This list of the best things to do in Antigua Guatemala will help you have an unforgettable trip.
Well-known for its coffee, chocolate, and volcanos, Antigua Guatemala is an incredible city to visit.
Antigua Guatemala (aka Antigua) has become a popular tourist destination attracting many travelers from all over the world!
There are many things to see and do in Antigua from hiking volcanoes to indulging in delicious Guatemalan cuisine, there never is a dull moment in this city.
Continue reading to discover the best things to do in Antigua Guatemala for every first-time visitor.
What To Know Before You Go
Language –Spanish is the official language in Guatemala along with 22 different Mayan languages. In more touristy spots like Antigua Guatemala, you can find more people speaking English. However, it may be helpful to know some basic Spanish.
- Hello – Hola
- Goodbye- Adios/Hasta luego
- Thank you – Gracias
- Please- Por favor
- Excuse me- Disculpe/Con permiso/Perdóname
- I’m sorry- Lo siento
- Where is…- ¿Dónde está…:
- How much is it?-¿Cuánto cuesta?
- I would like- Me gustaría
- The bill please- La cuente, por favor
- Do you speak English?- ¿Hablas inglés?
Currency – Guatemala’s currency is Quetzal
1 USD= ~7.84 GTQ
The currency exchange rate establishments in Antigua will have a rate of 1 USD = 6.15 GTQ therefore it is best to take cash out from the ATM as you’ll be getting a better exchange rate. There are ATMs located near Parque Central.
Climate- Antigua Guatemala’s weather is temperate all year round. Throughout the year weather ranges from 63ºF to 80ºF rarely falling below 49ºF. However, the rainy season is during the summer months from May through October. The month with the most rain is September and the month with less rain is January.
Safety- For the most part Antigua Guatemala is safe as it is a popular tourist destination. I would recommend this location for solo female travelers, I felt safe walking around the city at night. With careful precautions like keeping an eye on your belonging, I’d say Antigua is one of the safest cities I traveled to in Central America.
Daily Budget- Antigua is a very affordable city, making it easy to budget. I would suggest budgeting around $60 (391.97 GTQ) per day including accommodations, food, and excursions. The daily budget can change based on your accommodations.
How to get to and from Antigua Guatemala- Upon arriving at the airport there are shuttles, ubers, and taxis that take you to Antigua. From the airport, I took a shuttle offered right before exiting the airport for $15 per person that takes you directly to your accommodations. An uber from the airport to Antigua is around $30 so if you are traveling with a small group an uber is probably the cheapest option. Taxis will probably charge you a bit more but you can always negotiate with them. Taking an uber back to the airport will cost you $30 and seemed the easiest option to head back.
Things to do in Antigua Guatemala
Take a Free Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala
Taking a walking tour of a new place is one of my favorite things to do. It is a great introduction to the city and is mostly guided by locals. The tours usually last for about 2 hours and you get to know some history of the city, go to a jade museum, and get recommendations to restaurants and other museums to check out. If you are short on time, a free walking tour is a great experience to get to see Antigua in a couple of hours. Though these tours are “free” it’s common courtesy to give a tip to the guide after the tour is over. The great thing about “free walking tours” is that you get to decide how much you want to pay for the tour! You can find some free walking tours here.
Santa Catalina Arch
The most popular and recognizable monument in all of Antigua Guatemala! This yellow arch with a spectacular view of Volcán de Agua contains rich history which is why it’s popular not only with tourists but locals as well. Built in 1694, the arch was utilized as a secret passage for nuns to walk from either side of the street. On one side of the street was the Convent of the Virgin and on the other was the Convent of Santa Catalina. Nuns lived on one side of the convents and taught on the other. However, they took an oath to avoid public contact, making it difficult for the nuns to cross the street without running into the public. The idea to join the school and convent via the archway was proposed. Nuns were then able to cross the arch through a secret passage. Today the convent has turned into a hotel and the arch is a symbol of resilience as the arch survived the disastrous earthquake in 1973. The arch and the street itself have become popular tourist hubs with many bars, restaurants, and souvenir shopping to enjoy.
Parque Central (Central Park)
A popular plaza lined with trees and a beautiful fountain found in the center, Parque Central is now a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists. It’s great to sit and people-watch, read a book, or take a stroll around.
I recommend getting ice cream from the local vendors! They are delicious and will only cost you less than a dollar.
Places to check out by Parque Central:
- Palacio de los Capitanes Generales
- Santiago de los Caballeros Museum
- Libro Antiguo Museum
- National Art Museum of Guatemala
ChocoMuseo (make your own chocolate bars!!)
A fun unique learning experience is at ChocoMuseo where you get to make your own chocolate! The class is about 45 minutes long and you get a rich history of the origin of chocolate along with making the most delicious chocolate to take home. It’s a unique experience, I highly suggest booking a class to explore a bit about Mayan culture and make 70% cacao chocolate.
You can book a class online or walk in and schedule a class for $15 per person.
ChocoMuseo is located right across Parque Central.
Sunset at Cerro De La Cruz
If you want to watch the sunset in one of the most epic views in Antigua, Cerro De La Cruz is the place to go. Though it is quite a hike and currently under construction (2023) you can still get a glimpse of the beautiful lookout. It’s easy enough to walk here from the central hub of Antigua.
I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes!
Hike a Volcano
Hiking a volcano in Guatemala is one of the best activities you can do! There are several active volcanos to hike, the most popular ones are Volcan Pacaya and Volcan Acatenango, and Fuego. To hike these volcanos you need to go on a guided tour, the great thing is that there are many to choose from.
- The volcano I hiked was Volcan Pacaya and it was only a couple of hours, you climb to the top and roast marshmallows from the volcanic rocks and have amazing views. A surreal experience. It is quite a steep hike, they offer horses to take you up if the hike is too difficult along with walking sticks for an additional price. I’d say this hike is intermediate and would suggest bringing hiking shoes since you will be walking on unsteady rocks. I wouldn’t recommend this hike for children under 12, it seems quite tedious going up. You don’t need to be an expert hiker to hike Volcan Pacaya, it’s very doable and rewarding!
- If you feel more ambitious, there are overnight hikes where you stay in tents or cabins, depending on the company you choose. From what I heard it is an exceptional experience, it can be a challenging hike but worth it once you get to the top!
If you do decide on hiking a volcano keep in mind that it is pretty cold up there so dress accordingly!
Here are some volcano-guided hikes to check out
https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Antigua%20Guatemala%20volcano&searchSource=3
https://www.viator.com/tours/Antigua/Transportation-to-Pacaya-Volcano-from-Antigua/d4599-17499P4
https://www.viator.com/Antigua-tours/Hiking-and-Camping/d4599-g9-c35
Tanque De La Union (Union Tank)
Once a place where people (mostly women) brought their clothes to wash in communal washbasins. Back in colonial times, the city didn’t have running water in people’s homes so women would bring their laundry and hand wash it in washbasins made out of concrete. It was also a popular hub for the latest gossip among women. Today, you won’t see people doing laundry but you can find locals selling their goods. It’s a unique square to sit in and people watch too!
Spend a day at Hobbitenango
Located 20 minutes from Antigua Guatemala, Hobbitenango offers little cottage core hobbit houses to enjoy spectacular views of the nearby volcanos and an escape from the city. Hobbitenango has a restaurant with a variety of food to choose from, games, picture ops, and a hotel. Yup, a hotel. You can stay in one of the hobbit-style houses for a night surrounded by amazing views.
If you’re looking for something different to do and want to escape the city and emerge yourself in nature, Hobbitenango is a great day trip.
How to get to Hobbitenango:
- The easiest way to get to Hobbitenango is from their Antigua Shuttle. You can call their number to arrange a ride to set up a reservation. The shuttle leaves from their Antigua offices every 2 hours and it is located 5 minutes from Parque Central. You can also show up at their offices and request the next shuttle (this may be possible on a weekday when it is less busy). The price for the shuttle is $7 per person round trip.
- Another way to get to Hobbitenango is by car. Keep in mind that to get to Hobbitenango there is a narrow steep street that is quite difficult to navigate, only 4×4 cars are allowed to pass through the road. These are the driving directions to Hobbitenango’s parking area (free). From the parking lot a shuttle will pick you up to take you to the park.
- It’s possible to take a taxi/uber to the park. However, I wouldn’t recommend taking one. Most ubers will not want to drive up the steep road and will most likely overcharge you.
Iglesia de la Merced (La Merced Church)
In my tourist opinion, one of the prettiest churches in all of Antigua is the Iglesia de la Merced. A cream-yellow church with immaculate white designs decorated all over the church resembles a wedding cake. Due to its many many earthquakes, the church has been rebuilt several times and was finally completed in 1767.
Located a 2-minute walk from the Santa Catalina Arch, Iglesia de la Merced is a can’t miss site!
Visit the ruins of the Antigua Guatemala Cathedral
Known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Antigua Guatemala Cathedral is an impressive church originally built in 1541. However several earthquakes damaged the church and eventually had to be rebuilt in 1680. The devastating earthquake in 1773 destroyed the church. Since then the cathedral has undergone a lot of rebuilding and restoration work. Today it is mostly intact, but you can see the incredible ruins in the back of the church. Huge arches that endured several earthquakes can be seen for only $3.
Iglesia de San Francisco (Church of San Francisco)
Another restored colonial church worth visiting is Iglesia de San Francisco. Built in 1541 and severely damaged by the earthquakes in the 18th century, Iglesia de San Francisco has then been restored to what it is today. It’s a church worth visiting for its impeccable architecture, convent ruins, Hermano Pedro’s tomb, and vendor stalls outside the church.
Where to Eat
El rincon tipico – Inexpensive authentic Guatemalan food.
La Fonda de La Calle Real – A bit more on the pricier side but another great place for authentic Guatemalan dishes.
Once Once – Vegan restaurant with great ambiance and drinks.
Antigua Brewery Company – The best place to grab a drink and watch the sunset from their rooftop terrace.
Por Qué No? – Arguably the best meal I had in all of Antigua, you must check this place out!
Café Sky– Great place to watch the sunset from their rooftop!
Basil & Coffee- Great cup of coffee!
Final Thoughts
This colorful colonial city full of charm is Central America’s hidden gem! Gaining more and more tourists each year Antigua is a fascinating city to visit. There are many things to do in Antigua Guatemala, you can hike active volcanos and drink the best cup of coffee! It’s one of those cities where it is both romantic and adventurous.
My time in Antigua was exceptional and would recommend it to anyone, it’s safe, affordable, and unique! Not that you need a sign to travel anywhere but Antigua Guatemala should be one of your top travel destinations to visit!
I hope my list of things to do in Antigua Guatemala helped you prepare for your trip.