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Antigua Guatemala

Guatemala travel guide

What to see in Antigua Guatemala

The colonial city between three volcanoes, with cobbled streets, ruined churches and cafés.

Updated 18 October 2026 · How we make our guides

Photo: Juan Francisco · CC BY-SA 2.0

Antigua Guatemala highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Santa Catalina Arch

    With Agua volcano in the background.

  2. Parque Central

    With the cathedral and the palace.

  3. La Merced Church

    A yellow baroque façade.

  4. Cerro de la Cruz

    A viewpoint over the town.

  5. Acatenango Volcano

    To watch Fuego erupt (with a guide).

Day trips from Antigua Guatemala

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Antigua Guatemala

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Antigua Guatemala are from November to April.

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb no warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May with warnings
  6. Jun with warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with warnings
  9. Sep with warnings
  10. Oct with warnings
  11. Nov no warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • from May to October

    Rainy season

    From May to October it rains almost every afternoon; mountain roads can be hit by landslides.

    What to do: The dry season, from November to April, is best; in the rainy season, start early.

Typical food of Antigua Guatemala

The dish you have to try there and how to make it at home, to whet your appetite before the trip (or to go back to Antigua Guatemala from your kitchen).

Plantain rellenitos
Photo: David Amsler · CC BY 2.0

Plantain rellenitos

Balls of ripe plantain stuffed with sweet black beans, chocolate and cinnamon, fried and dusted with sugar. A typical sweet from Antigua’s homes and markets.

  • Serves 6
  • 1 h

Ingredients

  • 4 very ripe plantains
  • 200 g refried black beans
  • 30 g dark chocolate
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • Oil for frying
  • Sugar for dusting

How to make it at home

  1. Boil the plantains in their skins for 15 minutes, peel and mash them into a purée.
  2. Heat the beans with the chocolate, sugar and cinnamon until thick.
  3. Take a portion of purée, flatten it, add a teaspoon of beans and close it into an oval.
  4. Fry them in hot oil until golden.
  5. Drain and dust with sugar.

The trick: The riper the plantains (almost black), the sweeter they are.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: a comedor or the market. The dishes you can’t miss are in the Guatemala guide.

Frequently asked questions about Antigua Guatemala

What to see in Antigua Guatemala?

Santa Catalina Arch, Parque Central, La Merced Church, Cerro de la Cruz and Acatenango Volcano.

What to see in Antigua Guatemala in one day?

Don’t miss Santa Catalina Arch, Parque Central, La Merced Church, Cerro de la Cruz and Acatenango Volcano. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to Antigua Guatemala?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Antigua Guatemala are from November to April.

What day trips can you take from Antigua Guatemala?

Acatenango Volcano and Coffee farms.

What is the typical food of Antigua Guatemala?

Plantain rellenitos. Balls of ripe plantain stuffed with sweet black beans, chocolate and cinnamon, fried and dusted with sugar. A typical sweet from Antigua’s homes and markets.

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Travel ideas with Antigua Guatemala

More in Guatemala

Guide reviewed 18 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.