Things to do in Antigua, Guatemala
One of the most picturesque towns in all of Central America, Antigua is already very well-known by backpackers who look to travel through this region.
And it certainly lives up to the hype too, where travelers can hike around active red volcanoes, snap impressive shots of colonial architecture and also get to know Guatemalan life on a more intimate level.
Antigua Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where Is It: Central America
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Easy
- ⏱ Time Needed: 4-7 Days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: November-March
Things to do in Antigua, Guatemala
In this guide we’ll explore Antigua in Guatemala, what to see and do, the best places to stay as well as our own top tips for a backpacking trip here.
Is Antigua, Guatemala worth visiting?
Quick Answer: Yes! Antigua is by far one of the best towns you can visit in Guatemala, and probably a good contender for the entire Central American region, too.
There’s lots of antique architecture all over the town, such as the famous Santa Catalina Arch which is a great photo spot in the evening. Even better is to head up to the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint, where we can get the very best views over Antigua.
However, what makes this destination even more special is its variety of awesome day trips — which is why we highly recommend you to spend at least 7 days in Antigua.
Acatenango is by far one of the most special hikes you can embark on, where you will see erupting lava from the volcano’s peak at night.
Other memorable trips include a day out to Lake Atitlán and to vist the giant market of Chichicastenango – both of which we’ll explore how you can do later in this guide.
How to Get to Antigua, Guatemala
It’s very easy to get to Antigua, and especially so since it’s located quite close to the capital of Guatemala City.
If flying into the capital, you can then take a two-hour bus or private transport ride (which is quicker and more efficient). Both can be boarded within the airport, which is great since you won’t need to head out the airport and into the city before heading to Antigua.
The other main ways are by bus from other cities in the region. If you’re in Lake Atitlán and traveling to Antigua, you can take a bus from Panajachel and arrive in around 5 hours.
From Flores, it’s an overnight haul of roughly 13 hours (including a stop in Guatemala City). Those in neighboring Santa Ana in El Salvador can head to Antigua in around 7-8 hours.
Where to Stay in Antigua
Overall the town of Antigua is quite small, so you’d be fine to stay anywhere here given you can easily walk around to get to the different attractions.
However the Parque Central is a good spot to aim for, as you’ll be right in the heart of the action with lots of beautiful architecture all around you.
The Why Not Hotel is a great option for backpackers just a block from the plaza, which has affordable dorm beds and a variety of on-site facilities.
If you’re looking for a more private and comfortable stay, then consider staying at Hotel Casa Antigua. Situated in a beautiful colonial building with its own courtyard, you’ll also be close to all the main sites within the historic center here.
Best time to visit Antigua
The dry season is by far the best time to visit Antigua. Running from the months of November until March, we can expect clear sunny days with little rainfall.
Average daily temperatures hover between 61-65 °F, with highs of up to 77 °F and lows of down to 53 °F (make sure to bring a jumper or jacket with you when going out for the evening).
We have created a guide that looks at the best time to visit Guatemala which you can read to get more insight on what to expect weather wise when arriving here.
👉🏻 George says: We suggest visiting Antigua during the shoulder months, which include November, March and April. Here, rainfall levels will still be lower, whilst temperatures will be warmer (as well as there being less overall crowds and tourists around Antigua).
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Best Things to do and see in Antigua:
Here we’ll cover some of the best destinations you can visit in Antigua, including some popular day trips that you can take from town too.
Hike the Fiery Acatenango Volcano
One of the most impressive volcanoes you can see in Guatemala (if not a solid contender for the rest of Latin America also), the Acatenango hike is a true once-in-a-lifetime Latin American bucket list experience that you definetly won’t want to miss.
Here you’ll sleep overnight on top of a volcano, with clear views of lava spewing from the adjacent peak. With this highly-rated tour you’ll also have all hiking equipment, transport, food and your own tent included.
Walk around the Heart of Antigua
The historic center is a colorful barrio filled with impressive colonial buildings, and you’ll want to make sure your phone or camera is fully charged-up prior!
The very best spots in town include the yellow-stained Santa Catalina Arch, the Merced Church, the Capuchinas Convent as well as the Parque Central.
👉🏻 George says: Try and set-off early in the day to see these sites with little crowds as well as a beautiful mist that descends from the surrounding mountains. 7:00-8:00am is a good time to aim for to have the most relaxed atmosphere.
Head to Chichicastenango Market
Whilst Lake Atitlán remains the most popular day trip to do from Antigua, don’t forget about the largest market in all of Central America!
Here we can find everything from unique wooden handicrafts to authentic Guatemalan foods, and given its size it’s worth spending a few hours making your way around the endless stalls.
Even better is to visit both destinations (on this day tour from Antigua), which gives you sufficient time to get to know both Chichicastenango Market and Lake Atitlán.
Hike Up to the Cerro de la Cruz Mirador
Translated as viewpoint in English, the Mirador is usually where you can get the best seats in towns for a panoramic view over a destination.
In Antigua it’s up a nearby hill, which gives you some really fantastic views over the colonial town and streets.
Even better is if you head around the late afternoon (4pm) to have some really memorable sunset views with the volcanoes looming in the background.
Make authentic Guatemalan Chocolate
The cacao produced in Guatemala is some of the best in Latin America, and when drinking a cuppa or eating a bar you really can’t complain.
There’s many classes and experiences on offer within Antigua, however the ChocoMuseo remains the very best where you’ll learn how to make your own chocolate bar straight from the bean.
Antigua Backpacking Tips
Now we’ll share some of our best tips for exploring Antigua based on our time spent here.
⤵️ Our Travel Tips for Backpacking Antigua
- Budgeting Advice – When it comes to setting a budget for Antigua, you’ll find it’s as cheap as the rest of Guatemala. For a backpacker budget we recommend between $15-20, which can easily get you a nice dorm bed and filling meals 3 times a day. Those looking for more comfort can shoot for $25-35 a day.
- Pre-booking Your Tours – We suggest booking tours in advance before heading to Antigua. This way you can stick to your budget and timescale easier, making it easier to travel around Guatemala whilst seeing everything that you want to. One experience we recommend booking in advance is the overnight hike to Acatenango Volcano where you’ll travel through La Soledad village and on to Acatenango.
- Try Local Guatemalan Foods – Antigua can feel quite touristy nowadays with many cafes and western chains set-up; however you can still find classic Guatemalan foods in the markets and within the historic center. We recommend trying foods such as Pepián (a thick stew), Jocón and Chiles Rellenos.
Things to do in Antigua, Guatemala
And that’s all for our backpacking guide for Antigua in Guatemala.
Known for its charming colonial streets and busy native markets, Antigua is a fascinating and photogenic town to visit. Given its surge in popularity, we’ll also find a range of accommodation options for all budgets, as well as many homestay options for learning Spanish.
And that’s all without mentioning all those worthy day trips to take from town too!
Antigua is the perfect place to add onto any itinerary through Guatemala, and you can check out the above post for more ideas on how to plan your own trip here.
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