La Antigua is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in Guatemala. Antigua's streets are mostly laid out in a rectangular grid, aligned with the compass, with the Parque Central as an origin point. North-south roads are Avenidas, numbered from 1 to 9, from east to west. The Avenidas are further divided into Sur (south) and Norte (north). East-west roads are Calles or streets, numbered from 1 to 7, from south to north. The Calles are further divided into Oriente (east) and Poniente (west).

Tourist Offices
The Inguat Tourist Office is on the south-east side of the Parque Central. Open until 5 pm Monday to Saturdays. Closed Sundays.

Dangers and Annoyances
If you leave the tourist-areas or if you walk the streets at night, there is a considerable risk of being robbed. Especially during the time when the night and the morning shifts of the police change guard. Almost all bars and restaurants will be happy to call you a taxi. Asking the bar staff to call the taxi for you can be a good idea since they tend to know the drivers they are calling. If you plan to visit sights like "La Cruz" outside town, make sure you go with an officer of the tourist police who accompany tourists there at least once a day.

Around and closeby
Going up the active Volcán Pacaya is quite easy and you will find dozens of travel agents who will be very happy to sell you tickets. Going up Volcán Acatenango is an entirely different story. You need to be fit, carry gear and have to take precautions against altitude sickness. Most people who do this trip spend the night on the mountain. Currently there are two outfits in Antigua who offer trips up Acatenango.

Sightseeing
The whole city is full of historic buildings, monuments, fountains and ruins. It's worth visiting La Catedral, El Palacio de los Gobernadores, Convento de Capuchinas, Convento de Santa Clara and the Handicrafts Market. The Parque Central is in the centre of town. The park is a city block in size, with concentric circular walkways threading among trees and a fountain in the centre The trees are decorated with lights, and there are plenty of benches for sitting and people-watching. The Inguat tourist agency, the city hall and police office, the cathedral, and several banks and tourist businesses line the four sides of the park. Many Antiguans hang out in the park, and it has a pleasant, bustling, friendly feel day and night.

Getting there
Located just 45km west of Guatemala City, you can get here in 45-60 minutes from La Aurora Airport. You can also catch a crowded chicken bus from Guatemala City. The Antigua bus station is beside the market, three blocks west of the plaza. There are shuttle vans directly from the airport to Antigua. These leave regularly all day until 8pm. You don't need to pre-arrange anything; just show up. With a charter tourist van the driver will meet you at the airport with your name on a sign. For first-time visitors, the convenience and security of arranging a van like this might be worth the cost.

Getting around
Antigua is very compact and easy to walk around. Most tourist destinations are in an 8-by-8 block area less than 1km across. You can walk across it in 15 minutes. Tuk-tuks and taxis can take you to destinations within the city centre, negotiate the fare with the driver in advance. Flag down a cruising tuk-tuk, or pick up a taxi from the queue at Parque Central.