• Antigua - Antigua Guatemala, often simply called Antigua or la Antigua, is a city nestled in the central highlands of Guatemala. It is renowned for its well-preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture and numerous colonial church ruins. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala, it is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Cathedral de Santiago - Known also as The Parish of San José, the Cathedral of Antigua Guatemala began construction in 1542. It was among the first structures built following the destruction of the initial Guatemala capital in the Almolonga valley, with its inauguration taking place in 1545.

The initial construction of the Cathedral of San José utilized stones and rubble from the first capital of Guatemala. Although inaugurated in 1545, its construction faced multiple interruptions over the years due to frequent earthquakes and challenges in transporting building materials.

Due to material quality and engineering issues, the church was demolished in 1668. A new cathedral construction commenced on April 7, 1669, led by Juan Pascual and architect José de Porres, with assistance from engineer and sculptor Martin de Andújar Cantos, renowned for his religious sculptures. The project concluded in 1680.

• The Plaza Central Park - Parque Central, as old as the city itself, continues to evolve while the rest of the city seems frozen in time. Today, it is a prime spot for people-watching and a popular gathering place for both locals and tourists.

From the city’s founding, the plaza was intended as the hub of social life. Historians long believed that Italian architect Juan Bautista Antonelli designed the city’s layout, though historical records suggest otherwise, as Antonelli never visited the Americas. Regardless, the founders envisioned the capital in the classic colonial Spanish style, with the main plaza at the center of a grid layout.

• Iglesia de San Francisco El Grande - When Franciscan missionaries arrived in Guatemala from Spain in 1530, they were assigned 120 villages by civil authorities. They were the first to settle in the Panchoy Valley in 1541, where they constructed a church at the current site of the School of Christ (Escuela de Cristo). This chapel suffered severe damage in 1565, prompting a decade-long fundraising effort to build a new sanctuary two blocks away in 1579. Parts of this construction, possibly the only ones in Antigua dating back to the 16th century, can still be seen at one side of today’s sanctuary. San Francisco el Grande became a significant religious and cultural hub for the region. San Buenaventury College, located in today’s monastery ruins, offered courses in theology, law, philosophy, physics, and mathematics. The college also supported colonial-era painters like Cristóbal de Villalpando, Thomas de Merlo, and Alonzo de la Paz.
• Arco de Santa Catalina - The Santa Catalina Arch is a prominent landmark in Antigua Guatemala, located on 5th Avenue North. Built in the 17th century, it originally connected the Santa Catalina convent to a school, allowing cloistered nuns to move between buildings without venturing onto the street. A clock was added atop the arch during the Central American Federation era in the 1830s.
• Iglesia de La Merced - The Mercedarians were the first to establish a male monastery in the former Santiago de Guatemala. The stone cross in the atrium and the rooms behind the main altar are the oldest structures in La Merced, dating back to the 17th century. In 1749, Juan de Dios Estrada was tasked with constructing the luxurious sanctuary and cloister. He designed a low-rise building to withstand earthquakes, drawing on lessons from the 1751 tremor. The arches and columns are wider to better endure quakes. It was completed in 1767.
• Jade Maya - The original Jade factory, museum & showroom - Jadeite jade was discovered around 3,000 years ago by the Olmecs, an early Mesoamerican culture. They became skilled lapidary artists, carving jade into exquisite statues, ceremonial ornaments, and ritual objects. Their descendants, the Maya, used jade as ornaments and jewelry for nobles and priests. Other cultures, such as the Aztecs, continued to work with jade until the Spanish Conquest.

The Ancient Maya, known for building large cities, extensive trade networks, and developing an accurate calendar, also revered jade as their most prized possession. Only the wealthy and powerful could afford to wear jade in life and the afterlife. The love for jade and knowledge of its source was lost to the Americas during the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards influenced the ancient cultures to value gold, leading to jade being forgotten in the Americas for over 400 years.

• Local guide
• Bottled water
• Professional driver/guide
• Port pickup and drop-off

• Food and drinks
• Gratuities

Explore the attractions of Antigua City, including shopping, volcanoes, and colonial architecture, on this 6-hour tour. Begin your journey in air-conditioned comfort from the port as you embark on your Guatemalan adventure. As you travel to Antigua City, your guide will share fascinating insights about the city, its native culture, and history. Enjoy the scenic countryside with stunning views of the renowned volcanoes. This excursion offers numerous opportunities for capturing memorable photos.

• At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
• Minimum age is 18 years
• Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
• Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date but not full refund
• The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.