Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala is a city to explore slowly. Its cobblestone streets follow the grid laid out in the 16th century, its colorful facades hide courtyards with fountains and bougainvillea, and on almost every corner you find a church, a ruined convent or a view of Volcán de Agua.

A little history

The city was founded in 1543 in the Panchoy Valley under the name Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, after a mudslide destroyed the previous settlement in the Almolonga Valley (today Ciudad Vieja) in 1541. For more than two centuries it was the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala, a territory that stretched from Chiapas to Costa Rica, and it became one of the most important cities in Spanish America, with a university, a printing press and dozens of churches and convents.

The Santa Marta earthquakes of 1773 badly damaged the city, and the Spanish Crown ordered the capital moved to the Ermita Valley, where Guatemala City stands today. Antigua was partly abandoned, which is why it still has so many ruins left just as they fell. In 1979 UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.

What makes it special

• Colonial Baroque architecture, with stucco facades and thick walls designed to withstand earthquakes.
• Church and convent ruins you can walk through: Capuchinas, La Recolección, Santa Clara and the old cathedral.
• The Agua, Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes, visible from almost anywhere in the city.
• Holy Week, with processions and colorful sawdust carpets that draw visitors from all over the world.
• A huge choice of cafés, restaurants and hotels in colonial mansions.

When to go

The dry season, from November to April, brings sunny days and cool nights; it is the most popular time to visit. From May to October it rains most afternoons, but mornings are usually clear, the landscape is greener and there are fewer visitors. Holy Week is the most spectacular time of the year and also the busiest: if you are traveling then, book your hotel well in advance.

Getting around

The historic center is best explored on foot: the city is flat and compact, and almost everything is less than a 15-minute walk from Parque Central. Wear comfortable shoes, because the cobblestones are uneven. To reach nearby towns there are tuk-tuks, taxis and camionetas (local buses), and for the volcanoes and farms the most practical option is to book a tour or private transport.