Antigua Guatemala: A Colorful Colonial Town in the Heart of Guatemala
Surrounded by volcanoes, Antigua Guatemala is a colonial town that takes pride to its cobblestone streets, charming cafes and volcanoes looming in the distance. It’s famous for its Spanish colonial buildings with notable architectural structures including Baroque La Merced Church which is the center of the city’s famous Semana Santa during holy week. Antigua Guatemala huge amount of preserved Spanish colonial architecture and was proclaimed in 1979 by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage site. Coming to Antigua Guatemala, tourists will arrive at La Aurora Airport then drive 30-45 minutes to reach the town proper.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Antigua Guatemala for a pleasant weather is in December and January when the surrounding is still green for the rains and the sky is still clear. To avoid the tourist crowd flocking in most of the town’s attraction, it is recommended to travel to Antigua Guatemala during the shoulder periods before the end or the start of rainy season when weather is still pleasant.
What to Do & Area Attractions
For an adventurous experience, tourists can take a grueling 5-7 hours hike straight uphill to the base camp overlooking Fuego Volcano and witness its eruption every thirty minutes. Head to the downtown for a short visit at the Antigua Guatemala Cathedral then go straight at the Antigua Guatemala Colonial Art Museum to have a better understanding of the town’s colorful past. Take a stop at many of Antigua Guatemala’s Handricraft Markets for some amazing souvenirs to bring back home. After a whole day town exploration, tourists may spend a night at the budget-friendly hotel Hotel Casa Antigua or the luxurious Porta Hotel Antigua.