Where to stay · Antigua · Guatemala
Where to stay in Antigua
6 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Centro around Parque Central. The main square, cathedral and arcaded colonial palaces at the centre of the grid. Best alternatives — families: San Francisco and El Calvario; budget: San Francisco and El Calvario.
Key facts
- First visit
- Centro around Parque Central
- Families
- San Francisco and El Calvario
- Budget
- San Francisco and El Calvario
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Centro around Parque Central | The main square, cathedral and arcaded colonial palaces at the centre of the grid |
| Families | San Francisco and El Calvario | Residential southeast, the Hermano Pedro shrine and the Alameda del Calvario |
| Couples | La Merced and Calle del Arco | Yellow baroque church, the arch and quieter lanes on the north side of town |
| Budget | San Francisco and El Calvario | Residential southeast, the Hermano Pedro shrine and the Alameda del Calvario |
| Luxury | La Merced and Calle del Arco | Yellow baroque church, the arch and quieter lanes on the north side of town |
| Solo travellers | Centro around Parque Central | The main square, cathedral and arcaded colonial palaces at the centre of the grid |
| Quiet stays | San Francisco and El Calvario | Residential southeast, the Hermano Pedro shrine and the Alameda del Calvario |
Antigua neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, culture and solo travellers
Centro around Parque Central
The blocks around Parque Central hold the cathedral, the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales and the arcaded city hall, with cafés, banks and tour agencies along 4a Calle and 5a Avenida. Everything in town is a short walk away, and this is where processions and festivals pass. Expect church bells and some street noise.
- Good
- Walk to every sight; Most restaurants and agencies here; Lively evenings
- Watch out
- Rooms facing the street can be noisy; Higher prices than outer blocks
- Nearby
- Parque Central, Antigua Cathedral, Santa Catalina Arch
$$$ · Best for couples, first-timers and luxury
La Merced and Calle del Arco
North of the square, 5a Avenida Norte runs under the Santa Catalina Arch to the ornate yellow Iglesia de La Merced. The surrounding streets have boutique hotels in restored colonial houses, small bars and the walk up to Cerro de la Cruz. It keeps most of the centre's convenience with calmer nights.
- Good
- The town's most photographed streets; Restored colonial hotels; Close to the viewpoint trail
- Watch out
- Calle del Arco fills with visitors by day; Boutique rooms are pricey
- Nearby
- Santa Catalina Arch, La Merced, Cerro de la Cruz, Capuchinas
$$ · Best for quiet stays, budget and families
San Francisco and El Calvario
South and east of the centre, the streets around Iglesia de San Francisco and the tree-lined Alameda del Calvario are mainly residential, with guesthouses, Spanish schools and family homes. Pilgrims visit the tomb of Santo Hermano Pedro, and Holy Week processions pass through. It is a 10–15 minute walk from Parque Central.
- Good
- Calmer nights; Good-value guesthouses; Local neighbourhood feel
- Watch out
- Fewer restaurants; Uneven cobbles and darker streets at night
- Nearby
- San Francisco el Grande, Santa Clara ruins, Tanque La Unión
$ · Best for budget and solo travellers
West side near the market
The western edge of town, between the Alameda de Santa Lucía, the municipal market and the La Recolección ruins, is where most hostels and many of the lowest-priced comedores are. The bus terminal behind the market runs to Guatemala City and nearby villages. It is practical and lively rather than pretty.
- Good
- Lowest prices in town; Next to the market and buses; Social hostels
- Watch out
- Traffic and diesel fumes near the terminal; Less colonial charm; Keep an eye on bags in the market
- Nearby
- Municipal market, La Recolección, Bus terminal
$ · Best for budget and quiet stays
Jocotenango
Jocotenango begins where Antigua's northern streets end, a few minutes away by tuk-tuk. It has a colonial church on its main square, local markets and some newer hotels and apartments that cost less than in the centre. It suits longer stays and travellers with a car.
- Good
- Lower rents and room rates; Everyday Guatemalan town life; Easy road access
- Watch out
- Needs a tuk-tuk or walk into Antigua; Few sights of its own
- Nearby
- Jocotenango church, San Felipe de Jesús, Antigua centre
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, couples and families
San Felipe de Jesús
About 2 km north of the centre, San Felipe de Jesús is a small village whose white church draws pilgrims to its image of Christ. The coffee estates on the slopes above, including Finca Filadelfia, have lodges and villa-style hotels with gardens and volcano views.
- Good
- Green, peaceful setting; Coffee farm on the doorstep; Space for families
- Watch out
- Taxi or tuk-tuk needed for town; Limited dining nearby
- Nearby
- Finca Filadelfia, San Felipe church, Jocotenango
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Centro around Parque Central | $$$ | Parque Central, Antigua Cathedral, Santa Catalina Arch |
| La Merced and Calle del Arco | $$$ | Santa Catalina Arch, La Merced, Cerro de la Cruz, Capuchinas |
| San Francisco and El Calvario | $$ | San Francisco el Grande, Santa Clara ruins, Tanque La Unión |
| West side near the market | $ | Municipal market, La Recolección, Bus terminal |
| Jocotenango | $ | Jocotenango church, San Felipe de Jesús, Antigua centre |
| San Felipe de Jesús | $$$ | Finca Filadelfia, San Felipe church, Jocotenango |
Getting to your hotel
La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City is about 45 km from Antigua. Shared shuttles and private transfers take about 1–1.5 hours, longer in Guatemala City rush-hour traffic, so allow plenty of time for departing flights.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Antigua for first-time visitors?
Centro around Parque Central. The blocks around Parque Central hold the cathedral, the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales and the arcaded city hall, with cafés, banks and tour agencies along 4a Calle and 5a Avenida.
+Where should families stay in Antigua?
San Francisco and El Calvario: Calmer nights.
+Which area of Antigua is best for a budget stay?
San Francisco and El Calvario ($$): Residential southeast, the Hermano Pedro shrine and the Alameda del Calvario.