A friend at our church told us “If you are going to Guatemala, you should go to Antigua”. We are so glad we took his advice!
Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has a long and troubled history. It was one of the original Spanish cities in Central America being founded in the early 1500s. And though it is situated in a beautiful valley, it is surrounded by three volcanos. The city was first destroyed by Volcán de Agua when the water in the crater of the volcano came rushing down the valley and created a mudslide. In subsequent years and centuries it was ravaged by numerous earthquakes until eventually the Spanish settled in what is now Guatemala City and Antigua was forgotten for quite a few years. This means a lot of the oldest buildings are partially destroyed but they have done an amazing job of preserving the old.
Walking through an old convent that is part hotel, part museum, and part wedding venue. Very cool how they left it in its partially destroyed state and built a permanent tent structure over the old sanctuary.
Many beautiful gardens and a view of two of the volcanos, one visible and the other hidden in the clouds but the plume of its active discharge was visible.
All of the old town was cobble stone streets and lots of interesting architecture.
And though the streets and larger buildings are beautiful in their own way from the outside, most of the gems are found inside the courtyards and behind the walls that you see from the streets.
Some gems are unexpected: behind this unassuming entrance was the nicest McDonald’s we have ever been in. Because of the heritage designation, you are allowed to enjoy these courtyards without needing to buy anything. Another surprise of Guatemala was spending the afternoon doing school work in a McDonald’s.
While at the main city square we witnessed a parade for a saint, complete with choir, marching band, and in typical Guatemalan style, fireworks.
Another study day at a local café and Starbucks.
A little taste of some of the stores, markets and alleyways that you could wander around in.
Even our AirBnB in a new condo unit just outside the old town followed the same architecture and garden style and was probably the nicest one we have stayed in so far. The girls both did math tests one morning – one thing they have learned is how wonderful it is to use pencil and paper! This was the first time in four months that they did it the old fashioned way, instead of on devices.
Our AirBnB was at the bottom of a hill that overlooked Antigua. At the top was a garden and art museum complex that was beautifully done (the Guatemala version of Fredrick Meijer Garden’s for our MI family and friends). Even the walk to the top had art and gardens along the way.
There was a small market at one of the overlooks and the girls were fascinated by a lady doing a Christmas weaving. Between our broken Spanish and her broken English we communicated enough so the girls could understand the process. She didn’t have a completed one with her but had one at home and we arranged to meet her the next day at the bottom of the hill by our AirBnB to get a finished one. It is more special when you can buy things directly from the artisans that work on it and learn a little bit about them and their family.
On our last night we went to the terrace of a hotel on the recommendation of our friend to watch the sunset. Such a lovely location that summarized the town. Hidden gems with lots of gardens, architecture and the beauty of the surrounding mountains and volcanos.
We loved our time in Antigua and would gladly visit again.