Antigua Guatemala: Everything for every budget
If you’re considering joining us this July in Antigua, whatever your budget, you’ll be looking for ideas to get the most bang for your buck. Here’s our insider's lowdown of the best places to eat, sleep, shop and visit for every pocket
Conserve The Cash
Hotel - At the Yellow House Guest House rooms are adorned with Guatemalan textiles and art. Plus, there’s a free buffet breakfast every morning.
Bar/Cafe - Puerta Once is popular with young Guatemalans - serving a range of drinks and tasty bar-staples wings, burgers and tacos. Every day there’s a deal, making it super affordable. And in the heart of downtown it’s the perfect stop, early evening, after a day exploring the cobbled streets.
Restaurant - Rincon Antigueno is Antigua’s most famous locale for typical Guatemalan cuisine. You’ll recognise it by the line outside it at weekends and the fresh tortillas being made by hand at the main door. For just under £4 you get main meal with sides, tortillas and juice.
Coffee Shop - If pennies are tight but you want the best of Guatemala’s coffee, visit El Gran Cafe coffee of the day is just 10Q (£1, $1.20) . Staff are very friendly and can give you a great tip on a bag to take home based on your taste preferences.
Day Trip - With its fertile, volcanic soil, Antigua is one of Guatemala’s eight coffee-producing regions. If you’re keen to learn all about the coffee-making process from seed to cup, you have several options. You can visit a coffee plantation such as Finca Filadelfia or La Azotea and join an organised tour. Alternatively, you can take a tour led by small-scale producers which will take you through their fields before ending the tour in their homes with a hand-brewed cup of coffee.Whichever tour you choose, you’re sure to walk away with a newfound appreciation for the work that goes into cultivating and making coffee.
Souvenir shop - El Comalote
Middle Of The Road
The charming Meson de Maria hotel is a converted colonial home with just twenty beautiful rooms chock full of character, a lovely roof terrace and lots of relaxing seating areas dotted around the hotel.
Cafe/Bar - 6 blocks north of the park, Cafe Sky has the best view of the city from it’s rooftop terrace accessed via a twisty spiral staircase. The tortilla soup here is arguably the best in Antigua.
Restaurant -Patio de la primera - hidden inside a courtyard, you’ll feel like you’ve been immediately transported to the Mediterranean. Delicious pizza, pasta and cocktails and often has live music.
Coffee shop - 12Onzas. Take a seat and enjoy locals getting their coffee fix. With fresh aqua interiors and friendly staff this place can’t fail to put a smile on your face.
Day Trip - Hobbitenango translated to ‘Place of the Hobbits’, makes for a perfect half-day trip amongst nature. Spend a few hours relaxing, walking and playing games in this quirky Lord Of The Rings inspired park with an incredible view of the Panchoy Valley and its volcanoes.
Souvenir Shop - Los Colores De La Tierra
Splash Out
Hotel - Once a monastery, the 5 star luxurious Santa Domingo Hotel is arguably one of the most atmospheric hotels in the world. With fine dining, a spa and a pool and it’s right in the heart of Antigua.
Bar/Restaurant - Situated in a gorgeous boutique hotel of the same name, Panza Verde restaurant is a warren of loveliness with a garden, terrace and ticks every box on the romantic chart. It hosts live music several times a week.
Cafe - Cafe Condesa - situated right by Parque Central, this gorgeous garden cafe prides itself with sourcing local produce and preparing everything fresh in-house. Choose from delicious breakfast and lunch menus.
Coffee shop - Experience the coffee from artista de cafe that won the cup of excellence. For Q65 (£6.50 , $8) you can sip with the best.
