Antigua Guatemala

Antigua was a really nice experience! The arrival was a bit stressful as the whole city was closed for traffic (this is a feature in several countries over weekends during the period leading up to Easter) for processions and festivities. There we were with a car, and a hotel we wanted to stay in, and no way to get there. In the end we told the police they would have to let us through as we had a reservation. And they kindly opened the barriers for us, but only after we convinced them that the hotel had a car park. Once we parked the car, we didn't move it again for a few days.

Some Costa Rica friends told us that one of the places we absolutely had to visit is Casa Santa Domingo, which is a museum and a hotel. We went there for dinner, and it was a great meal of typical Guatemalan food - Chapín Guatemala. Overall the food was outstanding in Antigua and we took the opportunity to try a few different dishes. The chapín we ate was based around a big piece of steak. We tried Pepían chicken stew from Antigua and Jocón chicken stew with chipilín tamal from Huehuetenango. A lot of time was spent eating!

The city has cobblestones on the streets, which makes it rather uncomfortable to drive around. There are also way too many cars, mixed up with motorbikes and tuc-tucs. During rush hours the place is polluted and very noisy. It is also full of craft traders walking the streets offering their products. And then there is the beautiful nature, with volcanoes and mountains full of forests. The streets are lined by jacaranda trees, and the buildings are colonial. All together a lovely place to spend a few days. We were there for four nights, after having planned for three.

The evening before we left we were told that we may not be able to go as there were roadblocks everywhere due to a protest against a government proposal to implement a compulsory third party insurance policy for all vehicles. At first glance it was hard to see how this could create such a reaction, but after learning the reasons people had, it was clear that if insurance companies never pay out, and there is a compulsory insurance then people would lose! The government backed down during the evening, and we left Antigua the morning after to arrive safely in Guatemala City about one hour later.

We bought a couple of souvenirs in Antigua. It was extremely hard to resist all the pretty items for sale, and we really do like the country.