Antigua Guatemala Things to Do Tips by bellatrix

If you go to Antigua, don't pass up the chance to take a stroll through the city and take in the lovely architecture. They say it's one of the most well-planned colonial cities in the Americas (in fact, I think I read somewhere that it was the first planned city in the Americas). I can see how that is true. The city is overwhelminly linear and consists completely of streets running north-south and east-west. They have a huge volcano directly to the south, and a high hill with a cross overlooking the city to the north. It's impossible to get lost!

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Directions: Start in downtown and work your way out, perhaps in concentric squares...

The Iglesia y Convento de Nuestra Señora de La Merced is Antigua’s most striking colonial church. La Merced’s construction began in 1548. Improvements continued until 1717, when the church was ruined by earthquakes. Reconstruction was completed in 1767, but in 1773 earthquake struck again and the convent was destroyed. Repairs to the church were made from 1850 to 1855; its baroque façade dates from this period. Inside the ruins is a fountain 27m in diameter - said to be the largest in Central America. Admission to the convent costs US$0.25 and is well worth it.

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Directions: From the Parque Central, walk three long blocks up 5a Avenida Norte, passing beneath the Arco de Santa Catarina. At the north end of 5a Avenida is La Merced.

The Arco de Santa Catarina is a very famous landmark. Built in 1694 (and rebuilt in the 19th century), this arch was one of the few structures in town that withstood the 1773 quake. While in Antigua, it will be hard to miss the arches, as they are a very noticeable feature in a popular part of town. While I was there, there was a live concert under the arches one night with great music.

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Directions: The arches span 5a Avenida Norte between la and 2a Calles.

On the park’s east side, the cathedral was founded in 1542, damaged by earthquakes many times, badly ruined in 1773 and only partially rebuilt between 1780 and 1820. In the 16th and early 17th centuries, Antigua’s churches had lavish baroque interiors. but most - including this one - lost this richness during post-earthquake rebuilding. The cathedral is being restored, but it will never regain its grandeur. Inside, a crypt contains the bones of Bernal Díaz del Castillo, historian of the Spanish conquest, who died in 1581.

The interior is unimpressive but holds a carving of Christ by Quirio Cataño, who also carved the famed Cristo Negro of Esquipulas.

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Address: 5 Calle Oriente
Directions: The ruins of the rest of the cathedral can be entered from 5 Calle Ote. (Ruins open daily 9am-5pm. Q3. Church open 9am-noon and 3-6pm. Free.)

The gathering place for locals and visitors alike, on most days the plaza is lined with villagers selling handicrafts to tourists; on Sunday it’s mobbed and the streets on the east and west sides are closed to traffic. Things are cheapest late Sunday afternoon, when the peddling is winding down. The plaza’s famous fountain was built in 1738. At night, mariachi or marimba bands play in the park.

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Directions: In the center of town, you can't miss it!

Ixchel is a great language school in Antigua. There are truly an astonishing number of schools in the city, and I only checked out a few, so don't feel bound to my choice. But if you want to save yourself the trouble of finding a school on your own, I highly recommend Ixchel. The prices were very competetive and the instruction was excellent.

Taken from their website:
"Located in Antigua old colonial capital of Guatemala, Ixchel offers you a cross-cultural language experience customized to the student´s individual need using innovative learning techniques. Learning Spanish is not just a task it is an art, for the person teaching it and for the person learning it. Students are our focus, whom we host in a gracious courtyard surrounded by plants and flowers of Guatemala. Additionally, Mayan culture information is displayed throughout the school to stimulate your imagination about our people´s past, present, and future."

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Phone: 502 832 7137
Address: 3a. Avenida Sur No. 6, Casa de los Nahuales
Directions: It's right across the Hospital of Brother Pedro, or Hospital de Hermano Pedro.
Website: http://www.ixchelschool.com/
Other Contact: email: Ixchel@conexion.com.gt