Founded in 1542, Antigua was the first planned city in the Americas, structured on a rigid grid pattern, and is easily recognized by its cobblestone streets. Panza Verde, or green belly was the name given to those that remained in Antigua after the capital was moved to Guatemala City. It is said that the people received this name because of their reliance on avocados for a food source after the damage to the city from earthquakes. In 1979, Antigua Guatemala became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a cultural gem in Central America because of its vibrant culture, historical significance, and rare beauty.
Antigua is a great city to visit during your time in Guatemala. Located just over 20 miles from Guatemala City and the International airport, many guests enjoy a day or two at the beginning or end of their stay. The city has so much to offer to visitors, as it was once the country's capital and adorned with several must-see landmarks and historical gems.
An Excellent Introduction to Guatemala's Magical City
A Unique Encounter with Guatemala's Vibrant Culture
FEATURED DAY TOURS
1 DAY
TOUR
$25
PER PERSON
1 DAY
TOUR
$50
PER PERSON
Experience Antigua Walking Tour
Be enchanted by the magic of Antigua, Guatemala. From the city’s distinctive cobblestone street to its 16th century mansions, churches and convents, the 500 yr. old city, nestled between 3 volcanoes, is just a walk away. This tour is perfect for your first day around Antigua, where you will enjoy the harmonic combination of past and present. On your tour visit ancient buildings that were once convents, monasteries, and churches. This will be the most beautiful introduction to the Guatemalan lifestyle, tradition and culture.
Visit: San Francisco church and ruins, Santo Domingo ruins, La Merced church and ruins, the street with the famous Santa Catalina Arch and buildings around the Main Square (Municipality, Palace, Cathedral).
Authentic Chicken Bus Tour
Experience Guatemala's local heritage and authentic culture on a genuine Chicken Bus!Enjoy a unique perspective of Guatemala's traditional way of life. Immerse yourself in the diversity of local Antigua culture by enjoying a hands-on experience visiting the places where Guatemala's special treasures are cultivated and created on this 4 hour tour of Antigua's local villages from your seat on an authentic Chicken Bus.
Visit: San Juan del Obispo, San Pedro las Huertas, Ciudad Vieja, San Miguel Dueñas, San Antonio Aguas Calientes, and Valhalla Macadamia farm.
Tour Includes: local culinary tasting, kit crafts for souvenirs, meet with local inhabitants, authentic Chicken Bus transportation, general guide, and bottled water.
Explore Antigua and its Local Villages
Less than an hour outside of Guatemala City, Antigua takes you back to another place in time. The nearly 500-year-old city is cradled by three volcanoes and accented with colorful facades of 16th century mansions, churches and convents. La Antigua offers an array of restaurants, boutiques and venues with live music.
Visit San Francisco church and ruins, Santo Domingo ruins, La Merced church and ruins, the street with the famous Arch and buildings around the Main Square (Municipal building, Palace, Cathedral). Enjoy the day in a traditional atmosphere by having lunch with a local family.
Visit Antigua's Nearby Villages
Immerse yourself in the diversity of local Antigua culture. Enjoy hands-on experiences visiting the places where Guatemala's special treasures are cultivated and created.
Villages to Visit: Pastores (leather workshop), San Juan del Obispo (chocolate workshop), San Pedro las huertas (Jade workshop), Ciudad Vieja (coffee workshop), San Antonio Aguas Calientes (textiles workshop), and Santa María de Jesús (Santa María de Jesús has special events only on Sunday).
Experience Antigua and its Surrounding Villages
LOCAL CULTURE TOURS
1 DAY
TOUR
$210
2 PERSON ITINERARY
1 DAY
TOUR
$95
2 PERSON ITINERARY
Experience Antigua's Best Offerings in 2 Days
Two Full Days in Antigua, Guatemala
TWO-DAYS IN ANTIGUA
2 1
DAYS NIGHT
$254
PER PERSON
STAY
Longer
2 1
DAYS NIGHT
$345
2 PERSON ITINERARY
Things to Do in Antigua
Ready to immerse yourself in Guatemala's culture? Whether you're spending one day or several days, Antigua has numerous activities available to keep the whole family happy and truly get involved with Guatemala's rich traditions.
Enjoy the authentic tastes and flavors of Guatemala's food culture. Depart on a journey of gastronomy and learn how to prepare and cook the country's local cuisine, while discovering the unique history and influence behind the local creations. With a distinctive harmony of Mayan and Spanish influence, the mixture of ingredients, spices, and foods create an unusual fusion that only Guatemala can produce. Receive instruction from local culinary experts to recreate these delights from home.
The chocolate workshop teaches each guest the process from the cacao bean to chocolate bar. The workshop is approximately 2 hours and you learn the individual steps of the creation of the chocolate bar, from the very beginning of the cacao harvest from the plantation to the end resulting chocolate bar. You will start by roasting and peeling the cacao beans, and then grind the beans into a paste. To finish your workshop, you will prepare your own chocolate to take home from the refined chocolate.
Lead by small-holder coffee farmers in San Miguel Escobar, you will experience a day in the life of a farmer. Atop Volcan Agua you will see the coffee fields, and be invited into the farmer's house to learn about and utilize the machinery used to process coffee. But the best part of all comes at the end when you get to roast coffee in the traditional way, over the fire, and share a fresh cup of coffee with the farmer and family.
Enjoy a gastronomy-inspired journey through Antigua, Guatemala's historic colonial streets. Local food connoisseurs guide epicurean travelers through a discovery of authentic and traditional flavors and hidden food gems while uncovering the unique character and sights of this awe-inspiring traditional Guatemalan town.
Within Guatemala, the Chicken Bus is a popular source of transportation and part of the country's culture. These buses are painted in bright and distinctive colors, which represent the area the bus travels to, so the patrons know which bus to choose. Because of the high illiteracy rate among Guatemala's inhabitants the Chicken Bus's colors are crucial for the customers to recognize the bus's destination. Join us in a fun-filled journey to explore the traditional Chicken Bus.
The Mayan Civilization, known as one of the mother civilization of humanity, has practices and traditions, which tap into the wonders of the universe and life. The Mayan Ceremony is one of the best ways to build an understanding of the cosmology and life vision of the Mayas. You will discover the process and the meaning of each detail of the ceremony and learn the meanings behind the beliefs.
Guatemala's market days have been vibrant and colorful for more than 4,000 years. The markets are the best opportunity to experience the country's rick culture. Within Antigua's market days you will find an assortment of aromatic spices, herbs, and alternative and natural medicines. Make sure to begin your tour walking through the parking lot full of Chicken Buses as they drop off those that are bringing their goods to sell and trade, it is truly a unique experience.
The Jade and Silver workshop is a fun-filled 3 hour class to create your own piece of jewelry. You can create a ring, earrings or a pendent.
