Discover Antigua, Guatemala
No trip to Guatemala is complete without a visit to Antigua! Located about an hour outside of Guatemala City, it’s easily accessible and has TONS to offer!
In this blog post I’ll go over how to get to Antigua, the best time to visit Antigua, where to stay in Antigua an of course what to do in Antigua!
If you’re wondering how to plan your trip to Guatemala, then don’t hesitate to check out my other posts! Planning your trip to Guatemala and 3 Amazing weeks in Guatemala!
Getting to Antigua, Guatemala
Like mentioned before, Antigua is located about an hour outside of Guatemala City.
Meaning, if you’re just arriving in Guatemala, you won’t have any issues making your way to Antigua.
There are shuttles that you can reserve that will take you directly from Guatemala City Airport to the center of Antigua. I’ve added some links and resources at the end of the post if you’re wanting to book one!
If you’re coming from another area in Guatemala, such as: Lake Atitlan, Flores or others… you can easily take a bus or shuttle as well. Honestly, getting around is super simple!
Best time to visit Antigua
Wondering when is the best time to visit Antigua Guatemala? Well, luckily the weather in Antigua is pleasant year-round, with warm days and cooler nights. However, the ideal time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. The months of December and January tend to be the busiest due to the holiday season.
If you’re looking to avoid crowds and enjoy slightly lower prices, try planning your trip during the shoulder months of November or April.
Personally, I was there in November and it was perfect! Just be warned that you’ll want a sweater for the evenings!
Where to stay in Antigua
Finding a place to stay in Antigua is relatively easy. There are tons of options on Booking or on Hostel World for you to choose from.
If you’re going during low or shoulder season, booking in advance isn’t necessary. However, if you’re going during the high-season it’s REALLY recommended that you book in advance.
I can personally recommend Barbara’s Boutique Hostel, which is where I stayed during my time in Antigua. It was clean, had great common spaces, a good breakfast and a rooftop with a view to die for! Additionally, I really appreciated the fact that they had fitness equipment available for use on the roof! You don’t see that often in hostels!
PLUS – Ladies, if you’re travelling solo and wanting to feel extra secure, they have female only dorms!
Below is a photo taken from the rooftop of the hostel 🙂
Activities and Adventures in Antigua
Now that we’ve covered the basics, like getting there and where to stay… lets talk about how friggen charming Antigua is! Because, honestly near the top of my ‘I could stay here for a few months’ list!
One of the amazing things about Antigua, is that there is lots to see and do! From relaxing in coffee shops, or trekking up an active volcano! You’ll definitely find something for you.
Visit the city of Antigua:
Simply walking around Antigua is an activity in itself. The cobblestone streets are lined with vibrantly colored houses. Additionally, Antigua is an UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptional preservation of Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture and colonial ruins. Therefore, you should definitely take some time to walk around the city itself and see the iconic Arch of Santa Catalina, the Cathedral of San José, and the beautiful churches such as La Merced and San Francisco.
Seeing as Antigua is a pretty small city, you should be able to see most of it in just a day.
Wander through the market in Antigua
You cannot miss going the market in Antigua! It’s just not possible! Winding through the narrow passages, and getting lost is all part of the fun! You’ll find all sorts of things, from colorful artwork, to cheap clothing. Additionally, there is section for buying fresh fruits and veggies (which I highly recommend). Or you can also grab an affordable meal in the area with food stalls. Don’t expect anything fancy, but you will be well fed!
As wonderful as the market is, I highly recommend being VERY vigilant with your things. Pickpockets are everywhere! Don’t take any valuables with you and keep an eye on your things.
If you’re looking for things like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, socks, or other ‘useful’ things – the market is a good place to find them for cheap!
FUN TIP! Near the ‘traditional market you’ll find the artists market, where there will be lots of handmade goods. I ended up buying a few paintings here because I was so impressed by the colors and patterns. If you’ve got souvenirs to buy, this is a good place!
Enjoy the Coffee Culture:
Guatemala has an amazing coffee culture and Antigua is the perfect place to savor a freshly brewed cup. There are many different coffee shops throughout the city that serve coffee and snacks. Additionally, the coffee shops are generally really cozy and nicely decorated.
If you’re wanting to learn more about coffee, then book a visit of a local coffee plantation!
Fun tip: Go to Starbucks but ONLY to see the decoration (it’s impressive), but grab a cup of coffee elsewhere?
Chocolate lovers paradise:
Did someone say chocolate? If you’re a chocolate lover then you’re going to love Guatemala! You can learn about cultivation, production and even take part in a workshop where you make your own.
Volcano hikes & treks:
There aren’t many places in the world where you can hike up an active Volcano. However, in Guatemala there is a well-known trek that takes you up the side of Acatenango to see Fuego spew lava!
This trek is honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done in my entire life. If you’re in good shape, then you can’t visit Guatemala without doing it. It’s quite challenging, but SO worth it.
The hike is done over 2 days, meaning you get to sleep on the top of a volcano! You can’t miss out on this unforgettable experience!
Hobbitenango
A cute hobbit themed eco-lodge just outside the city! You can explore the area and get some great views. If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you’ll surely want to check out Hobbitenango!
Helpful websites for planning your trip to Guatemala
Rome2Rio
Rome2Rio is an amazing website that I use ALL THE TIME! You put in your point A and point B, and the site shows you all the different ways of getting there. It’s easy to use and crazy helpful when planning any trip!
Transport
When looking for flights I stick with Skyscanner to find the best deals. When planning a trip to Guatemala I had no issues finding flights!
When it came to reserving shuttles, I used GuateGo which was safe and reliable.
Lodging
Finding places to stay in Guatemala is pretty easy! I used Booking to book my hostel stays. Most places are available to book on this platform. Be aware that during high season you should probably book in advance! If you’re in mid or low season, booking last minute isn’t an issue (depending on the city of course).
So what do you think? Excited about planning your trip to Guatemala? You should be!
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