Guatemala: Antigua

http://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpghttp://eatrunsee.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/P1000779.jpgGuatemala: Antigua

 

After a harrowing overnight bus ride from Flores to Guatemala City (“Guate”), we connected with our “collectivo” or shuttle bus and completed our journey to Antigua. The trip through Guate was interesting – it’s a sprawling city set against a volcano with congestion, chaos, shacks and modern, first world presence via brands and storefronts. The drive to Antigua was just under an hour through city and countryside.

En-route to Antigua through Gaute

En-route to Antigua through Gaute

 

We arrived just after 9am and checked into Hostal Holistico – the base for our 3-night stay in Antigua. We were greeted by the very lively and flamboyant owner, Sergio, who made us feel very welcome and immediately offered us coffee and breakfast. The hostel is arranged around an open courtyard with communal kitchen, seating areas and upstairs patio with gorgeous views over the rooftops and of the volcanoes. The common areas were decked out in full Guatemalan Christmas regalia including piñatas, tinsel and poinsettias. A very comfortable and festive spot for our stay in Antigua!

 

Our private bedroom at Hostal Holistico with beautiful, colourful fabrics and window seat

Our private bedroom at Hostal Holistico with beautiful, colourful fabrics and window seat

 

Courtyard at Hostal Holistico

Courtyard at Hostal Holistico

 

Rooftop view from our hostel

Rooftop view from our hostel

 

A UNESCO world heritage site, Antigua is a Spanish colonial town with cobbled streets, churches, markets and a lovely public square with fountain. The streets are lined with buildings with enclosed fronts that open up into courtyards, stores, homes etc. All storefront signage is standardized in size and material (discreet and in brushed metal) to ensure that the history and essence of the town is protected. The town is set amidst lush vegetation in the shadow of a few volcanoes – a common theme is starting to emerge here! It has a really lovely vibe and very welcoming, friendly people.

 

Typical Antiguan street

Typical Antiguan street

 

Coffee in the town square

Coffee in the town square

 

One of the churches overlooking the town square

One of the churches overlooking the town square

 

Church ruins with ornate details still in tact

Church ruins with ornate details still in tact

 

We spent our time in Antigua relaxing, walking, shopping at the markets for fresh fruit and veggies, cooking, drinking delicious Guatemalan coffee, reading, and of course, running. Although the cobbled streets were tough to run on, thanks to friends Nick and Hannah, we explored a lovely run up to a hill with a cross (Cerro de la Cruz) overlooking the town with a winding road into the hillside communities. Roads are steep around here but you’re often rewarded with gorgeous views and amazing scents from various flowers and fruit trees.

 

View overlooking the town from Cerro de la Cruz

View overlooking the town from Cerro de la Cruz

 

Just one of the many beautiful doorways in Antigua!

Just one of the many beautiful doorways in Antigua!

 

A long overdue and very much enjoyed spinach and banana smoothie!

A long overdue and very much enjoyed spinach and banana smoothie!

 

We departed Antigua via shuttle bus for our next stop, the town of Panajachel on Lake Atitlan. This would be our base for two weeks of Spanish school and immersion into local culture through a home stay with a Guatemalan family. The lake would also be the setting for our participation in the Lake Atitlan Marathon! More on these experiences in the next post!

Bev’s thumbs up: Quaint lanes with colourful buildings with beautiful features like wooden doors, wrought iron window frames and unique doorknockers

Bev’s thumbs down: Didn’t have time to hike the active volcano overlooking the town

Richard’s thumbs up: Delicious, rich Guatemalan coffee

Richard’s thumbs down: Sub-optimal running surface

Author Description

Richard

There are 4 comments. Add yours

  1. 12th December 2013 | mona says: Reply
    Enjoying your website and pictures. What an adventure!
    • 16th December 2013 | Richard says: Reply
      Thanks for checking in, Mona! Hope you guys are doing really well and enjoying the busy-ness of the season. Love from Honduras :)
  2. 3rd January 2014 | Lesley anderson says: Reply
    Your trip looks fantastic! I'm enjoying reading about your adventures and dreaming of my next travels.
    • 5th January 2014 | Richard says: Reply
      Hi Lesley - thanks for dropping by :) Hopefully we can whet your appetite just a little...

Leave a Reply