Guatemala > Antigua

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Food & Drink

Specialty Foods
Sabe Rico
6 Av Sur #7, between 5th and 6th Calle, open from 7 to 7 daily. Sandwiches, salads, bread, soup and desserts.  All natural/organic, prepared fresh daily. Perfect for putting together a picnic!

Deliciosa
3 Calle Ponente #2
Need some comfort food from home? You can find everything from Haribo gummy bears to Beck’s beer at this specialty import grocery store. Don’t leave without trying a chocolate from Chocotenango, the gourmet chocolate shop in the back of the store.

Ceviche
Originally from Peru, this dish is a local favorite. From street vendors to fancy restaurants, you can find it almost everywhere. Fresh seafood cooked with lime and garnished with onions, tomatoes and cilantro, this plate is supposed to have aphrodisiac qualities. At El Pelicano Dorado (Calzada Santa Lucia) you can choose between shrimp, fish or clam while enjoying Giffity, a Garifuna drink. (Thursday through Saturday catch the local dancers perform live to Garifuna drums)

Pupusas
El Papaturro, Rincon Salvadoreño
3a Calle #4, open Tuesday through Saturday from 12– 10:00 pm and Sundays from 12 - 8:00pm
The ever-popular pupusas – a typical El Salvadoreño dish of corn tortillas filled with cheese or pork and topped with cabbage and salsa- can be found at El Papaturro. Try a margarita while you are there – they, too, are some of the best in town.

Cocktails
Cafe Habana
6a Avenida Norte, close to La Merced - just look for the cigar smoking mannequin in the doorway!
Known for their top-notch mojitos. Stop by on a Saturday night for live music.

Hangover Cure
La Michaelada - a mix of beer, lime, salt, pepper, Tabasco and tomato juice - is sure to heal even the most severe hangover out there and the best place to have one is at the Sky Bar (1a Avenida Sur, see Best Rooftop Bar) while taking in the fabulous view of Antigua from the rooftop terrace.

Sweets
Ask any Antigueno about Guatemala’s typical sweets and they will send you to Dona Maria Gordillo Dulces Tipicos (4a Calle Oriente #11). This small store has been around for a long time and sells local delicacies like Canillitas de Leche, Nuegano, Dulce de Tamarindo, y Dulce de Coco.

Icecream
La Tienda de Doña Gavi
3a Avenida Norte #2, around the corner from Posada del Angel, open 11:30am – 6:30pm.
Dona Gavi serves up the best – and most unique – icecream in Antigua. Choose from avacado, corn, fig, cherry, lemon, and other local fruit flavors. The mango icecream is incredible. In fact, it is a treat just to meet Dona Gavi and explore her store. Cones are 16Q.

Salsa Lessons
Mi Destino
1a Ave Sur #17, 5536-1408, gvillalta@yahoo.com
Salsa lessons with Gloria, group class Mon thru Fri and private lessons, speaks fluent English and French Salsa Buena Q80 for 1 class, discounts for multiple classes. Classes daily by appointment for individuals, couples and groups.

English Books
Hamlin and White
4a calle east #12-A, inside Jades S.A., open every day 9 am to 6:30 pm, 7832-7075
Good selection of travel guides, newspapers, magazines and new English books

Dyslexia
1a Ave Sur, beside Café No Se
Decent selection of used english books. If they are in good condition, they'll buy them back from you when you're done.

People & Places

Roof Top Bar
Café Sky
Corner of 1 Avenida Sur and 6 Calle open daily 8am--11 pm
Perfect to watch the sun set. Check out the “Going Out” Section for more on Café Sky.

Afternoon Escape
Centro de Formación de la Cooperación Española
6ª avenida Norte between 3a and 4a calles poniente, 7832-1268.
If the shopping and cobblestones are getting the best of you, duck in to the Cooperación Española. The big red building just west of Central Park takes up almost a whole city block and is a true oasis. Rest in the gardens, explore the newly renovated building or check out the art exhibits.

Internet
Conexion
4ta Calle Oriente #14, in the back corner of the plaza behind el Fuente restaurant, open weekdays 8am to 10 pm and weekends 8:30 to 7pm
Conexion has the best connection, best equipped computers, and the most comfortable environment for checking email or doing business-- and the prices are competitive at just Q5 an hour or Q10 an hour for computers that offer more complete business services.

Gym
Antigua Gym
www.antiguasgym.ajaw.org; 6a Calle Poniente #31; 7832 7554; Day pass Q25; Weekly Q90 Weights, spinning, aerobics, tae-bo and pilates; Open daily, check website for class schedules.

Yoga
Rae Ishee holds classes in various locations including the galleries at Panza Verde and El Sitio. Email her at raeishee@yahoo.com for the latest schedule.

Outdoor Excursions
Biking - Village Bike Tour with Old Town Outfitters - absolutely the best way to explore the area around Antigua. There are some fabulous vistas, and the guides are knowledgable about the area. Tour loops through the southern side of Antigua, visiting six different villages and a macadamia nut farm. US$30.

Fishing - Guatemala's Pacific Coast is the deep sea fisherman's dream. It is known to have some of the best sailfishing in the world, with fishermen catching on average 25 sailfish a day during the season and an occasional marlin. If this is up your alley get ready to splurge - trips run close to US$1,000 a day. Day trips from Antigua can be arranged as well as multi-day excursions.Check out the following websites for more information: http:www.guatbilladv.com or http://www.greatsailfishing.com

Salons:
Skin Deep Day Spa and Salon
1a Ave Sur #15 - first floor of Sky Cafe
Full range of treatments from pedicures to brazilian waxes. Keep in mind that beauty treatments are not a Guatemalan specialty -- its called a Brazilian for a reason! Massages also available as well as Couple Spa Packages. A reasonably priced option. 1/2 hour massage Q100.

Las Mariposas Relax Center
mariposasrelaxctr@yahoo.com; 7832 3068; Calle de Los Remedios, Residenciales San Jose II; 2 blocks South of La Escuela de Cristo at the south end of town.
If you are looking for professional treatments, this is the place to come in Antigua. Run by Tiffany, who is a native of Southern California. Treatments range from Deep Cleansing Facials to Hand and Foot Reflexology. Contact her in advance for an appointment.

Haircut
Porahi Salon de Belleza Unisex
5a calle Poniente #6, 56727596, on the north side of the street inside a travel agency.
If you just can’t wait until you get home for a haircut, Doña Roly is the one to visit. She will entertain you with stories of her life in Guatemala while she trims your hair—all for 30Q. A wash is 10Q extra. No appointment needed.