La Antigua Guatemala

It is known as the Colonial City. The architecture and streets preserve the original characteristics and look of the former main city of Guatemala at the beginning of the spanish conquest.

The propper name is "La Antigua Guatemala". It is a monument and was declared on november 1979 by the Unesco as World Heritage.

Founded in 1543, it was an important starting point for the Catholic Church to start its mission in the New World, even that the documented practices still leave open discussions. By the time the whole religious movement was well supported by the goverments, findind almost no  resistance to grow as it did: the whole city is filled with convents and churches.

Most of the buildings remain as monuments, ruins and currently in use facilities both for the church, goverment and tourism. In fact, it is for sure the right place to travel back in time to find yourself surrounded by beauty, peace, art and orinanity.

What to expect at La Antigua Guatemala

As a big and modern city you can expect a lot from  it in different ways. Lets mention the attractions and curiosities point by point:

Everything is easy to find

No matter how complete a city is if you can't find someplace with easy. La Antigua Guatemala is designed so the streets and avenues have special names including numbers and the cardinal point. This is something that Americans and Europeans find really useful at first hand, making it easy to know where you are and where is the place you want to visit.

Sources of information

Almost 100% of every attraction has a map with the whole city and a marked spot of the current location. You will also find that english is well spoken almost all around. Travel agencies are also all over the place. The Central Park is surrounded by important buildings inclulding the main church, from here you can find the Palacio de los Capitanes building, where an office of tourist assistance gives free advice and help to everyone who needs it. Ask for the free tours around the city given by one of the most famous guides, this use to gather groups at the park everyday in the morning.

San Carlos University Museum

Technology and ATMS

Atms and internet cafes are at first hand. There is no free wireless internet service covering the whole city but several places offer free spots where you can get great signal free of charge. Also, the ATMS give you the facility of using any debit or credit card you might have.

Hotels and places to stay in Antigua Guatemala

As many as you want. There is plenty of variety of places to stay. From luxurios hotels to peacefull houses surrounded by colonial art, even with their own museums. In fact this is the most valuable benefit: to feel as if you really traveled back in time and staying in an old beautiful house. Remember, you have access to every commodity you might want. There is really no need to list hotels here, you can find flyers on every corner, restaurant, travel agency, or just ask. It is as easy as walking one block around to find different options.




Perhaps you will be interested in some "Posadas". This places are not expensive, you feel at home and they have everything you need surrounded by a home-style environment. As a frequent traveller I have experienced the luxurios hotels and posadas at Antigua and I still preffer the posadas.

Places to eat

Anything you want at every hour! The weather lets you taste almost everything no matter what season is. As usual, most of the hotels have their own restaurant, almost every one of them offer breakfast. But my dear traveller, here I can give you some advice as there are some traditional places you can't miss.

Every option around the park, in fact, right in front of the main church are great, just as Doña Luisa, la Condesa, Panza Verde and La fonda de la Calle Real. And wait... One of the most famous and tasty: La Escudilla. This one is very cheap. Remember, just ask, this places are all around and just one block of distance from the Central Park. Monoloco is also a great place to hang around.

Spanish Schools

One of the main benefits of being at La Antigua Guatemala is the variety and quality of the spanish schools. This are important centers for travellers as you can get to know people from all the world, find recommendations of hotels,  posadas and also find opportunities for voluteer work.

Dancing

Both for learning and enjoying you can find dance schools. Salsa is one of the most poppular dances wanted by americans. If you only want to dance and enjoy the night life, then La Cashba and Toreros Disco are the place. Perhaps you preffer La Cashba as is at only two blocks from the Central Park. The weekends are party time for everyone with many guatemalan visitors. On weekdays is mostly visited by tourists with little guatemalan visitors. Every single day is fun surrounded by nice drinks and music. So everyone has a day. It has become almost by tradition that on jueves the gay community enjoys the place more than other days.

Adventure and nature

As you can see, the city has beautiful volcano views. Agua Volcano (3722mts above sea level) is famous being almost perfect in its shape. Is near the city and its average difficulty makes it one of the most visited. Also, Fuego Volcano (3xxx mts asl, always active) and Acatenango (3,977 mts) are among the best options in the country, but they require a better shape to reach the summit.

Shopping

Museums, traditional handicrafts and fabrics are found all around, colorful and beautiful. The Central Park is a great place to start as you only need to sit and a variety of options will come to you. Theres is also the handicraft market at 4a calle poniente and the jade stores. You can find them at two blocks around the Central Park.