Overview
Take a trip to Antigua on your Guatemala Vacation
Nestled in Guatemala’s central highlands is Antigua, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site that is famous on a Guatemala vacation for its colonial ruins and Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture.
Antigua was founded on 10 March 1543 by Spanish conquistadors and was Guatemala’s capital from its inception until 1776. During this time, Antigua was the seat of the military governor for the Spanish colony that spanned almost all of present-day Central America. The victim of two serious earthquakes in 1717 and 1773, it was decided that the capital should be moved from Antigua to its current location, Guatemala City. Today the city is a growing tourist destination as well as a favourite spot for ex-pats to enjoy retirement.
Antigua has a well-developed tourism infrastructure which makes it an ideal (and central) destination from which to explore the rest of Guatemala and Central America. Its setting is spectacular with three large volcanoes dotting the horizon, providing excellent opportunities for hiking and mountain biking on Guatemala vacations. The city is known for hosting some of the largest celebrations for Lent and Easter in the Western Hemisphere which include vigils, processions and pageants. Antigua offers an unhurried vibe and a colonial charm that makes it a favourite for visitors to Guatemala.
At a Glance
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Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)What do the experts say?
The Festes Majors are summer festivals held in the villages of Andorra. Each festival is unique to the village, with its own distinct style.
The Pyrenean Mountain scenery and tax-free shopping are two of my favourite things about travelling to Andorra.
I love learning about Nicaragua's culture and experiencing its Spanish influence in some cities. I was only there for five days, but I'll never forget how delicious the food was and how welcoming and extremely polite the people were.
Nicaragua is well known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, lakes, rainforests, and colonial cities. I love how friendly the people are and how delicious the food is! There is always something fun to do in Nicaragua!
Festival de Los Farolitos is an annual nighttime festival held every September in the town of Ataco, where the streets, houses, and plazas are illuminated with thousands of handmade lanterns (farolitos). Families craft them using colored paper, wood, calabash gourds, or jars, each with a candle inside. Although it's tied to the eve of the Virgin Mary’s birthday, it has evolved into a cultural celebration of community, light, creativity, and town pride.
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