Sight guide · Antigua · Guatemala
Visiting Convento de las Capuchinas
This 18th-century Capuchin convent is one of the best-preserved ruins in Antigua, with a garden cloister, old washing basins and an unusual circular tower of nuns' cells arranged around a central pillar.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Juan Francisco, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Convento de las Capuchinas is a historic site in La Merced and Calle del Arco, Antigua. Allow 1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- La Merced and Calle del Arco
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, architecture, photo spot and off the beaten path
- Best months
- May and October–November
About Convento de las Capuchinas
This 18th-century Capuchin convent is one of the best-preserved ruins in Antigua, with a garden cloister, old washing basins and an unusual circular tower of nuns' cells arranged around a central pillar. Small exhibits show convent life and colonial religious art.
Tip: Go down into the vaulted basement of the round tower, where the acoustics and the ring of cells are easy to miss.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: La Merced and Calle del Arco, yellow baroque church, the arch and quieter lanes on the north side of town.
Best time to visit Convento de las Capuchinas
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- May: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 14 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- October: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 16 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- November: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Antigua has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Antigua itinerary visits Convento de las Capuchinas on day 2, together with Iglesia de La Merced and Cerro de la Cruz.
- No. 6 of the 14 sights in our Antigua things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Antigua.
- A family favourite in Antigua with kids.
Near Convento de las Capuchinas
Also in La Merced and Calle del Arco, so you can walk between them:
- Cerro de la Cruz — 1–1.5 hours return, free
- Iglesia de La Merced — 45 minutes, low cost
- Santa Catalina Arch — 20 minutes, free
If you like Convento de las Capuchinas
- Parque Central — Centro around Parque Central, 30–60 minutes
- Antigua Cathedral — Centro around Parque Central, 45 minutes
- Casa Santo Domingo — Centro around Parque Central, 1.5–2 hours
- Iglesia de San Francisco — San Francisco and El Calvario, 1 hour
Staying near Convento de las Capuchinas
Stay in La Merced and Calle del Arco ($$$) to walk here: yellow baroque church, the arch and quieter lanes on the north side of town. All areas to stay in Antigua.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Convento de las Capuchinas?
Plan 1 hour. With Cerro de la Cruz nearby, it fits a half-day in La Merced and Calle del Arco.
+Is Convento de las Capuchinas free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Convento de las Capuchinas?
May and October–November, the quietest of the good months. Go down into the vaulted basement of the round tower, where the acoustics and the ring of cells are easy to miss.
+Do I need to book Convento de las Capuchinas in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Convento de las Capuchinas good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Antigua. Antigua suits families who enjoy slow wandering: car-free stretches, the fountain in Parque Central, ruins to explore, chocolate workshops and coffee farms.