Hobbitenango Guatemala: visit hobbit-inspired eco-village
August 10, 2023
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Antigua is one of the most popular destinations while traveling through Guatemala. The city of Antigua is located in the central highlands and is surrounded by three volcanoes: the Fuego, the Agua and the Acatenango. Here you will find magnificent colonial buildings, beautiful cobblestone streets, impressive nature and great food. Are you going to Guatemala soon and curious about the best and most beautiful sights of Antigua? These are our 14 best tips to do in Antigua!
1. Admire the colonial center of Antigua
One of the best things to do in Antigua is to stroll through the old streets, taking in the colonial center. Everywhere you walk you will be impressed by the colorful facades, attractive squares and beautiful churches and monasteries. The colonial center of Antigua is a feast for the eyes, and it should come as no surprise that the center is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city is cozy and fairly compact, making it easy to explore everything on foot.
2. Walk under the Arco de Santa Catalina
The icon of Antigua that you see on every travel guide is the Arco de Santa Catalina, one of the most photographed sites in Guatemala. The historic arch was built in the 17th century as a connection between the two monasteries. Only at a later date was the turret with its clock added to the arch.
The Arco de Santa Catalina is a popular sight in Antigua. Therefore, it can be quite crowded here during the day. Want to capture the beautiful yellow arch as well as the Agua volcano in one photo without too many people? Then it's best to come here early in the morning or towards the end of the afternoon.
3. Visit the Iglesia de la Merced
The yellow and white Iglesia de la Merced is one of the most beautiful churches in the colonial center of Antigua. The church was built in the 18th century in a Spanish Baroque style, a style you will see more often in churches in Guatemala. If you visit the church, be sure to take a look at the courtyard. Here you will find, with a diameter of 27 meters, the largest fountain in Central America. The fountain has a unique shape, namely the shape of a water lily which in Mayan culture symbolizes "creation.
4. Go shopping at Antigua's best markets
Wherever we go abroad, we always enjoy wandering around a local market. If you like that too, Antigua is the place to be. In fact, here you will find three nice markets that we can tip you to visit.
Mercado - this is a typical local market where you can discover the authentic character of the city. Shop here just like the locals do for fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, clothing and much more;
Nim Po't - for traditional clothing and textiles, check out this market, found on 5th Avenida (near the Arco de Santa Catalina);
Mercado de Artesanías - this market is also known as the tourist market. The hall is full of the cutest souvenirs to take home. Think traditional blankets, wooden masks, jewelry, coffee beans and so much more.
5. Learn Spanish in Antigua
Guatemala is a hugely popular destination in Central and South America for learn the Spanish language. This is because the Spanish language spoken in Guatemala is very pure in nature. And the convenience of learning the Spanish language at a destination like Guatemala is, first, that you can master the language quickly and, second, that you can alternate learning with fun outings.
The CSA the Spanish Academy is a well-known Spanish language school in Antigua. When we were in Antigua, we visited the school to get an impression of what it is like. You get 1 on 1 lessons here which allows you to learn the Spanish language at your own pace. It would be great to come back and stay here for a longer period of time.
6. Climb to the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint
Once you have walked the streets of Antigua and visited most of the sights, there is only one thing left to do. And that is to enjoy the breathtaking views of Antigua. From the center you can walk within half an hour to the Cerro de la Cruz viewpoint. A hill that owes its name to the large cross that stands there. Near the viewpoint you will find a nice park with benches, a place where locals also like to come to enjoy the peace and the view.
7. Feast your eyes on Parque Central
The beating heart of Antigua is Parque Central, also known as Plaza Central Park. No matter what time of day you come here, there is always something to do or see here. For example, there are often street musicians and market stalls, but you will also always see many locals relaxing in the park. It is a good place to get a glimpse of daily life in Antigua. Around Parque Central you will find beautiful colonial buildings and a cathedral. Not surprisingly, this is the city's main square.
8. Visit the unique location Hobbitenango
High in the mountains surrounding Antigua, you will find a very cool location where you not only have a beautiful view of the impressive volcanoes, but also a place where you can eat great food as well as stay overnight in an eco-village. Hobbitenango is a location inspired by the movie Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit. Are you a fan of these movies? Then you should definitely visit this recreated village that is full of Hobbit homes and great spots for taking photos. How to get here? You can read that in our article about A visit to the unique location Hobbitenango!
Also read: Visit Hobbit-inspired eco-village
Have you always wanted to take a look inside a Hobbit home? Then you'll really appreciate a visit to Hobbitenango. Discover this special place high in the mountains of Antigua!
9. Take a tour in a baby carriage
Want to discover Antigua from a different perspective? Then it's fun to book a tour at Direct Adventure Guatemala. In fact, they offer tours where you can explore the city in a baby carriage or on a quad, but you can also take it into the mountains. For example, to Hobbitenango or to the cool location El Hato Verde.
10. Relax in the hammocks of El Hato Verde
Just under a 20-minute drive from Antigua you will find, in the middle of nature and high in the mountains, the unique location El Hato Verde. A place where you can enjoy tasty dishes in the open-air restaurant in a relaxed atmosphere. Scattered around the grounds you will find several terraces where you can take a seat, including a large hammock from which you have a view of the Agua volcano. A visit to El Hato Verde is ideal if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, enjoy nature and culinary delights.
To visit the El Hato Verde site, you pay an entrance fee of Q115, which is about €13 per person (prices 2023).
11. Drinking coffee at Bru'd
A nice place for a coffee and cake, or a nice lunch, is the hotspot Bru'd. Located next to the Nim Po't market in Antigua, the cafe has only recently opened. It is a real place for coffee lovers. The beans used for the coffee come from their own plantations. And we can confirm that these are very tasty beans. Bru'D had only been open for 2 weeks when we were there in July 2023. So a fun new hot spot in Antigua to visit!
12. Head to The Rooftop for snacks and drinks with a view
Because Antigua has suffered many earthquakes over the years, the buildings in the city are no higher than two stories. You won't find really high rooftops in Antigua, but still there are some spots from which you have a beautiful view of the city and the volcanoes. A nice place to be The Rooftop.
13. Climb the Acatenango volcano
A tip we want to give you, but haven't done ourselves, is to climb a volcano in Antigua. Unfortunately we ran out of time to do this, but what cool stories we heard. So if you have the time and are up for the challenge, climbing the Acatenango volcano is one of the coolest things to do in Antigua.
The entire hike, from bottom to summit and back again, takes two days. You will climb to an altitude of 3,976 meters where you will not only spend the night, but also enjoy an insane sunrise and to top it off, a fire-breathing Fuego.
14. Stay overnight at one of the beautiful accommodations in Antigua
In Antigua you will find several fine accommodations to stay. During our stay, we slept at the Hotel Soleil La Antigua. A fine 5-star hotel with spacious rooms, a spa and a nice pool. The view of the volcano is also incredibly beautiful from the hotel.
For more adventurous travelers, we recommend Selina. You can often find Selina's accommodations in bustling cities such as in Arequipa in Peru, and so also in Antigua. They offer options to sleep in dorms for backpackers, but they also have private rooms. Stay at Selina Antigua, then you can use facilities such as the pool and co-working space.
How to get to Antigua?
Antigua is the most popular destination for travelers in Guatemala. As such, transportation to and from the city is well organized. From the airport in Guatemala City, you can take a cab directly to Antigua or travel to the city via the bus station. We do recommend that you arrange transportation from the airport to Antigua in advance, especially if you arrive in Guatemala City at night. Depending on how busy the roads are, it will take you about 1 to 1.5 hours to get to Antigua.
Do you travel from Lake Atitlan to Antigua then you can board the bus in the village of Panajachel. The bus ride from Lake Atitlan to Antigua takes about 2.5 hours.
Travel advice for Guatemala
Could you use some help planning your round trip through Guatemala? As a personal travel consultant, we would love to do just that! We can help you on your way in a 1-on-1 video interview and give you all kinds of practical tips, but we can also organize the entire trip according to your wishes. Travel carefree and request an online travel consultation for your vacation to Guatemala.
Travander
At Travander, we’re all about exploring hidden gems, unique destinations, and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Our motto, “Let’s Travel and Wander,” reflects our passion for discovering both local treasures and faraway adventures. As experienced travel bloggers and travel consultants, we share insider tips, personal stories, and practical advice to help you make the most of every trip. From city breaks and weekend getaways to tailor-made travel itineraries, we guide you to the most beautiful and inspiring places. Explore the world with Travander and let us spark your next unforgettable adventure!
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