Antigua, Guatemala was a colonial city founded by Spanish conquistadores in 1543, who originally named it Santiago de los Caballeros. Today the city is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and a stunning place to visit.
Hike some Volcanos!
Antigua is surrounded by volcanos, several of which are so big you can see them from anywhere in the city. To get a real feel for the Guatemalan landscape, you can hike up inactive and active volcanos alike. Technically you can do most hikes without a tour guide, but I definitely recommend you go with a tour as they’ll come with safety, food, transportation, and accommodation.
TIP: If you plan to do any of these hikes, be sure to bring lots of different layers of clothing – during the hikes you will sweat buckets but at the top it is often cold and windy.
Volcan Acatenango: This is the big one. Hike up hours of constant steep land and then stay the night on an inactive volcano with views of an active one all night long. The hike is 5-6 hours up to basecamp with another hour hike in the morning to reach the top of Acatenango by sunrise. We did our tour with Wicho & Charlie’s, so we were provided vegan-friendly meals along the way and cozy tents at basecamp.
Volcan Fuego: After nearly 6 hours of hiking up Acatenango, you’ll have the option to head over to the active Volcan Fuego for sunset. About an hour hike each way, you will climb down into the valley, up to the top of Fuego, and then all the way back in the dark – so be sure to pack a headlamp!
Volcan Pacaya: This is a much shorter and easier, one day hike. On Pacaya there are hot pockets within the rocks where it is possible to roast marshmallows!
If you hadn’t noticed, there are lots of dogs in the photos above. Stray dogs tend to follow tour groups up the volcanos (yes all 6-7 hours!) in hopes of getting some food from tourists. They are everywhere and absolutely adorable. Also, be prepared to be followed for a while by horses and their handlers trying to convince you to pay to get a ride up the volcano. I don’t recommend this as the horses are often over worked on these journeys and you will feel much prouder after hiking the whole thing yourself!
Explore the City!
Between Antigua’s beautiful architecture, colorful houses, historical ruins, and stunning lookouts, there is never a lack of things to see in the old colonial city. The streets are organized in a grid pattern with el Plaza Mayor at the center where there are almost always Guatemalan artisans selling goods around the square. A park with frequent street food options is Parque la Merced and nearby is the iconic Arco de Santa Catalina – an architectural must-see of Antigua. The city is not huge and is extremely walkable, making a walking tour the best way to explore.
To get the perfect view of the whole city and Volcan de Agua behind it, head up loads of steps to Cerro de La Cruz.
TIP: If you are ever lost in Antigua, simply look for Volcan de Agua. Once you see the towering volcano, you will know you are facing south.
Immerse Yourself in the Culture!
There are plenty of ways to learn about Guatemalan culture in Antigua. Whether it’s eating traditional food or learning ancient methods of chocolate making, there is so much fun to have learning about Guatemala and its history.
To begin simply, just try classic Guatemalan food! Street vendors often serve chuchitos (Guatemalan tamales), pupusas, tacos, and more. Otherwise the national dish of Guatemala is Pepian (a kind of chicken stew/soup) and the traditional breakfast is a must as well (scrambled eggs, beans, tortillas, and fruit).
You can also find plenty of local events or markets around Antigua. There is frequently community events taking place in el Plaza Mayor whether a weekend market or a holiday parade. There are some more permanent markets like Nim Po’t, Mercado de Artesanias, or el Mercadito to find and explore as well.
Another fun activity is to learn about traditional chocolate making at Ek Chuah or ChocoMuseo. Guatemala is oftentimes considered the birthplace of chocolate since the ancient Mayans utilized cacao and honored it as a gift from their gods. Take a tour or class to learn how the Mayans roasted cacao seeds and turned it into chocolate so long ago.
Antigua is an icon of Guatemala. The city is so full of culture, activity, and beautiful sights that it is hard not to love. Heading out of the city for some volcano hikes is definitely a must and you will not regret visiting Antigua!
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