I first went to Antigua in 2019 as a quick side trip from Guatemala City. Then I went back in 2021. Then 2023. Then 2025. Each time I learn something that would have saved me money, time, or anxiety the first time around.
Here's everything you actually want to know.
No. You fly into La Aurora International (GUA) in Guatemala City. From there, it's a 45-minute to 1-hour drive depending on traffic. Book a private shuttle from your hotel or hostel: 100-150 GTQ ($13-20). Shared shuttles run 60-80 GTQ. There's also the chicken bus from Alameda terminal for 5 GTQ if you want the full experience — it takes 1.5 hours and is genuinely adventurous.
The chicken buses are decommissioned US school buses painted in wild colors, packed to capacity, with luggage on the roof and a cobrador (fare collector) hanging out the door shouting destinations. They're chaotic and fun and absolutely not for everyone.
Q: What about the visa situation?
US, UK, Canadian, and EU citizens enter Guatemala visa-free for 90 days under the CA-4 agreement (which also covers Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua — 90 days total across all four countries). Indian citizens need a visa from a Guatemalan consulate.
Keep your entry stamp. You may need to show it at police checkpoints between cities.
Q: Is Antigua safe for solo travelers?
Within the central grid — yes. The core area (roughly 4-5 blocks in every direction from Parque Central) is patrolled by POLITUR tourist police. I've walked it solo, including as a woman traveling alone, without issues. At night, stick to well-lit streets around Parque Central and 5a Avenida.
Outside the grid, the rules change. Don't walk to Cerro de la Cruz after dark. Don't hike any volcano without a licensed guide from an established agency. The trail robberies you hear about are on remote, unguided routes.
Q: What's the most common tourist mistake regarding safety?
Hiring unlicensed volcano guides. Guys approach you on the street offering Acatenango hikes for 150 GTQ (half the going rate). They have no emergency equipment, no radio contact, and no insurance. When something goes wrong — altitude sickness, injury, weather — you're on your own at 3,800 meters. Pay the 250-400 GTQ and go with OX Expeditions, Tropicana, or another established operator.
Q: Is the Acatenango hike really that hard?
Yes. I've done it twice and it wrecked me both times. Six hours of continuous uphill, gaining 1,500 meters of elevation. The last hour above 3,500 meters is miserable — the air is thin and every step feels like wading through water.
But watching Fuego erupt from the overnight camp at 3,800 meters, with lava fountains and deep rumbling every 15-20 minutes — it's one of the most extraordinary experiences in Central America. Bring warm layers (it drops to near-freezing), a headlamp, and water. Lots of water.
Q: Can you see Fuego erupt from Antigua itself?
Yes, on clear days. From rooftop bars and restaurants around Parque Central, you can see smoke and sometimes glow from Fuego. But it's 16 km away, so the eruptions look small. From Acatenango camp, you're 5 km away. The difference is like watching fireworks on TV versus standing under them.
Q: How much does Antigua cost per day?
Antigua is excellent value by global standards.
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 60-100 GTQ/night (hostel dorm) | 300-600 GTQ/night (boutique hotel) |
| Food | 70-100 GTQ/day | 150-250 GTQ/day |
| Activities | 50-100 GTQ/day | 200-400 GTQ/day |
| Transport | 20-50 GTQ/day | 50-150 GTQ/day |
| Daily Total | 200-350 GTQ ($26-45) | 700-1,400 GTQ ($90-180) |
The currency is the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ). US dollars are widely accepted at tourist businesses, but you'll get better rates paying in quetzales.
Q: Do I need to tip?
Tipping 10% at sit-down restaurants is customary. Tour guides: 50-100 GTQ per person. Shuttle drivers: 10-20 GTQ. At market stalls and street food: no tip expected.
Q: What should I definitely eat?
Five non-negotiable dishes:
Q: Can I drink the water?
No. Stick to purified water (garrafones from shops: 5-10 GTQ for a large jug) or use a filter bottle. Ice at tourist restaurants is generally made from purified water. Street food is safe if it's cooked to order — the comedores near the market have high turnover, which is your freshness indicator.
Q: What's the deal with Semana Santa?
Holy Week in Antigua is one of the most spectacular cultural events in the Americas. Locals create elaborate alfombras — carpets made from colored sawdust, flowers, and pine needles — on the cobblestone streets. Processions carry massive wooden floats from churches through the streets, walking over the carpets.
The Good Friday procession is the main event. It's extraordinary. But — and this is important — book accommodation 3-6 months ahead. Prices triple. Hotels sell out completely. If you can go, it's worth every dollar. Just plan ahead.
Q: Should I take a Spanish class?
Antigua is one of the most popular places in the world to study Spanish, and there's a good reason: 800-1,200 GTQ per week ($100-150) gets you 4 hours of daily private instruction, often including a homestay with a local family and three meals a day.
Even a one-week intensive will transform your travel through Central America. The instruction quality is high. Many schools have been running for decades. I did a week at San Jose el Viejo and it was the best money I spent in Guatemala.
Q: Is it okay to photograph people in traditional dress?
Always ask first. Many indigenous Maya women in traditional huipiles do not want to be photographed, particularly at markets and in villages around Antigua. Ask "Puedo tomar una foto?" and respect the answer. Some may request a small tip (5-10 GTQ). Never photograph children without parental consent.
Q: How do I get around?
Antigua's center is entirely walkable. For places outside the grid: tuk-tuks are everywhere. Negotiate before boarding: 10-20 GTQ per ride within town. For day trips to Lake Atitlan (3 hours), Chichicastenango market (2.5 hours), or Guatemala City, use shuttle services that depart from agencies on 5a Avenida.
Q: What should I pack?
Layers. Antigua sits at about 1,500 meters. Days are warm (18-25°C), nights are cool (10-15°C). During the rainy season (May-October), afternoon downpours are daily — bring a rain jacket. Good walking shoes for cobblestones. And if you're doing Acatenango: thermal base layer, warm fleece, windproof jacket, and gloves. It's near-freezing at the summit.
Q: How many days do I need?
Three days covers the essentials: ruins, volcano, and town. Five days lets you add a Spanish school, day trips, and the luxury of aimless wandering. I've never regretted spending more time in Antigua.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Best time | November-April (dry season) |
| Language | Spanish, Kaqchikel Maya |
| Currency | Quetzal (GTQ), ~7.7 GTQ = $1 USD |
| Altitude | ~1,500 meters |
| UNESCO status | Since 1979 |
| Power | 120V, Type A/B plugs (same as US) |
| Emergency | POLITUR tourist police: 5578-9836 |
Antigua is one of those places that's easy to visit and hard to leave. Four trips in, I'm already planning the fifth. For more insights, check out our firsthand Antigua Guatemala story. For more insights, check out our Antigua Guatemala Through the Lens of Chocolate.
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