Once hailed as the jewel of Central America, Guatemala City  has certainly lost its luster. The country's capital, a tangle of streets and alleyways, retains little of its colonial charm. As it's the country's transportation hub, you're likely to end up here, but with few of the country's most popular attractions -- no ancient ruins, flamboyant markets, or spectacular mountains -- there's little reason to linger. To the city's credit, however, it has some decent restaurants and hotels , as well as several excellent museums and a lively nightlife.