Antigua, Guatemala is a pretty popular vacation destination, but for most, Antigua serves as the hub from which you travel to the lake, Tikal and other fascinating areas of the country. Antigua can hold its own in entertainment and adventure, though. Let’s take a look at some of the things you can do around this pretty town.
Take a walk. Antigua is full of history. It was once the capital of Guatemala, called Santiago and it was full of beautiful architecture until a massive earthquake in the 1700´s knocked everything down and forced everyone to move to the current capital. However, the cobblestone streets are still just as charming as they were back then, leading you past ruins and homes integrated into the broken walls of the old city. It is truly a lovely place to visit and enjoy.
Hike up to Cerro de la Cruz. This beautiful patch of grass on the hillside overlooking Antigua is a must-see. It allows you a birds-eye view of the city in all its crumbling glory. The climb up is a bit on the exhausting side, if you aren’t physically fit. To reach the Cross, you have to climb several very long flights of stairs set into the forested hillside. The best way to go is with the tourist police, who take groups up twice a day. Since being alone in remote areas can be dangerous, the police are a nice feature and there has never been a group attacked by thieves when the tourist police were there.
Take a horse-drawn carriage tour. There are horse-drawn carriages all over Antigua and it is well worth hiring one for a very unique look at the city. The cobblestones, horse and the black carriage give you the impression of sinking back in time and is a great way to see Antigua. Look for a driver that speaks English for a full tour.
The Artisan’s Market is a great place to visit if you are thinking of taking home some bright souvenirs. This market is made up of literally hundreds of booths selling everything from delicately hand embroidered baby dresses to hammocks made of heavy, typical fabric. Prices are completely negotiable and this is where most tourists come before they leave Guatemala. Even if you aren’t interested in buying anything, this market is well worth the trip, just to see the colors and women selling.
Visit some ruins while you are in Antigua, to soak up some of the historical value of the city. You will really feel the past as you gaze at half-tumbled churches and monasteries, with their cracked angels and elegant designs still visible, etched into pillars and ceiling tiles. Some of the ruins will charge you extra because you are a tourist, but it is still cheap and you are contributing toward the restoration of these valuable landmarks.
Antigua, Guatemala is a wonderful place to visit and you should consider staying there for at least a short amount of time to allow yourself to soak up the old-world charm of the place.
