Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala: travel guide
UNESCO World Heritage colonial city ringed by volcanoes, famed for cobblestone streets, the Santa Catalina Arch, baroque church ruins and Semana Santa processions.
- Country
- Guatemala
- Currency
- GTQ
- Time zone
- America/Guatemala
- Nearest airport
- GUA
Top places to visit in Antigua Guatemala
Santa Catalina Arch
Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 0.3 h
Iconic 17th-century yellow arch on Calle del Arco with Volcán de Agua framed behind it; Antigua's most photographed landmark.
Iglesia y Convento de La Merced
Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · entry GTQ 15
Ochre-and-white baroque church with an ornate stucco facade and the ruins of a monastery holding one of the largest fountains in Latin America.
Convento de las Capuchinas
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry GTQ 40
Well-preserved convent ruins with a unique circular tower of nuns' cells, courtyards and cloisters resilient to earthquakes.
Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco
Church · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · entry GTQ 10
Church housing the tomb of Hermano Pedro (Guatemala's first saint), a major pilgrimage site, alongside extensive monastery ruins.
Casa Santo Domingo
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · entry GTQ 45
Former Santo Domingo monastery, now a hotel-museum complex with colonial ruins, crypts, chapels and archaeology and art museums.
Parque Central (Plaza Mayor)
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h
Antigua's leafy main square with the Fuente de las Sirenas fountain, ringed by the cathedral, city hall and the Palace of the Captains General.
Cerro de la Cruz
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h
Hilltop viewpoint north of town with a stone cross and a sweeping panorama over Antigua and Volcán de Agua.
Tanque La Unión
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h
Colonial public washing basins beside a small plaza, still used by locals; a quiet historic corner of Antigua.
Catedral de San José
Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · entry GTQ 15
Cathedral facing the central park; behind the working church lie the atmospheric roofless ruins of the old 17th-century cathedral.
Volcán Pacaya
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 5 h · entry GTQ 100
Active volcano south of Antigua; a popular half-day hike to lava fields where visitors can roast marshmallows on volcanic heat.
Volcán Acatenango
Nature · 4.9 rating · about 24 h
Strenuous overnight trek to a 3,976 m summit facing the erupting Volcán de Fuego; Guatemala's signature volcano adventure.
Things to do
- Acatenango Volcano Overnight Trek Hiking · 24 h · from GTQ 450 per person
- Pacaya Volcano Half-Day Hike Hiking · 6 h · from GTQ 220 per person
- Antigua Coffee Farm Tour Food · 3 h · from GTQ 180 per person
- Antigua Walking & Chocolate Tour Walking Tour · 3 h · from GTQ 150 per person
Day trips and tours
- Pacaya Volcano & Hot Springs 6 h · from GTQ 300
Where to stay in Antigua Guatemala
- Centro Histórico about GTQ 650 per night
Around the central park within walking distance of Antigua's churches, ruins and restaurants.
- Calle del Arco about GTQ 700 per night
The lively arch street, close to cafes, rooftop bars and the main sights.
Hotels
- Hotel Casa Santo Domingo 5-star
- Hotel Convento Santa Catalina 4-star
- Maya Papaya Hostel 2-star
Where to eat
- Rincón Típico Guatemalan, Grill · about GTQ 60 per person
- Café Sky International, Guatemalan · about GTQ 110 per person
- Los Tres Tiempos Guatemalan · about GTQ 120 per person
- Hector's Bistro French, International · about GTQ 280 per person
- La Fonda de la Calle Real Guatemalan · about GTQ 115 per person
- Y Tú Piña También Cafe, Breakfast · about GTQ 70 per person
- Caoba Farms Organic, International · about GTQ 130 per person
Getting around
- Shuttle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tuktuk main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Inflated tuk-tuk and shuttle fares
Antigua central park and shuttle desks
Drivers and touts quote inflated prices to newly arrived tourists.
How to avoid it: Agree the fare before boarding and compare a couple of operators for shuttles.