Antigua Tourist Places to Visit in Antigua, Guatemala, America

Antigua Tourist Places to Visit in Antigua, Guatemala, America

Antigua Guatemala or Antigua is a city as well as UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the central highlands of Guatemala, about 32 km from the national capital Guatemala City. It is the capital of Sacatepequez Department and the municipal seat of neighboring municipalities. Antigua is well known for its Spanish Baroque influenced architecture and the ruins of ancient churches.

The economy of Antigua is centered on tourism and coffee-production. Antigua has a university called ‘The University of San Carlos’.

 

Geography of Antigua:

Antigua is located between latitude 14°34′ in the north and longitude 90°44′ in the west.

 

History of Antigua:

The present Antigua was formed by Spanish conquistadors on March 10, 1543 and it was known by Santiago de los Caballeros and it served as the headquarters of the military administrator of the Spanish colony of Guatemala for more than 200 years. Antigua was heavily damaged by 7.4 magnitude earthquake on September 29, 1717 and around 3,000 buildings were demolished in that incident.

 

How to reach Antigua?

Antigua is served by La Aurora International Airport situated at a distance of 36 km with connection to North American, Central American and European cities. It takes around 45-60 minutes to reach Antigua from the airport through roadway.

There are taxis, tuk-tuks and shuttle vans regularly available to Antigua. Shuttle vans cost around Q80 and provide services until 8PM. Buses are cheaper than all these transportation options but buses are not regular and convenient.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Antigua:

Antigua is a historical place housing plenty of archeological sites and cultural centres all around. Guate Linda Center and Escuela de Espanol Cooperacion are local schools best to learn about local culture and language.

Tourists can purchase hand woven cloth, jade jewelry, chocolate and cacao in Antigua’s shops. The major food corners in Antigua are:

  • Dabbawala Tandoori
  • Cinema Cafe Bistro
  • Mono Loco
  • El Pelícano Dorado

 

Things to do in Antigua:

  • Hill of the Cross
  • El Mercado
  • Artisan Workshops
  • Bike tour
  • Adventure Tours
  • Coffee Farm Tour
  • Artisan Workshops

 

Places to see in Antigua:

Saint Joseph Cathedral:

Saint Joseph Cathedral is a must visit site in Antigua. It was initially built in 1541, later was renovated in 1680 after the 1669 earthquake and it was once again suffered by 1773 earthquake. Don’t forget to take photos of this world class church.

 

Parque Central:

Parque Central is a beautiful park located in the heart of Antigua. It houses plenty of trees decorated with colorful lights and a stunning fountain in the middle.

 

La Merced Church:

La Merced Church is a top beauty on the earth and its stunning architecture is really a great treat to the eyes of visitors. The largest water fountain of Antigua within La Merced Church is also must watch.

 

Other places of interest in Antigua include:

  • La Recoleccion Architectural Complex
  • Ruins of old San José
  • Old weapons Museum
  • San Francisco Church
  • Santo Domingo Monastery
  • The Jade Museum
  • Casa del Turista
  • The Santa Catalina arch
  • Hermano Pedro ancient Hospital

 

Best time to visit Antigua:

From November to April is the ideal time to visit historical Antigua in Guatemala.

 

Accommodation Options in Antigua:

Antigua houses many world-class hotels along with world famous archeological sites. Generally budget hotels charge $15/$20 for double per night, mid range- $50 and top end-around $100 per night. The major hotels and hostels in Antigua are listed below:

 

Budget:

  • El Viejo Danes Hostal
  • Villa Esthela
  • Antigua Umma Gumma Hostel
  • La Casa de los Abuelos
  • El Gato Negro
  • Casa Bellona
  • Hotel Casa Cristina
  • Hostel 5
  • Hostel Calle 6

 

Mid range:

  • Hotel Boutique Euskadi
  • Chez Daniel
  • Posada de la Merced
  • Hostel Las Marias
  • Hotel Casa Antigua
  • Hotel Quinta de las Flores

 

Splurge:

  • Hotel Palacio de Dona Leonor
  • Casa Santo Domingo
  • Hotel Casa del Parque
  • Hotel Convento Santa Catalina

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Guatemala, America

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Guatemala, America

Guatemala is a country in Central America positioned between 14°38′ N latitude and 90°30′ W longitude is spread over an area of 108,890 sq. km. and Guatemala City is the capital and the largest city of Guatemala. The currency of Guatemala is Quetzal and the official language is Spanish.

 

Geography of Guatemala:

Guatemala is surrounded by Belize in the northeast, Mexico on the north and west, the Pacific Ocean towards southwest, El Salvador in the southeast and Honduras to the east and Caribbean in the east.

 

Etymology and History of Guatemala:

Guatemala derives its name from the Nahuatl language and its literal meaning is ‘place of many trees’. The history of Guatemala dates back to the 12,000 BC when the first human settlement arrived at Guatemala. The Spanish ruled Guatemala nearly 300 years from 1519 to 1821 and the independence of Guatemala was declared on 15th September 1821 from Spanish. After the independence, it came under the dictatorship of the series of dictators and finally its constitution was formed on 31st May 1985.

 

How to reach Guatemala?

The top ten cities of Guatemala are Guatemala City, Mixco, Villa Nueva, Petapa, San Juan Sacatepequez, Quetzaltenango, Villa Canales, Escuintla, Chinautla and Chimaltenango.

La Aurora International Airport is the most important airport of the country located in the capital city, Guatemala. It operates most flights to Central American and North American destinations like Mexico City, Madrid, Roatan, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Houston and Miami.

Guatemala is also well connected by bus with bordering countries like Belize, Honduras and Mexico. Adrenalina Tours, ADN, Linea Dorada and Galgos are the major intercity bus operators.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Guatemala:

Guatemala has distinctive culture known for the Music of Guatemala and typical traditional dances. Other than Spanish, natives speak many dialects of Mayan language.

Guatemalan cuisine inherits many features of Maya cuisine and corn, chilies and beans are the primarily used staple food in the local cuisine.

Most of the country’s shopping centres, cultural centres and food corners are located in the national capital, Guatemala City.

 

Things to do in Guatemala:

  • LiveGuate
  • Shopping
  • Cinema
  • Parks
  • Libraries

Tourist Attractions in Guatemala:

Popol Vuh Museum:

Popol Vuh Museum possesses the archaeological items from the pre-colonial and colonial period in the separate galleries. It is open from 9:00-17:00 between Monday-Friday and 9:00-13:00 Saturday. Entrance fee is Q35 adults and Q15 for students and extra fee charged for photo and video.

 

Jardines Botanico:

Jardines Botanico is considered as the first botanical garden in Central America and it houses diverse native and foreign plant species. It belongs to Museum of Natural History.

 

Aurora Zoo:

Aurora Zoo is a typical site housing different indigenous and abroad animals. This zoo features a decent environment and also tourists can enjoy low melodious voices of birds here.

 

Other places of interest in Guatemala include:

  • Mapa en Relieve
  • Ixchel Museum of traditional costumes
  • Archaeology and Ethnology Museum
  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Kaminaljuyu
  • Museo Miraflores
  • Parque Central and The Cathedral
  • Palacio Nacional
  • National History Museum
  • Museo Carlos F. Novella

 

Best time to visit Guatemala:

Probably during the ending months of the year are ideal to travel Guatemala.

 

Accommodation Options in Guatemala:

Guatemala is culturally strong city drawing a large number of tourists from the different American countries throughout the year. Guatemala City houses the greater percentage of country’s luxury hotels, motels and service apartments. The prominent accommodation centres in Guatemala City are listed below:

 

Budget:

  • Pension Meza
  • GuateFriends Bed & Breakfast
  • 2 Lunas Guest House
  • Hostal Hermano Pedro
  • Hostal Los Volcanes
  • Hotel Spring
  • Hotel San Martin
  • Quetzalroo Backpackers
  • Xamanek Student Inn

 

Splurge:

  • Hotel Mansion Imperial
  • Hotel Princess Guatemala
  • Best Western Stofella
  • Comfort Hostel
  • Hotel Pan American
  • Ciudad Vieja

 

Top end:

  • Real InterContinental Guatemala
  • Crowne Plaza Hotel
  • Westin Camino Real
  • Holiday Inn
  • Barceló Guatemala City

Places to Visit in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, America

Places to Visit in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, America

Port-au-Prince is the capital city of Haiti country spaning an area of 13.92 square miles (36.04 square kilometers) which makes it a largest city in the country. Port-au-Prince is the economy and finance hub in the country and major goods are exported from the capital city to distinct counties and there are few soap, textile and cement factories in the city and all the major hospitals, educational institutions and transportation companies are located in the city. Port-au-Prince is surrounded by Petionville, Croix-des-Bouquets, Carrefour, Grand Sallne and Sibert and coordinates are 18.5333° N, 72.3333° W.

 

History of Port-au-Prince:

Port-au-Prince region was inhabited by Taino Indians people about 2600 BC but in the year 1492 AD, Columbus founded the island and claimed the island for Spain. Spain settled in the region and population of Spain increased rapidly in the region but within 30 years the native Taino populace decreased due the disease spread from the Spain. Later, the country was captured by France in the year 1793 and in the year 1804, Haiti attained the independence.

 

Places to visit in Port-au-Prince:

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption:

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is also recognized as the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, was constructed between 1884 and 1914 and is the largest cathedral in the city but was destroyed due to an earthquake in the year 2010 but later it was renovated.

 

Stade Sylvio Cator:

Stade Sylvio Cator is the largest and multipurpose stadium in the city and the stadium was named after the Sylvio Cator, an Olympic medalist.

 

National Museum of Art:

National Museum of Art is positioned in the center of a city has the collection of pre Columbian artworks from all over the world.

 

Climate in Port-au-Prince:

Port-au-Prince faces dry winters and rain during the summer and normal temperature differs from 15 degree Celsius to 37 degrees Celsius all through the year and best time to visit Port-au-Prince is from December to March.

 

How to Reach Port-au-Prince?

By Air:

Port-au-Prince city is served by the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, a main and busiest airport in the country and has direct flights to Santiago de Cuba, Montreal, Cayenne, Fort-de-France, Paris-Orly, Santo Domingo-La Isabela, Sint Maarten, Miami, Pointe-a-Pitre, Providenciales, Panama City, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta and a few other cities in Caribbean countries, United States and Europe.

 

By Sea:

Port international de Port-au-Prince is situated 3 kilometers from the heart of the city is the main and the busiest port in the country and majority of trading are carried out through the port. Passenger ships are also available from the port.

 

By Road:

All the major roads passes through the capital city and pickup trucks and buses are the major mode of transportation in and around the city.

 

Where to Stay in Port-au-Prince?

Apart from beautiful places and pleasant environment Port-au-Prince is one of the most important trading centers of Haiti. To cater to the growing traveler incursion and their lodging needs, there are budget to star Hotels at Port-au-Prince offering luxurious rooms with world class amenities such as gym, laundry service, cable TV, air-conditioned rooms etc., and tariff in hotels may range from $ 15 to $ 200. Hotels in Port-au-Prince are listed here below:

  • Best Western Premier Petion-Ville
  • Pacot Breeze Hotel
  • Le Plaza Hotel
  • La Maison Hotel
  • Royal Oasis by Occidental
  • Ayiti Guest House
  • Coconut Villa Hotel
  • Habitation Hatt Hotel
  • Ideal Villa Hotel
  • Allamanda Bed And Breakfast
  • Paradis des Receptions

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Petionville, Haiti, America

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Petionville, Haiti, America

Petionville is the community of Port-au-Prince and hilly territory in Haiti located on the northern hills of the Massif de la Selle in the department of Ouest is a prominent tourism hub in the country and richest part of the country. Petionville is surrounded by several buildings, educational institutions, hospitals and restaurants and economy of the district depends on tourism and business centers. Petionville is surrounded by Croix-des-Bouquets, Carrefour, Port-au-Prince, Grand Sallne and Sibert. Coordinates of Petionville are 18.5167° N, 72.2833° W.

 

Tourism in Petionville:

Petionville is the popular tourism hub in the country but there is not much to see or visit in the town. The nightlife in Petionville is absolutely hip and happening because of the riches that is according to the people who live in the area and parties happens all the night until the morning and there are many French restaurants in the town which offer delicious French cuisines.

 

Places to visit in Petionville:

Musee Nationale:

Musee Nationale is visited by history lovers and museum features loads of ancient artifacts that are very interesting.

 

National Museum of Art:

National Museum of Art is sited at the distance of 8 kilometers from Petionville in Port-au-Prince which has the anthology of pre Columbian artwork collected from all over the world.

 

Stade Sylvio Cator:

Stade Sylvio Cator is the biggest and versatile arena in the city of port-au-Prince located 9 kilometers from Petionville and the stadium was named after an Olympic medalist “Sylvio Cator” after this death in the year 1952.

 

Climate in Petionville:

Petionville is served the tropical savanna type of weather with dry winters and rain during the summer and average temperature varies from 16 degree Celsius to 40 degrees Celsius throughout the year and best time to visit Petionville is from December to April.

 

How to Reach Petionville?

By Air:

Petionville city is situated at the distance of 10 kilometers from Toussaint Louverture International Airport, a main and busiest airport in the country and caters with direct flights to cities in Caribbean countries, United States and Europe, Canada and Mexico.

 

By Sea:

Port international de Port-au-Prince is placed at the distance of 10 kilometers from center of the Petionville is the main port in the country and Passenger ships are also available from the port to nearby countries.

 

By Road:

Petionville is well connected from the capital city Prot-au-Prince and national highway passes through the city connecting to other cities in the country and pickup trucks (taxi) and buses are the available from different parts of the country to Petionville city.

 

Where to Stay in Petionville?

Petionville has some first-class luxury hotels providing exceptional lodging amenities to the tourists visiting the place from time to time. Hotels range from 1 star club to 5 stars offering some of the modern amenities like spa, sauna, free internet, airport pickup and drop, doctors on call, attractive lounges, special cuisines on request, 24/7 help center, entertainment staffs, etc. List of some of the hotels located in Petionville are as follows:

  • Best Western Premier Petion-Ville
  • Royal Oasis by Occidental
  • Pacot Breeze Hotel
  • Allamanda Bed And Breakfast
  • Le Plaza Hotel
  • NH Haiti El Rancho
  • Karibe Hotel
  • Ideal Villa Hotel
  • Le Jardin Hotel
  • Palm Inn hotel
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