How I Spent 8 Unexpected Days in Antigua, Guatemala
PC: Florré
There are certainly worse places to be trapped in than Antigua, Guatemala. But when my intended three-and-a-half-day trip turned into an unexpected eight days after snowstorm-related flight cancellations, I was a little less than thrilled. Nothing a good journaling session and turning a blind eye to my bank account can’t resolve, though. After all, as a winter-averse individual, I don’t technically mind basking in the sunlight a little longer.
This trip was originally booked to attend a friend’s wedding. The first three days were spent walking around the colorful streets of Antigua in the mornings, and then getting dressed to attend the festivities from the afternoons into the evenings. Needless to say, the items I packed were: dresses, more dresses, and heels. I had one pair of jeans (the ones I traveled in), a frilly blouse, a single sweater, and a blazer. Not much else was stuffed in my carry-on.
That being said, I’m no beginner at travel. I know how to stretch a suitcase, how to piece together various outfits, and when to wash my delicates in the sink. So with a newfound mindset, my friend and I embarked on the remaining days in Guatemala.
Days 1-3: Where I stayed, what I saw
Landing in Guatemala felt refreshing. Leaving the blistering cold in New York and changing into a comfortable yet chic going-out outfit did something to my soul. We stayed at the Camino Real Antigua hotel, which couldn’t have been a more comfortable location for all the festivities. Conveniently located and breathtakingly beautiful from every angle, I truly felt like I could turn on my vacation mode. There was a jacuzzi (although I must say, it was lukewarm at best), and relaxing gardens scattered about the property. I spent the mornings journaling at one of the many little benches before walking around Antigua to discover the town.
If you’re looking for a great breakfast spot, the options are aplenty. However, I highly recommend the Garden Café (we ended up going three times…) if you’re looking for something very peaceful and quiet — pictures are included below. Some other notable mentions include The Fat Cat Coffee House, Union Café & Juice Bar, Artista de Café, Elemental Coffee Shop, and Al Tueste Coffee House. But to be honest, you can just walk around the premises and find plenty of alluring cafés without planning ahead.
For the sake of my friend’s privacy, I’ll leave out the details of her wedding. However, it’s worth mentioning that one of the ceremonies was held at the Convento Santa Clara, a type of church ruin that was absolutely breathtaking. It’s open to the public and definitely worth a visit while you’re in Antigua. For the ceremony, I wore a long brown suede slip dress with a cardigan draped over my shoulders. It’s pictured in this story I recently published.
There are tons of hidden gems scattered around Antigua, so while it may feel tedious, I do recommend going up and down every single street in the main parts of the city. I particularly liked the following stores:
Wakami: A great spot for contemporary decor, local and handmade goods, ceramics, etc. I picked up a few pillow cases and a little figurine while here.
Loom Tree Antigua: A high-end textile store. I purchased a few coasters here.
La Sospecha: A quaint bookstore that also sells unique prints and artwork.
Arumo Bistro Art Gallery: If you’re on the market for some really beautiful and unique art pieces (without obscene prices), then I recommend walking around this art gallery.
Days 4-8: Where I stayed, what I ate
I got the notification that my flight had been cancelled a solid four hours before its intended departure. The next available flight would be in four days. After regrouping with a friend who was supposed to take the same trip, we decided to check out of the hotel and book an Airbnb for the remainder of our stay. Although we were both a little bummed, seeing that we had left our furry friends behind, the stunning Airbnb we chose made up for it (and really helpful partners and friends back home!). Having seen most of Antigua already, I wanted to hunker down and utilize the following days as a bit of a writer’s retreat. I worked on my Substack, on this website, and on the final few assignments I owed my editor.
I did, however, still take myself out to complete one of the nearby hikes. I didn’t have it in me to do an overnight/sunrise volcano hike that Antigua is famous for. However, there was a shorter, much more manageable path in the vicinity that I embarked on. It was called the Antigua Mountain Trail, and can be accessed by foot or Uber. There’s a small entrance fee and an optional additional fee should you wish to use the public pool there (I didn’t).
In the evenings, my friend and I checked out a few of the local restaurants. The food scene here is truly not to be missed. I’m including a few of my favorites below.
For our final night, we made it over to Guatemala city so that we could get on the plane next day stress-free. Thus, my Antigua guide concludes here. Feel free to share it with friends or follow me on Instagram if you have any questions!
