Rodrigo Escalante, Unsplash License, Source

Antigua Guatemala

Colonial Charm and Volcanic Views

Antigua Guatemala stands as a living museum of Spanish colonial history in central America. The city’s cobblestone streets wind past colorful churches, stone arches and quiet plazas shaded by centuries-old trees. Its high altitude brings cool mornings and mild afternoons year-round. Local markets sell handmade textiles and fresh fruit while cafes serve coffee grown nearby. Walking through Antigua feels like stepping into a slower time, where architecture tells stories of the past and daily life continues in traditional rhythms.

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City in Guatemala

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.5

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	6

Read details

3/5

Many locals working in tourism, restaurants, and hotels speak English well, but knowing some basic Spanish can be helpful, especially in markets and with taxi drivers.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Antigua Guatemala Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Strong in colonial architecture and volcano scenery. Walk colorful streets, visit historic churches, explore markets and hike nearby volcano trails.

Place score

7.5

Best at:

Walkable

Historic sites

Guided tours

Markets

Cosy towns

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

💻 8

Digital Nomads

Guatemala – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) £1 ≈ GTQ 10.17
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are not widely accepted outside of major cities in Guatemala. While credit cards are accepted in some places, cash is still commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Guatemala, especially in restaurants. A 10-15% tip is common. Taxi drivers may also expect small tips for good service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not widely accepted in Guatemala, and alcohol is consumed in licensed venues such as bars and restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces, including restaurants and bars.

Independence Day (15 September)	Celebrates Guatemala's independence from Spain
Christmas (25 December)	Celebrated widely throughout the country

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 128 (Ambulance), 122 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Guatemala is known for its rich Mayan heritage, volcanoes, and natural beauty. It is an excellent destination for those interested in history, culture, and outdoor adventures.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

☀️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

🌦️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

🌦️

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May - Aug., Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Semana Santa (Holy Week) in late March or April: processions and sawdust carpets draw huge crowds, hotels book out months ahead

Dry season November to April is best for volcano hikes; rainy season May to October brings afternoon storms

Don't miss

🌉 Snap a photo under the iconic Santa Catalina Arch
🥾 Hike Cerro de la Cruz for panoramic city views
⛪ Visit the ruins of the historic Antigua Cathedral
🛍️ Explore vibrant markets at Mercado de Artesanías
⛪ Discover ornate Iglesia de La Merced church interiors
🌳 Relax in Parque Central, Antigua’s lively main plaza

You've been here?

Why travel to Antigua Guatemala?

Antigua offers a unique mix of history, culture and adventure. You can explore beautifully preserved colonial buildings, visit ancient ruins and experience lively markets. For adventurers, nearby volcano hikes offer breathtaking views and even the chance to see molten lava. The city’s relaxed vibe, friendly locals and vibrant festivals make it an inviting destination.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Iglesia de San Francisco
2 Ruins of La Recolección
3 Casa Santo Domingo
4 Convento de las Capuchinas
5 Iglesia la Merced

🎡Places for activities

1 Museo del Santo Hermano Pedro
2 Cerveceria 14

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Pacaya
2 Fuego Volcano
3 Volcán de Agua
4 Hobbitenango
5 Calle Interna Parque Cerro de La Cruz
6 Lake Atitlán

🛍️Shopping

1 Mercado de Artesanías
2 Antigua Foodie Market
3 Casa de los Gigantes
4 La Casa del Ron

🎈Events

Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Antigua Festival of Arts
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Feast of Saint James
Antigua Carnival
Independence Day Celebrations
Dia de la Virgen de la Asunción
Antigua Music Festival
Burning of the Devil Festival
Antigua Food Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Wear sturdy shoes; the beautiful colonial streets are uneven cobblestones.
Join a walking tour your first day to learn history, key landmarks and get oriented among colorful alleys and ruins.
Plan volcano hikes or Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint early morning for cooler temperatures, clearer skies and safer trail conditions.
Stay near Parque Central for easy access to markets, cafés and sunset rooftop bars with spectacular volcano views surrounding the city.

How to travel to Antigua Guatemala

Fly into La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City, then take a shuttle, bus or taxi to Antigua (about 1-2 hours away). Direct shuttles from the airport are the most convenient option.

Access summary

From Guatemala City Airport (GUA): Shared shuttle or taxi, about 1–1.5 hours.
From Guatemala City: Frequent shuttles and buses, typically around 1–1.5 hours.
From Lake Atitlán towns: Tourist shuttles via Panajachel, usually about 3–5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Antigua Guatemala

Antigua offers a range of accommodations, from charming boutique hotels in colonial buildings to affordable hostels. Staying near Central Park is ideal for easy access to attractions, restaurants and activities.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Camino Real Antigua

9.6

Grand Tikal Futura Hotel

9.5

Hotel Don Valentino

8.3

Hotel Soleil La Antigua

8.7

Hotel Museo Casa Santo Domingo

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Antigua Guatemala

Antigua is a walkable city with most attractions close to the center. Tuk‑tuks and taxis are available and guided tours are popular for visiting surrounding areas. Avoid walking alone at night in quiet areas.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-55 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 55% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-2 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to GTQ) is 2% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£36	£79	£216
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£105
🍝 Food per day	£14	£29	£89
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£5	£22

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£14
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.40
🍟 Fast food combo	£5
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5
☕ Cappuccino	£2
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.70

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£31
🤧 Cold medication	£4.80
💇 Basic haircut	£9.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Antigua is generally safe for tourists, but caution is advised with petty theft. Avoid displaying valuables openly and take registered taxis at night.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are decent in Antigua, with some private clinics available. More advanced care is in Guatemala City. Drink bottled water to avoid stomach issues.

Accessibility

Antigua’s cobblestone streets can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Some hotels and attractions offer better accessibility, but infrastructure may be limited.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled water and avoid ice in drinks if unsure of its source. Bottled water is widely available.