Location: Sacatepéquez Department Map
La Antigua Guatemala was the colonial capital of
Spanish Central America. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and
perhaps Guatemala's most popular tourist attraction.
Usually
just called "Antigua" (or La Antigua), most of the city's streets
are arranged in the form of a network of parallel streets, forming a
rectangle, with the Parque Central as the starting point. The
north-south roads are avenues, numbered 1 through 8 from east to
west. The avenues are divided into sur (south) and north. The
east-west roads are calles or streets, numbered 1 to 9 from north to
south. These are in turn divided into orient (east) and poniente
(west). The intersection at the northeast corner of the Palace of
the Captains-General, i.e. on the southeast corner of Parque
Central, where avenues and streets divide. The avenues are south to
south of 5a Calle, and north to north of it. The streets are east of
4th avenue, and west of 4th avenue.
Some roads have names
that do not follow this numbering scheme, and some off-center roads
do not follow the same plan. Most of the corners don't have any
signs showing the names of the streets they pass. All roads are made
of stone and of poor quality. House numbers are counted from the
point of origin. The even numbers are on one side of the street and
the odd numbers on the other.
It helps to remember that the
north and south sides of Parque Central are 4th and 5th Calles, and
the east and west sides are 5th and 4th avenues. Parque Central is a
useful reference point on your trip. "5th ave. front #5" is north of
Parque Central. "5a ave. sur #5" is south of Parque Central.
Basically, if you know if Parque Central is to the north, south,
east or west, you can move around the city without any problems.
Inguat Tourist Office 2nd Calle Oriente #11 (between 3rd and 2nd
avenues), 7832-3782 ✆, info-antigua@inguat.gob.gt. Monday-Friday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Church and Convent of Capuchins (Convento las Capuchinas)
The whole city is filled with historic buildings, monuments,
fountains and ruins. The city was founded by the Spaniards in
the 17th century, and follows the traditional layout: a Main
Plaza, surrounded by Government buildings and the Catholic
Church. The Cathedral, the Palace of the Gobernadores, the
Convent of the Capuchinas, the Convent of Santa Clara, the Arch
of Santa Catarina, the Church of La Merced and the Handicraft
Market deserve a visit.
Entrance to the ruins is
expensive, except for the Ruinas y Museo de San Francisco, which
cost only 5 quetzals; Ruinas de Santa Clara, Ruinas de San
Jeronimo, Ruinas La Recollecion and Museo Capuchino charge Q40
for foreigners (Q2 for locals). The Museo Hotel Casa Santo
Domingo charges Q40, although here you can see the ruins for
free.
Parque Central is a park in the center of the city.
The park is the size of a city block, with concentric circular
paths lined with trees and a fountain at its center. The trees
are decorated with lights, and there are plenty of benches to
sit and watch people go by. The town hall, police station,
cathedral and various banks and tourist businesses surround the
park. Many Antiguans live in the park, and it is pleasant, busy
and lively during the day (not so much at night, so... use
common sense).
On a hill north of the city stands a huge
cross (Cerro de la Cruz). It's a pleasant, if somewhat
strenuous, 30-minute walk from Parque Central. On a clear day,
you have a great view of most of Antigua and the Volcán de Agua,
which rises to the south. Note: there are many complaints of
thefts on the trail. The Tourist Police guide a free walk at
10:00 am and 3:00 pm daily. Speak to the Tourist Police at their
post on the north side of the Town Hall, on the northeast corner
of Parque Central.
The Valhalla Experimental Station is a
macadamia tree nursery with an interesting ecological and
environmental plan. Valhalla has donated over 250,000 macadamia
trees to indigenous communities in Guatemala. Macadamia nuts are
big money, more so than coffee, with the potential to give
Guatemalan peasants a better life. he farmer can use the trimmed
branches of the trees for firewood. In addition, macadamia trees
reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and transform it into wood,
nuts and their husks. Walnut shells can be used to pave the
streets. In addition, in Valhalla they found a way to transform
plants into whole plants with genetic diversity, instead of
grafts. This allows the trees to adapt to different
environmental conditions. The season transforms macadamia nuts
into snacks, chocolates, skin cream, pure oil and flour that can
be used to make pancakes. Breakfast is served all day, every day
until 3:30 pm. Breakfast includes 3 pancakes made from macadamia
flour, served with macadamia butter, homemade blueberry
marmalade and a drink of your choice. No need to book.
The Valhalla Experimental Station is located a few kilometers
from Antigua, in the direction of San Miguel Dueñas. There are
buses every 30 minutes on this route, and the price is around
Q3.50 one way. The station offers guided tours in Spanish,
English, and sometimes other languages as well. At the end of
the visit they offer samples of their various macadamia
products. Phone: +502 7888-6308, fax: +502 7831-5799. Open
Monday-Saturday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
El Mercado or the
Market is located about 3 blocks west of the northwest corner of
downtown. Strolling through the market is a cultural experience.
It's open every day, including Sunday, but the days it's biggest
are Saturday, Monday and Thursday. It is very large and
labyrinthine, and is likely to get lost. It is dark in covered
areas, and lighter in outdoor sections. The cheapest food,
gifts, fresh meat and all kinds of items can be found here.
There are so many sections of the market that you need to spend
a day to see them all. To the south is a modern, clean and
well-stocked gift shop, local arts and crafts arranged around a
central fountain. To the east is the avenue of restaurants and
supermarkets. To the west, the bus terminal, where you can take
a bus to all the towns in the region and to Guatemala City. To
the north you can find football fields and second-hand clothing
stores. In the center of the market there are narrow alleys
crossing meat markets, flower shops, and numerous stalls with
fruit for sale. In a large outdoor area next to the bus stop
there is an open-air fruit market - where magnificent papayas,
large mangoes, pineapples and all kinds of tropical fruit are
sold. And, of course, the usual bananas, apples and grapes, of
excellent quality and fresh. Occasionally, animals such as
chickens and small mammals are also sold. It's a meeting point
for all Antiguans, and it's where most families buy food. You
are guaranteed to get lost every time you enter the main market
area. The market has grown tremendously, much to the dismay of
the locals, who speak of the clean, organized, small and
prettier market they grew up with.
Located just 45 km west of Guatemala City, a journey from La
Aurora Airport takes just 45-60 minutes.
You can take a
crowded bus from Guatemala City via Q8. More than 100 bus
drivers have died due to gang clashes. Drivers who refuse to pay
exorbitant sums of money for protection are killed. Despite
this, many still consider public and "private" buses to be safer
than taking a taxi or tuk-tuks (small tricycles with fabric
doors). Antique tuk-tuks are famous for taking tourists to bad
areas of the city, where they are robbed - so it is advisable to
only ride a tuk tuk if you know the driver. In countries like
Guatemala, where safety is a major concern, it's best to call a
taxi company.
There are shuttles that go directly from
the airport to the city for Q80, and they leave regularly during
the day until 20:00. It is advisable to buy the ticket in
advance because the bus may or may not be full, depending on the
number of flights arriving at the same time. A taxi from the
airport to Antigua should cost around Q350, but the price can
come down considerably if you share it with one or two people.
There are numerous travel agencies in Parque Central that
arrange trips back to the airport. Usual cost is Q55-80. To take
the bus from the airport, go to the bus stop near the car park.
However, sometimes buses are not allowed to stop there (at least
the unofficial ones), and you have to be prepared to walk a long
way to reach another station, outside the airport grounds.
However, a tourist dragging luggage behind him makes an easy
target for a local thief. The second problem with taking buses
is that they are often crowded with people, so it can be
difficult to store your bags and make sure they don't get
stolen.
There is a direct shuttle from Copán, Honduras
that departs twice a day, at 5:30 am and at noon.
A
tourist van costs around Q250-350. The driver will meet you at
the airport with his name on a sign. If you are visiting Antigua
for the first time, the convenience and safety offered by these
types of vans may well offset the cost.
There is no
airport or train station in Antigua.
Antigua is a very compact city and is easy to walk around. Most
tourist attractions are in an area of 8x8 blocks, less than 1 km
wide. You can cross it in 15 minutes. Be careful: the sidewalks
are narrow and not always in good condition, you may have to
walk on the street with cars passing right next to you, and at
night it's better to be careful and always be aware. Normal
tourist maps are very linear and are only accurate in the center
of the city, the outskirts being indistinct and imprecise. it is
better to get a map with exact topography if you want to go to
places far from the city center, because dead ends and streets
that are not straight are not accurately represented.
If
you don't know the city streets very well, and it's after 11 pm,
it's best to take a taxi back to your hotel, especially if
you're alone, or if you're going more than a few blocks away
from the well-lit area of Parque Central.
Tuk-tuks and
taxis can take you to any destination within the city center for
Q10 or less - negotiate the price with the taxi driver before
getting in. If you don't, they usually charge 50-100% more than
usual. Hail a tuk-tuk or get a taxi at Parque Central; or along
one of the main routes on the outskirts of the city.
Cultural walking tours of Antigua are offered six days a week. These
are organized by Elizabeth Bell, who came to Guatemala in 1969 from the
United States and stayed. She has written two books on Antigua (Antigua
Guatemala: The City and Its Heritage and Lent and Holy Week in Antigua).
This tour tells you what few people know-including about the people and
forces that "drive" Antigua today and in the past, as you tour some of
the city's top attractions. Since Elizabeth Bell is one of those people
who drive Antigua, her perspective is hardly surpassed. An essential
complement to a normal guided tour of the main monuments and their
histories. It costs around Q150 (Q125 for project volunteers), including
the cost of entrance fees to the monuments. Some of the profits are
donated to cultural foundations in Antigua. Available in English and
Spanish. Part of the fountain in Parque Central.
Tuesday-Wednesday, Friday-Saturday 9:30-24:30, with Elizabeth Bell.
Monday, Tuesday 14:00-17:00, with Roberto Spillari.
Mandatory
reservation; contact Antigua Tours, 3ª calle nte #28, tel.: +502
7832-5821 and +502 7832-2046.
You can arrange a Coffee Tour, organized by As Green As It Gets, which offers a unique opportunity to help local coffee farmers and meet their families. The visits start with a short walk with the farmer to his plantations. Visitors follow the journey of the coffee bean from seed to cup learning about all aspects of the coffee plantation from the farmer's perspective. Situated on the impressive Volcano de Agua, overlooking the Antigua Valley, visitors are invited into the farmer's home and learn how to grind and roast coffee. All farmers receive cash on delivery and visitors are encouraged to buy coffee directly from farmers. tel.: +502 5663-9764.
For those who like to hike, two routes near Antigua are recommended:
Climb Volcán Pacaya and/or Volcán Acatenango.
Climbing the still
active Volcán Pacaya is easy and you will find dozens of travel agencies
that can sell you tickets, which normally cost between Q60-75, depending
on your bargaining skills. This includes a shuttle bus to and from the
volcano. Once there, you have to pay an extra Q40 to enter the park.
Pacaya is an active volcano, and you can go right up to the crater rim.
And yes, occasionally some people do fall! The walk is not very
difficult, except for the last 100 meters, which go through very loose
volcanic rocks. Walking can be tiring and anyone who is not in good
physical condition should consider whether or not to do it. If you go in
the afternoon, be prepared to go down at night. It takes approximately
an hour and a half to go up and 45 minutes to go down the mountain.
There are some kiosks at the bottom of this trail that sell beer.
Guatemala Ventures has guided hikes to Pacaya Volcano.
Antigua Tours
offers a guided trek from Antigua for US$75 (about Q625) for more than 5
people. 6:00-13:00 or 13:00-20:30 daily.
You can find more
information on the Guatemala Turística website (Spanish).
Climbing Volcán Acatenango is something completely different: this hike
goes from Antigua (1500 meters) to 3976 meters in one day. You need to
be in shape, to carry the material, and to take precautions against
Altitude Sickness. Most people who make this trip spend the night on the
mountain, although some go up and down in one day. There are currently
two companies offering the Acatenango Volcano trail. However, if you
have the necessary equipment, you can make the trip alone, as there is
only one way to go up.
Volcán Água, dormant, is located south of the
city. Some people recommend that you go up the mountain with a company
and with a police escort, to avoid problems; there have been reports of
thefts of individual tourists. Take security seriously; ask for advice
at the tourist office in Inguat, and go with a company you trust.
GuatemalaVentures, 1era Av. Sur (down from Café Sky) - Offers a wide
variety of outdoor activities, such as guided hikes to area volcanoes,
mountain biking, kayaking, and birdwatching hikes. GuatemalaVentures
guides speak, in addition to Spanish, German and English.
Guatemala
World. A travel agency based in Antigua, with travel for individuals and
groups in Guatemala and Central America. Options include: small
excursions (1-3 days) or trips of 8 or more days, focusing on Mayan
culture and tradition, relaxation, archaeology, nature and/or adventure.
You can also arrange Spanish lessons and accommodation in a local's
home. Also offers trips to or in: Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico,
Costa Rica or Cuba.
Viaventure - Offers luxury trips for one or
several days. It is better to contact in advance, because it is not
customary to just show up there and buy a trip. They can arrange
helicopter tours, VIP guides, jeeps, etc. Their services tend to be more
expensive than other local agencies, but the offer is different from
what you will find in one of the many agencies in the city.
Don
Quijote Cruisers, 6ta. Calle Oriente (in front of the union tank). Rent
a bike and cycle around Antigua's many scenic ruins and cafes. Prices
range from Q80 for three hours to Q350 for the whole day.
Antigua is the most popular - although not the cheapest - place to
learn Spanish in Guatemala. Price and hours vary, and may change
depending on the season. Staying at a local's home is cheaper and more
culturally enriching than a hotel; the average price of a room in a
Guatemalan family's house is Q585 for 7 nights, in a private room with
private bathroom and 2-3 meals a day (except Sunday). It's worth paying
the extra price for a private bathroom or shower, and look for a family
that only accepts one or a few students for full immersion in the local
culture. Some families visit each other on Sundays and therefore may not
be available to prepare meals. If you are the only student in that
house, you may be invited to these family gatherings.
Escuela
Tecun Uman - Run by Mario Castellanos, one of the most experienced
teachers in the city, the school has a good reputation among foreigners.
Escuela Jimenez - This school offers private teachers, who adapt
according to the level of learning, determined in an initial interview.
Located near the main market street, the school is a family business run
by Miguel Morales-Jiménez.
Don Pedro de Alvarado Spanish School - One
student, two teachers. This school offers a course of 6 hours/day. The
student studies with a teacher each morning, focusing on grammar and
language usage. In the afternoon, he will study with another teacher who
focuses on improving conversational skills.
Proyecto Lingüistico
Francisco Marroquín - It is the oldest language school in Antigua,
founded in 1969, which has grown to include courses in several Mayan
languages, including Kaqchikel, K'iche and Mam. Your "Full Immersion
Program" includes the option to stay with a Guatemalan host family.
Academia de Español Sevilla, 1ª Avenida Sur # 17C, +502 7832-5101 ✆,
fax: +502 7832-5101. It offers private Spanish classes. It also offers
accommodation in student houses or in the home of a Guatemalan family,
both with 3 meals/day 6 days/week, and private bathroom (if you ask for
one). The school offers daily activities such as cultural explorations.
Guate Linda Center - Languages offered include: Spanish, English,
French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, and a Mayan language called
Kakchickel. You can stay at the school itself. There is a teacher for
every student, with between 20-35 hours per week.
Academia de Español
Ya! (5 blocks from Parque Central), info@espanolya.com. Teachers with
university education. All necessary materials are included in the price.
Private or group lessons. It has a garden for you to study. It helps him
find activities to spend the afternoon and accommodation with a
Guatemalan family. Q750 for 4 hours/day, 5 days/week.
AdE - Traveling
Spanish, 4ª Calle Poniente No. 17 (2 blocks from Parque Central), +502
7832-8005 ✆, st@spanishtraveling.com. Learn Spanish while visiting
Guatemala's most popular tourist attractions, including Lake Atitlán,
Quetzaltenango, Río Dulce and Livingston. Classes can take place on
coffee plantations, in a museum, in a park, on the shore of a lake, or
in the classroom in Antigua.
Escuela de Espanol Cooperacion, 7th Av.
Norte, 15B, mailto:escuela_coop@yahoo.com - A highly recommended school
run as a cooperative, ensuring teachers receive fair wages. The school
has a nice garden to study. Q750/week for 20 hours with a private tutor.
You can arrange to stay with a Guatemalan family.
Escuela de Español
Ixquic 7a Av. North No. 74A, info@spanishschoolixquic.edu.gt. Spanish
school in operation since 1993.
He easily finds work as a waiter or bartender, or as a Maitre d' in any of Antigua's bars, restaurants and hotels. They usually pay Q65-165 per day plus tips. It's important to speak Spanish to get a job in most restaurants, but in the more touristy areas, where most of the customers are foreigners, it's possible to get a job without knowing it. You can also volunteer to work for non-profit organizations. There are many local projects in education, health, and other fields that accept volunteers. An example is Common Hope, and other local churches and charities. These organizations must be contacted in advance, to see if there are vacancies and to register the volunteer - which is very important for the safety of the clients.
When changing money at the bank, you will need your passport. Banks
are open seven days a week until 19:00-20:00. Most of the time, a
passport is not required to exchange between dollars and quetzales.
However, it is necessary to have a passport to, for example, exchange
travelers checks for cash. ATMs are also available throughout the city.
The market - The market is located about three blocks west of the
northwest corner of downtown. The market is open every day, but is
bigger on Saturdays, Mondays, and Thursdays. it's a big and labyrinthine
market, in which you will probably get lost. It's dark in the covered
areas, and brighter outside. The cheapest food, the freshest meat, gifts
and all kinds of objects can be found here.
What to Buy?
Carved wooden figures and masks are very popular in Guatemala, and easy
to find in many of the shops and street stalls in La Antigua Guatemala.
These are wonderful and unique souvenirs or gifts to bring home for
friends and family, or simply something unusual to remember your trip.
Cheap clothes, shoes, and leather goods - Can be found in the market.
You can buy new pants for Q8 or less. Check the quality and comfort
before purchasing the shoes. Smaller sizes, difficult to find in Europe
or the United States, are easy to find here due to the small stature of
the population.
Cheap tropical fruits - Also found in the market.
Papayas, mangoes, cherries, strawberries, melons, plums and other
delicious tropical fruits abound in the market, depending on the season.
The "lychas", covered by a red hair, have a great flavor, like the
lychees found in other countries. Fruits are "safe" to eat if they are
washed. However, it might be a good idea to stay away from strawberries
unless you can soak them in bleach to get any "fertilizer" or
contaminated water out.
Handcrafted jade and stone fabric and jewelry
are sold by local indigenous women dressed in brightly colored clothing.
They all say the same thing, "my mom made them by hand", which is
probably true. You can usually haggle the price down to 25% less than
the original price, or more if you leave.
Antigua has cafes and restaurants for all budgets and tastes. The
city is the most touristic place in Guatemala, so you'll find everything
you're looking for, including international fast-food chains. Be careful
where you eat. Restaurants without toilets or dirty toilets are more
likely to get food poisoning. Avoid cold salads, fresh vegetables, and
undercooked meat. Ice cream carts are plentiful on city streets and
popular with locals, but may not be suitable for sensitive stomachs.
Economic
The Bagel Barn, 5a Calle Poniente #2, in the city
center, 10 meters from Parqie Central - Travelers come here to eat the
delicious bagels, drink the excellent coffee and use the wireless
internet (for those traveling with their portable). A very welcoming
environment, with movie screenings in the afternoons and evenings.
Helados Marco Polo 5a Ave Nte, in front of Helados Sarita (see below). -
Offers ice cream dishes in a more sophisticated setting.
Helados
Sarita ("after 1948"), 5th Ave Nte. - Several dozen flavors of ice
cream, in 3 different types of cones, sundaes, and other elaborate
flavors.
Pan Colonial 7th Av. Norte, 13. Traditional Guatemalan
pastry, with a good selection of breads, one of the best (and cheapest)
pastry shops in Antigua.
Average
Cafe Mediterraneo 6 Calle
Poniente 6A, +502 7832-7180 ✆. Dinners from 6 pm, Wednesday-Monday... A
wide variety of delicious pasta.
Cinema Café Bistro 5a Ave Sur #14,
two blocks south of the southwest corner of Parque Central. - Offers
food with a movie running all the time, from mid-afternoon to late
evening. Ask for movie times of the week.
Dabbawala Tandoori, Tel:
+502 7832-9976. - A new Indian take-out restaurant. Samosas, onion
bhajjiya, chicken madras, vindolho, naan, and other dishes. One of the
owners brings you the order at a moro. Most small hotels in the city can
order food if you ask for it. Remember to ask for plastic plates and
forks if you need them!
El Mix 4th Avenue sur 4a (half a block from
Parque Central), +502 7832-8934 ✆, elmix@mail.com. Music, a patio
vegetarian dishes, Israeli food.
Mono Loco, 5th ave. sur - A tourist
restaurant, with cheap international calls and some computers with
internet. The food is very "gringo", but tasty all the same. There is a
large bar on the ground floor, as well as a covered outdoor second
floor. A good place to hang out or grab a burger.
El Pelícano Dorado
At the South end of Calzada Santa Lucia, where it leaves for Ciudad
Vieja, Nos. 7&7A. tel: +502 7832-7242. Authentic Food from Livingston:
fresh fish and seafood, tapado, seafood broth, ceviches, rice and beans,
giffity, etc. Also traditional Garifuna punta music played live on the
weekends.
Rainbow Restaurant and Bookshop 7a. Ave Sur #6, one block
south and two blocks west of the southwest corner of Parque Central.
Phone: +502 7832-1919. It offers "tourist" breakfasts, lunches and
dinners. There is a breakfast special with tomato, beans, egg, rice and
tea or coffee, very cheap. Sandwiches and entrees are also inexpensive,
and they also offer salads and desserts. They use purified water in all
drinks, ice, and food preparation. There is also live music, poetry
readings and interesting talks about Guatemala.
Sangre 5 Av. North
#33. - Great food, good atmosphere. Moderate prices. Great wine
selection.
Y tu Piña, también, 6a Calle Oriente & Primera Avenida
Sur. - Breakfasts and lunches. It has liqueurs, flavored rums, "Luísa"
soups, and espresso ons. Free Internet.
Expensive
Bistrot
Cinq, 4a calle oriente #7. A French bistro with great food, featuring
local cuisine and special dishes hard to find anywhere else in Antigua.
Run by Americans. It has an open kitchen, so you can see the cooks at
work, and a great bar.
Estudio35 5th avenue north. - Pleasant, with a
good atmosphere, excellent pizza and tasty crepes. It also has a wide
range of drinks and cocktails, as well as free wireless internet.
La
Fonda de la Calle Real , tel.: +502 7832-0507. Guatemalan specialty,
reasonably priced. The "De Todo Un Poco" ("a little bit of everything")
menu combines steak, chicken, and a sausage for Q91. The "Pepian
Vegetariano" menu offers green beans and other vegetables with an
unusual sauce. The green salad is fresh and comes in a lot of quantity.
Uses purified water in all beverages, ice and food preparation.
3a
Calle Pte 7
5a Ave Nte 5 - Located in a rustic building with three
floors, with balconies on the second floor.
Nokiate, 1st avenue
sur #7. The only sushi bar in Antigua where you can watch the chef
prepare summer rolls, sashimi and sushi. It also has a great selection
of Latin-Japanese dishes. The atmosphere is very pleasant and inviting.
La Peña de Sol Latino, 5th Calle Poniente - A bar and restaurant with
live Guatemalan and Central American music. The music, atmosphere and
food make this a very special place. Try the brownies; they are simply
fantastic. The macadamia grouper is also highly recommended, and the
other desserts are fantastic too. They only use purified water and
disinfect all food, so you can safely enjoy one of their creative
salads. Open for lunches and dinners.
Restaurante Doña Luisa
Xicotencatl, 4a Calle Ote 12 - A restaurant located in a magnificent
courtyard of a historic building. The menu includes a great breakfast,
burgers, and a Guatemalan version of Tex-Mex cuisine. They use purified
water in food preparation, drinks and ice, which means the menu is safe
for sensitive stomachs. There is a pastry shop in the building. Highly
recommended for the cookies and delicious breakfast breads.
Sabor
Cubano 4a Calle Oriente 3A, half a block east on the north side of
Parque Central. - This restaurant has a slightly upscale atmosphere.
There is live Cuban music from Thursday to Saturday night and Sunday
afternoon.
Travel Menu, 6a Calle Pte #14, one and a half blocks south
west of the southwest corner of Parque Central. A small restaurant, but
with big servings. It seats about 20 people, with eight tables in a
small, candle-lit room. They offer starters at low prices, with several
vegetarian options. Portions are generous. Beer and wine are also
available, but not desserts. It attracts many tourists.
Kloster 3a
Calle Oriente No. 28. - Right next to Casa Santo Domingo, it has good
fondue, tasty steaks, and delicious prawns. The bread is homemade, tasty
and fresh. It has a decent selection of wines. There is a fondue for
dessert, with excellent quality chocolate. The service is excellent.
Café No Sé, Primera Avenida Sur - A place with a bohemian atmosphere,
frequented by storytellers. Live music, corny art and colorful
personalities. They serve Cuban fajitas and have a great selection of
tequilas.
Cafe Sky, 1st Av. Sur 15. - One of the best spots in
Antigua to see Volcan de Agua and the sunset.
Fernando's Kaffee, 7th
Avenida Nte 43D - Best coffee in Antigua, plus great breakfasts, next to
Posada La Merced. Fernando, the owner, is very friendly. A pleasant
patio allows you to sit outside in summer. Breakfasts are fantastic:
pancakes, crepes and fresh fruit. A great place to spend time while
relaxing and drinking a coffee.
Mono Loco, half a block below Parque
Central. - National and international beers. Pop/rock music. It has a
big TV to watch sports.
Reilly's Irish Tavern, 5th Ave. nte. #31. -
Antigua's only Irish pub. Serves Guinness and Jagermeister, among other
things. Every Sunday at 18:00 they have a contest.
Y tu Piña,
también, 6a Calle Oriente & Primera Avenida Sur. - Breakfasts and
lunches. It has licuados, rum of various favors, and the famous "Luísa's
soups". It also has good espressos and free wireless internet.
El
Muro Pub 3ª Calle oriente 19 D (Antigua Guatemala), +502 7832-8849 ✆.
Classic rock, with good drinks, as well as local, Asian and vegetarian
cuisine. Credit cards accepted. Monday-Saturday 17:30-1:00.
Wiener.
Austrian restaurant serving the best schnitzel west of Vienna. They
serve great local food and have friendly, helpful staff.
Economic
Antigua UmmaGumma Hostel, 7a Avenida Norte, #34, +502
7832-4413 ✆, ummagumma@itelgua.com. Two shared kitchens, fully equipped,
with a common area with TV, wireless internet and two common computers,
in addition to a terrace, laundry, international calls, and a travel
agency. Dorms and private rooms available. Q40 for a bed in a dorm.
La Casa de los Abuelos, mrosori@gmail.com. A family home, turned into a
beautiful hotel, 5 minutes from downtown La Antigua, with a great view
of the volcanoes, and space packages for Spanish students.
Casa
Bellona, Calle Coyolar # 11 (At the end of 2nd Avenida Sur), 7832-0124
✆. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon. A nice guesthouse in Antigua. You can
use the kitchen to cook your own meals, but breakfast is included. Nice
clean rooms with shared bathroom which are also very clean. Garden with
hammocks and a living room with cable TV and DVD, a great place to
socialize with other travellers. A little far from the center (10-15
minutes walk), but it's a good hotel for a good price. $20 for a double
room.
El Gato Negro, 6a Avenida Norte, 1a, +502 7832 1229 ✆,
info@blackcatantigua.com. The biggest, and perhaps the funnest, motel in
Antigua. The price includes breakfast (see the Desayuno menu). Free
internet, including wireless internet. There is a "cinema" with more
than 350 films, totally free. You can only book a double room via the
website. It is better to book in advance as it is very popular. Q60 for
a dorm bed, Q150 for a double.
Hotel Casa Cristina, Callejon
Camposeco 3A (between Avenida nte 6 and 7, one block from Iglesia de La
Merced). This small and charming 10-room hotel is located just four
blocks from Parque Central, in the center of Antigua. All rooms have
private bathrooms and hot water. Free tea, coffee and purified water.
Wireless Internet in all rooms. USD18 for a single room with Cable TV
(USD22); USD22 for a double room with cable TV ($26), USD35 for a deluxe
room with views of Volcán de Agua and cable TV. Discounts when staying a
week or a month.
Hostel 5, 4ª Avenida Norte #33 (about 3 blocks from
the center). Q50 for a dorm bed with breakfast included. Friendly owner
who takes good care of you, and a great cook. Comfortable beds,
extremely clean establishments, lockers, hot showers, a spectacular
terrace with picnic tables, hammocks, and a great view of the volcano.
The bar/restaurant has cheap beer and great food.
Hostel Los Amigos
2nd Avenue, between 7th and 8th calle. Q35 for a dorm bed.
Hostel
Calle 6 6ª Calle Poniente Nº 19 (one block from Parque Central), +502
5532-3274 ✆. A great motel. The price includes internet, laundry
service, luggage storage, and 24 hour hot water. The hostel also
includes a travel agency. Q35 a dorm bed.
Posada Juma Ocag Calzada de
Santa Lucía # 13. Rooms with private bathrooms and iron-framed beds. The
rooms are arranged around a small but beautiful courtyard. Small
terrace. Friendly and helpful employees. Since Q110.
Jungle Party
Hostel, 6ª Avenida Norte 20 (between 2nd and 3rd Calle Poniente), +502
7832 0463 ✆. A mid-size motel with a courtyard, a bar, a restaurant and
hammocks. Free wireless Internet. Showers with hot water. The price
includes breakfast. Note: No food or drink is allowed from outside the
hostel. Q60 for a dorm bed.
Average
Dos Loros Inn, Calle de
San Luquitas #20, Callejon de Burrito, +800 234-2705 ✆,
info@doslorosinn.com. Modern and spacious rooms, with a comfortable
Queen size bed and a huge bathroom with a huge bathtub. Free wireless
Internet. USD56 (about Q447) for a queen size bed.
Hotel Boutique
Euskadi [20], 3rd Calle Oriente #30 - A nice, clean hotel with a good
restaurant and efficient staff.
Posada de la Merced, near Iglesia de
la Merced - Very clean and well maintained hotel with helpful staff. The
owner used to be a tour guide and he gives you great advice.
Hotel
Casa Antigua, 3ª Calle Poniete #5 (1 block northwest of central park),
+502 7832-9090 ✆, fax: +502 7832-9191, hotelcasa-antigua@hotmail.com.
Check-in: 3pm, check-out: 1pm. Historic hotel just a two-minute walk
from Parque Central. 22 rooms, all with bathtubs, three gardens with
fountains and a terrace. All rooms are decorated with unique antiques.
Discounts for large groups or weekly stays. Free Wi-Fi & internet
terminals, free purified water, breakfast available, cafe, common
kitchen, laundry service, bafafem storage, cable TV, 24 hour hot water
and cars to pick you up from the airport. $45-85 (Q350-680).
Hotel
Casa Rustica, 6th Ave Norte #8 (one block west of Parque Central), +502
7832-3709 ✆, casarusticagt@hotmail.com. Just one block from Parque
Central. Gardens, terraces and hammocks. All rooms are private, have
comfortable anti-stress beds and plenty of natural light. Single rooms
with shared bathroom ($25), or with private bathroom and cable TV ($35)
and garden view ($39). Double rooms with private bathroom ($35), or with
private bathroom and cable TV ($45) and garden view ($47); triple and
quad rooms are also available. Free Wi-Fi, free purified water, large
communal kitchen, laundry service, luggage storage, internet terminals,
internet café, airport pick-up cars, cable TV, and 24-hour hot water.
USD19-47.
Hotel Quinta de las Flore. A 10-minute walk from the
central square, the hotel offers several peaceful rooms arranged around
a central fountain. It has a fireplace, with wood ready to burn. $75-95
for a double room (more on Holy Week and New Year).
Posada Don
Valentino, 5ª Calle poniente #28 (two blocks west of Parque Central),
+502 7832-0384 ✆, don.valentino@hotmail.com. Spacious, light-filled
rooms and common areas with Guatemalan furniture and textiles. All rooms
have a private bathroom, cable TV, 24 hour hot water and great views. 18
standard rooms and 3 suites. Two large terraces with views of the city
and the volcano. It has an internet cafe, international calls, travel
agency, common kitchen, laundry service, luggage storage, and free
bottled water. Bilingual employees. $37 for a single, $48 for a double,
$57 for a triple, $65 for a quad, suites also available. Discounts for
large groups and long stays. $37-65.
Posada Dona Luisa. Located a few
blocks from Parque Central. It has nice and friendly staff, and it's
clean and quiet. Available single, double and triple. $30-45.
Posada
Lazos Fuertes. A 15-room hotel whose profits supposedly help poor
Guatemalan children. Q395 for a double.
Expensive
El Marques
de Antigua, 4th avenue sur # 30, +502 7832-8259 ✆,
info@elmarquesdeantigua.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 1PM. El Marques
de Antigua is a unique hotel, completely made up of suites, 4 blocks
from Parque Central. It is within walking distance of many spas,
restaurants, art galleries and major tourist attractions. There are two
types of suites: Loft Dona Beatriz (single) and Loft Don Pedro (double),
both fully furnished and with a kitchen, a dining room, a mini-patio
with a fountain, washing machine and dryer, TV, Free WiFi, and more.
$75-135.
Palacio de Doña Leonor, 4a Calle Oriente Casa No.8, +502
7832 2281 ✆, reservations@palaciodeleonor.com. It received its name from
the daughter of Pedro de Alvarado, conqueror and first governor of
Guatemala. It offers twelve rooms and suites arranged around a
magnificent patio/garden.
Casa Madeleine Bed & Breakfast and Spa,
Calle del Espiritu Santo # 69, +502 7832 9348 ✆, fax: +502 7832 9358,
casamadeleine@aol.com. A beautiful B&B located about 6-7 blocks from
Parque Central. Comfortable rooms, hot water, Wi-Fi, shampoo, etc. It
has a jacuzzi and spa. Great views from the hotel patio and the volcano.
Discounts for groups, students and volunteers. $95-205.
Casa Santo
Domingo, 3a Calle Oriente No. 28 "A" - A world-class luxury hotel
located in the ruins of a refurbished convent. Included in the price are
tickets to three great museums on Paseo De Los Museos. A 10-minute walk
from the central park. Standard rooms for $170-190, suites for $215-360
(December 2005 prices). Domingoreservas@intelnet.net.gt. Phone: +502
7820-1222: Fax: +502 7832-4155.
Hotel Casa del Parque, 4th Ave Norte
#5 (60 meters north of Parque Central), +502 7832-0961 ✆, fax: +502
7832-3709, hotelcasadelparque@hotmail.com. A four-star hotel just a
30-second walk from Parque Central. 16 rooms & 9 suites, with bathroom,
breakfast, pool, jacuzzi, sauna, three gardens with fountains and a
terrace. All rooms are decorated with beautiful typical Guatemalan
furniture. Free Wi-Fi & internet terminals, free purified water, free
breakfast & coffee, laundry service, luggage storage, airport pick-up
cars, cable TV, and 24-hour hot water. $69-115.
Hotel Convento Santa
Catalina, 5 Ave Norte #28, +502 7832-3080 ✆, fax: +502 7832-3610,
hotelconvento@yahoo.com, mail@conventohotel.com. The Convent of Santa
Catalina Martir was the second monastery founded by the order of Saint
Augustine, in 1613. In 1693, a bridge was built to connect the monastery
to a property acquired by the convent, on the other side of the street,
so that the nuns could could walk down the street without being seen.
Nowadays, it is one of the main tourist attractions of Antigua, el Arco
de Santa Catalina. The hotel offers single, double, triple, and junior
suites. 16 furnished rooms, seven of which have kitchenettes. 2
beautiful gardens and a magnificent view of the volcanoes. $70-100.
The Palace of Dona Beatriz. - A luxury B&B on a coffee plantation, close
to the convent and museum of Santo Domingo. $100-165 for a single or
junior suite.
Porta Antigua, 8ª calle poniente No.1, +502 7832-2801
✆, fax: +502 7832-0807, ventasantigua@portahotels.com. A beautiful
hotel, just a few blocks from Parque Central, on a quiet street. The
hotel has a beautiful swimming pool, parrots that live by your window
and great meals. Try the fantastic hot chocolate. $150-225.
In
the home of a Guatemalan family
Home stays with Guatemalan families
are easy to arrange through Spanish schools or by contacting the host
family directly. As the stay is prepaid, you can change schools whenever
you want and start attending a new one. Transfers from the airport are
also pre-paid if arranged through a school, so if the driver asks for a
tip of Q40 or Q80, smile and give him a maximum of Q10 or Q15 (a 20%
tip), unless that he carried his luggage up a steep hill and dozens of
steps. The houses are often on top of hills, so be prepared to find
large black scorpions on the illuminated walls when going home at night.
They are harmless if you don't disturb them. Choose a house in the city
to avoid "climbing" hills, and to have less problems with mosquitoes.
Families currently charge around Q580 for 7 days in a room with shared
bathroom facilities and two meals. Expect to pay around Q80 or Q160
extra if you also want to eat lunch or if you want a private bathroom
(well worth it if you don't want to share a bathroom with a dozen other
people). One advantage of staying with a Guatemalan family for a Spanish
student is the possibility of better absorbing the culture and learning
the language better. The fewer students you have with a family, the
better your experience. Too many students prefer to speak English with
each other and destroy the experience for you. Before paying, ask how
many people are in the house. You might find that more than 14 people
share a sink and two toilets. The water pressure is low at night, and
you may not be able to take a shower with hot water if the pressure is
not enough to activate the shower. Buy your own shampoo and soap,
because you can use the same soap for washing dishes and showering.
Facilities can be a little more basic than a hotel: a simple adobe or
cement building, shared bathroom, and small rooms. Ask if you have a
lock for your room, because you might share the house with "dubious"
people, and it's not a good idea to carry your camera and laptop around.
Don't forget that mosquitoes are common, and owners sometimes leave the
door open while cleaning. A mosquito net is necessary if you don't want
to have mosquitoes buzzing in your ear while you sleep. Some areas of
Antigua do not have mosquitoes, in others they are abundant. If you
value cleanliness and convenience, book a room with a private bathroom.
You have to get your own towels. If you leave one in a common bathroom,
don't be surprised if everyone uses it. Meal times vary, with dinner
being served at either 7.30am or 8pm, so it's best to eat elsewhere if
you want to go to bed early. Dinner is simple - a few pieces of cold
bread and perhaps a very light soup. If you want a more well-stocked
dinner, you'll have to go to a restaurant. Fresh fruits and vegetables
are often not served, so eat lots of beans or make your own source of
fiber.
Ana & Dany, anaguate@hotmail.com. A friendly and nice
couple offering rooms in their house. He has four rooms (only two of
them with a private bathroom) in his small house on Calle De Los Pasos,
near the Church of San Francisco. Their two children also live there.
Both speak English, and are very helpful for Spanish students. They also
teach Spanish privately and through schools. Rooms are small and basic,
but clean.
There are several internet cafes and call shops in Antigua. Usually
the price of an hour of internet costs Q5-10. Some Internet cafes
provide videophones for Internet phone calls. Many call shops use VoIP,
and not all prefixes work. The call center in the city center cannot
contact certain mobile phones or some prefixes, which are more recent.
The price is $2 for one minute on the phone, to receive voice mail, or
to speak with customer service.
The Bagel Barn 5a Calle Poniente
#2 - The Bagel Barn offers free wi-fi for those traveling with laptops.
Enjoy a cup of coffee or a bagel while surfing the net. Very close to
Parque Central.
Escuela Español International Calls, 6a Calle Pte #8
- Has about twelve machines with internet access for just Q5/hour
(December 2005 prices). The price is great, but the machines aren't very
fast. One block south and one block west of Parque Central.
Rainbow
Restaurant and Bookshop, 7a Ave Sur #8 - Has internet access. If you
spend more than Q20 at the bookshop, you get 25 minutes of free
internet. Phone: +502-7832-1919.
Funky Monkey Net - Now known as
BambooNet, 5a Ave Sur L-2, Paseo de los Corregedores #6. Phone:
+502-7832-4195. peter@bamboogroupsa.com. - A tourist-oriented café,
south of Parque Central, offering internet machines for Q6/hour (July
2007 prices).
Hotel Casa Rustica, 6ª Ave Norte #8 - Has a small bar &
internet cafe on the premises. Situated just one block from Parque
Central. The internet is fast and the signal is strong. For hotel
guests, the service is free. For the rest, it's Q5/hour, Q20/day or
Q70/week. Check your emails sitting in the garden, terrace or in a
hammock, while drinking a soft drink or eating a snack.
Due to the presence of the "Tourist Police", Antigua is much safer
than any other Guatemalan city. However, the tourist police are only
present inside the city. During the day it is very unlikely to get
robbed in Antigua. However, if you leave the tourist areas and wander
the streets at night, there is considerable risk, especially at dawn
when the police change shifts. It's best to leave your passport at the
hotel and walk around with any identification. Instead of carrying cash,
carry a credit card as there are ATMs available in the city. If you have
to travel a lot, you can use a money belt, taking a wallet with just a
few dollars to hand over to the thief in case it gets stolen. There are
several places on your body where you can hide a few extra quetzals, or
your credit card. Crimes committed against women do not receive much
attention. Although Guatemala is a safe place for some, a woman will be
safer riding in a public bus full of people than in a tuk-tuk or taxi
with an unknown driver.
Almost all bars and restaurants can
arrange a taxi for you. Asking the bartender for a taxi, rather than
looking for one yourself, is a good idea, as they usually know which
drivers to call. Ask them the price before he calls you, and ask him to
confirm with the driver. In Antigua, many locals consider buses to be
safer than tuk-tuks. Due to the crowd present, it is unlikely to get
ripped off. Furthermore, some tuk-tuks take tourists to "doubtful" areas
of the city to rob them. However, if the bar or hotel employee calls the
tuk-tuk, it is likely to be safe.
During high season, such as
during Holy Week or any other major festival in Antigua, pickpockets
abound and it's best to carry your wallet with you. Avoid carrying large
amounts of cash and showing it. When walking through the crowds in the
market, walk with your backpacks and bags in front of you, because there
are some thieves who use razors to cut the fabric of a backpack without
you feeling anything, in order to steal its contents.
If you plan
to visit monuments, such as "La Cruz", which are outside the city, make
sure you go with a tourist police officer, who escorts tourists to "La
Cruz" at least once a day. (See See section).
Municipal water in Antigua is treated with chlorine. However, this is
not completely secure. It's best to drink agua del garrafon or agua
embotellada (purified bottled water), not agua del chorro (tap water).
Some houses and restaurants have purified water in 20 liter bottles and
serve it in glasses. It's rude to ask if the ice is made from purified
water, but they'll never admit the truth about the source of the water
either way.
Antigua is in an underdeveloped country. Therefore,
irrigation water is often contaminated with human faeces. This puts
travelers at risk of catching faecal infections such as Hepatitis A,
salmonella, and E.coli. The Center for Disease Control has a list of
recommendations for Guatemala. You should consider receiving the
Hepatitis A vaccine at least 3 months before travelling. You should take
the malaria pill if you are planning to climb the nearby hills or
volcanoes. You can also get the typhoid vaccine, and you should consider
getting it if you stay with a Guatemalan family and eat there often.
If you're lucky, you don't catch any diseases in Antigua. However,
visitors who stay for an extended period of time are likely to get food
poisoning or bacterial or viral enteritis. The best way to treat them
without a doctor's intervention is to buy rehydration solution (solucion
rehidracion oral). It is a simple mixture of potassium, sodium and
glucose. Mix a liter of water with the powder, and take small, multiple
sips throughout the day to consume two liters or more. This will calm
the intestines and prevent nausea. The next day start eating small
pieces of bread, before "attacking" the body. Antibiotics do not help
with food poisoning, so they are not the most appropriate treatment
unless recommended by a doctor.
Most cases of food poisoning or
intestinal infection are due to street vendors; but homemade meals could
also be the cause due to the easy upbringing and hygiene of some
Guatemalan families. Street food is cheap but should be avoided unless
you are used to eating it daily. A "virgin" stomach cannot handle the
common bacterial toxins found in street sauces, salads and marinades.
Cooked food is probably safe to eat, but it may not be completely free
of toxins. If you stay with a Guatemalan family and you see that the
cook has unhygienic practices, eat bread or cereal for breakfast, and
don't eat lunch or dinner.
It is best to avoid ceviche due to the
potential risk of containing bacteria such as cholera. Do not consume
salads due to the problem of contamination of irrigation water. There
are records of people getting Hepatitis A from strawberries contaminated
with irrigation water. If you want to prepare your own salad or eat
strawberries, it is advisable to soak the food in water with bleach or
iodine. All fruit must be washed or peeled before eating. You should
avoid eating rare steaks due to the risk of parasites, unless you are
going to an expensive restaurant where the quality of the steaks is
assured. Avoid all kinds of sauces and creams. Walking with sandals or
without shoes is normal, however walking to one of the volcanoes or to
"La Cruz" without shoes or with sandals can lead to "Cutaneous Larva
migrans" (CML): the larvae penetrate the skin and cause marks on the
skin that itch.
Staying in cheap motels can lead to infection
through Pediculosis corporis, and scabies (the human equivalent of
scabies). You can get rid of Pediculosis corporis simply by changing
your clothes. To treat scabies, you need two treatments with a very
concentrated permethrin cream, applied from head to toe, which must be
kept for 8 hours, and repeat the same treatment two weeks later. You can
get pubic lice in brothels. This is treated with permethrin cream or
shampoo. It is difficult to get rid of bed bugs. It is easy to find them
in hotels, both cheap and expensive. It's best to keep your luggage away
from your hotel bed, unless you want to take the bed bugs home or want
to take them to another hotel. Check the mattress and sheets for bed
bugs so they don't make your arms their next meal. If you find bedbugs,
ask for another room or your money back.
Laundry - Laundry can be done by several laundries in the city. They
weigh your clothes and charge you a price per pound. The laundry is
dried and can be recovered in just 2-4 hours. It is advisable to "take
inventory" of the clothes you will be taking, to ensure that no item of
clothing has been lost or stolen. Two backpacks full of clothes weigh
about 16 pounds.
Rapi Lavado, 6a Calle Pte No. 14, between 5th and
6th Ave Sur. (December 2005 prices), they charge Q5 per pound.
Colonial Laundry, 4th Ave North #42.
Spring Laundry, Primera Avenida
Sur, near Iglesia de San Francisco
Antigua is a great base for exploring the rest of Guatemala. The city
is full of students and you will have no problem finding a bus to any
other part of the country.
Almost all travel agencies in Antigua
offer tourist shuttles to La Aurora Airport in Guatemala City. Prices
vary between Q40-80. The earlier buses depart at 4:00 am, in time to
arrive at the airport at 5:00 am and catch a flight at 7:00 am. Queues
at the airport are very long, so don't arrive too late, unless you
intend to miss your flight. Arrive at least an hour or so before your
flight.
There are shuttles from Antigua to Copán, which leave at
4:00 am and 9:00 am and take about six hours to reach the destination.
They cost around Q80-120.
El Hato is a small village in the
mountains, twenty minutes from Antigua, where you can walk through the
forest and coffee plantations, and enjoy the view of the city. Buses
leave from the Antigua market to El Hato (about 40 minutes, Q4) several
times a day, with irregular hours.