What does Antigua Guatemala mean in English?
Antigua Guatemala means “Old Guatemala” and was the third capital of Guatemala.
What is Antigua Guatemala known for?
Antigua Guatemala is noted chiefly for the ruins of colonial edifices that make it a museum of Spanish colonial history. The University of San Carlos (1676), one of the first universities in Central America, was established in Antigua; the building now houses the Museum of Colonial Art.
Is Antigua Guatemala dangerous?
Overall, however, Antigua is a safe spot in a dangerous continent. In 2018, 42 of the world’s 50 most violent cities were in Latin America, so the biggest safety issue facing overland travellers is where to go next and how to get there in one piece.
What does Antigua Guatemala mean and for whom is it a popular destination?
What does“Antigua Guatemala” mean, and for whom is it a popular destination? Antigua Guatemala means ‘Ancient Guatemala’; it is a popular destination for international travelers.
What was Antigua Guatemala once called?
Antigua Guatemala, a city in the central highlands of Guatemala, has a long history of disasters. Originally called Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, it was the country’s first capital, founded in 1524.
When was Antigua Guatemala destroyed?
Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, was founded in the early 16th century. Built 1,500 m above sea-level, in an earthquake-prone region, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins.
Is Antigua Guatemala worth visiting?
Antigua Guatemala has fast become one of Central America’s most popular cities, and for good reason. A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, Antigua pulses with activity and boasts awe-inspiring architecture, absorbing culture and seriously impressive views.
Are mosquitoes bad in Antigua?
There were a lot of concerns about chikungunya, a mosquito borne virus which has been reported in Antigua. The type of mosquito that carries the virus is active during the daytime, so protection and insect repellents should be used all the time, rather than just at dawn and dusk.
What is the national drink of Guatemala?
Gallo, a medium-strength lager, is the most popular beer in Guatemala, indeed many Guatemalan men consider it the national drink, and the brewer promotes it as “Nuestra Cerveza” (our beer).
Is it safe to walk around Antigua Guatemala?
Antigua Guatemala is known to be a ‘pretty safe‘ city within the Latin American backpacker trail, and while this is true, that doesn’t mean crime doesn’t occur. Muggings and pickpocketing happen more frequently than you might think, but if you keep your wits about you there’s no reason to feel wary.
Why is Guatemala so dangerous?
According to the US Department of State, Guatemala’s high murder rate is caused by four principal factors: an increase in drug trafficking; a growing prevalence of gang-related violence; a heavily armed civilian population; and a weak and incompetent police/judicial system.
Is Guatemala safe in 2020?
Despite having a reputation for crime, Guatemala is generally safe to visit. For example, most violent crime is gang-related i.e. only affects locals living in certain areas. As such, the chances of a tourist becoming a victim are unlikely. And a fair few foreign tourists DO visit Guatemala.
How do you get around Antigua Guatemala?
By Shuttle — The most common way to get to and from Antigua is on a minivan shuttle. Several companies operate regular minivan shuttles between Antigua and most major tourist destinations, including the airport, downtown Guatemala City, Lake Atitlán, and Chichicastenango.
Are there beaches in Antigua Guatemala?
Antigua Guatemala is the small city of Guatemala lying in the southern region of the country. Since Guatemala’s shoreline stretches along 440km there are a lot of popular beaches close to Antigua Guatemala that are amazing in their picturesque views and high tides perfect for surfing and diving.
How do you get to Antigua Guatemala?
The main ways you can get from Guatemala City to Antigua are:
- Uber.
- Airport Taxi.
- Book a private driver.
- Take a shared shuttle.
- Book the CA Express.
- Use public transport (AKA the chicken bus)