“Named after fire, water, and earth, the volcanoes of Antigua serve a straightforward response as to the forces in control.”
Designated as a UNESCO world heritage site, the highlands of Antigua are a great gateway into Guatemala as you explore its Spanish Baroque architecture and familiarize yourself with the country. Antigua is considered by Tripadvisor, “the best-preserved Spanish colonial city in Central America,” which in itself gives one a great reason to visit.
Contrary to expectations, there are only a little over 35,000 residents in the city, which gives any nomad an idea of how exploring the city will feel. What stands out prominently are its old colonial churches.
Beyond its churches, the city is easy to navigate as it has a square grid given its Spanish heritage, in which conquistadors first traversed the area in the 1500s. As ominous as these invaders were, the area has a history of also being plagued by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which also hint at its low population figures. The last major evacuation occurred in 2018 when the volcano, Fuego, erupted.
The central park is known as the city square and is a popular area to walk, where you see both locals and tourists roam. The tourism infrastructure is well-developed here, a popular destination for cruise ships from both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.
For the more adventurous, Antigua is a great entry-point to explore the interior of Guatemala. If only here for a day or two, there are several jewelry and souvenir shops which offer local wares, as well as more scenic spots to roam as you take in the splendor of the city.
There are also several historic boutique hotels here in which the staff is friendly. They’re willing to provide you an upgrade to a master suite if you cordially explain to them, “I just flew in… So why not?”
Coming home to making a fire always adds warmth to a nomadic experience.
And, so it is, I’ll recommend anyone flying into Guatemala City to spend a few days checking out Antigua, which is only an hour drive away. It’s not an authentic experience in the traditional sense, but it does give you a few nights of relaxation before you check out the rest of the country and its Mayan roots.
In the meantime, you can read up on where to go next from its many perched rooftop balconies and hammocks.
