Antigua Guatemala Private Tour from Guatemala City: 5 hours

Five hours covers the colonial heart of Antigua without eating the whole day.

A private half-day tour of Antigua Guatemala departing from Guatemala City at 8am or 2pm, with a live guide in English or Spanish and private transportation included. The route moves through the UNESCO-listed colonial city's main landmarks (Casa Santo Domingo, La Merced Church, San José Parish, Central Park and the Arch of Santa Catalina), and ends at the Crafts Market and Jade Museum before returning to Guatemala City by 1pm or 7pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Central Park Antigua1h
2. La Merced Church30m

Half day tour of Antigua Guatemala

• Depart Guatemala City at 08:00 a.m.
• Visit Casa Santo Domingo hotel and Museum
• Explore main streets and monuments of Antigua
• See Parish of San José
• Visit Church of La Merced
• Walk along Calle del Arco and see Arch of Saint Catherine
• Visit Plaza Mayor (Central Park)
• Stop at Jade Museum and Crafts Market
• Return to Guatemala City

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from Guatemala City and heads to Antigua, a colonial city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The first stop is Casa Santo Domingo, a former Dominican convent that now houses a museum, setting the tone for what follows: baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, and the natural frame of surrounding volcanoes. From there, the route moves through the main streets and monuments that define the city.

Central Park (the Plaza Mayor) sits at the heart of Antigua, ringed by colonial buildings and the place where daily life still unfolds around history. The Cathedral of San José, formally known as the Parish of San José, rises with its imposing 17th-century baroque facade. La Merced Church follows: its yellow and white facade, layered with reliefs and ornamental detail, is one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. The Arch of Santa Catalina, built in the 17th century to let nuns cross between buildings unseen, has become the most recognized symbol of Guatemalan colonial heritage and the most iconic postcard shot in Antigua.

The tour wraps at the Crafts Market and Jade Museum before the return journey to Guatemala City. A guide fluent in English or Spanish walks the route with you, and private transportation handles both the drive from the city and movement between stops. The morning departure leaves at 8am and returns by 1pm. The afternoon option departs at 2pm and returns by 7pm, so you can fit it around the rest of your day in the capital.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Guatemala City.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• entry to Casa Santo Domingo museum.
• access to all landmarks and stops including Central Park, La Merced Church, San José Parish, the Arch of Santa Catalina, the Crafts Market and Jade Museum.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 14:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 89 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by JAGUAR TRAVELS

Is this one for you?The five-hour window fits neatly into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day in Antigua, so you can spend the rest of your time in Guatemala City or move on to another destination.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Arch of Santa Catalina and why is it so famous in Antigua?

The Arch of Santa Catalina is a 17th-century stone archway built to connect a nuns' convent with an adjoining building, allowing the nuns to cross without being seen from the street. Today it is the most recognized symbol of the city and the most iconic image of Guatemalan colonial heritage, appearing on countless postcards and photographs of Antigua.

Does the tour include lunch or meals?

The tour does not include lunch. You visit the Crafts Market and Jade Museum at the end, but food is not part of the package.

What time does the tour depart and return?

The tour offers two departure times from Guatemala City: 8am, returning by 1pm, or 2pm, returning by 7pm. Your guide and private transportation are included in both options.