What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala.
Photo: DEZALB / Pixabay
Antigua Guatemala is a small inland city of about 59,091 people. It is known for its church ruins, convents and a central square that you can easily cross on foot. Most sights, such as the Santa Catalina Arch, Central Park and the Cathedral Ruins, are in or near the centre. Cerro de la Cruz is a hill just north of the centre. The best months to visit are December, January, February and March.
The main sights are close together. Each takes between 30 minutes and 3 hours, and Casa Santo Domingo is the longest at 2–3 hours. A short stay near Parque Central covers the centre. San Sebastián and Jocotenango suit longer stays.
5a Avenida Norte, city centre
This yellow arch with a clock tower spans one of Antigua's cobbled streets. It once linked a convent to its school across the road. On clear days you can see Volcán de Agua rising behind it, which makes it the city's best-known photo spot.
City centre
The main square has a fountain and shady trees, with colonial buildings on all sides. It is the easiest place to get your bearings and watch everyday life. Locals, vendors and visitors gather here all day.
East side of Central Park
The working church faces the square. Behind it are the roofless ruins of the much larger original cathedral, which earthquakes destroyed. Walking through the broken arches and domes shows how badly the city was damaged in the past.
North-east of the centre
These are some of the best-preserved convent ruins in the city. The site has a quiet cloister and an unusual round tower with small nuns' cells around a central space. It gives a good sense of convent life in colonial times.
Hill north of the centre
A walking path leads up from the town to a large stone cross. From the top you look out over Antigua's grid of streets and rooftops, with Volcán de Agua behind. The view is clearest in the morning.
East of the centre
A former Dominican monastery, now partly a hotel. Its ruins, crypts and gardens are open to visitors. The complex has several small museums with colonial art, archaeology and silverwork.
South-east of the centre
This large church holds the tomb of Santo Hermano Pedro, Central America's first saint, and many pilgrims visit it. Behind the church are extensive monastery ruins you can walk through. A small museum tells his story.
West side, near the bus terminal
The city's main market is busy and practical, and it is where local people shop. Stalls sell fruit, vegetables, flowers, cooked food and household goods. Nearby sections sell textiles and crafts.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best month: January | 24°C / 13°C | 3 days (7 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 9.5/10 |
| Best month: February | 26°C / 13°C | 3 days (8 mm) | 11.1 h/day | 9.4/10 |
| Best month: March | 27°C / 14°C | 7 days (26 mm) | 11.4 h/day | 8.3/10 |
| April | 27°C / 15°C | 16 days (67 mm) | 11.2 h/day | 6.6/10 |
| May | 25°C / 16°C | 26 days (157 mm) | 10.1 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| June | 24°C / 16°C | 27 days (297 mm) | 8.8 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| July | 25°C / 15°C | 21 days (130 mm) | 10.7 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| August | 25°C / 15°C | 25 days (196 mm) | 10.4 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| September | 24°C / 15°C | 28 days (268 mm) | 9.5 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| October | 23°C / 15°C | 24 days (198 mm) | 9.2 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| November | 23°C / 15°C | 12 days (70 mm) | 10.2 h/day | 7.6/10 |
| Best month: December | 24°C / 13°C | 4 days (11 mm) | 10.6 h/day | 9.3/10 |
Dry and sunny, with highs of 24°C, lows of 13°C and only 2.5 rain days. It scores 9.5, the top month of the year.
Highs of 25.5°C, just 3.1 rain days and 11.1 hours of sun a day. It scores 9.4, one of the best months.
Warmer at 26.6°C, with rain on 6.9 days but only 26 mm in total. It scores 8.3 and is still a best month.
The warmest month at 26.8°C, but rain days climb to 15.5 as the wet season starts. It scores 6.6, rated good.
The wet season sets in, with rain on 25.7 days and 157 mm in total. Highs reach 25°C. It scores 7, rated good.
The wettest month, with 297 mm over 26.5 days and the least sun, 8.8 hours. Highs reach 23.6°C. It scores 7, rated good.
A little drier, with 21.1 rain days and 130 mm. Highs reach 24.5°C, with 10.7 hours of sun. It scores 7, rated good.
Rain falls on 24.9 days, 196 mm in total. Highs reach 24.6°C and nights stay mild at 15°C. It scores 7, rated good.
The most rain days of the year, 27.8, with 268 mm. Highs reach 23.9°C. Expect frequent rain. It scores 7, rated good.
Still wet, with 24.3 rain days and 198 mm. Highs of 23.2°C are among the coolest of the year. It scores 7, rated good.
The rain eases to 12.1 days and 70 mm. Highs reach 23.2°C and lows 14.5°C. It scores 7.6, a best month.
Dry again, with 3.6 rain days and 11 mm. Highs reach 23.8°C and nights cool to 13.4°C. It scores 9.3, a best month.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit Guatemala →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for first-timers, short stays
This is the grid of streets around the main square, with the cathedral, cafés and most tour offices a short walk away. You can see the main sights on foot and find food at any hour. On the downside, weekend crowds, street vendors and late-night bars can make it noisy, and the cobblestones are hard on wheeled bags.
Good for sightseers, nightlife
This northern part of the centre sits around the yellow La Merced church and close to the Santa Catalina arch on 5a Avenida Norte. It has many restaurants, rooftop bars and the busiest evening street life in town. Expect noise from bars, church bells and fireworks, which are common for local celebrations.
Good for couples, quieter stays
This eastern area, near the old Santo Domingo monastery, has calmer streets, wide colonial houses and views of the volcanoes. It is still walkable to the main square, but evenings are much quieter than in the centre. The walk back at night is longer and some streets are poorly lit, so many visitors take a tuk-tuk.
Good for budget travellers, longer stays
This western barrio is close to the main market and the bus terminal, which makes day trips and onward travel easy. It feels more local, with small shops and family-run guesthouses. The streets near the market are busy, dusty and less pretty than the restored centre.
Good for walkers, Semana Santa visitors
This southern area runs along the long, tree-lined Calle de los Pasos to the Calvario church, a key route for Holy Week processions. It is residential and peaceful for most of the year. It is a longer walk to the main square, and during Semana Santa it gets very crowded.
Good for families, longer stays
This separate town just north-west of Antigua has larger houses, gardens and a more everyday Guatemalan feel. It suits people who want space and quiet, and it has easy road links. You will need a tuk-tuk, bus or car to reach the centre of Antigua, especially at night.
Places within 2½ hours by train, bus, ferry or car.
bus · 15–20 USD
Shared tourist shuttle. Adrenalina Tours charges USD 15 and picks up at La Aurora airport and at hotels in the city. Its fare includes 1 large bag and 1 handbag, and each extra bag costs USD 10. Airport shuttle desks charge about USD 15–20, cash only. Welcome Pickups gives about 120 min for the airport shuttle, and the time depends a lot on city traffic. The Adrenalina page does not give a journey time. Public chicken buses cost about Q20–30.
bus · 20–25 USD
Shared tourist shuttle with door-to-door pickup, about 2.5–3.5 h. This source is a travel blog, not an operator page. Several agencies in Antigua sell seats. Most shuttles end in Panajachel, and from there public boats go to the other lake towns. Private transfers cost much more. Chicken buses with changes are cheaper but slower.
A thick, spicy stew of roasted seeds, chiles and tomatoes, usually with chicken or beef. Locals eat it at lunch with rice and tortillas, in homes and small comedores.
Mashed ripe plantain filled with sweetened black beans, then fried and dusted with sugar. People eat them as an afternoon snack or a simple dessert.
Corn dough with meat and sauce, wrapped in leaves and steamed. Many Guatemalan families eat tamales on Saturdays and at Christmas, and chuchitos are a common street snack.
A large cold salad of cold meats, sausages, cheeses and pickled vegetables. Families make it once a year for All Saints' Day and share it with relatives.
Traditional sweets such as cocadas, milk fudge and guava rolls. Antigua is known for its sweet shops, and locals buy them as gifts or treats.
Coffee grown on the volcanic slopes around the city. You can drink it in local cafés, and some nearby farms show how the beans are grown and roasted.
Best: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec
Best: Jan, Feb
Best: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec
December to March is the best time to visit Antigua Guatemala. This is the dry season. January scores 9.5, February 9.4, December 9.3 and March 8.3. January has only 2.5 rain days and 7 mm of rain. It also gets 10.8 hours of sun a day. Days are warm, with highs of 23.8 to 26.6°C across these months.
September is a good month if you don't mind rain, and it scores 7. It is the green season. Rain falls on about 28 days, with 268 mm in total. Only June is wetter, at 297 mm. Highs stay mild at 23.9°C, and you still get 9.5 hours of sun a day. Plan sightseeing around the showers and pack a rain jacket.
Nights are cool all year, and coolest in the dry season. January averages a low of 12.9°C after a high of 24.4°C. December lows are 13.4°C and February lows are 13.1°C. The warmest nights come in May, at 16.1°C. Bring a warm layer for evenings, especially from December to February.
Yes, November is one of the best months, with a score of 7.6. It marks the end of the rainy season. Rain days drop to 12.1, compared with 24.3 in October. Rainfall falls to 70 mm. Highs are 23.2°C and there are 10.2 hours of sun a day. By December, rain days fall again to just 3.6.
Plan at least a full day for the main sights, and more for a slower pace. Casa Santo Domingo takes 2–3 hours. The Convent of Las Capuchinas, Cerro de la Cruz and Antigua Market each take 1–2 hours. The Cathedral ruins, Central Park and San Francisco Church each need about 1 hour. Santa Catalina Arch takes 30 minutes. In the rainy months, add extra time for showers.
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