Multicoloured textiles illuminate the streets, you smell the aromas of local food and people are speaking in various languages, not only Spanish but also Native Guatemalan tongues-yes, you are deep in the heart of Antigua, Guatemala in Central America! 

Antigua is a relatively small but very picturesque town located in Guatemala. The brightly painted churches and cobblestone streets welcome its visitors and make you feel as if you have stepped back in time. Here children run freely, play games on the street and in the nearby parks, and seem oblivious to the many tourists who flock to their town to take in the sites of Native Guatemalan culture, language, history and food.   

Many indigenous Guatemalan people live here and still dress the traditional way, which includes colourful shawls, long skirts, and embroidered blouses. Most do not like their pictures to be taken and prefer to be asked beforehand. However, others will smile for the camera and perhaps want you to take more than one photo as a souvenir! 

Don’t miss the market, which can be found as you head towards the town square. Many of the vendors are lined up along the streets and here you can find everything from beautiful clothing made with fine fabrics and exuberant colours to leather handbags and exquisite handmade jewellery.  

Antigua also has a variety of interesting museums to visit, which offer the visitor a look into its people, rich history and culture. The museums found inside the various Roman Catholic churches are very fascinating. The entry fee is usually less than $6 USD. Guatemala in general is a very inexpensive country for North Americans and Europeans to visit. 

Nightlife in Antigua is very colourful as well. Traditional music is played in bars or you can dance until dawn at one of the late-night discotheques, which line the main street. The town is set out so that it is very easy to find anything you are looking for because the streets run perpendicular and many amenities are located within a short walking distance from your hotel. 

You will find that the Guatemalan people are very friendly and will welcome you to their country with open arms. Even if your Spanish is limited, the warmth of the Guatemalan people is felt in their smile and their hospitality will make you want to return to Antigua again and again.