Most people traveling to Guatemala have these 3 places on their itinerary: Tikal, Antigua, and lake Atitlan. Today I’d like to offer activities that can be modified for a 2/3/5 days trip to Antigua, in a somewhat “pick and choose” format. While there are many visitors who contemplate how many days to spend in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, my recommendation – 5 days to a week.
One of the coolest things to get out of this article is to find out your Nahual (pronounced [na’wal]), my favorite Merriam Webster dictionary describes it as “a personal guardian spirit or protective alter ego assumed by various Middle American Indians”
Quick run-down on things to do:
- Coffee tours
- Volcano hiking
- Museums
- Find your Nahual
- Trip to Chichicastenango market and cemetery
- Stroll in intricate nooks of Antigua
- Admire colonial architecture of Nuestra Señora de la Merced built in Spanish Baroque
- Sip a drink at one of many hip cafes
While there are many coffee tours offered (full list can be found in viator list) I personally prefer to make my own tour whenever it’s possible. I went to La Azotea, which is rather a multifunctional park than a traditional coffee farm. Here a traveler can grab beer, food, relax, or spend a couple of hours walking around the farm. Also, the premises includes a small but informative chocolate museum . To get there is easy by taking a tuk-tuk, from town center it takes 15-20 minutes. Also don’t miss the things “you DON’T KNOW” about coffee in my “What about coffee..?” article.
It takes almost 3 kg of coffee beans to produce 32 cups of coffee
Next item on the list is hiking in Parque Nacional volcan de Pacaya y laguna de Calderas. Again there are many tour providers just clicks away on google. I suggest having good shoes and bottle of water as minimum preparation. Some might want to take marshmallows and skewers and utilize the volcano’s heat for cooking. The difficulty level of the hike is between moderate and hard. Usually there are horses that can, for a moderate price, help hikers to gallop the hills. I rate this activity as must do! Despite the meaning of Guatemala as “land of trees” the actual geography of the country is rather mountainous. So it’s cool to hike on the active volcano.
I’ve only got to visit Museo de Santiago which I really liked. The place is visibly underfunded, but still provides enough information about colonial rulers and history of arms. Some darker corners remind visitors about life back in the 18th century. There are also Museo de Chocolate and Jade museum, but these rather shop-museums, but hey free knowledge never tasted sweeter!
According to cosmo-vision of ancient Maya each person has an animal guardian, which guides and protects you. So called Nahual. To find out yours, follow this Casa del Jade link, enter your birth date, and learn something new about yourself.
author is not affiliated to Casa del Jade company
Trip to Chichicastenango market can be booked in hotel receptions or tourist centers which are easily found. This is whole day activity. Once in the market I’d suggest hiring a guide who can navigate through different parts of this hectic sea of people and give a background to merchandise, vendors and products. Sometimes guides could be helpful in trying to haggle the price down. A perfect place if traveler wants to buy quality made Mayan dresses, such as huipil. What is this thing?
Here in Chichicastenango women from an early age learn the art of weaving an a waist-held loom. The huipil carry symbolism that represent the universe as well as lightening, corn, cardinal points, the Sun and the bird Quetzal. The men weave their belts and wool jackets for their black suites. The jackets and pants are very similar to those used by Spanish soldiers during Colonial times.
Another peculiar part of the culture is celebrating Holy Week. So called, Semana Santa is the main religious Guatemalan event where locals dress up in colorful attire and wear wooden masks. According to local traditions these masks bring dancers closer to gods. There is even a mask factory located in the town.
Chichi – as it is commonly known, is said to be Guatemala’s largest market. And it is full of surprises. After meeting another vendor called Thomas, I asked our guide: “What’s up with Thomas’s ? Each person I meet here has this name, including women!” As I learned later that Saint Thomas is the patron saint of Chichi and from December 17th through 21st locals celebrate Santo Tomas day, an event with fireworks, music, and colors. Processions and traditional dances fill the streets. So naming a child in saint’s honor is long tradition.
Another highlight of the town is the cemetery, located in walkable distance from the market. Truly one of the kind. This place juxtaposes the whole identity of Guatemala: gorgeous colors of Mayan mausoleums remind the traveler of its ancient past, pagan sacrificial offerings that take place every Sunday are witnesses of unique culture, extraordinary architecture and colors of tombs capture eyes, and the dilapidated conditions of some of the graves are stark signs of economic hardship within the country.
Adventurous places like Antigua require that visitors utilize time efficiently. We all want to visit/see/try as much as possible, absorb locale to the heart. But sometimes things go off plan, we miss buses or sleep over tours and that’s ok. Sometimes aimless wandering can take you to places-hidden gems. Antigua is one of the quaint towns where the traveler can get lost in the labyrinth of colonial plazas. Restaurants share space with gardens, hotels with shops, don’t be surprised if you are greeted by exotic bird, or stumble upon old carriage. Simply browsing around, one can find adventures full of hidden gardens or cafes. I must say the architecture of this town is one of the most charming features of local history and people. Indeed a World Heritage site.
Something not to miss is the Holy Week processions that take place at Nuestra Señora de la Merced church on Good Friday and Palm Sunday. The building is in Baroque style and is named for the Blessed Mary of Mercy (La Merced). For lovers of catholic architecture I suggest reading SacredWanderings‘ article of “11 MAGNIFICENT ANTIGUA GUATEMALA CHURCHES AND CONVENTS”
My last activity suggestion for the day is relax. Traveling can get tiring. After all, visited so many places in so short time I encourage my readers to relax, sit back, and enjoy nice music at one of many little cafes.
