Antigua Cultural Walking Tour: Discover Ancient Architectures and Local Guatemalan Lifestyle
5.0
45 Ratings
Antigua Guatemala
Immerse yourself in the diversity of local Antigua culture on a walking tour. Discover ancient architectures, visit churches and monasteries, and experience the Guatemalan lifestyle.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande - From Casa El Jaulon we will walk down 1a Avenida Sur to San Francisco el Grande to first enjoy the amazing view from the second floor then visit the museum and the church’s tomb.
  • Tanque de la Union - This historic meeting place was as a laundry for people to wash their clothes during colonial times and is still used today.
  • Hermano Pedro’s Hospital - Hermano Pedro became recognized for taking the sick and abandoned off the streets and physically carrying them to his hospital on his shoulders. He regularly traveled the streets wearing the tattered rags of those he served, ringing his bell to ask for donations to feed and clothe those he was caring for. All Guatemalans love Hermano Pedro (Brother Peter) and his selfless acts of kindness. Today, the hospital continues its Franciscan tradition and takes in those in need of help and care.
  • The Plaza Central Park - Once the plaza was buzzing with activity. Vendors traveling from every region bringing goods and products to Antigua’s center used the plaza for the city’s market. A water reservoir appeared in the 1500’s to water the horses, but the well know Fountain of the Sirens did not appear until the 1700’s. Later the plaza was used as the main bus terminal, but was finally moved along with the market just outside of the city.

The city’s center finally received its current identification of Central Park in the 20th century when the local government transformed the plaza into what it is today. Similar to a European park, trees were planted with statues of Greek goddesses adorned the gardens.

  • Arco de Santa Catalina - The Santa Catalina Arch (Arco de Santa Catalina) is likely the most distinguishable landmark within Antigua, Guatemala. The iconic saffron colored arch is located on 5th Avenue North near the Main Square over looked by the Agua Volcano. The arch was built with the purpose of connecting the Convent of Santa Catalina Virgen y Mártir to a school in 1693. This allowed the cloistered nuns to remain secluded and unseen while moving about the city, as they were forbidden to interact with the public. With growing numbers of convent members the covered footbridge, the Santa Catalina Arch, was the perfect solution for keeping the spirit of seclusion. Today, the Arco de Santa Catalina is the Antigua’s most photographed attraction and a traditional rendezvous for New Year’s and Holy Week celebrations.
  • Iglesia de La Merced - The church of La Merced boasts an intricately crafted baroque façade that reveals extraordinary stucco work created by the hands of talented Guatemalan artisans. It was one of Guatemala’s first male monastaries and was held by the Mercedian order. Inside the convent, visitors can admire Antigua’s largest water fountain.
  • Casa del Jade - Learn about the mystical gem of love and eternal life, Jade, the stone of heaven. Revered by ancestral cultures more than gold. A true treasure of Guatemala. Museum, workshop, and shop.
What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • All fees and taxes included
Additional Information

Let’s delve into the vibrant culture of Antigua. Antigua, Guatemala, established in 1543, served as the Spanish colony’s second capital. Nestled amongst three imposing volcanoes, this near half-a-millennium-old city showcases bright 16th-century mansion facades. Discover the beauty of the local Guatemalan lifestyle and culture through visits to ancient structures formerly serving as convents, monasteries and churches. Observe our favorite spots, along with critical landmarks like the San Francisco Church, Central Park, Santo Domingo, La Merced Church, and the renowned street featuring the Santa Catalina Arch. We will also enjoy local delicacies such as coffee, hot chocolate and sample beer. Our journey through Antigua is guaranteed to leave you spellbound and in love with this quaint city.

Location
2a Calle Poniente 2
2a Calle Poniente
Located inside Casa Mandarina office #8, house in corner access from street. Next to Cafe Estudio.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(45 Ratings)
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Mattbilyard91
Mar 28, 2024
Great tour - learnt a lot about Antigua and Guatemala past and present! - Antigua is a very nice place to walk around independently, but it was all the better to explore it with JJ - great guide, great guy! Learnt a load of things about Antigua past and present that we could never have picked up ourselves. As an aside, we also learnt a lot about Guatemala past and present from JJ, who gave us a load of refreshingly honest (I think) thoughts on a whole range of things, good and less good!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
22d_vid_
Jan 21, 2024
Antigua legendary stories - Felix, our guide was very kind, informative. He told us stories behind the buildings we would surely not have got to know without the tour - highly recommend! He answered all of our questions with enthusiasm.
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Natalia
Jan 19, 2024
FANTASTIC TOUR!! - Felix was extremely knowledgeable and super friendly! I really enjoyed discovering and learning about Antigua with him. I totally recommend doing this tour!!
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Jessicatc1470tf
Jan 16, 2024
Wonderful Tour - Wonderful walking tour of Antigua and taste of the street food there. Felix was an incredible tour guide and taught us so much about the history of Antigua and the Mayan people, so the tour was informative as well as delicious! Highly recommend.
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Faye_h
Jan 15, 2024
Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Antigua - My friend and I were guided by Felix through the city of Antigua. He was such an amazing guide, we had such a great time. Felix was very knowledgable and happy to share information about the history as well as Mayan traditions and spiritual wisdom. He was happy to answer all of our questions, the tour was interesting, intriguing and helped us to fall in love with Antigua. We highly recommend him as a guide for a walking tour of this city.
Review provided by Viator
Camper38498437439
Nov 29, 2023
Guatemala Unforgettable - Columbus Guatemala is a great Agency, excellent staff. They put together a great trip for me based on my interests. They were very involved in my everyday day experience and they make sure everything went as planned. Jose Juan was my first contact from the agency when I first arrived to Guatemala, and it was very helpful, very knowledgeable about the history of his country. Unforgettable trip.
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372fayep
Oct 20, 2023
Felt Safe as a Solo Female Traveler - I am a female solo traveler and this company has helped me so much with assisting me with my itinerary that accommodated for my 6 day trip in Guatemala. All of the staff members were very responsive to all my questions and it easy to communicate with Catherine, the one who organized my trip. My trip included: guided historical tour with a very informative guide Esteban, who was amazing. I also went to a chocolate factory, volcano hiking trip, cooking with a local family, and village hopping in Lake Atitlan. Every staff member was helpful and friendly which made me safe as a solo traveler. Staff also spoke English so it helped me as I do not speak Spanish. Overall, it was a positive experience for me that I would recommend to others.
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Crudereview
Jul 29, 2023
Great company and nice people! - I had a fantastic tour with Esteban! He was a fun guide and very knowledgeable. I learned much about Antigua, Guatemala and coffee. I highly recommend doing this tour to get yourself oriented to Antigua. Also, my thanks to Columbus Guatemala Travel for their kind accommodation of my flight delay. Great company and great people.
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Jenna_l
Jul 21, 2023
Perfect Intro to Antigua - Absolutely wonderful introduction to Antigua. Estevan was a phenomenal guide and I learned so much more about the city than I would have noticed or found on my own. 10/10 :)
Review provided by Viator
Junior
Jul 12, 2023
Great experience - I had a tour with Steven this morning the tour was very interactive and awesome. I would definitely recommend taking this tour also ask for food recommendations won’t regret it. Thank you for the amazing tour
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