FAQs/Preguntas

Question

is Antigua safe?

Answer

Yes, it is. Antigua is located within the department (region) of Sacatepéquez and is not included within any of the US' Travel Advisories. However, it is important that you take normal travel precautions when you're traveling. Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend the following while traveling through Guatemala: Avoid using public ATMs. Antigua is credit card friendly, but if you want to withdraw cash, go into a bank if possible; there are plenty in town. Ask the person at the front desk of your hotel for the nearest one. Use Ubers or vetted drivers either via your hotel or our travel agency. Come nighttime, take an Uber instead of walking. Use local guides when planning any excursions. Don't lurk in alleys, and don't take drugs from strangers.

Question

can we bring our kids?/¿podemos traer a nuestros hijos?

Answer

We kindly request our wedding ceremony and reception (January 29, 2026) to be adults only. Le solicitamos amablemente que nuestra ceremonia de boda y recepción (29 de Enero de 2026) sea solo para adultos.

Question

can i bring a "plus one" or date?/¿puedo llevar un "más uno" o una cita?

Answer

Please check your invite. It will indicate whether you have a guest included. Por favor, revisa tu invitación. Te indicará si tienes un invitado incluido.

Question

is the wedding indoors or outdoors?/¿la boda será en el interior o al aire libre?

Answer

The ceremony is indoors. The reception will be outdoors. The chance of rain will be near 0% as we chose to get married during the dry season. La ceremonia será en un espacio cerrado. La recepción será al aire libre. La probabilidad de lluvia será cercana al 0%, ya que decidimos casarnos durante la estación seca.

Question

what should we do in our free time?

Answer

Explore. Drink coffee. Enjoy a rooftop view of a volcano, cocktail in hand. Eat chocolate. Soak in the sun. We'll have curated trip recommendations available for you within this website. Within those recommendations, we'll include places we loved and think fondly of. Antigua is intimate -- the chances of you running into us or someone from the wedding during your stay is very high.

Question

what souvenirs would you recommend bringing back?

Answer

Coffee, chocolate, and anything from Nim Po't. Cuban cigars if you like to live life on the edge. Other popular items include textiles (table runners, purses, cushion covers, etc.), blouses, ceramics (mugs, vases), jade, and leather.

Question

what is the weather like?

Answer

Spring year-round! Guatemala enjoys weather in the 70's and 80's throughout the year. Lows can drop into the 50's at night, so we recommend you have a light jacket or cardigan. January is during dry season, so we do not expect rain.

Question

will i be able to use my phone?

Answer

While you will easily be able to find WiFi at most places in Antigua (hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes), we recommend that you talk to your cell phone service provider before travel. International plans are usually very affordable (such as $10 a day) and they will cover your data, texting, and even calls. We have AT&T and T-Mobile and did not need any additional plan coverage. You will always be connected when you want to use maps, Uber, etc.

Question

is it okay to take pictures with our phones/camera during the wedding ceremony?

Answer

Once the ceremony starts, we ask you to be present in this special moment for us. Photos are encouraged before the ceremony, after, during the reception. We have hired a photographer and content creator for the day to help capture the moment as well.

Question

what if i get sick?

Answer

If you need a pharmacy, Antigua has several options that should have any over the counter medicines that you might need, including Cruz Verde, Batres, and Meykos (they will also delivery to your hotel, reception can help with this).

Question

what if i need a doctor?

Answer

If it is something very serious, we recommend you go to Guatemala City, which has very good health care. There are two hospitals that have US-trained doctors with great reputations, and are recommended by the US Embassy; Hospital Herrera Llerandi & Centro Médico. Here's the addresses: 1) Hospital Herrera (Private Hospital): 6a. Avenida 8-71, Zona 10, Phone: 2384-5959, Emergency: 2334-5955, Healthinfo@herrerallerandi.com 2) Centro Médico (Public Hospital) 6a. Avenida 3-47, Zona 10, Phone: 2279-4949, Fax: 2331-7533, mercadeo@centromedico.com.gt

Question

what if i need an emergency room?

Answer

If you are feeling ill and need to see a doctor, Guatemalans treat emergency rooms a bit like we treat Urgent Care. You could go to the "Hermano Pedro ER" or Vitalmed in Antigua to see a doctor and get a prescription.

Question

what if i have a serious emergency?

Answer

You can use first responder emergency services by calling 1500 or +502 2290-2800. You can call the US Embassy American Citizen Services rep on duty if, for example, your passport is stolen or if you have a security incident, at +502 2326-4000. You can also let hotel staff know if you have an incident. Please let us know if you face any incidents, health or otherwise.

Question

what currency is accepted in Guatemala?

Answer

Guatemala's currency is the Quetzal (Q). While you could still use dollars (USD), we recommend using a local ATM to get Quetzales. We always use a debit or credit card without foreign transaction fees and always notify our bank in advance of our travel. Most establishments accept cards, but it's always recommended to have some cash available in Antigua. If you're coming for less than a week, you will probably be fine exchanging $40-$50 USD and paying the rest with your card (make sure to notify your bank!). Most hotels have ATMs, or can point you in the right direction if needed. We do not recommend exchanging USD at the airport as those are not the best rates. You can exchange at your hotel, please make sure to bring crisp, new bills. At the airport and within the city of Antigua & Guatemala City, you can use your credit card for restaurants, hotels, cafes, ticket booths, etc. You may want Quetzales on hand if you buy souvenirs or food from street vendors, otherwise you can pretty much rely on your credit card. For our non-Spanish-speaking amigos: card = tarjeta; cash = efectivo.

Question

should we tip?

Answer

You don't have to; it isn't customary. In restaurants, 10% is automatically included. At the hotel, at your discretion. You can tip the bell hop and other staff, but it is not necessary.

Question

i need a beer. what's available?

Answer

The local beer is Gallo. Antigua also has many craft beer options, including Antigua Cerveza, Cervecería 14, and San Roman. Check out one of the local breweries.

Question

can i drink the water?

Answer

To avoid traveler’s tummy, please avoid drinking tap water during your visit. Hotels should provide you with at least one bottle of water a day, but you will likely want to buy more bottled water at a bodega, try to avoid the bagged water as well. You will also see water tanks called EcoFiltros in hotels and restaurants. These have free, filtered water, so feel free to fill up your bottle with this water at any time. You should also feel confident to drink water from restaurants in Antigua (it will be filtered), but when in doubt, you can always ask. If you want to order a sparkling water, just ask for an “agua mineral", "agua pura" for still water. We’ve never had an issue in all the time's we've visited.

Question

what type of coffee roast is popular?

Answer

Anything but dark roast is popular. Guatemala is world renown for coffee. Each of the local cafes and roasters have their own character and unique espresso beans. Don't let their medium roast with the light flavor fool you, it is plenty strong.

Question

where is the nearest convenience store to buy water, snacks, etc?

Answer

Your hotel will have complimentary filtered water stations in different places. These stations also include coffee and tea in the mornings. The following Google Map will direct you to convenience stores nearby. You can also ask people in the hotel.

Question

what about those cute street dogs? can i pet?

Answer

Please don't! Guatemala does have some cases of rabies, which is quite serious. If you get bitten by a street dog, you will need to go to the ER to start a series of vaccines. If you don't go near them, they should also leave you alone, so no worries.

Question

what if i don't speak Spanish?

Answer

With all the international tourists in Antigua, you will find that most hotels and restaurants have staff that speak English. A common greeting in Guatemala is “buenas” instead of “hola” if it is the afternoon or evening. Many people in Guatemala, especially outside of Guatemala City, do not speak Spanish as their first language. There are 25 languages spoken in Guatemala. While Spanish is the official and most spoken language, there are 22 different Mayan languages and two other Indigenous languages - Garífuna and Xinca.

Question

what's the potty culture like?

Answer

In most places you are not supposed to flush toilet paper. Bidets aren't as common here. Guatemala's drainage and sewage system is not as advanced as those in the States. Please put your used TP in the trash can and do not flush it.

Question

what should i pack?

Answer

Besides your finest attire for our ceremony and reception, we would recommend keeping it pretty casual. Linen pants and dresses are great; but truly anything you would wear during the spring is perfect. We recommend a light jacket or sweater for the mornings and evenings. It can get very sunny during the day, so be sure to pack sunscreen and sunglasses. Antigua is also filled with cobblestone streets, so you will want to walk around with comfortable shoes. Feel free to bring typical spring/summer clothes that you will feel comfortable walking around in.