How we got there…
Guatamala City is an easy flight on Avianca Airways from Los Angeles.
Why we went…
We are always interested in visiting new countries. Guatemala was a new country for all four of us. It is also easy to get to so we were able to do the trip in four days and make it home in time for Thanksgiving.
Where we stayed…
On our arrival day and our departure day, we spent the night in Guatemala City. Even though Antigua is only an hour away, we didn’t want to drive in the dark for safety reasons. We stayed at two different city hotels, the Hyatt Cetric Guatemala City and the Intercontinental Guatemala City. Both were close to the airport and in nicer neighborhoods. They had good restaurants and nice amenities.
In Antigua we stayed at the Casa Santo Domingo. The architecture is stunning. The hotel is a tourist attraction in itself with ruins and several museums on property. We loved spending the afternoon by the pool, and indulging in chocolates from the onsite chocolate shop. The restaurant was wonderful, and there is a fun sports bar which offers a more casual dining option. The hotel is also well located for exploring Antigua.
What we did…
Antigua is beautiful to explore. I could spend hours walking the streets, shopping for artisanal home goods, stopping in coffee shops, and exploring rooftop terraces. We loved the architecture and the stunning volcanic landscape.
We loved visiting the Santuario San Francisco el Grande and the Museo del Hermano Pedro. The kids enjoyed exploring the ruins, and we got some beautiful pictures.
There are jade stores all over Antigua with beautiful jade sculptures and jewelry, but what was really fun was carving our own jade pieces through Casa de Jade. It was fascinating to learn about the different types of jade and the importance of jade in the Mayan culture. It was also incredible to experience the amount of work and skill it takes to create these beautiful pieces. They also make the perfect souvenir.
You can’t visit Antigua with out a trip to one of the near by active volcanoes. We chose to do the horseback ride up Volcan Pacaya. You can opt to hike or to rent horses which was a lot of fun for the kids and definitely less strenuous. The trail is quite steep. The vistas were incredible. When we reached the top we ate pizza that they cooked on a steam vent and then roasted marshmallows for dessert. The landscape at the top of the volcano was barren from a recent lava flow and the volcano was smoking. It was beautiful and other worldly.
Where we ate, drank, and shopped…
Caoba Farms is a must. Located on the outer edge of the city this gem is a perfect spot for a healthy and delicious lunch in a beautiful setting. The pizza was fantastic. They also have wonderful smoothies and juices. There was live music and it was fun to explore the gardens before we ate.
Antigua Brewing Company has one of the best terraces in town. The craft beer is delicious, and the food is excellent. We went twice on our short trip just to enjoy the magical setting. Go at sunset. We were lucky to see the red glow of lava from the actively erupting Volcan Fuego.
Coffee in Antigua hits differently. Our favorite coffee shop for the best coffee and the best vibe was Artista de Cafe. The coffee has a smooth velvety flavor and there are tons of menu options. We also like the coffee at 12 Onzas. Bring home some beans to relive the Guatemalan coffee experience at home.
Shopping is not always a huge part of our travel, but I love artisanal textiles. Guatemala textiles are beautiful and rich in color and texture. The store Colibri is an explosion of color and exquisite craftsmanship. We found some beautiful blue and white placemats. My favorite store was Wayil by Algodones Mayas. They used the beautiful Guatemalan materials and craftsmanship, but with colors that fit with a more muted neutral aesthetic. The blue and white pillows and wall hanging that I purchase look perfect in our home in Los Angeles.
We love a good tasting menu that explores the various regions, ingredients and flavors of the country we are visiting. Sublime was named the best restaurant in Guatemala in 2025 and made the 50 best list in Latin America. The food was delicious, the presentations beautiful, and the service was phenomenal. The menu was traditional yet inventive. We hired a driver to take us there and back from the Intercontinental and felt very safe. They also made Spencer some great buttered pasta and brought him out a lovely platter of perfectly plain pineapple.
Traveling Lyons 