Last Updated on September 22, 2024

Many beautiful cities are built in the thriving lands around volcanoes. Antigua Guatemala is one of them–it’s a hub of activity that has lasted over three centuries, and continues to be a shining beacon in Guatemala to this day. Today, we’ll look at some of the best things to do in Antigua Guatemala.

Antigua is a pretty big city, and the area around it also has plenty of fantastic things to look through. Depending on your schedule, you can actually reduce the amount of time you spend here. The city itself can be effectively explored in a day, and some of the other places I’ll mention can be brief highlights on your itinerary. Just keep this in mind as we dive down.

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Unique Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala

Before we get into it, here’s a quick map you can look at for reference on the locations we talk about:

Day 1: Antigua Guatemala City

The main city of Antigua is filled with colorful and historic architecture as well as older ruins. Much of the city was torn down in the earthquakes of 1773, so it’s now a UNESCO-protected heritage project undergoing reconstruction.

The culture here is heavily religious, which lends well to Antigua’s colonial history. These were some of my favorite things to do in Antigua, Guatemala:

Ways to get around

Antigua’s a relatively small city, so it’s very accessible for most travelgoers. Here are just a few ways people get around:

  • By foot: If you’re up for the legwork, you can download a map and simply walk around to find the places you’d like to go. 

  • Tuc-tucs: Small, open-sided vehicles drive around all over Antigua, and visitors can get on them for less than $2-3 (15 to 20 quetzals). They’re well suited for shorter distance travels within the city.

  • Chicken bus: A unique reinvention of the old American school bus, this vehicle serves as Antigua’s main public transport. It can carry you longer distances than tuc-tucs for a cheaper price compared to a taxi.

  • Rental drives: A convenient option for travelling in and out of Antigua is renting a vehicle of your own. Since I was hiking around the area and the tour company that I worked with, Direct Adventures, had a Polaris-type vehicle on rent, I ended up choosing this option. It was very comfortable! More stable on the cobblestone roads, and a lot more private compared to some of the other transportation options. 

    I took the ‘Mule’ tour option (pictured below), but there were also bicycle and ATV tour options as well. It’s a great way to explore the city overall, and definitely saved my group a lot of time on transportation.

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Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross)

The viewpoint from Cerro de la Cruz.
Viewpoint of Acatenango Volcano

From the far end hill of Antigua is a tall cross that looks over the city. You can actually hike up there from the heart of Antigua through a 2-mile roundtrip road that climbs over 300 feet. The path is paved with staircases, so it’s fairly easy to walk up to, and the sight at the end of the road is simply majestic. 

It’s one of the quieter places in Antigua, and you get a nice look at the volcanic mountain far across the city as well. 

Along the path to the viewpoint, you’ll also find vendors selling these nice, cool drinks. They’re unique to Guatemala, and make for a fun stop on the way up.

Drinks on the road of Cerro de la Cruz

Arco de Santa Catalina (Arch of Santa Catalina)

The Arch of Santa Catalina in Antigua Guatemala, with a woman running below it.
Arco de Santa Catalina

Initially built to connect religious institutions across the street below, this arc has become an icon for the Old Capital as a whole. The arch has followed Antigua Guatemala’s history for centuries since its first establishment in the early 1700s. Parts of it were added in reconstruction efforts after earthquakes hit the city in 1773 – this is when the arch got its lovely clock tower. The buildings around the arch are also colorful and wild, ready for fantastic pictures along the street. You can even stay in a hotel right below the arch called Convento Santa Catalina, built within the original convent the arch was made for. 

Iglesia de la Merced (Church of La Merced)

The Iglesia de la Merced or Church of Merced in Antigua Guatemala, a golden-facade church with statues on its veneer.
Iglesia de la Merced

A glowing gold-colored church lies just a short walk away from the Arch of Santa Catalina. One of the most well-preserved and maintained churches in the area, the Church of La Merced is an especially popular venue for weddings and large-scale events.

The floral patterns and statues sitting on the windows make for an exciting architectural wonder. Note that the church is open from 6 AM to 12 PM and 3 PM to 8 PM, and there’s a small monastery area to explore at the side as well. 

Starbucks Antigua

The inside of the courtyard in the lovely Antigua Starbucks in Antigua Guatemala.
Inside Starbucks Antigua

If you’re a fan of coffee, you’ll want to visit the local Starbucks here in the city. The specific location here is uniquely comfortable and amazing to start the day in. With it’s cool outdoor area and artistically decorated indoor spaces, it really does feel like a one-of-a-kind experience for coffee lovers. It’s one of the more relaxing things to do in Antigua, Guatemala, and definitely worth the visit. 

Iglesia de San Francisco (Church of San Francisco)

The Church of San Francisco's worn down facade in Antigua Guatemala.
Iglesia de San Francisco

One of the busiest churches in Antigua, this medieval place of worship houses the spirit of a saint. Many centuries ago, Franciscan monk Hermano Pedro gave the needy of Guatemala food, shelter, and medicine. People still come to him even now, as his shrine helps them in their time of need.

The church exterior is rustic and ancient, showcasing much of the Baroque facades Antigua is well-known for. There are small statues of various saints and Catholic figures in the little windows on the front end. Looking around, you may also find some of the ruins left behind by the earthquakes of the 1700s.

Parque Central de Antigua (Central Park)

At the heart of Antigua is the city’s town square, one of the oldest locations in the city. It also happens to be a bustling center where everything continues to evolve, even as the rest of the city remains preserved. 

The most notable spots here are the memorable Fountain of the Sirens, the Palace of the Captain-Generals, and the Main Plaza. This is where you’ll see some of the best examples of colonial architecture in Guatemala.

The Central Park is well-known for its Church of San Jose, sitting at the head of the park. There’s also a different version of the church south of the park called Iglesia de San José el Viejo. Both of these facades are very similar and exude an ancient aura to them.

The Church of San Jose el Viejo near Central Park in Antigua Guatemala.
Iglesia de San Jose el Viejo

Tanque La Unión (Union Water Tank)

Tanque La Unión

This vast water tank was once an important part of everyday life in Antigua. Long ago, common folk would come here to bathe and wash their clothes, giving the area its name. Nowadays the Union Water Tank is a thriving and lush park for tourists to admire and relax in along the waters. 

Day 2: Hobbitenango

Some of my California followers may remember the Hobbit House near San Diego, which I talked about in a previous post. Guatemala has a much larger Lord of the Rings inspired area right in Hobbitenango, a 26-acre eco-themed park just 25 minutes away from Antigua.

It was one of my favorite areas to visit in Guatemala considering just how unique and fantastical it looks! It’s open everyday from 8 AM to 6 PM and has a $10.84 (Q85) shuttle service from Antigua. The entrance fee is also only $6.38 dollars for adults and $3.83 for children (Q50 and Q30 respectively), and it’s an all-inclusive package for unlimited games, viewpoints and trails access.

The shuttle cart leading to Hobbitenango from Antigua Guatemala.
Shuttle cart to Hobbitenango

Highlights

The highlight of the park is within the hobbit-style homes and the beautiful views of the volcano from afar. Most of the games are physical, like archery and axe-throwing, and they’re fun to play for larger families. 

You may have seen the famous troll hands from Hobbitenango on some of the promotional pictures or posts. This spot overlooks the volcano peaks from afar. Most people will hire the photographer right next to the hand to take pictures, but there’s actually a beautiful spot just above the viewpoint where you can ask a friend to snap a shot of you while you’re on the hand. Check out my reel intro for an example of what it’ll look like!

A couple standing on a troll hand pointing at a mountain in Hobbitenango in Antigua Guatemala.
The troll hand

One of my favorite attractions was the giant swing you can take from a gigantic tree–if you love the thrill, swinging up and down the branch is certainly an exhilarating experience!

Woman swinging on the giant swing tied to a giant tree in Hobbitenango in Antigua Guatemala.
The giant swing

You can also find delicious food in two different restaurants on the premises that serve great Guatemalan cuisine. If you visit on a weekend or holiday, they’ll also sometimes offer All-You-Can-Eat buffets. Here’s just a few of the treats I had here:

Food at Hobbitenango

If you’re coming in with a group or fall in love with the theme park, you can also book an entire night in one of the hobbit houses! A night costs $95.69-$121.32 (Q750-950) and also includes breakfast.

The Hobbit Houses and a swing

Day 3: Acatenango Volcano

The Acatenango Volcano in the distance from Antigua Guatemala.
Acatenango Volcano

Most travelers coming to Guatemala look for the brisk nature walks around the area. If you’re one of those travelers, the Acetenango Volcano is worth an overnight hike all throughout. It’s over thirteen thousand feet tall and gives breathtaking views of the entire region all around. Though it can be challenging for beginners, it’s a common tradition to hike around the volcano to see some of its best views. Since it takes a long time to fully explore the area, I’d recommend sparing an extra day just to go around the mountain. Starting your journey as early as possible (say, 8 AM) is also advisable. The highlights of the volcano include the Fuego Volcano, a low-level but consistently bubbling smaller volcano, the Mayan village of La Soledad, and the tall summit peak. 

Hiking Trails

There are two main hiking trails to head up Acatenango. Both usually start at the village of La Soledad:

  1. The One Day Hike: A hike lasting around 5 miles to climb up and 5 miles to climb down, and lasts around 8 hours in total. It’s recommended to start hiking up from La Soledad at 6 AM, later reaching the summit at around 11 AM. Heading back down will take 3 hours or so, which ends the journey at 2 or 3 PM. It’s a quick but challenging journey up the mountain, and I wouldn’t recommend it for folks who want to enjoy the volcanoes sights.

  2. The Overnight Hike: The longer but more relaxed option, this hike takes around 2 days to complete. Hikers typically take a day to get to the first basecamp, then rest there for the night (around 4.8 miles up). The next day is dedicated to reaching the summit itself (around 0.2 miles up from the basecamp). You’ll get a better chance to enjoy all the views and natural sceneries in Acatenango through this path.

  3. Alternatively, you can look up guides who provide a 4×4 vehicle transport near to the summit. In this case you will only need to hike 1 to 1.5 miles (about 1.6 to 2.4 kilometers) to reach the summit of Acatenango!

Both of the hikes can be challenging for new hikers, so prepare for the weather, bring extra supplies and good shoes if you’re planning to go. 

If you’re worried about directions, there are plenty of guides dedicated to leading people to camps or certain hotspots. Just be prepared when you head out!

Hotels

Porta Hotel

Here are some hotels you can consider staying at while you’re visiting:

  • Porta Hotel Antigua: This was the hotel we stayed in during our trip to Antigua. Fantastic views of the volcano from the outdoor gardens, cool pool, lovely food, and gorgeous interior and exterior all around. Book a room here!

  • Hotel La Sin Ventura: An affordable hotel near Park Central and the San Jose Cathedral. It has a lovely array of cuisine on its restaurant menu and is conveniently near many of the hotspots in the city. You can book a room here.

  • Hotel la Galeria: Just a few kilometers away from the Santa Catalina Arch and Hobbitenango, this quaint hotel is a great place to rest after exploring Antigua. It has a lovely old-world exterior with decorative flowers and stunning artwork, and a comfortable interior in every room. You can book a room here.

Antigua is a captivating region with a lot to offer us distant travelers. Whether you’re interested in walking through history, climbing new heights, or chasing cheap thrills, there’s a little bit of something for you here. What was your favorite part of Antigua?

If you’re interested in other wonderful summer vacation getaways just a few hours away from California, check out my first-timer’s guide to Kauai Island!

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