Top places to visit in Antigua Guatemala

• Santa Catalina Arch

  landmark · 4.8 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  baroque · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  convent · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Well-preserved convent ruins with a unique circular tower of nuns' cells, courtyards and cloisters resilient to earthquakes.

• Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco

  pilgrimage · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Church housing the tomb of Hermano Pedro (Guatemala's first saint), a major pilgrimage site, alongside extensive monastery ruins.

• Casa Santo Domingo

  convent · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Former Santo Domingo monastery, now a hotel-museum complex with colonial ruins, crypts, chapels and archaeology and art museums.

• Parque Central (Plaza Mayor)

  plaza · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  hill · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hilltop viewpoint north of town with a stone cross and a sweeping panorama over Antigua and Volcán de Agua.

• Tanque La Unión

  plaza · 4.6 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Colonial public washing basins beside a small plaza, still used by locals; a quiet historic corner of Antigua.

• Catedral de San José

  cathedral · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Cathedral facing the central park; behind the working church lie the atmospheric roofless ruins of the old 17th-century cathedral.

• Volcán Pacaya

  volcano · 4.5 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Active volcano south of Antigua; a popular half-day hike to lava fields where visitors can roast marshmallows on volcanic heat.

• Volcán Acatenango

  volcano · 4.9 rating · about 24 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 to Antigua Guatemala

Airport: Antigua Guatemala (La Aurora International Airport) (GUA)

How visitors arrive in Antigua Guatemala

• Fly to Guatemala City, then transfer By air from Guatemala City (La Aurora Airport) · common

  There is no airport in Antigua; visitors fly into La Aurora in Guatemala City and continue by shuttle or van. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Shuttle or bus from Guatemala City By road from Guatemala City · common

  Shared and private shuttles and local buses connect Guatemala City with Antigua. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Shared shuttle from Guatemala City airport

  There is no airport in Antigua; fly into La Aurora in Guatemala City. Shared shuttles serve Antigua through the day; pre-buy from a local agent in busy periods. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Pre-arranged private van

  Arrange a van in advance and the driver meets you with a name sign; the guide suggests this as the simplest choice for first-timers. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Private taxi from the airport

  A private taxi is possible and can be shared among a few riders. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Allow generous check-in time at the airport when leaving; shuttle desks around Parque Central sell airport tickets. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Chicken bus from Guatemala City unconfirmed

  Local buses from Guatemala City arrive at Terminal Trebol in the capital side; in Antigua the main bus station is by the central market. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Allow generous check-in time at the airport when leaving; shuttle desks around Parque Central sell airport tickets. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Shuttle

  Shared shuttle vans link Antigua with La Aurora airport, and travel agencies near Parque Central sell seats to Panajachel and other destinations.

• Tuktuk main way to get around

  Tuk-tuks and taxis are the main way to get around town, and you can hail a passing tuk-tuk; the compact centre is also walkable.

• Walking

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.

Best time to visit Antigua Guatemala

• Jan 23°C
• Feb 23°C
• Mar 25°C
• Apr 25°C
• May 25°C
• Jun 24°C
• Jul 24°C
• Aug 24°C
• Sep 23°C
• Oct 23°C
• Nov 23°C
• Dec 22°C

More in Guatemala

• Panajachel
• Flores
• Guatemala City
• Lanquín
• Chichicastenango
• Quetzaltenango

Frequently asked questions about Antigua Guatemala

What are the top-rated places to visit in Antigua Guatemala?

The highest-rated places in our Antigua Guatemala guide are Volcán Acatenango, Santa Catalina Arch, Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, Iglesia y Convento de La Merced, Convento de las Capuchinas.

Where should I stay in Antigua Guatemala?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Antigua Guatemala: Centro Histórico, Calle del Arco.

How do I get around Antigua Guatemala?

Ways to get around Antigua Guatemala covered in our guide: Shuttle, Tuk-tuk, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Antigua Guatemala?

Scams reported to us for Antigua Guatemala include Inflated tuk-tuk and shuttle fares. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Antigua Guatemala?

Average daytime highs in Antigua Guatemala run from 22°C in Dec to 25°C in Apr.

Which airport is nearest to Antigua Guatemala?

The nearest airport to Antigua Guatemala has the code GUA.