Hotel
Hotel Casa Santo Domingo has two locations- the main location is the hotel which is in the heart of Antigua and the second location El Cerro, is on the top of the mountain, which is where our wedding will take place. We will be staying at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. (If you are interested in staying at the hotel please use our discount code!) This is also the most famous and beautiful hotel in Antigua known for their beautifully preserved ruins!
Discount Code - https://bit.ly/Boda_Castillo-Gonzalez
Travel Note
Plan on arriving Thursday, December 26th or Friday, December 27th so that you can enjoy a weekend in Antigua, Guatemala. It's a charming colonial town with lots to see!
Travel Note
You will fly to La Aurora Airport, in Guatemala City, which is about 1.5 - 2 hours from Antigua. From there, there are a few ways you can get to Antigua, 1. Book your seat on a shuttle bus from "Antigua Tours" https://antiguatours.net/shuttles/ 2. Rent a car in advance from the airport. 3. Take an Uber/taxi to Antigua. Uber or taxi fares to Antigua are approx. $75-$90 4. If you are more adventurous, feel free to jump in a shuttle bus at the airport!
Travel Note
We recommend exchanging $USD/Euros to Guatemalan Quetzales at the airport as some places such as markets and local stores do not accept cards. Credit cards and/or dollars are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and larger stores. **Pro-tip for American Express lovers** We recommend bringing a Master Card or Visa as Amex is not accepted in some places.
Travel Note
Alternatively, we also recommend some of our favorite hotels in Antigua, -Mezon Panza Verde -Pensativo House Hotel -El Convento -Villa Bokeh -Camino Real Antigua (Westin). You can also find affordable accommodations such as Selina or an Airbnb. Airbnb offers GREAT "gems" that you could check-out! If booking an Airbnb, we recommend that you book one that is located in Antigua Center, otherwise you won't be able to walk everywhere.
Travel Note
We recommend staying in Antigua for the weekend. Some things to do in Antigua are: 1. Hike "Volcan de Pacaya" (this would be a half-day activity) 2. Visit "Museo del Jade" 3. Walk el "Parque Central", visit "La Catedral", walk "La Calle del Arco" (most famous street) 4. Take an authentic Guatemalan cooking class. Check them out Viator.com! https://www.viator.com/Antigua-tours/Cooking-Classes/d4599-g6-c19 5. Visit the markets for souvenirs. 6. If you like jewerly, we love "Xibalba".
Travel Note
Some of our favorite coffee spots are: -Cafe Boheme -El Viejo Cafe -Starbucks ( ...but seriously, it's one of the most beautiful Starkbucks you will ever see!) Some our favorite restaurants are: -Osteria Di Francesco -Bistro Cinco -Panza Verde - Nifunifa - Nana (+ visit the vintage clothing store inside) Some of Julio's favorite bars are: -Charleston Antigua -Antigua Brewing Company (perfect for the sunset!) -Bar Ulew (a speakeasy bar located inside Antigua Brewing Company) -Cafe No Se (a mystic bar perfect to end the night; this is Julio's favorite bar in the world, yes in the world!)
Travel Note
1. LAKE ATITLÁN (one of the most beautiful lakes in the world! ) 2-3 day trip You can drive or take a shuttle bus from Antigua. The trip by car is approx a 2.5-3 hour drive from Antigua; and a 3 to 4.5 hour shuttle bus ride. Towns to stay/explore: -Panajachel (main/touristy town) -San Marcos (yoga, meditation, coffees, restaurants, chill town, our favorite) -San Pedro (party town) -San Juan (artistic town). 2. ISLA DE FLORES & TIKAL To explore the Mayan ruins 3-4 day trip You can take a flight from Guatemala City to Isla de Flores ($125-$200 and it's a 45 min plane ride). We recommend staying in Isla de Flores where you can find many restaurants, bars, coffee spots, and shops. To get to the Tikal ruins you will need to rent a car or take a shuttle to Tikal which is 1 hour away from Isla de Flores. Sightseeing the Tikal ruins is a full day activity. Plan on bringing comofrtable clothing, shoes, and bring snacks with you. In our opinion, the Tikal ruins are like no other Mayan ruins in the world as they are in the middle of the jungle. 3. GUATEMALA CITY It's approx. a 1.5-2 hour drive from Antigua by car or shuttle bus. 4. SEMUC CHAMPEY (a must-see natural wonder in Guatemala) A natural limestone bridge full of exotic pools, you can also go caving. It is approx. a 6-8 drive from Antigua, and 8-10 hours by shuttle bus. **Pro-tip for drivers: rent a 4"x4" car (it's necessary!)** 5.El PAREDÓN (a surf beach town) It's approx. a 1.5 hour drive from Antigua, and a 2.5 hour ride by shuttle bus.