Antigua Guatemala
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean · Guatemala
Did you know?
- UNESCO lists this former colonial capital as a World Heritage site.
- Holy Week processions feature elaborate sawdust carpets.
- The Convento de las Capuchinas belongs to a landscape of colonial ruins.
See also
Chimaltenango
Guatemala14.66°N 90.82°W · 1,800 m
Guatemala City
Guatemala14.62°N 90.53°W · 1,500 m
Panajachel
Guatemala14.74°N 91.16°W · 1,597 m
Overview
Antigua Guatemala is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city formerly served as the colonial capital of Central America.
Languages: Spanish
Why go?
La Antigua Guatemala is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the former colonial capital of Central America. It's the country's most popular tourist destination, known for its well-preserved Spanish Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, and stunning views of volcanoes. The city offers a rich blend of history, culture, and outdoor activities.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
Antigua is accessible from Guatemala City by chicken bus or shuttle. Chicken buses from La Terminal serve local routes, and shuttle companies like Adrenalina Tours provide direct connections to major tourist destinations including Lake Atitlan, Copán, and San Cristóbal de las Casas. Buses to Guatemala City, San Miguel Dueñas and Ciudad Vieja depart from Calle 4a Poniente A. Hedman Alas and LiteGua offer services to Honduras and the Caribbean coast.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting around
The compact city center is easily walkable. For longer distances, tuk-tuks and taxis are available, but exercise caution with tuk-tuks at night as they have been linked to robberies. Local buses serve nearby villages like El Hato. Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint can be reached by tuk-tuk or a short walk during safe hours.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
The dry season from November to April offers the best weather. The biggest event is Semana Santa (Holy Week), featuring elaborate processions and sawdust carpets, but prices soar and the city is crowded. In the weeks before, many practice processions take place with smaller crowds.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from budget hostels like El Viejo Danés (US$14 for double) and Posada Don Valentino (US$14–34) to mid-range options like Hotel Casa Rustica and luxury hotels like Casa Santo Domingo. Many places include free Wi-Fi, purified water, and hot water. Homestays are available for language students.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Antigua has dining for all budgets. Cheap eats at market comedores (Q15-30) and local favorites like La Canche. Mid-range options include Doña Luisa Xicotencatl and Rainbow Café. For drinks, Café No Sé offers mezcal and live music, while Fernando's Kaffee serves excellent coffee. Street ice cream is popular but caution advised for sensitive stomachs.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Explore colonial ruins including Catedral de Antigua, Convento de las Capuchinas, and Iglesia de La Merced. Hike volcanoes: Pacaya (Q60-75 plus Q50 park fee), Acatenango (US$40-100), and Volcán de Agua (with police escort). Attend Semana Santa processions. Take a coffee farm tour (Q200) or chocolate workshop at ChocoMuseo. Visit Cerro de la Cruz for panoramic views.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
Antigua is relatively safe due to Tourist Police, but armed robbery is common. Do not resist if robbed. Avoid hiking Volcán de Agua without police escort. Pickpocketing occurs during Semana Santa. Tuk-tuks have been linked to robberies; use taxis called by staff instead. Cerro de la Cruz is safe only during opening hours (07:00-18:00) with police presence.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
International mail service resumed in 2025. Internet cafes cost GTQ5-10 per hour. LTE coverage is good with Tigo and Claro. US cellphones work but roaming charges are high. Many hotels offer free Wi-Fi.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget
A budget traveler can get by on US$20-30 per day, including dorm accommodation (US$14) and market meals (Q15-30). Mid-range budgets require US$30-60 for private rooms and restaurant meals. ATMs are widely available for cash.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Popular day trips include Pacaya Volcano (Q60-75 shuttle plus Q50 entrance), El Hato village (chicken bus Q4), and Valhalla Macadamia Farm. For longer excursions, Copán Ruinas in Honduras and Lake Atitlan are reachable by shuttle (6 hours and 2-3 hours respectively).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Guatemala City is an hour away by bus. Shuttles go to Copán Ruinas (6 hours), San Marcos La Laguna on Lake Atitlan, and onward to Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras via companies like Adrenalina Tours and Hedman Alas.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- eat
Bistrot Cinq
A French bistro featuring great food, very authentic cuisine found nowhere else in Antigua. American-owned and operated (as in USA, not Guatemala). Features an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs work, and a great bar. Offers many specials and unique local foods hard to find elsewhere.
Recorded price: Q100-300
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Caffé Mediterráneo
This is a gourmet Italian restaurant one block from the Parque Central. No menus: the waiter will simply tell you the specials, which change every day. Widely considered to be one of if not the best place for Italian food in Antigua.
Recorded price: Q125-280
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Café Bohème
Very cozy restaurant with a focus on international food, good coffee and Guatemaltekan hot chocolate. Has a rooftop terrace from which you can see Fuego spitting every once in a while
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Casa Escobar
Entire restaurant lit with candles. Beautiful interior blending in with the style of Antigua. Do not let relatively high prices and not very appetizing pictures in the menu fool you. Steaks brought to the table will look way more appetizing and after the first bite you will know that you will not leave a single bite on the plate no matter how big of cut you have ordered. If you like steak you are hungry you are in Antigua and can spare US$20, Casa Escobar is an awesome place to go.
Recorded price: Q150-500
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Doña Luisa Xicotencatl
Has the feel of a well-run corporate restaurant set in a gorgeous leafy courtyard of a historic building. Menu includes well-executed breakfast, hamburgers, and Guatemalan interpretations of Tex-Mex food. They use purified water on their vegetables and for drinking and ice, which means their menu is in-bounds for tender First World stomachs. There is a bakery in the building, which means that when you get close you can follow the delicious smells the rest of the way in. Highly recommended, especially for the cookies and daily selection of delightful breakfast breads.
Recorded price: Q50-80
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
El Mirador
360-degree rooftop view of Antigua. Burgers, kebabs, drink specials.
Recorded price: Q75-150
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Helados Marcopolo
A chain with locations all over Guatemala and El Salvador that offers ice cream dishes in a polished atmosphere.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Helados Sarita
Another chain, with locations in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. This seems sort of like the Baskin-Robbins of Latin America. Several dozen flavors of ice cream in three different choices of cones, sundaes, and other more elaborate concoctions. Since 1948.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
Good LTE with Tigo and Claro. Internet cafes GTQ5-10/hr.
Food
Market meals cheap (Q15-30); street ice cream popular but risky.
Health
Avoid tap water. Risk of food poisoning from street food. Use rehydration solution.
Language
Spanish; some Mayan languages spoken.
Money
ATMs widely available; banks open daily until 19:00-20:00. Passport needed for currency exchange.
Safety
Tourist Police present in center; armed robberies possible. Don't resist. Avoid tuk-tuks at night.
Transport
Chicken buses and shuttles to major destinations; city walkable.
Water
Tap water unsafe; use purified water.