10 Fun Things to Do in Antigua, Guatemala

The Story of Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua, which translates to “Ancient” in English, received its name because it used to be the capital of Guatemala. After an intense earthquake in 1773 forced rebuilds, and with Guatemala’s rapidly increasing population, the capital was moved to Guatemala City. Nonetheless massive efforts were made to preserve the principal monuments of Antigua, referred to as “ruins”. Antigua carries remarkable Spanish and Guatemalan history in its construction. Therefore you’ll get a taste of its Mayan culture and traditional bright colors as you simply walk around the city.

1. Relax at the Spa in Casa Santo Domingo

The Spa at Casa Santo Domingo is my favorite spa in the world (as of the date of this post)! The fact that it is uniquely located on an ancient ruin is only the beginning. The Spa is outdoors with the exception of the treatment rooms, and you get a nice view of some volcanoes while lounging on a day bed.

They have a pretty lengthy menu of massage and treatment options worth exploring. For example, one of their offerings is a chocolate massage where they LITERALLY massage you with chocolate! What’s more? The massage ends with a warm bath where they leave you to soak for 20 minutes… with a delicious glass of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. It’s actually unreal.

The Spa is also incredible to lounge at with a large pool and massive hot tub built into a cave-like ancient ruin. It’s extremely unique and special to bask in this space. There is also a restaurant on the second floor of the Spa with top-tier food. If you drink, do not skip on ordering one of their Micheladas with a Gallo beer.

Price Range: $$-$$$

2. Dine with class at Tartines

Want to dine with a view of the Antigua ruins? Tartines is a favorite for those looking for a romantic date or simply a nice outing because of its location and delicious dishes. Both the chef and the restaurant are French, and some of my favorite dishes at Tartines are the French Onion Soup and the Steak Bernaise. Hot tip: Ask for extra bernaise!

Price Range: $$-$$$

3. Explore the Ancient Mayan Ruins

The Ancient Ruins are one of the primary reasons people visit the city in the first place. A lot of them are former convents that were damaged and abandoned after a series of earthquakes in the late 1700s. Here is a list of some of the most popular ruins for folks to visit during their stay.

• Convento Santa Clara
• San Francisco
• Arco de Santa Catalina
• San Jose el Viejo
• Casa Santo Domingo

4. Indulge in Authentic Guatemalan Pepian and Hilachas at Los 3 Tiempos

The Pepian is one of the oldest, traditional Guatemalan dishes. It is a thick meat stew that you can order normally with chicken, pork, or both and has hearty flavors from tomato, cinnamon, pumpkin seeds, and achiote. It used to be consumed by the Mayan people from Chimaltenango as a ceremonial dish and is commonly referred to as Guatemala’s national dish. So it’s certainly worth trying if you are seeking a traditional experience.

Hilachas are another traditional Guatemalan dish. This dish consists of shredded beef, tomato sauce, potatoes, carrots, and Guajillo chiles. “Hilachas” translates to “rags”, and is similar to the traditional Ropa Vieja dish commonly consumed in Spain and Cuba.

Price Range: $$-$$$

5. Hike the Acatenango Volcano

Hiking the Acatenango Volcano is a 2-day tour where it takes around 6-8 hrs to summit 13,041 ft, and about 3-4 hours to descend. You will have a guide, and along the journey you will learn about the geology and ecology of the region. You even get to witness an active volcanic eruption. I have not ventured into doing this, but I’ve been informed by Guatemalan friends that is a hard but unique hike with beautiful panoramic views of the entire region.

Despite the beautiful scenery, it is important to know that Acatenango IS an ACTIVE volcano and its last eruption was in 1972. Additionally, it neighbors Fuego (1.5 miles away), another active volcano with constant eruptions every 30-45 minutes. One of main reasons for hiking Acatenango is to witness the once-in-a-lifetime majestic views of Fuego erupting. If you are an adventure traveller, then I think this would be the most thrilling idea in the entire post.

Price Range: $50-$150 USD

With this large a variance in price, make sure you check with the tours regarding what they include. Usually the higher price points tend to include things the cheaper one’s don’t, such as transfers, tents, hiking gear and meals.

6. Absorb Art History at the MUNAG

Take a tour of Guatemala’s National Museum Art. Here you can take a self-guided and FREE tour of Guatemala’s contemporary and historical art pieces. It is home to two MASSIVE depictions of the passion of the Christ. I was in awe of these pieces and their size! I am still curious where the artist had the space to paint these.

Other eye-catching objects include the pieces used in a traditional Catholic service made of pure gold and silver, the declaration of Guatemala’s independence from Spain from 1821, and a stunning hearse carriage.

Price Range: FREE

7. Pick up Souvenirs at the massive Nim Po’t gift shop

At some point you’re going to want to check out what kind of goodies you can bring back from your travels. Look no further than the Nim Po’t gift shop. This is the department store of gift shops and it sells all sort of Guatemalan textiles and handcrafted items.

You’ll find clothes, animalistic masks, and even furniture. I was able to snag a beautiful handmade scarf here that looked like it could’ve been purchased at a luxury retail store. Every time I visit Antigua I find myself here checking out new memorable pieces I can take home with me.

8. Taste Traditional Guatemalan Candies at Doña María Gordillo

Doña María Gordillo is an internationally recognized candy store located in Antigua. Since the late 1800s they have been selling traditional Guatemalan treats. They have an artsy wooden aesthetic with walls that are lined with ceramic owls, which they sell along with other ceramic pieces.

This store demonstrates the incredible creativity Guatemalan’s possess with making sweets that aren’t just chocolate. At this shop you will find sweets made with fig, carrot, tamarind, pineapple, and coconut. Given that there are some unique flavors, try to walk in with an open mind. You may end up coming back for seconds!

9. Snag a Photo at the Santa Catalina Arch

The Santa Catalina Arch is the poster-child monument for Antigua, Guatemala. Believe it or not the arch was originally built in 1694. In fact, it belonged to a convent who taught school on one side of the arch, and lived on the other side.

The nuns in the convent had taken an oath to never be seen in public. As a result, teaching students across the street became an issue. As a solution, they constructed the Santa Catalina arch which enabled them to cross the street without being seen in public. Now the arch is part of a hotel, and is an unmistakable landmark and must stop photo-op for those visiting Antigua.

10. Get lost on purpose

Antigua, Guatemala is very safe to walk around. You’ll find many tourists and locals roaming the street, and the city is working to reduce the amount of visitors coming in by car anyway. The city is made up of grid-like blocks with cobblestone streets and narrow sidewalks. I recommend getting lost in the streets because there are so many small “hole-in-the-walls” that are worth popping into. Antigua maintains it’s cultural aesthetic on the outside, however, be sure to lose yourself around town to catch the beautiful courtyards and shops hiding behind its doors.