Antigua Guatemala: Morning Tour from Guatemala City Pick-up from Guatemala City

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ID: GYG33883-41491
Category:
Country: Spain

Duration: 05:00 hours


Description

Explore the fascinating city of Antigua on this half-day walking tour departing from your hotel in Antigua or Guatemala City. Learn about the colonial history of the city as you explore the interesting sights with an expert guide.
Antigua Guatemala, once the third largest city in all of Spanish Colonial America and for 200 years the capital of Guatemala, is today a peaceful, beautiful, and partially restored colonial city. Cobblestone streets wind through the city of majestic churches and monasteries.

After pickup in Guatemala City, transfer to Antigua Guatemala to meet your local guide and begin your gentle 3-hour walking tour. Visit the Jade Factory and Museum to admire ancient Guatemalan carving traditions. Continue to the ruins of El Carmen church and browse for souvenirs at the craft market beside the ruined building.

You will see La Merced Church of Guatemalan, which features an ultra-baroque style, as well as two bell towers. On the facade of the church in its upper part is a sculpture of San Pedro Nolasco, founder of the Mercedarian Order.

You will also see Santa Catalina Arch, built to connect the nuns between cloisters to avoid being seen. After the earthquakes of 1773, the arch became important due to the alterations that were made. These alterations included the construction of a turret and the inclusion of a Lamy Amp Lacroix clock of French origin.

You will then see Central Park, which is situated in the traditional grid pattern used frequently in urban planning in the Spanish colonies. The park is surrounded by the Palace of the General Captains, the Town Hall, the Cathedral of San Jose, and the Trade Portal. Here in the park, you will also find the Las Sirenas fountain. This fountain has a traditional folk story where the Count of La Gomera ordered the fountain to be built in memory of his daughters, who after giving birth, did not want to breastfeed their children. The count then ordered his daughters to be tied to a trunk in the center of a waterhole, where they died of thirst and hunger.

Continue your way you will visit the La Unión tank, which is one of the most iconic laundries in this city (only the big houses had proper washing facilities). For this reason, most of the inhabitants (housewives) went to public laundries. This was inaugurated on February 3, 1853.

At the end of the tour you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Guatemala City.

Highlights

  • Visit the Colonial City of Antigua, a UNESCO World Hertiage Site
  • Enjoy of the colonial architecture of Antigua Guatemala and Learn the History of the Former Capital of Spanish Guatemala
  • Appreciate the wonderful landscape from Antigua Guatemala of the Agua Volcano

Guiding languages

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• Please contact the supplier if you need a guide in any other language. French, German and Italian is also available, subject to additional costs and guide availability
• For groups of 10 persons or more, please contact the local supplier directly to book the tour
• There is a minimum number of 2 adults required for the tour to operate and there is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if this is not met and you will be offered an alternative date or full refund
• It is recommended that you bring walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and a camera
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED

When should I book?

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.


Cancellations

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 48 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 48 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.