Corrina’s guidebook
Important Information about Antigua, Guatemala
Built 1500m above sea level in an earthquake-prone region, Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, was founded in 1524 as Santiago de Guatemala. It was subsequently destroyed by fire caused by an uprising of the indigenous population, re-established in 1527 and entirely buried as a result of earthquakes and an avalanche in 1541. The third location, in the Valley of Panchoy or Pacán, was inaugurated in March 1543 and served for 230 years. It survived natural disasters of floods, volcanic eruptions and other serious tremors until 1773 when the Santa Marta earthquakes destroyed much of the town. At this point, authorities ordered the relocation of the capital to a safer location region, which became Guatemala City, the county’s modern capital. Some residents stayed behind in the original town, however, which became referred to as “La Antigua Guatemala”.
Antigua Guatemala was the cultural, economic, religious, political and educational centre for the entire region until the capital was moved. In the space of under three centuries the city acquired a number of superb monuments. The whole city is full of historic buildings, monuments, fountains and ruins.
The city was founded by the Spanish in the XVII Century, and it follows the traditional design of a Main Plaza surrounded by Government and Catholic Church buildings. It's worthwhile to visit La Catedral, el Palacio de los Gobernadores, Convento de Capuchinas, Convento de Santa Clara, el Arco de Santa Catarina, Iglesia La Merced and the Handicraft Market.
Hotel La Catedral
Historical monument worth visiting to get a sense of the cultural history
Historical monument worth visiting to get a sense of the cultural history
79 recommandé par les habitants
Convento de las Capuchinas
Historical monument worth visiting to get a sense of the cultural history
Historical monument worth visiting to get a sense of the cultural history
87 recommandé par les habitants
Iglesia de La Merced
Historical monument worth visiting to get a sense of the cultural history
Great place to see local handicrafts and grab a few souvenirs
61 recommandé par les habitants
Handicraft Market
Great place to see local handicrafts and grab a few souvenirs
Places to Visit
Entrance fees for the Ruinas are Q40 (5 USD), except for the Ruinas y Museo de San Francisco, which entrance cost is 5 Quetzals per person; the Ruinas de Santa Clara, Ruinas de San Jeronimo, Ruinas La Recollecion and the Museo Capuchino charge Q40 for foreigners (locals Q2). The Museo Hotel Casa Santo Domingo charges Q40, although here you may see just the ruins for free.
The Parque Central is a park in the center of town. The park is a city block in size, with concentric circular walkways threading among trees and a fountain in the center. The trees are decorated with lights, and there are plenty of benches for sitting and people-watching. The city hall and police office, the cathedral, and several banks and tourist businesses line the four sides of the park. Many Antiguans hang out in the park, and it has a pleasant, bustling, friendly feel during the day (at night, slightly less so... use your judgment).
9 recommandé par les habitants
Antigua Guatemala Central Park
15 6a Calle PonienteThe Parque Central is a park in the center of town. The park is a city block in size, with concentric circular walkways threading among trees and a fountain in the center. The trees are decorated with lights, and there are plenty of benches for sitting and people-watching. The city hall and police office, the cathedral, and several banks and tourist businesses line the four sides of the park. Many Antiguans hang out in the park, and it has a pleasant, bustling, friendly feel during the day (at night, slightly less so... use your judgment).
A large cross is prominent on a hill to the north of the city (Cerro de la Cruz). It is a pleasant, moderately strenuous 30-min walk to the cross from the Parque Central. On a clear day there is a fine vista over most of Antigua and the Volcán de Agua rising high to the south.
Hill of the Cross (Cerro de la Cruz). the hill is located on the north end of the city. You can walk to the base of the hill from anywhere in Antigua within 10 to 20 minutes. Although there have been safety problems on the hill on the past there is now a permanent police presence daily from 7 am to 4 pm. Details of this can be checked at the Inguat tourist office just off the central plaza.
171 recommandé par les habitants
Cerro de la Cruz
A large cross is prominent on a hill to the north of the city (Cerro de la Cruz). It is a pleasant, moderately strenuous 30-min walk to the cross from the Parque Central. On a clear day there is a fine vista over most of Antigua and the Volcán de Agua rising high to the south.
Hill of the Cross (Cerro de la Cruz). the hill is located on the north end of the city. You can walk to the base of the hill from anywhere in Antigua within 10 to 20 minutes. Although there have been safety problems on the hill on the past there is now a permanent police presence daily from 7 am to 4 pm. Details of this can be checked at the Inguat tourist office just off the central plaza.
Located about 3 blocks directly west of the northwest corner of the town center. Walking through it is a cultural experience. The market is opened every day including Sunday, but is largest on Saturday, Monday, and Thursday. It is big, like a maze, and you will likely lose your way. It is dark in the covered areas, and brighter on the outside sections. The cheapest food, commodities, fresh meat, and gifts are found here. There are so many sections to the market, that one need to spend nearly a full day to see it all. Toward the south, is a modern, clean and well stocked gift, art and local artisan shop arranged around a central fountain. To the west is the bus station, where you can take buses to all local towns, and guatemala. To the east is the boulevard where well stocked supermarkets and restaurants are located. To the north, there are open soccer fields and the used clothing second hand items are sold. In the center of the market are dark alleys going through meat markets, "mini" restaurant rows, flower shops, and numerous fruit stands. A large outside area by the bus stop is an open air fruit market - where beautiful papaya, large mangoes, ripe pineapples, and all sorts of exotic tropical fruits are sold.
19 recommandé par les habitants
Antigua Guatemala market
Located about 3 blocks directly west of the northwest corner of the town center. Walking through it is a cultural experience. The market is opened every day including Sunday, but is largest on Saturday, Monday, and Thursday. It is big, like a maze, and you will likely lose your way. It is dark in the covered areas, and brighter on the outside sections. The cheapest food, commodities, fresh meat, and gifts are found here. There are so many sections to the market, that one need to spend nearly a full day to see it all. Toward the south, is a modern, clean and well stocked gift, art and local artisan shop arranged around a central fountain. To the west is the bus station, where you can take buses to all local towns, and guatemala. To the east is the boulevard where well stocked supermarkets and restaurants are located. To the north, there are open soccer fields and the used clothing second hand items are sold. In the center of the market are dark alleys going through meat markets, "mini" restaurant rows, flower shops, and numerous fruit stands. A large outside area by the bus stop is an open air fruit market - where beautiful papaya, large mangoes, ripe pineapples, and all sorts of exotic tropical fruits are sold.
Things to Do
There is plenty to see and do in Antigua, here are a few favorites whenever I have guests...
A great overview of Guatemala's indigenous and coffee producing culture without having to travel into the highlands
15 recommandé par les habitants
Centro Cultural La Azotea
A great overview of Guatemala's indigenous and coffee producing culture without having to travel into the highlands
Learn how to pick, process and roast your own coffee with this coffee farm tour. Spend a day with a coffee farmer on the base of Volcán de Agua, and learn how a day in the life of a small independent coffee farmer looks like. Tour will take you up the volcano to pick coffee from their fields. They will then take you to their homes to demonstrate how to separate the coffee fruit by density, husk the fruit, ferment and wash the beans, dry, remove the inner hull, sort by size and grade, roast, and - of course - taste! Includes one pound of coffee as well as English translation and guide services. The tour is through De la Gente, a non-profit generating economic opportunity through coffee. You can buy a ticket through the Guate Java coffee shop. At the time of writing, the cost was approximately 25USD
GuateJava
7a Avenida SurLearn how to pick, process and roast your own coffee with this coffee farm tour. Spend a day with a coffee farmer on the base of Volcán de Agua, and learn how a day in the life of a small independent coffee farmer looks like. Tour will take you up the volcano to pick coffee from their fields. They will then take you to their homes to demonstrate how to separate the coffee fruit by density, husk the fruit, ferment and wash the beans, dry, remove the inner hull, sort by size and grade, roast, and - of course - taste! Includes one pound of coffee as well as English translation and guide services. The tour is through De la Gente, a non-profit generating economic opportunity through coffee. You can buy a ticket through the Guate Java coffee shop. At the time of writing, the cost was approximately 25USD
Must-Visit Restaurants
Antigua has a variety of restaurants from hole-in-the-wall comedores to some of the best rated french restaurants. Here are some of my go-to's, which should keep you covered for every occasion.
El Rincón Típico is a very affordable comedor offering typical Guatemalan meals. Best time to go is lunch time when you can get a meal + drink + tortillas for about 5USD
3a Avenida Sur
3a Avenida SurEl Rincón Típico is a very affordable comedor offering typical Guatemalan meals. Best time to go is lunch time when you can get a meal + drink + tortillas for about 5USD
This is another restaurant offering typical Guatemalan food but with a fine dining presentation. A great place to try a variety of typical dishes, in a beautiful setting on the famous Calle del Arco.
29 recommandé par les habitants
Los Tres Tiempos
No.7 5a Avenida NorteThis is another restaurant offering typical Guatemalan food but with a fine dining presentation. A great place to try a variety of typical dishes, in a beautiful setting on the famous Calle del Arco.
Set in an old house minutes away from the main square, Dona Luisa is a long time tradition in Antigua. It operates a wonderful bakery and a restaurant that specializes in sandwiches, salads, soups, and wonderful breakfasts: pancakes, eggs in all forms. The bakery donates all left over items to charities at the end of the day.
If you don't come here for breakfast, I recommend getting a banana bread to take home.
34 recommandé par les habitants
Dona Luisa Xicotencatl
12 4a Calle Ote.Set in an old house minutes away from the main square, Dona Luisa is a long time tradition in Antigua. It operates a wonderful bakery and a restaurant that specializes in sandwiches, salads, soups, and wonderful breakfasts: pancakes, eggs in all forms. The bakery donates all left over items to charities at the end of the day.
If you don't come here for breakfast, I recommend getting a banana bread to take home.
This is my absolute favorite lunchtime place. I recommend trying everything on the menu (including one of the fantastic detox drinks) - I have!
Roots Juice Bar and cafe
4a Calle OrienteThis is my absolute favorite lunchtime place. I recommend trying everything on the menu (including one of the fantastic detox drinks) - I have!
A tiny place, for years Hector's did not even advertise it's location. It now has a discrete sign out the front, and located just off La Merced it's a great spot to enjoy a special dinner. Specializing in french cuisine, you should come early if you are dining on a weeknight or expect a wait (Hector's used to have a no reservation policy, although this may have changed in recent years).
47 recommandé par les habitants
Hector's Bistro
A tiny place, for years Hector's did not even advertise it's location. It now has a discrete sign out the front, and located just off La Merced it's a great spot to enjoy a special dinner. Specializing in french cuisine, you should come early if you are dining on a weeknight or expect a wait (Hector's used to have a no reservation policy, although this may have changed in recent years).
As the name suggests, the flavors are exotic and delicious. Carrot cake, monitor, Cubano (tobacco, rum and fog flavor), cheesecake with red wine reduction and so many others! You should plan to visit at least twice!
7 recommandé par les habitants
Helados Exóticos, Sobremesa
4 4 Avenida SurAs the name suggests, the flavors are exotic and delicious. Carrot cake, monitor, Cubano (tobacco, rum and fog flavor), cheesecake with red wine reduction and so many others! You should plan to visit at least twice!
Most travellers that visit Antigua end up going to Café Sky. I recommend going up about 40 minutes before sunset so you can get a drink and a cold beer and watch the sunset over the volcanoes!
41 recommandé par les habitants
Café Sky
15 1a Avenida SurMost travellers that visit Antigua end up going to Café Sky. I recommend going up about 40 minutes before sunset so you can get a drink and a cold beer and watch the sunset over the volcanoes!