Antigua was once the capital of Guatemala and is now a World Heritage site. It is a colorful, charming colonial town surrounded by three volcanoes. Our main reason for spending time in Antigua was to use it as a jump-off point to hike the volcanos, specifically Acatenango, which you can read all about here. Antigua is also an excellent destination for food, nightlife, learning Spanish, and soaking in that rich Mayan heritage.
What to Do
*Drink coffee– If you are a coffee drinker, you will be in heaven in Guatemala. The coffee grown in this lush volcanic soil is some of the best and smoothest we’ve ever had. Get a cup of joe wherever you go as many places grow their own blend. You will see coffee plants growing like weeds all over the place.
*Cerro de la Cruz– A cute park you can walk to on the northern side of Antigua. Short climb up the hill to get you some great views of the town and Volcán Agua. At the top you will also find vendors selling slushies and tostados, a crunchy tortilla with toppings. Nice way to spend the day if you want to get away from the hustle-bustle.
*Iglesia de la Merced– Bright yellow bell tower with the largest rosary you will ever see hanging from this church (first photo on this page). Originally built in 1548, this church was destroyed twice by earthquakes and the fountain inside the ruins is supposedly the largest in Central America. This area will come alive on weekends and at nighttime with vendors selling tostados and atul de elote, a hot sweet corn drink perfect for chilly walks in town.
*El Arco de Santa Catalina– One of Antigua’s most photographed structures. This arch is a remnant of a 17th century convent built to help nuns cross the street without being seen. On a clear day, you can get photos with Volcán Agua in the background.
*Parque Central– Nice park in the center of town full of vendors and little shops. We got some hot chocolate with cardamom mix to take home as well as some arroz con chocolate as a snack. Great place to come people-watch.
*Choco Museo– A must do. Chocolate museum with plenty of free samples. Learn about how the Mayans were the originators of the chocolate making process which is still used today! Order the “Chocolate Maya” to concoct your own spicy hot chocolate (we recommend only mixing half of the water provided for a thicker hot chocolate consistency!) $
*Mercado Central– A busy market full of super fresh produce. Official market days are Monday, Thursday and Saturday when the freshest new arrivals will roll in. The market closes early (1pm) on Sundays. Make sure you try some rambutans! $
Nim Po’t– A very large handicrafts market. Prices range from very cheap to medium for Guatemalan standards. Items appear to be of decent quality. Popular spot to shop for souvenirs. $$
*Hike Acatenango– Have you ever wanted to fall asleep watching a LIVE ACTIVE VOLCANO ERUPTING EVERY 20 MINUTES? Then you should hike Acatenango. A difficult hike which is usually done with a guide. A straight incline for 4-6 hours with an overnight camp at base camp followed by a night of watching mind-blowing eruptions. Summit Acatenango at sunrise and stroll downhill home. If you want to learn more about this hike (and how to do it without a guide) check out our Hiking Acatenango post. This is our number 1 favorite hike we have ever done so far and we highly recommend it.
Hike Pacaya– A shorter volcano hike that you can also do from Antigua with a guide (7 hours for the whole trip). Although this one is just a day hike, you may still get to see some smoky peaks and steaming rocks. We did not get a chance to hike Pacaya but plan on doing so next time. Check out the AllTrails guide for recent information and maps.
Where to Eat
*Luna de Miel– Super cute rooftop patio with an extensive menu full of crepes. We had the goat cheese, spinach and walnut one, which was delicious! Plenty of vegetarian options as well. $$
Romeo&Julieta– Italian restaurant. The gorgonzola fettuccine was great and was a nice carb-load before our Acatenango hike. $$
Fermento– Pricier compared to Guatemalan standards but still pretty cheap. The restaurant has a cute courtyard, great atmosphere, and delicious mezcal drinks. Multiple vegetarian options. We had the soup, samosa and butternut squash ravioli, which were all pretty good. $$
Samsara– Healthy hippie breakfast/lunch place with lots of vegan options. Extensive drink menu with a long list of smoothies, coffee, and tea. Get a side of piloy beans and plantains with whatever you order. $$
Yzote Kapé– Pupusas with some vegetarian options. $$
27 Adentro– Latin cuisine also with vegetarian options. The veggie tostones were small but tasty. $$
La Bruja– Plant-based burgers and bowl shop. These last three restaurants are all located in the same flower-covered courtyard which is a picturesque place to come snack around. $$
Where to Stay
Selina Antigua– Selina is a chain of shared workspace accommodations with locations all around the world. Recommended to us by a digital nomad, these are great cheap places to stay for young people. You can get a shared or private room, rent a workspace, book transportation/ tours and they even have classes and free events. The bar inside of Selina seemed to be one of the most popular in all of Antigua. $
MAP
Check out our Google Map for the locations of all of the recommendations above. You can also access it here.
