Antigua Guatemala tour for cruise passengers: Santa Catalina Arch

Colonial architecture and the Santa Catalina Arch in one morning

A five-hour guided tour of Antigua Guatemala designed for cruise passengers, with bilingual guide, cathedral entry and land transportation included. You walk the main square past the Captain's Palace and City Hall, photograph the Santa Catalina Arch on its namesake street, see the Baroque detail of La Merced Church, and end at Casa Santo Domingo, a restored convent now a hotel set among ruins where you can rest and eat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Santa Catalina Arch1h · entry included
2. Casa Santo Domingo1h · entry included

Explore Antigua Guatemala highlights

• Sightseeing in main square
• Visit Santa Catalina Arch
• Admire colonial architecture
• Relax and lunch at Casa Santo Domingo

The experience

The tour starts in Antigua's central square, where the guide points out the Captain's Palace, City Hall and Cathedral: the colonial core that earned this city its UNESCO designation. From there you move to Santa Catalina street, where the famous arch frames the Agua volcano in the distance and gives you time to photograph it properly. The guide walks you through the neighborhoods where the architecture shifts, showing the Mayan decoration woven into the stonework (corn and cacao motifs carved into the facades) before stopping for pictures.

The route ends at Casa Santo Domingo, a sixteenth-century convent converted into a hotel and restaurant built into the ruins themselves. This is where you can sit down, order lunch or a drink, and move at your own pace for the rest of the morning. The guide is bilingual in English and Spanish, and pickup from your ship is included, so you do not arrange your own transport back to the port.

What’s included

• Bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• cathedral entry.
• land transportation from the port and back to your ship.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 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 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Guate Tours by Nelson.

Is this one for you?Book this if your ship docks at Puerto Quetzal and you need to return within five hours. The tour includes pickup and drop-off timed to your departure window.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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.

How much time do I have to walk around on my own?

Casa Santo Domingo is where the tour concludes and you have time to relax there. The guide builds in stops for photographs at the Santa Catalina Arch and along the colonial streets, but the pace is set by the group itinerary for the first part of the morning.

What is the Santa Catalina Arch?

The Santa Catalina Arch is the iconic stone gateway on the street of the same name, famous for framing the Agua volcano in photographs and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Antigua.

Will I have time for lunch?

Yes, the tour ends at Casa Santo Domingo, where you can order food and drinks at the hotel restaurant. Lunch is not included in the tour price, but the time to eat there is built into the schedule.

What if I need to get back to the ship by a certain time?

The tour is five hours total and includes the return transport to your ship, so you know the endpoint. Let the guide know your ship departure time when you meet, and the pickup timing is arranged around it.

Is the walking difficult?

The tour covers cobblestone streets and colonial neighborhoods with regular stops. All areas are wheelchair accessible and the tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.