What currency is used in Antigua?

Antigua uses the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ).

What is the emergency number in Antigua?

In Antigua, call 110 (police), 122 or 123 (fire and ambulance), 1500 (tourist assistance).

How much does a day in Antigua cost?

Roughly $30-45 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-120 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Antigua?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Antigua without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Antigua travel guide

Guatemala

Guatemala's former colonial capital, a grid of cobbled streets and ruined churches ringed by three volcanoes. It is small, slow and easy to love, and a common place to study Spanish.

Essentials

Language: Spanish; Kaqchikel and other Maya languages are spoken in the surrounding villages
Currency: Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ)
Plugs: Types A and B, 120 V
Emergency number: 110 (police), 122 or 123 (fire and ambulance), 1500 (tourist assistance)
Tipping: Many restaurants add a 10 percent propina to the bill, so check before leaving more.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $30-45, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $70-120, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Antigua

Centro: the Parque Central, the Santa Catalina arch and most cafés within a few blocks.
Cerro de la Cruz: a hillside viewpoint over the town towards Volcán de Agua, best visited in daylight.
Jocotenango: a neighbouring town just north, quieter and more local than the centre.

Getting around Antigua

Walk everywhere in town, in shoes that can handle uneven cobbles. Tourist shuttles and chicken buses connect Antigua with Guatemala City and Lake Atitlán.

Best time to visit Antigua

November to April, the dry season; Semana Santa brings processions and big crowds.

Top things to do in Antigua

Explore the ruined convents and churches, such as Las Capuchinas and the old cathedral ruins
Hike Pacaya, an active volcano a short drive away, with a guide
Tour a coffee farm on the slopes outside town to see how the beans are grown and roasted
Take a week of one-to-one Spanish lessons at one of the many local schools
Visit the Mercado Municipal on the west side of town for produce, textiles and lunch stalls

What to eat in Antigua

Pepián: a thick stew of meat and vegetables in a sauce of roasted seeds and chillies
Kak'ik: a spicy turkey soup of Maya origin, coloured red with chilli and achiote
Rellenitos: mashed plantain filled with sweetened black beans and fried
Guatemalan coffee: grown on the volcanic slopes around Antigua and served everywhere in town

Day trips from Antigua

Lake Atitlán: a crater lake ringed by volcanoes and Maya villages, about three hours by shuttle, so worth a night or two
Pacaya: a half-day volcano hike, about an hour and a half away by road
Chichicastenango: a large highland market on Thursdays and Sundays, about two and a half hours away

Local etiquette

Ask before photographing people, particularly Maya women in traditional dress, and stand respectfully aside during Semana Santa processions and their carpets of coloured sawdust.

Staying connected

Tigo and Claro SIM cards are easy to buy in town, and most cafés, schools and hostels have Wi-Fi.

Staying safe

Petty theft happens in crowded areas and on chicken buses, so take tourist shuttles for longer journeys with luggage. Hike volcanoes only with a licensed guide, and check Fuego's activity before booking Acatenango.

A local tip

Hike Acatenango overnight with a licensed guide for views of neighbouring Fuego, which is often active and glows after dark.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Antigua on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Antigua for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Antigua, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Antigua

What currency is used in Antigua?: Antigua uses the Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ).
What is the emergency number in Antigua?: In Antigua, call 110 (police), 122 or 123 (fire and ambulance), 1500 (tourist assistance).
When is the best time to visit Antigua?: November to April, the dry season; Semana Santa brings processions and big crowds.
How much does a day in Antigua cost?: Roughly $30-45 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-120 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Antigua?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Antigua without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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