Frank Miele
Talia Miele de Troccoli
Frank Miele
Talia Miele de Troccoli
January 16, 2027
Schedule
Saturday, January 16, 2027
20th Anniversary Celebration!
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
11 2a Avenida Norte, Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez 03001, Guatemala
Cocktail attire, evenings temps in January tend to fall between 52°F and 58°F when the sun goes down. Daytime temps are beautiful at 72°F to 75°F.
There will be a traditional Guatemalan dinner served, so come hungry! (If you need a vegetarian option, please let us know as the food will have meat.)
Travel
Travel Note
Book a VRBO, Airbnb, or Booking.com to stay!
Airbnb.com VRBO.com Booking.com (Note: Antigua is VERY safe, even when walking at night. Be mindful as you would anywhere, but its a small town and generally safe.) We recommend booking a home rental rather than a hotel given the nature of the small town. But there are still some lovely hotels!
Travel Note
Shuttle (for 3+ people) from Guate City Aurora airport to Antigua
DO NOT USE TAXIS! There are safety risks. (Please note: It can take 1-1.5 hours to get from Guate City to Antigua, depending on traffic.)
Travel Note
Uber (1-2 ppl) from Guate City Aurora airport to Antigua
DO NOT USE TAXIS! There are safety risks. Uber is very safe and affordable in Guatemala. (Lyft doesn't operate in Guate.) But the cars tend to be smaller than in the U.S., so if there are more than 2-3 people with luggage, you may need 2 cars. (Please note: It can take 1-1.5 hours to get from Guate City to Antigua, depending on traffic.)
Travel Note
Fly into Guatemala City (La Aurora International)
Please see our recommendations for transport between the airport and Antigua. DO NOT USE TAXIS!
Things To Do
Lake Atitlán
You can safely arrange to take and Uber to Panajachel for this full day trip or to stay a couple of nights. (2.5 hour transportation time, one way.) It is the most beautiful lake created entirely by volcanos, which to this day surround its waters. You can rent a boat taxi to visit small towns around the lake, each of which has its own unique local shopping and food. Yoga and meditation retreats, Spa style hotels, as well as family hotels and activities are aplenty!
Hobbitenango
Great for kids of all ages! Close to Antigua and easy for an Uber to transport you there. They have an office in Antigua (3A Avenida Norte 20A), where you can arrange transportation and tickets as well. But, there web site is very easy to use!
De La Gente Coffee Farm (Finca) Tour and Tasting
(10-15 minute TukTuk or Uber ride from Parque Central) Guatemala has a dark history of exploitation of indigenous people for coffee exportation. De la Gente is an ethical co-op and we HIGHLY recommend the tour and experience! De la Gente is an NGO that operates primarily to empower small-scale indigenous coffee farmers. Instead of funneling profits to middlemen, they use a cooperative model. Their tours are guided by the farmers themselves, ensuring 100% of the proceeds and roasting premiums stay with the workers.
ChocoMuseo
This is a fun small (touristy) chocolate store and museum near the Parque Central, but their products are superb. Go in and sample everything, especially the cocoa tea! They have classes you can take from $15-$25 per person.
Casa del Jade
Incredible little museum with a quick tour for all ages! The jewelry store at the end of the tour is priced for tourists. See our recommended silver store where the owner and his father make the jewelry there. They can customize things for you as well!
Plateria Maya Silver Shop
This is the shop we recommend. He and his son have the best quality and prices in town!!!! They can do custom work in a few days depending on the ask.
Artisan market (market! )
(It is acceptable to bargain prices.) Great market!!!! Local artisan goods! But don't stop shopping at this one. There there is a huge market next to it which is the locals' version of a wal-mart! Its very safe, just as with any travel, mind your purse/pockets/wallet.
Mercado de Artesanias El Carmen
Another Local artisan market close to the venue.
Consejo Nacional De Protección De Antigua Guatemala
Shows all the different national ruins in Antigua. They all have a small entry fee but worth seeing and reading about the history.
Doña María Gordillo
Old Guatemalan candy store. ¿Por Qué No?! Give it a try!
Pollo Campero Calle del Arco
As two people who don't eat fast food, this is a whole other thing. Pollo Campero is part of the culture and the fried chicken is like nothing in the U.S.!
Acatenango Volcano Trek & Tour from Antigua 2D/1N
This is a 2 day one night hike. There are a few companies who lead these hikes. Here is another highly rated one: https://www.viator.com/tours/Antigua/Overnight-Volcano-Acatenango-Hiking-Adventure/d4599-14275P12
FAQs
Question
What type of shoes should I wear in Antigua?
Answer
(Note: Antigua is VERY safe, even when walking at night. Be mindful as you would anywhere, but its a small town and generally safe.) Comfortable footwear is paramount! The streets are cobblestone and the sidewalks are often uneven. If you wear sandals, try to make sure they have straps around your ankles for the best support. For the actual event, we recommend either changing to dress shoes/heels once you've arrived at the venue, or if you don't want to bring a pair to swap out, taking an uber/tuktuk to get there from your hotel.
Question
What kind of currency do I need?
Answer
Guatemala uses the Quetzal currency, names after our national bird. All major banks in the U.S. can exchange U.S. dollars for them. You can exchange once in Guatemala at banks and the airport, but the rate won't be as good and there can be surcharges. Things are very affordable compared to the U.S., and a little less expensive than when traveling to Mexico.
Question
Should I bring my stroller?
Answer
Definitely don't. Again, the roads are cobblestone and the side walks are narrow and uneven.
Question
Can I drink the water?
Answer
It isn't safe to drink the water from the tap in Guatemala. However there is very easy access to bottled water and all restaurants only use water that is safe to prepare food and beverages.
Question
Where can I get basic groceries?
Answer
La Bodegona. 27 4ta. Calle Poniente, Poniente 27, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala http://www.labodegona.com.gt/ There are also many small mini marts throughout the town for water small snacks ect. (Note: Antigua is VERY safe, even when walking at night. Be mindful as you would anywhere, but its a small town and generally safe.)
Question
What are some local customs and info I may want to know?
Answer
-Everyone always greets each other in Antigua as you pass on the sidewalk. "Buenos días", "buenas tardes o noches" is great! -When eating at a restaurant they will not bring you the check until you ask for it. "La cuenta por favor." -Tipping is appreciated at restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc., usually 5%-10% is great. -US dollar isn't widely accepted, but credit cards are accepted at most shops and restaurants.
Question
How should I dress in Antigua?
Answer
Its generally very casual dress in Antigua, but people are "put together". Wear layers as it can be warm in the afternoon and cool in the evening. For the Anniversary : Cocktail attire! Let's have some fun with this!
Question
What foods should I be sure to try?
Answer
Local food we love and recommend: *Pupusas *Enchiladas (more like a Mexican tostada) *Desayuno Tipico (typical breakfast) *Tamales *Guacamol *Rellenitos *Horchata (very different from Mexican horchata) *Salpicon de res *Chorizo (not like Mexican chorizo) *Text us at any time for recs!