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My last few blog posts were about Costa Rica, and we’re continuing our way through the Central America region with… GUATEMALA! I love Central America and hope to visit many of the countries located here over my lifetime. The cultures are so vibrant, the food is delicious, and the landscapes have it all — pristine white beaches, rainforests, giant waterfalls, volcanoes, and more! Guatemala is no exception. I’ve always wanted to visit here and knew I had to do it while I was young since it’s so adventurous. When my friend Bri called me up one day with a month’s notice with an idea for the trip, I knew it my time to shine! We visited Antigua, Lake Atitlan, and did the infamous Volcán Acetenango hike during this trip (a pretty classic itinerary). I’m writing about each region / experience separately, beginning with this guide all about the Antigua, Guatemala hostels, restaurants, and things to see.
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Know Before You Go: Guatemala Edition
As with all posts that cover a new country, here are a few simple facts and key pieces of information to help you prepare for an upcoming trip to Guatemala.
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Language
Spanish is the official language in Guatemala and is spoken by over 90% of the population. In many regions you will also find traditional Mayan languages spoken (ex. near Lake Atitlan). Some English is spoken in touristy areas, like Antigua, but try to learn some Spanish before you go.
Currency
The quetzal is the national currency in Guatemala (plural: quetzales). The name comes from the country’s national bird. 1 Guatemalan Quetzal is about $0.13 USD. The country is very affordable for most foreigners to visit, and as with other Latin American countries — Cash is king!
Weather
Since Guatemala is located in Central America near the equator, it has a tropical environment. Therefore, it has two seasons — wet and dry. The wet season is May to October and typically brings along a daily afternoon rain shower. The dry season runs from November to April. You’ll experience hot days and cool nights during this time.
Transportation
I will cover this in more detail below, but I would NOT 1) rent a car in Guatemala 2) use the taxis or 3) ride the chicken buses.
These forms of transportation are either overpriced or too dangerous for foreigners.
The best way to get around for backpackers is via semi-private shuttles, which are affordable, safe, and shared with other travelers. For example, this is the best way to get from Antigua to Lake Atitlan and can be coordinated through your hotel / hostel. Downtown Antigua is very walkable.
Water
The water around Guatemala is not safe for tourists to drink. I would stick to bottled water (even when brushing your teeth) and only eat cooked foods. It’s personal preference, but I did not eat any street food during my time in Guatemala.
Antigua From Guatemala City
Instead of covering allllllllll the ways to reach Antigua from neighboring cities and countries, I’m going to provide key information for the most common way to get to Antigua, and cover the logistics of my travel route. To reach Antigua from most places in North America, Europe (or anywhere, really), you’ll want to fly into Guatemala City (GUA). Guatemala City is the capital of Guatemala and is home to the largest airport in the country — La Aurora International Airport. You can fly directly into this airport on major airlines such as United and Copa Airlines from cities like Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York.
Pro-tip: I don’t know anyone who has stayed in Guatemala City or has booked tours here. Although it’s the capital and there are many immersive cultural sites, it’s not the safest city to explore. Plus, the smaller, historical towns have so much to offer in terms of architecture, museums, dining, etc. I really recommend just heading right to Antigua, and timing your pick up + drop off accordingly.
Once you’re at the airport, you’ll have to go through customs and a few rounds of security / bag checks before you reach the exit. From here, head to the curb and grab a taxi, shared shuttle, or pre-booked private shuttle to your accommodation in Antigua. The taxi ride will cost around $30 USD. Our RoadRunner shuttle, which we organized through our hostel, was about $45 USD total for the two of us.
Depending on traffic, the ride to Antigua can be as short as 40 minutes or upwards of 2 hours. Antigua is about 35 km southwest of the capital city, but windy roads, motor bikes, and rougher roads as you travel down some mountains may slow you down!
Pro-tip: If you haven’t already, be sure to grab some cash at an ATM in the airport. As with many destinations in this region, cash is KING! If you didn’t already pre-book a shuttle, you’ll need cash for your ride into Antigua, and will quickly realize it is necessary at any market, many restaurants, and even on some tours.
Antigua To Lake Atitlan
You can find my complete guide to Lake Atitlan here, but just briefly — when discussing the travel days — it’s very common for backpackers to travel along the Antigua to Lake Atitlan route. Whether you go right from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan (4 hours) or start in Antigua and then travel to Lake Atitlan (like I did!), both areas shouldn’t be missed.
The easiest way to travel from Antigua to Lake Atitlan is to book a shuttle (shared will be cheaper) from the city center to the lake’s largest transportation center in Panajachel. This ride will take about 2.5 hours. These shuttles could be as affordable as $20, which is the most cost effective and popular option. Taxis could cost upwards of $150 to travel the same route.
Pro-tip: You will hear a lot about chicken buses during your time in Guatemala. These are the public buses that travel around the country. They’re actually decked out school buses from the US! Note — these are different than shared tourist shuttles. These buses, although extremely affordable (like $5 for long-distance rides), are used by mostly locals — mostly men, and aren’t the safest option for foreigns, especially solo female backpackers. I don’t recommend taking these. But, there’s also no need to spend $100+ on taxis… use the shuttles!
Where To Stay: Antigua, Guatemala Hostels
Antigua is the perfect destination for any traveler. There are luxury, boutique hotels located right in the downtown area and a plethora of hostel / Airbnb options for those traveling on a budget. Since Antigua is such a popular backpacking destination, there are many hostel options. Here are the three most popular:
Ojala
Ojala offers both private rooms and mixed dorms (averaging about $20 / night), in addition to a tour desk, bar, restaurant, free WiFi throughout the property, and a garden. This Antigua, Guatemala hostel is conveniently located just steps from the Santa Catalina Arch, serves an American breakfast, and has entertainment options for guests to enjoy. Not to mention… it’s beautiful!
Maya Papaya
Maya Papaya is one of the more popular spots for backpackers to stay in terms of Antigua, Guatemala hostels. We didn’t stay here, but we did swing by to check it out since I heard so much about it! The garden, lounge, and terrace area is the perfect hangout spot. There’s a little coffee cafe and bar on site. Additionally, this 4-star hostel offers a concierge service and a tour desk. The property has a 24-hour front desk, airport transportation, a shared kitchen, and free WiFi throughout the property. Guests at the hostel can enjoy an à la carte breakfast.
Casi Casa
This is the hostel that we stayed at for the bulk of our stay in Antigua! Out of all the options for Antigua, Guatemala hostels, I couldn’t recommend Casi Casa more. For less than $30 a night, you can enjoy a rooftop terrace with string lights overlooking the surrounding volcanoes, a FREE filling + delicious breakfast (picture: homemade banana pancakes), a courtyard with a bar, activities desk, an in-ground pool, and more! Plus, the hostel is located just a 10 minute walk from the main square. I’ve stayed in dozens of hostels over the years and this one is definitely a favorite. We loved hanging out here.
Bonus: Cacao Boutique Hotel
I also have a hotel recommendation for you! If you’re looking for a private room in a boutique hotel instead of a shared backpacker dorm, check out Cacao Boutique Hotel! It’s located right downtown in a walkable location and is super quiet. My friend Bri and I stayed here for just one night after completing the infamous Acetenango hike… it was glorious.
There’s free WiFi for guests here, in addition to a delicious (and free!) daily breakfast. Each private suite offers a wardrobe, a seating area and a flat-screen cable TV. The private bathrooms include a shower, toilet and free toiletries. At Cacao Boutique Hotel you will find a 24-hour front desk, a garden, and a terrace. Restaurants, bars and shops are within a short 2-minute walk.
Where To Eat: Antigua, Guatemala Restaurants
Antigua has lots of delicious food options! The area is particularly known for its cafe and coffee culture. We also ate several meals right at our hostel, Casa Casa, which served a delicious breakfast each morning and had some bar food / drink options. Maya Papaya, which I also mentioned above, had a lovely bar / restaurant / cafe in the terrace that I recommend stopping in for coffee or a meal as well.
Pro-tip: I would do research before choosing restaurants in Guatemala. The food standards aren’t the same as the US — Americans can’t drink the tap water here, and I would read reviews before choosing where to eat. My friend Bri and I avoided street food and did enjoy the following options:
Starbucks Antigua
I can’t believe I’m putting a Starbucks at the top of this list, but I promise, this one is worth the hype! The Starbucks in downtown Antigua (right next to the arch) is known as the “most beautiful Starbucks in the world”. The storefront is nothing fancy (although there is a beautiful mural), but the back courtyard is INCREDIBLE! There are so many lively, local plants back here, in addition to chic lighting, seating areas, a fountain, and more. Plus, there’s WiFi… I could’ve hung out here for hours!
Antigua Cerveza
Antigua Cerveza has a location right near the arch and a second located slightly outside of the city. You may have to taxi here depending on where you’re staying, but it’s a short ride. This spot is SUCH a fun place to hangout for happy hour and dinner. There are TVs, yard games, fire pits, bars, and several tables on a top deck for dinner. We ordered the pizza here and loved it!
Caoba Farms
Caoba Farms was my favorite dining experience of all the Antigua, Guatemala restaurants I tried. This is a working farm, complete with live animals, and has delicious farm-to-table meals. I ate mostly vegetarian during my time in Guatemala and loved the sweet potato fries here! Aside from the restaurant and farm animals there’s also community yoga classes, aerial lessons (yup, on ropes like a circus!), gardens, butterflies, and they serve brunch too! The vibes are immaculate.
Chocomuseo
This place isn’t really a restaurant but it definitely deserves a spot on your list. Located right in the Central Square / Park of Antigua, this chocolate “museum” is a must visit. They offer chocolate making classes, offer samples of cacao tea, and serve premium chocolate bars. I brought a few home… such a great gift!
Pro-tip: Want to try some more local tastings? Consider a Street Food Walking Tour around Antigua. This one is top-rated and covers a lot of ground in just a few hours.
La Bruja Vegan Foods
La Bruja is located in a beautiful food & gift shop courtyard in historic Antigua. It’s one of my favorite Antigua, Guatemala restaurants. The spot is entirely vegan and everything is fresh and delicious. I recommend any of the bowls (they are all delicious), and try a smoothie too!
Artista De Cafe
Antigua, Guatemala restaurants are great, but the area is really known for its coffee and cafe culture. I spent one morning during our time in Antigua bopping around a few cafes in the city and was very impressed. Arista de Cafe is one of the most beautiful coffee shops in Antigua (aside from the Starbucks, ha!). They have a picturesque back courtyard to visit as well. Be sure to snap some pics here before you leave — it’s that photogenic.
Fat Cat
Fat Cat Coffee House has been serving up lattes and cappuccinos since 2010. This spot is very well-known in the coffee community, and is loved by locals & tourists alike. Fat Cat has been named one of the top 10 speciality coffee shops in Antigua… don’t miss it!
Pro-tip: This spot is located very close to the Central Square and Chocomuseo, so maybe enjoy a rich, homemade chocolate bar with your coffee in the square!
12 Onzas
The final boutique coffee shop that I visited during my trip was 12 Onzas. This spot is ALSO so cute. It’s so chic and simple on the inside. Expect a line since it’s small, but it moved fast. I would order food here too — the avocado toast looked amazing. There’s a back courtyard you can eat in.
Pro-tip: 12 Onzas and Fat Cat are a one minute walk from each other.
What To Do: Antigua, Guatemala Things To See
Now that I’ve covered the top Antigua, Guatemala hostels and my favorite Antigua, Guatemala restaurants, let’s dive into the top things to do! Antigua is quite small, historic, and super charming, so the below sights are all walkable from one another. I recommend spending about 3 full days in Antigua before doing the Acetenango Hike and Lake Atitlan.
Santa Catalina Arch
The Santa Catalina Arch is probably the most famous, and most Instagrammable spot in Antigua, Guatemala. It’s located on 5th Avenue North, about a 5-6 minute walk from the Parque Central de Antigua Guatemala. This arch was built in the 17th century and aside from being beautiful, it initially served a purpose: connecting the Santa Catalina convent to a school, allowing the nuns to pass from one building to another without going out on the street.
Pro-tip: My friend Bri and I showed up here for the first time in mid-afternoon and experienced a true “Instagram vs. Reality” moment with the amount of people photographing / blocking the arch. It gets BUSY! I recommend getting up early to avoid the crowds in photos. I think we went back the next morning at like 7:30 am.
Antigua Cathedral
This cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Santiago, is the most famous church in the city and is located right next to the Central Park / Square. The church is beautiful from the front, but the real gem is in the back — walk around the side of the cathedral to the entrance of the ruins.
You can take a self-guided walking tour (or guided, but I don’t think it’s necessary) through the ruins of the original cathedral, which was destroyed in 1773 by an earthquake. The cost is Q20 (Guatemalan Quetzal) per person or about $2.50 USD.
Be sure to bring your camera with you, it’s beautiful!
Nim Pot Market
Local markets are one of my favorite places to visit while traveling, but especially in Latin America. The goods are always so unique and the markets are so lively and vibrant; it’s great insight into the local culture. Located right near the Santa Catalina Arch is Nim Pot Market, the most popular and largest goods market in Antigua. This is the perfect place to pick up a special souvenir to bring home!
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo Antigua Guatemala
This was one of my favorite sights we visited during our time in Antigua! This hotel is absolutely stunning and features several higher end restaurants (included a well-known sushi spot!), spa, and shops. This area is also home to many of Antigua’s best ruins. I recommend spending about 2-3 hours here!
Santo Domingo Church and Monastery is a ruined monastery in Antigua, Guatemala. Its history can be traced back to 1538 when the Dominicans arrived in Guatemala. The monastery was unfortunately destroyed by the same earthquake in 1773 that destroyed the Antigua Cathedral. Today, part of the ruins have been transformed into a luxury, boutique hotel.
Pro-tip: There’s a free art and archaeology museum here!
Iglesia De La Merced
The church and convent of La Merced is a Catholic temple located in historic Antigua, Guatemala. Entry tickets here are also 20Q which is about $2.50 USD for a self-guided tour. The temple began construction in 1749 and was officially inaugurated in 1767. From the second level in the back, you get a great view of the surrounding hills and volcanoes!
Cerro De La Cruz
Meaning “Hill of the Cross” in English, this place is the most popular overlook in Antigua. On a clear day, you can see the entire grid of downtown Antigua, in addition to Volcán Agua in the backdrop.
You can reach this area by car (although you may have to pay a little to park, tuktuk, or by walking from the city center. My friend Bri and I chose to walk and I think it took us about 20-30 minutes. The climb up isn’t too bad, and it is free! However, definitely plan to do this on a super clear day because unfortunately we couldn’t see too much.
Those are the top things to see in Antigua, Guatemala! Of course, the entire city is beautiful so enjoy getting a little lost here and stumbling upon the many city squares, churches, and markets. I truly loved it here and am so grateful to check this adventure of a lifetime off my list. Check out my guides on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and a surf camp in Nicaragua if you’re staying in the region. Next stop: Volcán Acetenango!
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