Visiting La Recolección ruins

About La Recolección ruins

The church and monastery of La Recolección collapsed in 1773, leaving huge blocks of masonry and arches lying where they fell. It is one of the largest and most dramatic ruin sites in Antigua and is rarely crowded, a few minutes' walk from the market.

Tip: Combine it with the municipal market next door, and visit in the late afternoon when low sun lights the fallen arches.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 45 minutes.
• Cost: Low cost.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: West side near the market, hostels, the municipal market and chicken buses by La Recolección.

Best time to visit La Recolección ruins

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 La Recolección ruins on day 3, together with Iglesia de San Francisco and Tanque La Unión and Santa Clara ruins.

• No. 10 of the 14 sights in our Antigua things-to-do list.
• Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
• One of the picks in historic sites in Antigua.

Near La Recolección ruins

Also in West side near the market, so you can walk between them:

• Municipal market and handicraft market — 1–2 hours, free

If you like La Recolección ruins

• Parque Central — Centro around Parque Central, 30–60 minutes
• Antigua Cathedral — Centro around Parque Central, 45 minutes
• Santa Catalina Arch — La Merced and Calle del Arco, 20 minutes
• Iglesia de La Merced — La Merced and Calle del Arco, 45 minutes

Staying near La Recolección ruins

Stay in West side near the market ($) to walk here: hostels, the municipal market and chicken buses by La Recolección. All areas to stay in Antigua.

Questions travellers ask