Antigua Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala
Antigua was founded in the early 16th century. It served as the capital for the Spanish colonial government in Central America. After several earthquakes in the 18th century, the seat of government was moved to a safer place. The name Antigua dates from this period and refers to the Old one.

In its years as capital Antigua had a population of about 80.000 people. The catholic church, including a large number of sects, was very powerful and wealthy. This resulted in the counstruction of numerous churches and monasteries, one even more beautiful than the other.

Nowadays Antigua is a quiet university town in the heart of Guatemala.


Destroyed or damaged by Earthquake . Cathedrals .



Visit September 1997

In my opinion, Antigua is the place-to-be in Guatemala. Cobbled streets, old churches (don not miss the yellow monster!) and a lot of remains from colonial times.

Besides this there are good restaurants, bookshops and other necessities for the cultural inclined traveler. The city has a lot in common with Salamanca (Spain), where I learned my first Spanish. In Antigua also a lot of Spanish courses are offered. A good excuse to go there ...

Reviews

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1979 I lived in Santa Ana ElSalvador...went to Antigua....and stayed until around 1985...by the time I finally left I owned a Bar on the Central Parque called La Galleria.....I have travelled the world and can truthfully say it WAS one of the most serene....lovely....wonderful locations on this planet....I hope that it does not go crazy commercial....and I fear it has already started....go anyway....the people are..were wonderful...
 
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My wife and I visited Antigua in Sept '07 and it is a wonderful colonial city. Very well preserved. We stayed 2 blocks from the town center at Posada Don Valentino. It is a beautiful mid-range hotel, very quiet and clean. Some places closer can be noisey, especially on the weekends. We visited many of the churchs, ruins and market areas. The must sees are ruins behind Hotel Santo Domingo, ruins of San Franciso, ruins of Cappachinas, and La Merced church. Some people cut there visit short, but we could spend a month here and not see everything.
 
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Beatiful place, but recently is lossing its pacific environment thanks to a lot of bars, karaokes and discos that bloom every weekend in this city. I suggest hotels far from Antigua center because it is very possible that you wont be able to sleep. Lots of cars that are ruining the stone roads and traffic jams in the streets. Visit during day, avoid nights to walk alone. A good restaurant and no so expensive, Cafe Opera.
 
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I have been going to Antigua for the past three years on mission trips to work at an orphanage. I keep going back simply for two reasons. One being that the children there are so beautiful and so much in need. Second being that the country is so breathtaking it will literally overwhelm you. If you haven't been there, I would highly recommend you going, you will not regret one minute of it!!! The Villa Antigua motel is an excellent place to stay at. Make sure to dine at Frida's Place.
 
William Garnett (USA):
I was in Antigua in January, 2005 for a wedding. I must say that I considered buying a house and staying. Absolutely beautiful. The people are very warm and the coffee is great. I walked all over the town night and day and I can't wait to get back and sit in the courtyard in the center of town and just be. Perhaps I'll retire there, and die there. It's funny, because I'm Plains Indian, and I really dug the whole Mayan thing. I appreciate their resistance. They've been doing it longer than we Plains People. I think the Mission Valley in Montana is the most beautiful place on Earth, but Antigua is definitly a tie, definitely a very attractive place to be despite the tourists and the ruling elite.
Date posted: April 2006
Emilia Bautista King (U.S.A.):
Past reviewers have mentioned the language schools in Antigua. I studied for 2 weeks at Proyecto Linguistico Francisco Marroquin, which I highly recommend. Having only had an introductory course in Spanish in the 8th grade, I was a bit intimidated my first day of classes but by the end of my stay, I was giving people directions in the city! (Okay, it also helped that I was fluent in Tagalog and that many people would mistake me for a local). I also stayed with a host family who were so kind and hospitable. I still keep in touch with them today.

Places in Antigua to explore include La Merced church ("the yellow monster," as someone called it) and Casa Popenoe.
Date posted: February 2006
Oskar (USA):
My family and I visited Antigua in january 2006, it was my
second trip to Antigua and the first for my wife and daughter and I knew they would love it. It is a great place to visit, lots of culture, excellent food and beautiful vistas.
You can't miss Antigua on your next trip to Central America. Suchitoto in El Salvador is very similar but not
quite as developed....I would recommend it too.
Date posted: February 2006
Paul Tanner (UK):
Antigua Guatemala is the antidote to Guatemala City. Unless you really need to, don’t even think of staying in the capital! The drive to/from the airport is hardly any longer from Antigua than from the capital and taxis/buses ply the route if you don’t have your own transport. If you want to visit the capital it is 45 minutes away. Antigua has become a major centre for Spanish Language Schools and receives a lot of tourists, mainly from the US but on the whole is not overwhelmed by them. Its location, overlooked by a volcano, is superb and its relatively small size means that it is easily accessible on foot. Its climate is pleasant, its hotels and restaurants cater for every taste and budget.

The town doesn’t contain any buildings of “world class”, but its inscription as a WHS reflects the totality of its colonial heritage and the atmosphere it generates - the nearest comparison on the American continent I can identify would be Ouro Preto in Brazil.
 
Chris (USA):
Antigua was a fascinating city full of some of the happiest and friendliest people I have ever met. I went down for 2 weeks for a missions trip and recommend visiting Antigua to anyone who visits Guatemala.
 
Dan Roseum (USA):
Antigua is a truly beautiful city which is nestled in the mountains and volcanoes of a beautiful country. I have visited Antigua twice during Semana Santa (Holy week) during the last year and a half and it was very enlightening to observe the cultures of a foreign world. During my trips to Guatemala I ventured to San Andres, Sajcabaja to stay at the Home of Life and Nutrition Orphanage which is approximately 6 hours north of Antigua. I and a team of 20 other individuals spent the week ministering to the surrounding Aldeas and caring for the orphaned children. My experiences here were life changing and I am looking forward to returning in the near future. Guatemala and its people are a must see.
 
Luis Lobo (USA):
This is one of the most beautiful cities in Central America. I would recommend it to anyone going to Guatemala.
 
Ivan (USA):
I was in Antigua back in july 2002 on a missions trip. The people there were very friendly and the food was absolutely great. I would love to go back there again... there are so many people in need.
 
LILLY TUMAX (usa):
I LIKE THIS SITE BECAUSE IT SHOWS THE REAL GUATEMALA FOR WHAT IT IS. MY HUSBAND IS FROM TOTONICAPAN AND HE SAYS THAT IT IS JUST LIKE THE COUNTRY SO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
 


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