Fly into Guatemala City's International Airport "La Aurora" (Airport Code: GUA)

Direct flights from the US into GUA:
- United: Houston (IAH), Chicago (ORD), and Los Angeles (LAX)
- American: Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Miami (MIA)
- JetBlue: New York (JFK) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
- Delta: Atlanta (ATL)
- Alaska, Frontier and Spirit also offer flights

We recommend booking your flight ASAP because flight prices are typically better earlier in the year.

We STRONGLY recommend you book the round-trip shuttle from-and-to the airport ahead of your trip.
Cabs and Ubers are NOT considered safe.

Private Shuttle - Sabrina Transportes: +502 3910-6792

Cost: $25 per person each way
To book, reach out to the contact above using WhatApp and indicate you're booking a shuttle for the Black-Ruiz Wedding in Antigua Guatemala on Nov 9th.
Payment will in cash / in person once you land.

The ride from the City to Antigua takes 1.5 - 2.5hrs depending on traffic.
If you need ground transportation to other Guatemala destinations, they can also accommodate but will quote you their pricing.

Planning your trip:
- If you plan to visit only Antigua Guatemala, we recommend flying in Friday and depart Monday. This will allow you to settle in Friday, get Saturday to explore and attend the welcome cocktail, attend the wedding on Sunday, and fly back Monday.
- If you plan to visit Antigua Guatemala + another destination like Lake Atitlan we recommend adding 3-4 days to your trip.

Cell-Service:
- We recommend you enable international roaming on your phone.
- Locals use "WhatsApp" to communicate (this is an internet based messaging app). We recommend downloading for coordination purposes with the wedding planner and the wedding shuttle. Link to download below.

Before departure:
- Make sure you have your passport ready!
- Fill out the Travel Form linked at the bottom of this section before departing the US. Once the form is completed, you will get a QR code. You will need this QR code at the Guatemala airport.

Once you land:
- Immigration: Once you deplane, follow the signs to immigration. The immigrations officer will stamp your passport and you can proceed to pick-up bags.
- Customs: Once you've picked-up your bag, you must show the Customs QR code and you will be either sent to the exit or bag scanning. This is a random selection, no need to worry!
- Airport exit & locating your transportation: A lot of Guatemalan families wait outside the exit door for their relatives, please proceed to the exit doors. If you booked the wedding shuttle, look for the "Black / Ruiz Wedding" sign. If you booked separately, get instructions from the shuttle company ahead of time. If you can't locate your shuttle, come back inside and contact the shuttle company.

Return Trip:
- Coordinate your hotel pick-up time with the shuttle company. It's recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2.5hrs in advance of you flight departure.
- Airport Lounges: Priority Pass "Casa del Ron" lounge and AMEX "BAC" Lounge

Currency:
- Bring some cash with you! We recommend flying with at least some cash in case you need it when you land. US dollars are okay to pay for the shuttle.
- Hotels and restaurants will take credit cards but you will need local currency (GTQ - Quetzales) for markets and/or small snacks. The easiest is to withdraw from an ATM at your hotel once you get to Antigua. You can also request it in advance at a major US bank before you travel.

Antigua has a great food scene, here's some different cuisine options.


Tartines

French restaurant in a beautiful terrace from renowned Chef Jean-Francois Desmoulins. Reservations recommended.

Meson Panza Verde

International cuisine in beautiful house with a cocktail speakeasy "The Blue Room" located in basement. Reservations recommended.

Patio de la Primera

Lively patio with Italian and international cuisine.

El Patio de Clios

Beautiful patio with international cuisine, great ambiance, and cocktails.

Located at Villa Las Mil Flores hotel.

Santo Espiritu

Elevated Italian cuisine restaurant in a beautiful location.

Bistrot Cinq

Cozy bistro from an American chef.

Once:Once

Great vegan restaurant with good drinks.

Kombu Ramen

Casual ramen spot.

Pappy's Bbq

If you really miss Texas... casual bbq spot from a Texas local.

El Comalote

Guatemalan restaurant where you can learn about the most important staple of Guatemalan cuisine, corn.

Frida's

Mexican cuisine on the main arch street.

La Cuevita de los Urquizu

Street food style joint to try all the Guatemalan dishes!

UUUHMAMI

Social dining experience with an elevated prex fixe menu. Reservations required.

The Blue Room

Krista's pick

Live music on the weekends with great cocktails.

Cafe No Se

Josh's pick

Dive bar and original home of Ilegal mezcal.

Ulew

Speakeasy with creative cocktails. No menu, just share what you like and they'll surprise you.
Look for the red phone booth to the left of the entrance.

Antigua Brewing Company

Rooftop brewery with great views

Charleston

Cozy speakeasy with good ambiance.

Aqua Rooftop

A must for a great sunset view of the volcanos!

Cerveceria "El Bosque"

Outdoor brewery with food trucks. ~15 min walk from the city center.

Cafe Sky

Very casual rooftop bar with great views. 3rd story after spiral staircase.

Artista de Cafe

Specialty coffeeshop.
Krista and Josh's favorite!

12 Onzas

Good coffee and bites, go to the back patio for full food service.

Antigua Coffee Blogs

Dulces Dona Maria Gordillo

A must!
Renowned Guatemalan candy store founded in 1,872.
Ask for "canillitas de leche," Josh's favorites!

La Tienda de Dona Gavi

Artisanal ice cream in cute store.

Luna de Miel

Patio with crepes, waffles, and smoothies.

Dulces El Sombreron

Famous Guatemalan candy store.

Dona Luisa Xicontencatl

Bakery famous for their banana bread.

Saul Bistro Antigua

Guatemalan staple with large menu.

Villa Bokeh - Casa Cristal Bistro

Relais & Chateu hotel with bistro in a beautiful property in the outskirts of Antigua. Reservation required and need transportation pre-coordinated.

Casa Santo Domingo

Hotel restaurant serving expansive breakfast options including Guatemalan dishes. Walk-ins are usually ok.

Camino Real

Hotel restaurant serving expansive breakfast options including Guatemalan dishes. Walk-ins are usually ok.

Union Cafe

Casual spot with great smoothies.

Get to Know Antigua

- Walk the central park ("parque central")
- Tour the old Cathedral ruins (behind cathedral facade)
- Walk the street that leads to the Santa Catalina Arch
- Visit la El Tanque
- Visit the artisanal markets - Krista's recommendation: Mercado de Artesanias El Carmen

Visit a few churches and old monateries

Antigua has many churches unique to the cultural heritage and worth a visit. Two of the most renowned are:
- La Merced (located at the end of the Santa Catalina Arch)
- Escuela de Cristo

Take a short hike to Cerro de la Cruz

<2 mile hike to Cerro de la Cruz where you will get a 360 view of the city center.

Spa at Casa Santo Domingo

Great spa offering massages inside hotel Casa Santo Domingo. Reservations required.

Explore Museums

Jade Museum
Chocolate Making
Art

Finca Filadelfia - Coffee Resort and Nature Tours

El Hato Verde

Restaurant with outdoor areas with great views. You can take a shuttle or coordinate an ATV to get here. Day pass is ~$17 for the day.

Finca San Cayetano

Hobbitenango

If you're a Lord of the Rings fan, this is a thematic park inspired in the movies. Located about ~40 mins away from Antigua. The visit takes a full day and you need to coordinate a shuttle or ATV to get there.

Cerveceria Catorce

Brewery about ~20 mins outside of the Antigua city center.

The brewery offers shuttles from the city center with pick-up at Panadería Santa Clara. Friday/Saturday/Sunday: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm.

Finca La Azotea

Farm with great experiences including coffee plantation tours, coffee roaster tours, horse rides, and lively beer garden.

Located about ~15 mins outside of the city center.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OTHER GUATEMALA DESTINATIONS WILL BE ADDED SOON!

The top destinations include:

- Guatemala City can be explored in 1 day.
- Hiking the Pacaya Volcano can be done in a day trip from Antigua. It’s a relatively easy hike.
- Lake Atitlan usually takes 2-3 days to visit. The ride is about 2 hrs from Antigua or 4 hrs from Guatemala City.

Most of the other destinations take 2-4 days to explore.