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Guatemala City

capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala

23km

14.6248-90.5328

Panajachel

Municipality of Sololá Department, Guatemala

50km

14.740611-91.159417

Monterrico

The beach closest to Guatemala City and Antigua, volcanic sand.

77km

13.8936-90.4819

Quetzaltenango

capital of Quetzaltenango Department, Guatemala

92km

14.84575-91.51886

Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey is a set of crystalline pools over the Río Cahabón in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. It consists of a natural 300 m limestone bridge, under which passes the Cahabón River. Atop the bridge is a series of stepped, turquoise pools, a popular swimming attraction. Semuc is part of the backpacker trail in Guatemala.

134km

15.5333-89.9611

Copán Ruinas

human settlement in Honduras

178km

14.83333333-89.15

Chiapas

From docks on the Rio Grijalva (the only major river within Mexico) near Tuxtla Gutiérrez in Chiapas state, tour launches take you into this steep-walled National Park. You'll likely see vast flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and other waterfowl, as well as crocodiles.

271km

16.41-92.408611
Sights (5)

Iglesia de La Merced, Antigua Guatemala

Erected in 1767 by friars from the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, or Mercedarians, La Merced was one of the few buildings in Antigua to withstand the Santa Marta earthquake that struck seven years later. This was due to the ingenuity of architect Juan de Dios Estrada, who designed the building with his memories and observations of the tremor of 1751 fresh in his mind: the building's modest height, bottom-heavy orientation, wide arches, and robust columns were intended to withstand earthquakes. La Merced was abandoned in 1829 when President Francisco Morazán expelled all clergy from what was then called the Federal Republic of Central America; the church wasn't reopened until 1853, by which time the attached monastery had fallen victim to looters who plundered its building materials for use elsewhere. Today, visitors can take in a distinctive yellow facade that has been called the most beautiful example of Spanish Baroque architecture in Antigua, pay the admission fee for the ruins of the monastery whose courtyard boasts what is reputed to be the largest fountain in Central America (the Mercedarian monks once raised fish in it), or — if you happen to be in town during semana santa (Holy Week, the week before Easter) — check out the processions that wind through the streets of old Antigua on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, beginning and ending at the church.

553m

14.56167111-90.73434694

Arco de Santa Catalina

bridge in Guatemala

757m

14.55972222-90.73416667

San Miguel Dueñas

Municipality of Sacatepequez Department, Guatemala

9.2km

14.51666667-90.8

Lake Atitlán

Beautiful lake region in the mountains surrounded by many picturesque villages and volcanoes, which is becoming more and more touristic

53km

14.7-91.2

Central Highlands (Guatemala)

The Central Highlands is the region around Guatemala City, stretching northwards to the Northern Lowlands in Guatemala.

109km

15.45-90.24
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Someday we will visit Antigua Guatemala or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Antigua Guatemala

La Antigua Guatemala was the colonial Spanish capital of Central America. It is a World Heritage Site, and is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in Guatemala.

Antigua is a growing tourist destination in Guatemala as it is close to Guatemala City but is much calmer and safer, with more tourist oriented activities. It is possible to take buses from Antigua to many parts of Guatemala. Many travel agencies offer shuttles to the main tourist places: Monterrico beach, Atitlan Lake, Coban, Lanquín (Semuc Champey), or Tikal, though the transportation is more central in Guatemala City. Antigua is also known for its chocolate makers.

Antigua Guatemala means "Old Guatemala" and was the third capital of Guatemala. The first capital of Guatemala was founded on the site of a Kakchikel-Maya city, now called Iximche, on Monday, July 25, 1524—the day of Saint James—and therefore named Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemalan (City of Saint James of the Knights of Guatemala). Naturally, St. James became the patron saint of the city.

  • March 21, 1530
  • September 11, 1541
  • 1565 (exact date unknown)
  • 1575 (exact date unknown)
  • November 30, 1577
  • December 23, 1585[11]

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Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

22.5°C10.8
Precipitation: 1 mm

Feb

23.4°C11.1
Precipitation: 3 mm

Mar

24.7°C11.9
Precipitation: 4 mm

Apr

25°C13.3
Precipitation: 25 mm

May

24.7°C14.3
Precipitation: 118 mm

Jun

23.6°C15.3
Precipitation: 231 mm

Jul

23.5°C14.6
Precipitation: 170 mm

Aug

23.8°C14.3
Precipitation: 141 mm

Sep

23.1°C14.4
Precipitation: 220 mm

Oct

22.7°C13.9
Precipitation: 131 mm

Nov

22.8°C12.7
Precipitation: 16 mm

Dec

22.3°C11.3
Precipitation: 5 mm
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