La Antigua Guatemala Attractions
Set amid three volcanoes, Antigua Guatemala (Old Guatemala) is one of the oldest and most appealing cities in Central America. Antigua conserves its Spanish-colonial appeal despite numerous earthquakes.
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Antigua - Captain-General's Palace
This grand 16th C palace is one of the finest buildings in Antigua. It was long the seat of the Spanish colonial government and is today a museum.
Antigua - Casa K'ojom
Casa K'ojom is a museum focusing on Mayan music, ceremonies, related artifacts and handicraft. Samplings of musical instruments of the Pre-Colonial epoch and those introduced by the Spanish are included.
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Antigua - Casa Popenoe
This 17th C colonial house was restored by Dr. Wilson Popenoe after many years of decay. On display are period furnishings and paintings.
Antigua - Holy Week
Semana Santa, Easter Week in Antigua is considered the most important celebration of Christ's crucifixion in the western hemisphere. Monumental processions of religiously-costumed penitents go through Antigua's streets carrying the image of Jesus bearing the cross. Antigua's streets are laid out with intricately-designed carpets (alfombras) of petals and brightly-dyed sawdust created daily for the occasion.
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Antigua - University of San Carlos (Museum of Colonial Art)
The Museum of Colonial Art at the University of San Carlos contains an important collection of Saint Francis paintings by Cristóbal de Villapando.
Antigua - Agua Volcano
The Agua Volcano at an altitude of 3,765 m/12,325 offers panoramas of the Pacific and the Antigua Valley. The volcano is accessed from the town of Santa Maria de Jesus and the climb takes about five hours. It 's named the Agua (or Water) Volcano because of the 16th C mud-slide that came down and buried the town of what is now Veija.
Antigua - Casa Santo Domingo
The Casa Santa Domingo is a former convent C 1543 that was once the most beautiful and complex of its time. It is now an interesting hotel.
Facilities
On-site accomodations
Antigua - Cathedral of St James
Catedral Santiago was built in 1542 but post earthquake reconstruction has rid the church of most of its baroque touches. In its crypts rest the remains of Pedro de Alvarado and Bernal Diaz del Castillo.
Antigua - Central Marketplace
Considered the most important traditional marketplace in the country, the Mercado is busiest in the morning when village people from the vicinity are buying and selling. Fresh fruit and vegetables and a big selection of handicrafts, typical of this region, are available from vendors wearing the colorful costumes of their native towns.
Antigua - Central Park
The Parque Central at Antigua's heart is the gathering place for locals and visitors. The park is lined daily with vendors selling handicrafts; on Sunday it's the busiest and the streets on the east and west sides are closed to traffic. At night, mariachi or marimba bands play in the park.
Antigua - Church and School of San Jeronimo
This church was built in 1757 by the friars of the Merced order without official authorization. The Spanish government overtook it in 1761 and turned it into the Royal Customs House. Most of the structure was destroyed by an earthquake but the Hermitage of San Jerónimo can be toured.
Antigua - Compañie De Jesús
This two-storey complex c 1626 containing a church, cloister and gardens repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes throughout the years has been reconstructed and houses a handicrafts market.
Antigua - Convent and Church of San Francisco El Grande
San Francisco dates from the mid-1500's but little of the original building exists.
In what remains, the tomb of Hermano Pedro de San Jose de Betancourt, a Franciscan monk who founded a hospital for the poor, is still visited by religious pilgrims.
In what remains, the tomb of Hermano Pedro de San Jose de Betancourt, a Franciscan monk who founded a hospital for the poor, is still visited by religious pilgrims.
Antigua - Convent of Santa Clara
The convent of Santa Clara was founded 1699 by five nuns from Puebla, Mexico. What remains of Santa Clara takes its present shape from a 1734 reconstruction. The church offers a beautiful baroque façade and a two-tiered arcade surrounding a central patio and garden. Outside, native women come to do their wash; spreading their clothes on the lawn to dry.
Antigua - Convent of la Recolección
This massive ruin was once the home of the order of the Fathers Recoletos. Vestiges of the study rooms, music rooms, cells, cloisters and infirmary remain.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Antigua - Fuego & Acatenango Volcanoes
Acatenango at 3,912m/13,041ft is the twin of Fuego Volcano (Volcano of Fire) at 3,704m/12,346ft. Jointly, these matching volcanoes are called La Horqueta. Acatenango has campsites with panoramic views of Guatemala City and Antigua valley. Fuego Volcano is still active and can be observed frequently spewing ash and sand clouds.
Antigua - Handcrafts Market
This marketplace exhibits locally-made crafts of ceramic, jade, marble, leather and wood.
Antigua - House of Antique Costumes
The large selection of regional Guatemalan costumes protected within this museum are described by a well-informed guide.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Antigua - House of the Count of Gomera
In the historic Casa Del Conde de la Gomera, Antigua's authentic coffee can be sampled.
Antigua - Jocotillo, Guatemala
(Near La Antigua Guatemala)
Jocotillo is a small town selling beautifully hand-carved items from family-run workshops.
Antigua - La Merced Church
The church of La Merced was originally built in 1548. Its present form was designed in 1767 to withstand damaging earthquakes. The intricately-patterned yellow and white baroque-styled facade features important sculptures such as Our Lady of Las Mercedes and San Pedro Nolasco. Inside the ruins of the once-attached monastery stands the enormous Fuente de Pescados (Fountain of the Fish) with a diameter of over 24m/80ft. La Merced is the starting point of the procession of Santa Semana.
Antigua - Las Capuchinas Convent
La Capuchinas was a convent built in 1736 and run by nuns from Madrid. Destroyed repeatedly by earthquakes it is now a museum reflecting religious colonial life. Unusual features include a round building with 18 concentric cells centered around a circular patio. Below this circular patio is a mysterious, subterranean chamber with interesting acoustics.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Antigua - Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas has a finely-tiled fountain. Fiestas, celebrations and public events are held here.
Antigua - San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Guatemala
(Near La Antigua Guatemala)
San Antonio Aguas Calientes is a native village famous for its beautiful textiles. The textiles are the finest in Guatemala. The huipils (women's pull-on dresses) made in the village are best known for their tight two-faced weave that produces an identical image on the front and back.
Weaving lessons are given by the local women
Weaving lessons are given by the local women
Guides
Work-study or volunteer programs.
Antigua Arts Festival
The Antigua arts festival is a biennial event arts showcasing ballet, opera and classical music.
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