14.5573° N, 90.7332° W
LOOKING TO VISIT THE HISTORIC AND BEAUTIFUL TOWN OF ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA BUT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN YOUR TRIP PLANNING? YOU'RE IN LUCK - THIS IN-DEPTH ADVENTURE TRAVEL GUIDE COVERS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!
Coming in second in an annual poll of the top cities to explore in Central and South America by Travel & Leisure, Antigua, Guatemala (or its formal name, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala - antigua translates to old) is one of the most beautiful places to spend some time in - especially if you are interested in history, culture (including Mayan), food and adventure.
I was lucky enough to call the quaint and colorful town home for nearly 2.5 weeks. During my time there, I explored church ruins, drank delicious coffee in hip cafes, hiked a volcano, learned about the area's turbulent history and got a bit lost in the local market. And I loved every minute of it.
If you are considering a trip down to Central America and Guatemala specifically, then you must add Antigua to your travel itinerary. And this in-depth travel guide is a great place to start your trip planning. Read on for a full breakdown of what to know about visiting Antigua, where to eat and stay, what to bring with you, and what you absolutely cannot miss.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA
The best time to visit Antigua, Guatemala is between November and April since this is the dry season. During this time of year, you can expect beautiful sunny weather almost every day. Do note that during Semana Santa and the Easter holidays the town can become super busy. So if you are looking to have the town more to yourself, then I suggest visiting during either January or February.
HOW LONG DO YOU NEED IN ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA?
At least 4 days in order to do all of the top adventures - including hiking Acatenango (which takes 2 days). There is a lot to see in town, especially if you are interested in history and culture.
HOW TO GET TO ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA
Antigua is located about 1 hour from Guatemala City, the capital (and largest city in Central America) and home to the main airport. You can easily take a bus, shuttle, or taxi from the airport to Antigua. I would suggest checking to see if your hostel or hotel has an airport shuttle or the number of a specific taxi driver they work with.
You can also head to GuateGo to book a ride to and from the airport.
Once you get to Antigua, it is really easy to make your way around town by foot (the town is in an easy to master grid pattern). If you are looking to head out of town, there are numerous public buses - the colorful school buses known as "chicken buses" - or small tuk-tuks.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO TRAVEL AROUND ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA
Antigua is pretty darn cheap to travel around - especially if you are okay with eating street food (there are some very tasty options available), and don't mind staying at quintessential cheap backpacker hostels. But with that being said, I would also say that Antigua is probably one of the most expensive places in the country. So if you are looking to travel really cheapy, maybe consider only spending a few days in town and then heading elsewhere.
💱The currency in Guatemala is the quetzal (which also happens to be the national bird). The exchange rate is about $1 USD = 7.8 quetzals (or Q) // €1 = Q8.5.
► You can find a complete breakdown of what I spent during my 2.5 weeks in Guatemala here.
IS ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA SAFE?
Yes! I felt super safe walking around Antigua, even by myself (as a female) and at night. Now, I wouldn't necessarily suggest wandering around by yourself in the middle of the night on the edges of town, but in the city center - especially in the main touristy areas - I believe you should be totally fine. As with all places, use common sense and listen to your gut if you feel like something might be a bit off.
ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA TRAVEL GUIDE | TRAVEL PLANNING
\\ Where to Stay In Antigua, Guatemala
There are a ton of options when it comes to finding lodging in Antigua. From bare bones backpacker hostels to super-luxe hotels, there is something for every type of budget and traveler. Below are a few of the best options.
HOSTELS
| Selina Antigua: if you are looking to combine travel with work (hello digital nomad life) then this might just be the best place to stay. This Selina in particular was extra nice (and fun!). They offer coworking space, a communal kitchen, restaurant and bar, pool and plenty of activities. | BOOK IT
| Tropicana: a favorite for budget travelers, this conveniently located hostel also offers tours up to Acatenango Volcano. | BOOK IT
| Maya Papaya: this uber-hip spot is very close to some of the best bars and restaurants in town, plus they have some nice amenities - especially if you need to get a bit of work done. | BOOK IT
| Flore Hostel: another great option is this boutique hostel located in the center of town. One great perk of this spot is they have a coffee shop connected - meaning delicious coffees and juices within only a few steps of your bed. | BOOK IT