Tour of Antigua
Elizabeth Bell's walking tour comes highly recommended. Meet at the fountain in the main square for a walk behind the walls of historic Antigua. The tour focuses on the architecture, history, restoration and cultural trends. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 9:30am or Monday and Thursday at 2 pm. ($20, I think!) The agency also offers tours of villages, coffee plantations, volcano hikes, and other areas outside of Antigua.
http://www.antiguatours.net/
Parque Central
Many aspects of life in Antigua have changed since colonial times, but one remains the same: everything revolves around the parque central (much like the piazzas in Italy and plazas in Spain etc etc) Come here to sit on a bench and people-watch between your activities.
Shopping
There are numerous places to shop in Antigua. Great items to buy are textiles, jade, coffee, Ron Zacapa rum, and illegal Mezcal. Nim-Pot (5th avenue north) is a huge place where you can find any souvenir. It is amazing. There is also a huge, maze-like market near the bus station (calle 4 & Alamenda Santa Lucia). This is where the locals shop, so you will see everything from pig heads to flowers to shoes to $1 dvds of movies that are still in the theaters. Obviously you won't want to be walking around like a clueless tourist with your bag hanging open and money sticking out of your pocket...
Cerro De La Cruz
This large stone cross on a hill overlooking the valley provides a stunning panorama of Antigua and its surrounding volcanoes. Two tourist police permanently stationed on the road up the hill provide security; it is still advisable, however, to bring a friend along and to avoid nighttime excursions. Head north on 1a Av. Norte and follow signs. Tourist police lead group tours at 10am and 3pm.
Coffee Plantation Tour
There are two coffee plantations just 5 minutes outside the town. Shuttles pick up in the main square throughout the day.
Finca La Azotea ($5) Shuttle every hour on the corners of the main square
http://www.centroazotea.com/
Finca Filadelfia- daily tours at 9am, 11am, and 2pm
They also offer zipline, paintball, mountain biking, camping, hiking, and an animal farm
http://filadelfia.com.gt/
Ruins
There are so many ruins to see in Antigua. There is no way to see them all. You will DEFINITELY see San Jose el Viejo because that is where we are getting married!! You do not want to miss Capuchinas or La Merced Church. Everything is so beautiful and will take your breath away! Just walk around town and you will stumble upon ruin after ruin.
Chocolate Making
If you love chocolate, then this is a great little activity! See the museum and factory at Choco Museo and then make your own custom bar in one of the chocolate workshops.
www.chocomuseo.com
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