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The Town that Defied God and the Government

Antigua, Guatemala

Children playing in Antigua, Guatemala

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Guatemala // Antigua Guatemala· Central America· UNESCO World Heritage Sites Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude]

If God and the government had their way, Antigua would no longer exist. Once the capital of colonial Guatemala, it has been repeatedly toppled by earthquakes. After another series of earthquakes in 1773, the government got fed up with having to rebuild the town and decided to relocate the capital a few miles down the road to more stable ground. That new capital is now known as Guatemala City. Antigua’s population was ordered to leave, but many of the locals simply refused.

The town’s original name was Santiago, but with the relocated capital simply known as “Guatemala” interchangeably with “Guatemala City,” Santiago became known more commonly “Old Guatemala City,” or, using the Spanish word for “old,” “Antigua Guatemala.” Over time, it’s been shortened to “Antigua.”

Modern Antigua is no longer the nation’s capital, but it has long since reinvented itself as a major hub of travel and tourism. In 1979 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, which has helped both protect its charm and draw the tourists. Those that defied the government’s order and the less-than-subtle geological warning signs have created a fascinating town and a wonderful place to visit, with cobblestone streets, charming Spanish colonial architecture, some fascinating churches, a vibrant market, two nearby volcanoes, and a buzzing cultural scene. It’s no wonder that it has become a favorite place for Spanish language schools to set up and for expats to plant roots. Just a short drive from Guatemala City’s airport, it’s also a convenient jumping off point for destinations in Guatemala’s highlands like Chichicastenango. There are a number of charming, and might I say, surprisingly inexpensive hotels scattered near the Parque Central in the center of town and plenty to see. And while there, you won’t help but notice some of the colonial churches now in ruins from the earthquakes as well as the three towering volcanoes nearby that serve as constant reminders of Antigua’s shaky heritage.

Photos of Antigua, Guatemala

Santa Catalina Antigua Arch Night Street

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Two boys walking in Antigua, Guatemala

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Santa Catalina in Antigua Guatemala Volcan de Agua and Clock Tower

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Mother and Daughters post for a photos in traditional clothing in Antigua Guatemala

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Women and Chicken buses in Antigua, Guatemala

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Ruins of Iglesia de El Carmen in Antigua, Guatemala with sun and volcano

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Volcan de Agua and Clouds near Antigua Guatemala

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Antigua Catedral de Santiago at Night

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Iglesia y Convento de La Recoleccion Ruins Panorama

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Our Lady of Guadalupe in Iglesia de San Fancisco Antigue, Guatemala

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Three women on street in Antigua, Guatemala

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Iglesia y Convento de La Recoleccion Ruins Stairs

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Santa Catalina in Antigua Guatemala Volcan de Agua

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Street in San Pedro las Huertas

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Iglesia en San Pedro las Huertas

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Iglesia en San Pedro las Huertas Front

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Iglesia y Convento de La Recoleccion Ruins

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Santa Catalina Antigua Arch Night Reflection

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Doorway in Antigua, Guatemala

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Santa Clara Antigua Arches

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Parque Central in Antigua Guatemala at night

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Catedral de Santiago in Antigua, Guatemala

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Water and arch in Antigua, Guatemala

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Stop sign in Antigua Guatemala

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Setting sun in Antigua, Guatemala

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Antigua--22-COPYRIGHT-HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL.COM.jpg

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Old gate in Antigua, Guatemala

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Volcano seen from Antigua, Guatemala, with colorful buildings

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Santa Clara Antigua Courtyard

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Volcano seen from Antigua, Guatemala

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Fountain in Parque Central in Antigua Guatemala at night

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Toys for sale at the market in Antigua, Guatemala

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Gravestone markers on a wall of Iglesia de San Francisco

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Details of the decoration of Iglesia y Convento de Nuestra Senora de la Merced in Antigua, Guatemala

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Iglesia y Convento de Nuestra Senora de la Merced in Antigua, Guatemala, with iron cross at left of frame and yellow church in the background.

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Architectural detail in Antigua, Guatemala

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Chicken Buses Antigua Guatemala Panorama

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New tomb of Hermano Pedro de San Jose de Bethancourt in Iglesia de San Francisco

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Candles in Iglesia de San Francisco

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Fountain and street in Antigua, Guatemala

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Santa Catalina Arch, Antigua, Guatemala, at night

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Volcano with Chicken buses in Antigua, Guatemala

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Colorful Chicken buses in Antigua, Guatemala

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

What To Know Before You Go

  • Antigua is about 45-60 minutes from Guatemala City’s main airport. Your best bet is to pre-book a shuttle that will drop you at your hotel–your hotel will be happy to make the arrangements for you. You’ll often have a choice of a scheduled shuttle that picks up other passengers en route or, if you pay a little more, a private shuttle. Costs for both are very reasonable if you’re used to typical American, European, or Australian prices. I don’t recommend just arriving at the airport in the hope of finding transportation to Antigua, especially at night.
  • Antigua is very tourist-friendly and generally safe. That said, Guatemala is a poor country and has one of the highest violent crime rates in Central America. Use sensible security and safety precautions. Be especially careful if you decide to set off on some of the walks away from the downtown area. If you run into problems, the town’s special Tourist Police are usually very helpful. You can find current U.S. State Department travel advisories here.
  • Cobblestone streets are charming but they can be tricky to walk on if you have foot or leg issues. Many sidewalks are uneven. There’s a reason you won’t see many people in wheelchairs in downtown Antigua.
  • If you’re looking for more information on the town’s history and festivals than is found in your travel guide book, local historian and tourism entrepreneur Elizabeth Bell has some very interesting and useful books. You can buy them online or pick them locally at souvenir shops around town.
  • Antigua has a higher proportion of foreign-language speakers than just about anywhere in Guatemala, but not everyone speaks English. For many locals, Spanish is a second language (after one of the dozens of Maya dialects).
  • Spanish (and Maya) language schools have a very strong presence in the town, so if you’re looking to pick up some language skills for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months, this is a great place to do it.
  • Antigua is at an elevation of about 1500 meters, so mosquitoes are rare. Check the CDC website for current health warnings and recommendations and check with your doctor or a specialized travel clinic, preferably at least a month before your trip (some vaccinations require follow-up shots to be effective). That’s especially important if you plan to head to other places in Guatemala or Central America where malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, or zika might be problems.
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Where to Next?

  • Catedral Metropolitana on Parque Central in Guatemala City
    Guatemala City's Zona 1
  • Pacaya Volcano Tour Group at Summit
    Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala
  • Valladolid's Cathedral of San Gervasio and Main Square at night
    A Colonial Town in the Heart of Maya Yucatan
  • Flores Guatemala Boys Fishing From Canoe on Lake
    Flores, Guatemala - A Caribbean Island 100 Miles from the Sea
  • Colorful Chichicastengo cemetery
    Chichicastenango's Cemetery
  • Chichicastengo market fruit and vegetables wide-angle
    Market Day in Chichicastenango
  • Chicken Buses Antigua Guatemala Painted
    The Chicken Buses of Central America


Travel Advice for Guatemala

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Guatemala (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information for Guatemala . You can find the British Government's here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Guatemala here.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

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Location: Antigua
Country: Guatemala
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 14.556780
      Longitude: -90.733740

      # Antigua Guatemala
      # Central America
      # UNESCO World Heritage Sites



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find my photography gear reviews and tips at havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing & Prints

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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Photos by David Coleman. Please contact me for licensing images.
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