Marta & Jose
Marta & Jose
Things to Do
Join Us for a Lake Atitlán Excursion!
Staying a few days after the wedding? We’re organizing a day tour to Lake Atitlán on Monday, March 17th! If you're interested, please fill out this Google Form to receive the payment link and trip details. We’d love to explore with you! 🌿🚤
SIGHTSEEING
Arco de Santa Catalina
A renowned yellow arch in Antigua, constructed in 1694 to connect two convents on either side.
Parque Central de Antigua Guatemala
The hub of Antigua, is surrounded by bustling activity and restaurants, featuring several charming water fountains in the middle.
San José Cathedral Antigua
Ruins of a 16th-century cathedral largely destroyed by earthquake in 1773 & only partially rebuilt.
Iglesia de la Merced
A Catholic church in Antigua Guatemala, was built in 1749 and is an iconic example of Antigua's Baroque-style architecture. Fun Fact: it withstood 2 major earthquakes since it was last rebuilt in the 18th century.
Tanque La Unión
A historic gathering place, served as a communal laundry area during colonial times.
Convento Santa Clara
Remains of a large religious complex from the early 1700s, showcasing a church with an intricate facade.
Convento Capuchinas
The Iglesia y Convento de las Capuchinas is a noteworthy 18th-century convent and church in Antigua, representing one of Guatemala's finest examples from that era.
SHOPPING
Mercado de Artesanias
It is a sprawling market, offering a diverse array of vendors selling artisanal goods, street food, fresh produce, and a wide variety of items.
ChocoMuseo
Join a daily chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo for a unique, hands-on experience! For around $20 per person, you’ll learn to make your own chocolate using organic Guatemalan cacao beans from their artisanal chocolate factory. It's a fun and memorable activity for the whole family!
Casa del Jade
A jewelry store and museum in Antigua, emphasizing the cultural significance of jade, a precious stone and natural export of Guatemala.
HIKING
Cerro de La Cruz
Visit for sunset! A 30-min hike or short tuk tuk ride from Antigua. It provides breathtaking views of the city and surrounding volcanoes.
Acatenango Volcano Trailhead
Most people hike the Acatenango Volcano (13,041 ft / 3,976 m). It’s on my list but I haven’t done it. It is considered a hard hike and it requires for you to stay there overnight. You can see the Fuego Volcano erupting from Acatenango early in the morning.
An easier and shorter hike: Pacaya Volcano (8,373 feet / 2,552 m).
RESTAURANTS & BARS:
· Café La Parada: good for breakfast and brunch
· Monoloco Antigua: known for their nachos and American food.
· La Fonda de la Calle Real: typical Guatemalan food in an upscale setting.
· Hector’s Bistro: An Antigua establishment for more than a decade.
· El Tenedor del Cerro (for lunch or dinner. Will need to take a taxi): located atop a mountain, is a beautiful restaurant offering city views. Specializing in pizza, pasta, and grill dishes, it provides a picturesque dining experience.
· Ulew: One of our favorites! A speakeasy with an atmosphere that feels more like a clandestine wine cave than a typical bar. The bar doesn't have a formal cocktail menu, but the the bartenders have plenty of exciting and original recipes up their sleeves!
· Tabacos y Vinos: They have wine and rum tasting (specifically Rum Zacapa, best rum in Guate and around the world).
· Antigua Brewing Company: cozy outdoor bar/terrace with awesome views of Volcán de Agua
· Café No Se: cozy saloon-type bar in Antigua, offering candlelit ambiance, live music, and the distinction of being the first Mezcal bar outside of Mexico.
· Por Que No? Café: the quintessential "dive bar" restaurant in Antigua
STREET FOOD:
· Rellenitos: fried mashed sweet plantains stuffed with refried beans. Very popular dessert!
· Shucos: Guate’s hot dogs. They are prepared with toasted bread and guacamole which makes them different from any traditional American hot dog.
· Atol de Elote: a sweet corn beverage. Popular in the mornings or evenings.
· Enchiladas: typically consist of a hard tortilla topped with a mixture of vegetables and ground beef.
OTHER TRIPS TO CONSIDER:
· Hobbitenango Theme Park: (Day trip) If you are a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit fan, you’ll like this place. You can walk around and take photos at the tiny hobbit holes. Some people stay there overnight. They also have some tree swings, mini golf, and a giant hand overlooking the valley and volcanoes.
· Lago Atitlán: (Day trip) in Guatemala's southwestern highlands, set within a volcanic crater, is surrounded by Mayan villages, steep hills, and striking volcanoes.
o There are many hotels around the lake. If you are looking for a relaxing day or weekend, this is a great option! Famous town nearby - Panajachel is a bustling town on its shores, offering traditional textiles. You can go kayaking, do yoga, and visit the colorful towns.
· Tikal: is a significant archaeological site and urban center of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
o Consider staying in Guatemala City for 2 nights and doing a 1-day trip to Tikal. You will have to take a small aircraft from Guatemala City to Tikal (Flores). You can purchase the flight tickets and park tickets on your own OR book a tour that can take care of everything – they have tours from Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala.
o You can also consider staying in Tikal for 1-2 nights. They have a hotel inside the park and others nearby. I stayed at Jungle Lodge Hotel, inside the park. FYI it is a jungle and you can hear animals throughout the day and night.
· Semuc Champey: (Overnight trip) offers breathtaking tiered turquoise pools suspended over a limestone bridge. It is remote and known for its stunningly gorgeous setting. I did a day trip here from Zacapa (7-hour drive) but I had to leave my house at 5am and got back at 11pm. I know they have tours from Antigua but it requires for you to stay at least 2 nights because it takes ~9hrs to get there. A transportation option GuateGo.
· Chiquimula: (Overnight trip) Chiquimula is a city located 4hrs from Antigua. It is a charming city boasting a rich blend of natural wonders and cultural experiences. Their tourist attractions have been growing in the past few years. Some of the things you can do, include:
o Parque de Aventuras NV: They have paragliding, camel riding, canopy, an infinity pool, trampoline, and more.
o Hike Volcán de Ipala: famous volcano with a lake on top, surrounded by lush trees
o Parque Ecológico La Laguna de 3 Cochinos: The highlight of the park is the stunning lagoon, which is surrounded by lush greenery and provides a tranquil atmosphere.
o Iglesia de Santa Catarina de Alejandría: This majestic colonial church, built in the 18th century, holds significant historical and cultural importance in the region.
o You can potentially do a day trip to Semuc Champey from here.