My Favorite Places to Eat, Sip, Work & Wander.

This volcano-kissed town has been my home for almost six years, and this is a curated list of my favorite places to sip coffee, work, eat, wander, rest, move, and experience the magic of Antigua.

Whether you’re here as a solo traveler, for a yoga class, a slow weekend, or a season of reconnecting with yourself, these are the places I love and often recommend.

Many of them are owned by friends, people I admire, or local business owners I’ve built sweet personal relationships with over the years. Supporting local is something I deeply value, and this guide is my way of sharing the places that have held, nourished, and inspired me during my time here.

Coffee Shops ☕️

For slow mornings, good conversations, journaling, people-watching, or simply enjoying a beautiful cup of coffee.

• El Gran Café (buy your coffee & go sit on a bench at the Parque Central)

• Mandarina (current best & favorite matcha in antigua)

• Café Alegría (current best & favorite chai in antigua)

• Artista de Café (current best & favorite quinoa bowl)

• Libra

• Coffea (current best & favorite honey spice coffee in antigua)

• Casa Donya (the pistacho cookies are insane)

• Fernando’s Kaffee

• Elemental

• 12 Onzas

• Panza Verde

Digital Nomad Friendly 💻

Good spots to open your laptop, answer emails, write, create, or ease into a focused work session with coffee nearby.

• Café Alegría

• Artista de Café

• 12 Onzas

• Once Once

• Samsara

• Café Bohème

• Café Unión

• Starbucks

• Mandarina

• Casa Donya

• Libra

Wellness, Healing & Body Care 🌿

For the days when your body is asking to soften, receive, detox, restore, or simply be held with more tenderness.

• Massage at Healing Hands

• Temazcal & cold plunge at Casa Donya

• Ayurvedic pharmacy Naturaveda & Paracelsus for herbs, oils, supplements and natural remedies

• Yin, Candlelight or Slow Flow Yoga at Shakti Shala

• Spa day at Casa Santo Domingo

• Book a personal fire ceremony with Giglia Canessa

• Spend mountain time at Earth Lodge

• Book a sound healing at Holistic Bloom

As a yoga and wellness facilitator, I believe Antigua is not only a place to visit, it’s a place to come back into relationship with your body, breath and your rhythm. Alongside coffee, food, and beautiful places to wander, these are some of my favorite spaces for rest, bodywork, ritual, and deeper restoration.

Where To Move & Work Out 🏋🏽‍♀️

For the days when you want to sweat, strengthen, move with intention or stay connected to your practice while visiting Antigua.

• Shakti Shala: yoga, breathwork, meditation, kirtan and community practice

• La Fábrica Gym: gym training, strength, and conditioning

• Peak Performance: HYROX-style training, CrossFit, and functional fitness

• Smart Fit at Telares: a little outside of the town center, but a good option for a classic gym workout with AC.

Restaurants ✨

A mix of nourishing, romantic, local, elevated, casual, and beautifully Antigua-style places to eat.

• Másil (current fav.)

• Anche

• El Comalote (colorful OG tortillas. Must try!)

• Y tu piña también

• Caoba Farms

• Como Como

• XQ No?

• Nanik

• Libra (current best & favorite chilaquiles in antigua)

• Clio’s

• Bosque de Antigua

• Mesón Panza Verde

• Tacorazón (best taco Tuesday’s in town)

• Welten

• Villa Bokeh

• La Cosecha

• Café Mediterráneo

• Kombu

• Suelo (best almost-Neapolitan style pizza)

• Wild Daughter

• Franca

• Cervecería Catorce

• Valhalla

• La Casa de las Sopas

• Once Once (current best & favorite vegan restaurant antigua)

• Samsara

• Héctor’s Bistro

• Vivero La Escalonia

• El Local

Terrace Restaurants 🌼

For golden hour, rooftops, volcano views, etc.

• Tartines

• Café Bohème

• ABC Brewery

Drinks, Juices & Wine 🎈

For fresh juices, beautiful drinks, natural wine, and little evening moments.
Please check each place’s hours and age requirements where relevant.

• Ulew

• Amanecer Juice Bar

• Mao Mao

• Suelo Wines

• La Efervescente

• Café Unión

Ice Cream & Sweet Treats 🍦

For something cold, sweet, creamy, or refreshing after walking around town.

• Vegan frozen yogurt at Sarita

• Coconut frozen yogurt

• Sobremesa

• Glacy

• La Cremería

• Glad

Evening Atmosphere & Late Night Fun 🌈

For music, dancing, social energy and a little booty shake or more movement after dark.
Please check age requirements, opening hours, and current event schedules before going.

• Gerty’s

• 12

• Rumor 111

• Café No Sé

• Las Vibras

• El Barrio

• ABC Brewery

• Suelo

Things To Do in Antigua 🪄

A little mix of culture, nature, shopping, creativity, and local magic.

• Shop at Luna Zorro, Wakami, Wayil by Algodones Mayas, Hilosophy,

• Take a photoshoot with Sensia Studio

• Take a chocolate class at Ek Chuah

• Hike to Cerro de la Cruz

• Take a jewelry making workshop at Xibalba

• Browse books at Antigua Books

• Visit the free museum near Central Park

• Walk up to the roof of La Merced for sunset

• Take a nature walk at El Pilar or Carmona

• Play pickleball at Cervecería 14

• Visit Bella Vista Coffee Farm or Finca Filadelfia

• Walk through the ruins and old colonial museums

• Visit the Farmers Market

• Shop second-hand at Taraba, Shakti Shala and Xibalba

• Try traditional Guatemalan candy at María Gordillo

• Buy ceramics at Estudio Gascon and Café Alegría

• Explore the artisan markets around town

• Take a street photography walk through Antigua

• Watch the sunset from a rooftop with volcano views

• Spend a slow afternoon wandering Antigua’s cobblestone streets, churches, and hidden courtyards

Where To Stay in Antigua 🛏️

For cozy, beautiful, and well-located stays, from boutique hotels to social hostels and soulful retreat-style spaces.

• Kuxtal

• Casi Casa

• Maya Papaya

• Casa Donya

• Hotel Los Pasos

• Casa Santo Domingo

• Hotel Antigua

• Good Hotel

• Earth Lodge

A Little Love Note From Me

Antigua has a lovely way of inviting you to slow down to walk instead of rush, to look up at the volcanoes and the bugambilias, to drink your favorite elixir with both hands, and to let the beauty of the ruins interrupt your day.

These are some of the places I return to, share with friends, and recommend to students, travelers, retreat guests, and anyone wanting to experience Antigua Guatemala with a little extra curiosity and presence.

As you explore, my hope is that you move through this town with love and care. Please be mindful of the local community: avoid taking photos of people without their consent, honor the value of their work, don’t expect artisans, vendors or small businesses to lower their prices simply because we are visiting, and treat the stray dogs with kindness.

To travel consciously is to arrive with awareness, gratitude, and responsibility letting this town meet you and meeting it back with respect.

Con amor,
Silvana

UPDATED MAY 2026