As in any big city, getting to grips with the public transport system takes time - even locals can be bamboozled by Guatemala's seemingly anarchic web of bus routes . In Zona 1 buses #82 and #83 stop on 10 Av , while buses to many different parts of the city run along 4 Av . Destinations are posted on the front of the bus. Buses run from around 6.30am until about 9.30pm. Guatemala City has a ferocious rush hour and many roads throughout the city are jammed between 7.30 and 9am and from 4am to 7.30pm.

There are currently both metered and non-metered taxis . If you can't face the complexities of the bus system, or it's late at night, the excellent metered taxis are comfortable and cheap; Amarillo (tel 332 1515; 24hr) are highly recommended and will pick you up from anywhere in the city; the fare from Zona 1 to Zona 10 is US$4-5. There are plenty of non-metered taxis around too - you'll have to use your bargaining skills with these and fix the price beforehand.