Antigua is known as one of the safest cities to visit in Guatemala, so it was my first stop here. It is a charming colonial town known for its cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, and stunning volcano views. Surrounded by mountains, it has a relaxed atmosphere with beautiful churches, historic ruins, and cozy cafés.
Places to Visit
How to Get Here
To get here, you can fly into Guatemala City (it is not safe so not recommended to stay there) and take a 2 hr shuttle to Antigua. I used GuateGo to pre-book my shuttle, it was convenient and I was able to pay online, but you can also just book a shuttle at the airport easily.
5 Best Things to Do
- Do the overnight Acatenango and Fuego volcano hike
One of the most popular activities to do in Guatemala is to hike Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes. The easiest way to do it is with a tour company. I did it with Soy Tours, they picked me up from my hotel and I was able to rent all the gear and clothes I need at their office, including a hiking backpack, night lamp, and warm clothes like gloves, jacket, fleece pants, beanie and scarf. You can also pay 300 Quetzales for a porter to carry your backpack one-way, I would recommend it if you have back problems like me as it is tough carrying 3-4 L of water up the hike.
The hike itself is pretty tough as it is very steep. It took us around 4-5 hours to get to the base camp, and from there you can already see stunning views of the volcano, and see it erupting. The Fuego hike is optional, if you decide to go you will be able to see the volcano eruptions close-up, however the views would be dependant on weather, so it’s your call whether you think it is worth it or not. I skipped the Fuego hike and had dinner by the campfire, and decided to rest early to wake up at 4am for the sunrise hike instead. The sunrise hike was totally worth it, it was only around 45 minutes up and I got stunning photos at the top, so I would really recommend it!
2. Join a Guatemalan cooking class
This is definitely a must-do if you are a food love and like to cook! I always join a cooking class whenever I visit a new city, and this time I joined a class with Foodietenango. It was a great class and we cooked several local Guatemalan dishes. The food was so delicious, especially the tostadas!
3. Visit Cerro de la Cruz for city views
If you want to see stunning panoramic views of the city, Cerro de la Cruz is the place to go. It is a popular viewpoint overlooking Antigua, with Volcán de Agua rising dramatically in the background. It’s an easy uphill walk and the perfect spot to watch the sunrise or sunset and take unforgettable photos.
4. Join a chocolate workshop
If you love chocolate I highly recommend you to join a chocolate-making workshop. I joined the class with Ek Chuah, it costs 185 quetzales and it is a fun and hands-on experience where you learn how chocolate is made from cacao bean to bar. You get to roast, grind, and create your own traditional Guatemalan chocolate while learning about the history of cacao in Mayan culture. The staff will sing and dance with you while you make chocolate so it makes it extra fun and memorable!
5. Visit Hobbitenango theme park
Hobbitenango is a unique theme park in the mountains above Antigua, Guatemala, inspired by the Lord of the Rings and a hobbit-style fantasy world. With giant hand sculptures, wooden cabins, and stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes, it feels like stepping into a storybook. The highlight is the giant swing here, which is a must-do for adrenaline lovers, and I also recommend their unique cocktails at the bar. Other games include archery, and mini golf. You can also stay overnight at the hobbit-style hotel here to enjoy the park all to yourself after it closes!
Places to Eat
Antigua had amazing food and I had so many delicious meals here! Below are some of my top picks:
- Case de la Sopas for delicious Guatemalan soups: I had their caldo de res twice, it was so good!
- Ricóncito Antigüeño: super delicious and cheap roast chicken for 40Q, they always have a long queue so go early, also it closes at 4pm!
- Masil Antigua for authentic Korean food: I came here three times for the galbitang!
- Mercado Central for cheap local food: here you can try local Guatemalan dishes at really affordable prices!
Nightlife
I had a couple of night-outs in Antigua and I had a blast every single time! There are many great bars with good vibes and music. Below are my recommendations:
- check our Antigua Bar Crawl for fun nights! They hop around several bars so you can check out multiple places in one night!
- Las Palmas has live music at night and also a salsa session from 5-6pm!
- El Barrio is a fun place for a night-out, super busy, they got a rooftop and fun cocktails! I tried their gummy bear cocktail and it was surprisingly delicious!
Places to Stay
I stayed at a hotel here called Cristales de Antigua la Calzada, they had private rooms with double bed and TV (with Netflix) for 150Q a night, it includes breakfast too and the breakfast was really delicious!
If you’re looking for a lower-budget option, Tropicana Hostel is a good one, they are pretty social and you can meet other travellers easily over a drink at the rooftop.