and it was an easy ride from the hotel.

Located outside the La Aurora Zoo, the Artisan's Market is one of the best I have been to in the Central and South American countries I have visited. Loaded with local handicrafts and authentic gifts, this market is definitely worth a visit. It is however, a little different from others that I have been to in that they do not bargain with you here. The prices are marked and that is what they accept, unlike Mexico where you have to haggle to get them down on the amount.

From coffee to blankets to shotglasses to carved wooden and pottery knick-knacks to children's toys, you will find something for everyone in this market.

Designed with many different booths, a lot of them carry the same types of things, so if you are careful, you can find the same things for different prices in different areas of the market. I suggest the handmade Gallo beer mugs, they are pretty awesome.

There is a also a small snack bar with refreshments if you need a drink or something to eat.

If you're there, ask for the Mercado de Artisanos, you won't regret it!