Cheap things to do in Antigua Guatemala
Colonial ruins, street food and good coffee without spending much at all.
This is Antigua for the traveller who wants the real thing: breakfast in a courtyard, lunch from a no-frills comedor, afternoons in crumbling convents that cost next to nothing to enter. Three days of walking, eating well for a few quetzales and finding a bar that pours local beer without a tourist markup.
Day 1: Parque Central and the ruins
A classic first day anchored around the old cathedral and the city's most beautiful ruin, with cheap Guatemalan cooking and cold beer to close it out.
- 9:30 AM
Doña Luisa Xicotencatl
Backpacker-beloved institution for cheap breakfast and banana bread in a colonial courtyard, the classic Antigua morning.
Map - 10:30 AM
Catedral de San José
The church is free; the roofless 1680 cathedral ruins behind it cost about Q20 and are worth it.
Map - 12:30 PM
Rincón antigüeño
Women pat tortillas by hand and chicken roasts over fire in the courtyard; lunch only, expect a short queue.
Map - 2:00 PM
Convento de Santa Clara Ruins
Most beautiful ruin in Antigua: roofless nave, arched cloister, overgrown and photogenic, budget-friendly culture.
Map - 7:30 PM
Restaurante 7 Caldos
A colonial house serving seven classic Guatemalan broths; get the caldo de gallina or the pepián.
Map - 9:30 PM
Antigua Brewing Company
Beer brewed on site and a rooftop facing Volcán de Agua, a block from the arch.
Map
Day 2: Markets, La Merced and the north
Coffee with the locals, a baroque church facade, a proper market browse and a no-frills dinner in the neighbourhood that earns its keep.
- 9:30 AM
Fernando's Kaffee
Start the day at this café, top-rated local favourite for a proper Guatemalan coffee.
Map - 10:15 AM
La Merced Church
Iconic baroque yellow-and-white facade and the 27m convent fountain, free to admire, one of Antigua's finest.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 2:00 PM
Mercado Municipal
Sprawling municipal market for produce, flowers, leather and textiles at local prices, great browse for free.
Map - 4:30 PM
Nim Po't
Artisan craft market near the Arch with wall of traditional traje, jade and textiles at fair prices.
Map - 7:30 PM
Day 3: The Arch, sopas and a volcano plan
Frame Volcán de Agua through the 1694 arch, eat soup for lunch, then price up a bike ride or hike at the adventure shop before one last Guatemalan dinner.
- 9:30 AM
El Viejo Café
Old-fashioned café crammed with antiques; order a hot chocolate and a full Guatemalan breakfast.
Map - 10:15 AM
Arco de Santa Catalina
Butter-yellow arch from 1694 frames Volcán de Agua perfectly, Antigua's most-photographed landmark.
Map - 12:30 PM
La Casa de las Sopas
Courtyard soup house: order pepián or caldo de res, and a big bowl still costs under Q50.
Map - 2:30 PM
Old Town Outfitters
Longstanding adventure shop running guided mountain-bike rides, volcano hikes and multi-day treks.
Map - 7:30 PM
Restaurante Posada De Don Rodrigo
Dinner in the courtyards of a colonial mansion with marimba players; order pepián or jocón.
Map
Where to stay
Tropicana Hostel
The only dollar-sign sleep on the list, central enough to walk every stop in the plan, and exactly right for a thrifty trip.
Selina Antigua
Socialtel Antigua (the old Selina) sits near the north end of the route, with a pool and busy common areas.
Make Antigua Guatemala your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- ChocoMuseo: a few days ahead
- Finca Filadelfia: a few days ahead
- De La Gente: a few days ahead
- Museo Casa Popenoe: a few days ahead
- Volcán Acatenango: a few days ahead
- Volcán Pacaya: a few days ahead
Skip these
- Cheapest Acatenango street agencies are a false economy, with leaking tents and thin sleeping bags at below freezing camp.
- Jade and textile prices on 5a Avenida are the town's highest. Buy jade only from certified shops and bargain in markets.
- Day tripping Lake Atitlan in 6 hours satisfies almost no one. Overnight or save it.
The full Antigua Guatemala travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around