Destination Wedding Places — Things To Do In Antigua Guatemala Before and After the Wedding
by Aliisa Oake
Planning a wedding and searching for the best destination wedding places? Add Antigua Guatemala to your list.
Antigua Guatemala has become one of the most popular wedding destinations for couples and guests from all over the world. This UNESCO World Heritage city offers a unique combination of history, natural beauty, and local culture, making it an unforgettable setting for a destination wedding. Historic ruins, centuries-old churches, and open garden venues offer breathtaking and romantic backdrops — and are often priced at a more affordable price point than traditional destination wedding places in the U.S. or in Europe. Outside of the wedding venue itself, Antigua’s charming cobblestone streets, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, incredible volcanic scenery, and vibrant local culture create an experience that guests can enjoy throughout their stay. Antigua Guatemala is easy to fall in love with.
Choosing destination wedding places come with the challenge of finding things to do in Antigua Guatemala that your wedding guests will enjoy. From adventurous activities, romantic things to do, and activities for leisure time, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your time together. This blog post features De La Gente’s guide and 5-day Antigua Guatemala itinerary designed to help you discover the destination while celebrating a wedding day. This is your guide to help you make your wedding planning a little easier and make your guests’ time in Guatemala even more memorable.
The views of Catedral de San José from Parque Central in Antigua Guatemala
De La Gente’s Guide to One of the Best Destination Wedding Places | A 5-Day Travel Itinerary in Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala is an unforgettable destination for a wedding, but the celebration doesn’t need to begin and end with the ceremony. Colonial architecture, history, volcanic landscapes, delicious local-cuisine, and rich coffee-growing heritage give wedding guests plenty of options to choose from. Antigua offers wedding guests countless ways to experience Guatemala.
As you weigh your pros and cons lists of different destination wedding places, don’t forget to consider your guest experiences! In this travel itinerary featuring different things to do in Antigua Guatemala, your wedding guests are sure to have a great time before, during, and after your special day. Balance sightseeing with activities for leisure time, cultural experiences, adventurous activities, all with plenty of time to celebrate the happy couple. If you’re a guest trying to figure out your Guatemala itinerary, consider extending your trip into a 5-day travel experience — or more if time allows.
Day 1 - Arrive to Antigua Guatemala & Get Settled
Give yourself some time to settle in after traveling. Take in the beauty and charm that Antigua is known for. The city’s walkable cobblestone streets make it easy to spend your first afternoon exploring at your own pace. Spend the day doing some activities for leisure time.
Allow the restored covenants, hidden courtyards, and charming cafés draw you in. As you’re strolling around, stop at some of the landmarks Antigua is known for! Stop by the iconic Arco de Santa Catalina — the bright yellow 17th century arch that has become a symbol of the city. Take a pause and spend some time in Parque Central to sample some local treats from Doña María Gordillo, grab a coffee, people watch, and get familiar with the easy-to-navigate layout of Antigua.
Arco de Santa Catalina — the bright yellow 17th century arch that has become a symbol of the city.
Later in the evening, gather amongst each other for a casual welcome dinner! If you’re looking for Guatemalan cuisine, check out Los Tres Tiempos, which is known for its modern takes on traditional Guatemalan dishes and is located within beautiful gardens and terraces. Another restaurant venue that’s great for large groups and has incredible views is Casa Troccoli, known for its fusion between Italian and Guatemalan cuisines. This restaurant also has a special focus on events, so they can accommodate you with whatever needs you may have.
Day 2 - Discover Guatemalan Coffee & Cuisine | The Antigua Day Trip
Spend your second day in Antigua Guatemala with De La Gente! Join us on our Antigua Day Trip and experience Guatemala through coffee, cuisine, and culture. This full-day experience invites guests to the coffee-growing community of San Miguel Escobar to celebrate the heart of Guatemala through some of its most beloved traditions. Located just 15-minutes from the center of Antigua, you’ll spend time with a small-scale coffee producer and their family — gaining a deeper understanding of how coffee supports the families and farming communities surrounding Antigua.
Your day begins with a short drive from Antigua to San Miguel Escobar for a hands-on cooking class, where you’ll learn how to prepare traditional Guatemalan cuisine alongside a local cook. Prepare Guatemala’s famous dish, pepián, using fresh ingredients and learn about the traditions behind the meal. Sit down together and enjoy your lunch before heading out into the coffee fields located on the slopes of Agua Volcano for a coffee farm tour. Walk amongst the coffee plants and learn directly from a small-scale producer about what goes into producing the best Guatemalan coffee from bean to cup. The Antigua Day trip concludes with roasting coffee using an artisanal roasting method and enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee. This travel experience in Antigua Guatemala offers guests the opportunity to connect with local cuisine, traditions, and learn what makes Guatemala’s coffee culture special.
Keep your evening at a relaxed pace. If you’re in search of activities for leisure time after your Antigua Day Trip, head to El Bosque de Antigua Cerveza. Soak in the lush natural surroundings of this local beer garden while enjoying a meal and drinks in a laid-back outdoor setting. This is an easy way for wedding guests to unwind after a day of exploring Guatemala’s coffee and culinary traditions.
Day 3 - Activities for Leisure Time or Adventurous Activities for the Afternoon
On the day before the excitement of the wedding, you might want to take it slow with activities for leisure time, or look for more adventurous activities. After all, you are in Guatemala! You might as well experience some more of what the country has to offer.
For a relaxing day, some activities for leisure time:
The streets of Antigua never get old. And there’s always something to do, even if you just want to relax during your trip to Guatemala. The day before a wedding might call for a spa day. Some of the best-loved spas in and around Antigua offer a mix of luxury and nature-immersed wellness.
Casa Santo Domingo Spa is the best place to go if you’re looking for something with luxury. This full-service resort spa offers a variety of massage and spa options, along with hot tubs and saunas.
Healing Hands Therapy Spa is a unique location in town that’s led by certified physical therapists specializing in therapeutic massage, physical rehabilitation, and expert body work.
For a relaxing experience in nature, head up to Earth Lodge Tree House Spa located in the mountains, about a 15 minute drive away. Treatment rooms are built directly inside a giant tree with volcano views, massage therapy, and a traditional Mayan sauna, known as a temazcal.
If you want to stay a little more local, visit Casa Donya Boutique Hotel & Spa for their Recovery Spa, featuring a cold plunge and temazcal experience.
View of Fuego volcano throwing ashes from the streets of Antigua.
For an action-packed day, some adventurous activities:
Guatemala is a great place to visit if you’re looking for an outdoor adventure. If you want to spend some time in nature, there are many adventurous activities to choose from:
Book a Half-Day Pacaya Volcano Hike tour with one of the local tour agencies and trek up the active volcano. Hangout and take in the views as you roast marshmallows over volcanic heat vents.
Another hiking option is at Carmona Park Trails in San Juan del Obispo, which offers scenic walking paths through old coffee plantations, a dairy farm, and pine-oak forests, leading up to the viewpoint Cerro El Cucurucho.
If you have an extra day, we recommend embarking on the 2-day, 1-night trek to Acatenango Volcano and witness the eruptions of Fuego Volcano! It’s one of nature’s many wonders that draw people to visiting Guatemala.
Day 4 - The Wedding Day
It’s time for the big day! You’ve done all the work and decision making involved in coordinating with destination wedding places and welcoming your guests. It’s finally time to say “I do” and let the celebrations begin.
Encourage your guests to have a slow morning. Get a coffee from a local coffee shop in Antigua Guatemala and grab something to eat. There are many coffee shops to choose from, with each location offering different locally sourced coffees from Guatemala. Some of the most popular coffee shops that we recommend visiting for a great breakfast and a delicious cup of Guatemalan coffee are:
Fat Cat Coffee House - 4a Calle Ote. Antigua Guatemala
Artista de Café - Specialty Coffeeshop - 5ta Avenida Sur 34B
12 Onzas - 4a Calle Oriente
Siena Luz, coffee & bookshop - 6a Avenida Norte 34D
Fernando’s Kaffe - 7a Avenida Norte
Alegria Café - 7a Avenida Norte 2-2
Coffea Cafés Especiales - 6a Calle Oriente 18a
Guatemalan flags hanging outside popular restaurant in Antigua - La Cuevita de Los Urquizú
If you have some extra time while you’re out in town, pick up souvenirs in some of the smaller artisan markets in Antigua, like Mercado de Artesanías El Carmen or Mercado de Artesanías (Handicrafts Market Antigua). Other great places to check out for some last-minute shopping are Nim Po’t, Los Colores de La Tierra for jewelry, or Ek Chuah for chocolate. Return to your hotel or accommodation to get ready for the ceremony with plenty of time to spare.
The evening is what everyone’s been waiting for. Gather with your loved ones and make the evening one to remember. Whether your wedding venue is located in a historic ruin in Antigua or beneath the volcanoes, let the evening unfold with those who have traveled from near or far.
Day 5 - Farewell to Antigua or Stay a Little Longer
The morning after the excitement of the wedding, gather amongst friends and family for brunch. Share your favorite moments from the trip and spend time together before guests begin traveling home, or before the next adventure begins.
Don’t leave Guatemala without taking some coffee home with you! De La Gente’s community tourism experiences feature a 12oz bag of roasted coffee beans that guests can take home, but if you’re looking to buy some more, either head to a local coffee shop or reach out to us! We sell roasted coffee in the U.S., but if you’re from another country, it’s best to stock up while you’re in the area.
If your schedule allows, consider extending your trip beyond just 5 days. Guatemala offers much more to explore, such as visiting Lake Atitlán, Tikal and Flores, or Semuc Champey.
Volcanic landscape taken from San Lucas Tolíman, one of the towns surrounding Lake Atitlán
Choosing Destination Wedding Places in Guatemala? Antigua Guatemala Offers Adventurous Activities or Activities for Leisure Time — Any Option, For Any Guest
Narrowing your search between destination wedding places and choosing Guatemala means finding a location where you can enjoy the celebration and guests can feel comfortable. Antigua Guatemala offers the perfect setting for a destination wedding experience that also offers travel opportunities to explore Guatemala’s culture, coffee landscapes, and culinary traditions. Whether wedding guests want to spend their trip participating in activities for leisure time or joining in on adventurous activities outdoors, your travel experience to Guatemala will be unforgettable — especially when factoring in wedding celebrations.
