Guatemala is a small nation that is nevertheless packed with great visitor destinations. Antigua is a charming colonial city located about an hour away from the capital, Guatemala City. No trip to Guatemala is complete without a visit to Antigua: it is possible to spend a good amount of time exploring the ruins, museums and bars.
History of Antigua
Once the capital of Guatemala, Antigua was briefly abandoned in the 1770’s after disastrous earthquakes destroyed most of it. For years, it was a sleepy town, only inhabited by those who had refused to move to the new capital. In spite of the extensive earthquake damage, Antigua therefore preserved much of its colonial architectural charm. It has since become very popular with visitors and has been named a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Studying Spanish in Antigua
Many of Antigua’s visitors have come to learn Spanish. There are dozens of Spanish schools, and it seems as if new ones pop up every day. Antigua is a great place to learn Spanish because there are many skilled teachers and classes are flexible and affordable. A simple search of web sites should help prospective students find the right one. Tip: sign up online for a short period: there are many schools in Antigua and students may want to switch after a week or so at a school they don’t like.
Ruins in Antigua, Guatemala
There are no Mayan sites in Antigua, but there are plenty of ruins. The 1773 earthquake toppled several churches, monasteries and convents which were never rebuilt. These ruins are fairly small – easy to see in an hour tops – and are spread out all over the city. The can’t-miss one is the ruined church of San Francisco in the southeast corner of the city: it is a maze of fallen arches, columns and cave-like vaults. As an added bonus, you can visit the final resting place of Saint Brother Pedro, Antigua’s own saint.
Day trips from Antigua Guatemala
Antigua is centrally located in Guatemala and it’s possible to get around the country easily. Trips to the native market at Chichicastenango go on Sundays and Thursdays. If you want to spring for a flight, it is possible to get to Tikal and back in a day. There isn’t much in Guatemala City except for a couple of museums (the archaeological museum is worth a visit), but it’s easy to get there and back. Lake Atitlan is a popular day trip from Antigua: most visitors spend a few relaxed hours on the shore in the town of Panajachel. Hikes up the volcanoes that surround the city leave regularly: check in at any one of the numerous travel agencies.
Antigua Nightlife
Antigua’s many bars compete with one another to give young visitors and backpackers the best happy hour deals and nightly specials. The “hippest” places change weekly, but near the arch (three blocks north of the main square) is always a good place to start.
Shopping in Antigua
There is a large handicraft market in Antigua and prices are good for knick-knacks, souvenirs and Guatemalan jade. Follow the link for a more in-depth look at shopping in Antigua.
For many visitors to Guatemala, Antigua is a highlight: a fun, charming colonial city packed with things to see and do. Don’t miss it on your next trip!
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Christopher Minster - I'm a freelance writer. I mostly write about travel, history and culture. I enjoy writing fiction as well.
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