20 Best Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala with Kids

If you’re looking for an amazing family vacation destination, look no further than Antigua Guatemala with kids!

We spent over six weeks there on our Pan-American road trip and loved discovering all the amazing things to do both in town and nearby.

This beautiful country is home to some of the most interesting and exciting attractions in all of Central America.

From ancient ruins and scenic overlooks to coffee and chocolate shops, there’s something for everyone in Antigua.

In this travel blog post, I will discuss 20 of the best fun things to do in Antigua Guatemala with kids. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable family travel adventure!

After doing some of the family-friendly activities on our list, you’re probably going to be planning a return trip to Guatemala for more family fun.

Top Things to Do in Antigua Guatemala with Kids

If you’re looking for a destination that offers a truly unique cultural experience, Antigua Guatemala with kids should be at the top of your list.

From exploring ancient ruins to exploring local farming industries, there’s no shortage of things to see and do.

1. Choco Museo

☑️ Price: Entry is Free; Chocolate Making Class is 100Q for all participants
☑️ Hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily
☑️ Address: 4ta Calle Poniente #8 Frente al Parque Central, Antigua Guatemala

Antigua is known for its delicious chocolate, so be sure to visit the Choco Museum! It’s both a chocolateria as well as a small museum and a hands-on workshop.

Overall, it’s an interactive museum that provides a fun and educational experience for kids of all ages. The shop is at the front while the courtyard with the educational items are in the back.

At the Choco Museum, your family will learn about the history of chocolate and how it’s made.

You can even sign up for a class to make some chocolate of your own, in the ancient Mayan style! You’ll also get to sample some of Antigua’s finest chocolate.

The Choco Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Antigua. Be sure to book in advance if you want to take a chocolate-making class during the peak tourist season.

The class lasts 1 hour and is offered daily at 10 am, 1 pm, and 5 pm.

2. Parque Central

☑️ Price: Free
☑️ Hours: 24 hours
☑️ Address: 4 Avenida Norte, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Parque Central is Antigua’s main square and the perfect place to relax and people-watch. The park’s name translates to “central park” and it is beautifully landscaped with flowers, trees, and a big fountain.

Surrounding the square there are several restaurants and cafes where you can grab a bite to eat. In the evenings, the park comes alive with musicians and street performers.

If you’re looking for a souvenir, there are plenty of shops selling traditional Guatemalan goods. You can also find handmade jewelry, paintings, and wood carvings.

3. Valhalla Macadamia Nut Farm

☑️ Price: Free
☑️ Hours: 8 am – 4:30 pm daily
☑️ Address: Ruta Nacional 10, San Miguel Dueñas, Guatemala

The Valhalla Macadamia Nut Farm is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth! This family-run farm produces some of the best macadamia nuts in Antigua.

At the farm, you can tour the facilities and learn about how the nuts are grown and harvested.

You’ll also get to sample some of the delicious products made with Antigua’s macadamia nuts, including cookies, ice cream, and candy.

The Valhalla Macadamia Nut Farm is a great place to take a break from sightseeing and relax in the beautiful Antiguan countryside.

You can even sample or buy some macadamia nut skincare products to rejuvenate further at home or in your hotel room!

4. Antigua Jade Museum

☑️ Price: Free
☑️ Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily
☑️ Address: 4a Calle Oriente 34, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Guatemala is home to some of the finest jade in the world, and the Antigua Jade Museum is the perfect place to learn about this precious stone.

At the museum, you’ll see a variety of jade artifacts, including sculptures and jewelry.

The workers provide a free tour showcasing the different ways jade has been used throughout Guatemalan history, and they even offer a Jade carving class you can book in advance.

At the end of the free tour, you can learn about your Mayan birth sign.

The museum has books where they can look up your sign based on your date of birth, and then tell you the Mayan story of the sign. It was fascinating!

5. Ancient Convent Ruins

Antigua is home to several well-preserved convent ruins that are fun to explore. The most popular ones are the Convent of Santa Clara and the Capuchinas Convent.

The Convent of Santa Clara was founded in 1734 and was once the largest convent in Antigua.

It’s now a museum with a beautiful grounds that contain gardens and courtyards as well as several underground crypts.

☑️ Price: Adults 40Q, Kids under 12 20Q
☑️ Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
☑️ Address: 6a Calle Oriente y 2 Avenida Sur, Antigua, Guatemala

The convent is now being restored so you can see parts of what it used to look like as well as still enjoy the rather haunting feeling of the ruins. This was one of our favorite things to do in Antigua Guatemala with kids!

The Capuchinas Convent was founded in 1736 and is considered one of the best-preserved colonial buildings in Antigua.

It’s now a museum with interactive exhibits about the convent’s history. The Capuchinas Convent is also home to a cafe, gift shop, and garden.

☑️ Price: Adults 30Q, Kids under 12 10Q
☑️ Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
☑️ Address: 2a Avenida Norte y 2a Calle Oriente esquina. Antigua Guatemala Sacatepéquez, 03001, Guatemala

6. Visit a Coffee Plantation

☑️ Price: 155Q
☑️ Hours: Monday-Saturday 08:00-17:00
☑️ Address: Calle Ricardo Ajona, Antigua, Guatemala

The mountains surrounding Antigua are covered in coffee farms. They are called fincas in Spanish. Finca Filadelfia is one of the most popular coffee plantations to visit.

At Finca Filadelfia, you can take a 2 hour tour of the facilities and learn about how coffee is grown and processed.

You’ll also get to sample some of the delicious Antiguan coffee. The plantation has a cafe where you can buy coffee, pastries, and sandwiches.

Finca Filadelfia also has a butterfly garden and a hummingbird garden. The gardens are beautiful and a great place to take a break from cobblestone sightseeing.

👉 This tour takes you to BOTH the coffee farm and the macadamia farm!

7. San Francisco Church

☑️ Price: Free, but admission to the adjacent convent is 5Q
☑️ Hours: 9 am to 5 pm daily
☑️ Address: 7a Calle Oriente, Antigua Guatemala

Antigua is home to many beautiful churches, but the San Francisco Church is one of the most popular. The almost 500-year-old church was founded in 1524 and is known for its baroque architecture.

Fun Fact: Inglesia San Francisco was the scene of a historic movie, as parts of The New Adventures of Tarzan were filmed here in the 1930s.

The interior of the church is decorated with ornate stained glass windows, gold leaf, and assorted paintings.

The altar is made of jade, and there are several side chapels. The church also has a museum with a collection of religious artifacts.

The San Francisco Church is a great place to learn about Antigua’s colonial history and see some beautiful artwork.

8. Mico Toy Shop

☑️ Price: Varies
☑️ Hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm daily
☑️ Address: 4a Calle Oriente 7, Antigua Guatemala

Mico Toy Shop, aka Jugeteria MICO, is a great place to buy souvenirs for the kids (or for yourself!). The shop sells traditional Guatemalan toys, such as wooden cars, woven dolls, and puppets.

Mico Toy Shop also has a play area where kids can try out the toys. Little Man loved playing with the wooden cars and trains. He also enjoyed watching the marionettes.

The staff at Mico Toy Shop were very friendly and helpful. They speak English and Spanish.

9. Cre8 Antigua

☑️ Price: Varies
☑️ Hours: Monday-Saturday 09:00-17:00, Sunday 09:0
☑️ Address: 4 Avenida 0-30 Zona 6 (La Esperanza) Barrio San Miguel Escobar, CdVieja, Cd Vieja 03012, Guatemala

Cre8 Antigua is an all-in-one art studio, indoor/outdoor kids playspace, and bookstore on the outskirts of Antigua that offers classes for kids and adults.

The studio has a wide variety of classes, such as painting, sculpture, photography, and jewelry making.

They even offer STEM-oriented programs like building with Legos and making cars from Magnatiles.

The instructors are very patient and knowledgeable. They make the classes fun and interactive.

We didn’t have time to come here but our friends loved their time at Crea Antigua. They said their kids came back with some beautiful paintings.

10. Craft Markets

☑️ Price: Varies
☑️ Hours: Monday-Saturday 08:00-17:0
☑️ Address: Poniente 4, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Antigua is home to many craft markets. The most popular market is the Mercado de Artesanías, where you’ll find a wide variety of handmade goods, such as textiles, jewelry, pottery, and wooden toys.

Pro Tip: The markets are a great place to bargain. The prices are already low, but you can usually get a better deal if you’re willing to negotiate.

The Mercado de Artesanías is a great place to buy Guatemalan textiles. You can find traditional clothing, such as huipiles (woven blouses) and cortes (skirts).

Plus, you can also find tablecloths, towels, and other household items.

The other market is located next to the Iglesia del Carmen ruins. It’s lesser known but still a great place to find souvenirs and gifts. The market has a mix of handmade and mass-produced goods.

11. Casa Santo Domingo Hotel Museums

☑️ Price: 40Q
☑️ Hours: 9 am – 6 pm Mon to Sat; 11 am – 6 pm Sun
☑️ Address: 3a Calle Oriente 28 A, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

The Casa Santo Domingo Hotel is a luxurious hotel located in Antigua Guatemala. The hotel has several museums on its property, including the Museo de Arte Colonial, the Museo de Arqueología, and the Museo Mesoamericano.

The Museo de Arte Colonial is a museum dedicated to Antigua’s colonial history. The museum has a collection of paintings, furniture, and sculptures from the colonial period.

Pro Tip: The museums are included in the price of admission to the hotel. Hotel guests can enjoy the museums for free.

The Museo de Arqueología is a museum that contains Maya and Olmec artifacts. The museum also has a section on Antigua’s earthquake history.

The Museo Mesoamericano is a museum that contains artifacts from Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Maya, the Olmecs, and the Aztecs.

12. Hike the Cerro de la Luz

☑️ Price: Free
☑️ Hours: 24 hours
☑️ Address: Trailhead starts next to Bajo Colina Cafe, 1a Avenida Nte 36, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

The Cerro de la Luz is a hill located near Antigua Guatemala. The hill offers panoramic views of Antigua and the surrounding area.

The hike to the top of the hill is fairly easy, as it is really just some cement steps that wind up the hill.

In all, the climb takes about 15 minutes. The trail is well-marked and there are several rest areas with benches along the way.

At the top of the hill, there is a cross that was erected in honor of Antigua’s patron saint, Our Lady of Guadalupe. There are also several benches where you can sit and enjoy the views of the city.

Although the Cerro de la Luz is a great place to watch the sunset, I don’t recommend coming here after dark. There’s no lighting on the steps so it can be dangerous to get back down on your own.

13. Pacaya Volcano

☑️ Price: Foreigners (adults and kids) 100Q; Guatemalan Citizens 30Q
☑️ Hours: 7 am to 4 pm Daily
☑️ Address: La Corona, Centro de Visitantes, Volcan Pacaya, Guatemala

While there are several amazing volcanoes to hike near Antigua Guatemala, with kids the best option by far is Volcan Pacaya.

Pacaya is an active volcano, and while the last major eruption was in 2020, it is still steaming on a regular basis.

The lava no longer flows down the side of the volcano, but you can actually hike up to the edge of the last lava field and see the steam coming out of the vents.

Pro Tip: You can even cook (and eat) marshmallows from the steam vents!

The hike to Pacaya takes about two hours round trip, and it is a moderate hike. The trail is well-marked and there are several rest areas along the way.

If you don’t book a guided tour, you are required to pay 200Q cash per group for an on-site guide.

In addition, parking is 20Q. If you plan to rent a car to do this excursion, you’ll probably save money by hiring a guided tour.

👉 This tour is an excellent option for a day trip from Antigua.

While this option is cheaper, you may not get a guide that speaks your language if you aren’t fluent in Spanish.

Their job is to keep you on the safe trail, not to educate you on the volcano’s history or the local flora and fauna you may see.

If you don’t want to hike to the top, you can also hire horses for 200Q/person to take you up there as well.

14. Dona Maria Gordillo Candy Shop

☑️ Price: Varies
☑️ Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm daily
☑️ Address: 4a Calle Oriente 17, Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala is known for its delicious candy, and Dona Maria Gordillo’s Candy Shop is one of the oldest and most famous in the city. The owner is the great-granddaughter of Dona Maria Gordillo.

We were lucky enough to meet her when we visited the shop. All the candy recipes are secret family traditions that you won’t find anywhere else. If you aren’t sure what to order, ask for recommendations.

She’ll tell you what the customer favorites are as well as what her personal favorites are as well. We bought everything she suggested and weren’t disappointed.

15. Dona Luisa Bakery

☑️ Price: Varies
☑️ Hours: 7 am – 7 pm daily
☑️ Address: 4a Calle Oriente 12, Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua Guatemala is also known for its delicious pastries, and Dona Luisa Bakery is one of the best places to get them. The bakery has been in business for over 40 years, and it shows in the quality of its baked goods.

All of the pastries are made fresh daily, and they have a wide variety of options to choose from. We highly recommend the guava and cheese pastries, as well as the chocolate croissants.

If you are looking for something a little different, they also have a selection of savory pastries.

16. Antigua Guatemala Cathedral

☑️ Price: 20Q
☑️ Hours: 7 am – 1 pm and 3 pm – 7 pm daily
*It may be closed for a special event without notice, so be flexible.*
☑️ Address: 5a Calle Oriente 5, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

The Antigua Guatemala Cathedral is one of the most iconic buildings in Antigua Guatemala. The cathedral was built in the early 1500s, and it has been destroyed by earthquakes several times.

Fun Fact: The last time it was destroyed was in 1773, and was partially rebuilt but has basically been in its current state since then.

The Antigua Guatemala Cathedral is a must-see when you are in Antigua Guatemala. The exterior of the cathedral is covered in detailed carvings, and the interior is just as impressive.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of the cathedral, there are several tours available.

Tours are one of the best ways to learn about the history of Antigua, Guatemala. You can inquire about tours at the entrance.

17. Take Spanish Classes

Antigua Guatemala is the perfect place to take Spanish classes. There are several language schools in Antigua Guatemala, and they offer a wide variety of courses.

Pro Tip: You can take a beginner’s course at one of the schools, and learn the basics of Spanish in just two weeks!

If you are looking for a more immersive experience, you can also take a longer course and/or live with a host family. This is a great way to learn about the culture and practice your Spanish at the same time.

18. Visit Santo Domingo del Cerro

☑️ Price: Varies
☑️ Hours: 7 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday
☑️ Address: Santo Domingo del Cerro – Km. 42.5 Santa Ines del Monte Pulciano Antigua, Guatemala 03001, Guatemala

This restaurant and sculpture garden also has a great playground for kids. It’s owned by the Casa Santa Domingo hotel, which offers regular shuttles to the restaurant on the outskirts of town. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to take the shuttle.

On weekends there is a 120Q/person buffet but the wait gets long. Go during the week for a quieter experience.

The restaurant is big, so it can accommodate large groups. The food is good and reasonably priced. Plus, it offers an excellent volcano view!

The sculpture garden is beautiful, and the playground is a great place for kids to burn off some energy.

19. Go to Mcdonald’s

☑️ Price: Varies
☑️ Hours: 7 am – 10 pm Mon to Thurs; 6 am – 10 pm Fri to Sun
☑️ Address: Poniente 21, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Yes, seriously! The Mcdonald’s in Antigua is one of the most beautiful we’ve ever visited. Little Man insists this is a must-visit in Antigua Guatemala with kids.

There’s an outdoor seating area with a view of the volcano, a fountain, and a beautiful garden with cobblestones. Plus, there’s a small play area, and the restaurant is decorated with local art.

If you need a break from the local food, or if your kids are just craving something familiar, this is a great place to stop for a snack if you don’t want to have a full meal there.

20. Hobbitenango

☑️ Price: 100Q for adults; 50Q for kids 4-12; Kids 3 and under are free
☑️ Hours: 8 am to 6 pm daily
☑️ Address: Antigua Vuelta Grande, Aldea El Hato, Guatemala Vuelta Grande, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

We loved Hobbitenango so much that we wrote an entirely separate blog post about it. Suffice to say, this is an amazing gem in the volcanic mountains just outside Antigua’s city center.

It was one of our favorite things to do in Antigua Guatemala with kids!

Pro Tip: If you’re still looking for things to do, consider a day trip to Guatemala City or Lake Atitlan.

Getting Around Antigua Guatemala with Kids

Antigua Guatemala is a small city, and it is very easy to get around. You can walk to most of the attractions within the city center.

If you are staying outside of the city center, I recommend taking a tuk-tuk or an Uber.

Tuk-tuks are plentiful and relatively cheap, and they are a great way to see the city. Ubers are also a good option, and they are usually slightly cheaper than tuk-tuks.

If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can take one of the colorful chicken buses. However, for safety reasons we don’t really recommend them.

Where to Stay in Antigua Guatemala with Kids

You can read more in-depth here about our recommendations for where to stay in Antigua. However, here is a quick snapshot of our top choices for hotels and vacation rentals that are family-friendly.

👍 Luxury: La Porta Hotel Antigua

👍 Boutique: Meson Panza Verde

👍 Mid-Range: San Rafael Hotel Antigua

👍 Budget-Friendly: Posada San Sebastian

👍 Vacation Rental: Beautiful Colonial Home

What to Pack for a Trip to Antigua Guatemala with Kids

Antigua Guatemala is a relatively safe city, but there are a few things you should pack to help keep your family safe.

🛄 A first-aid kit including bandages, antibiotic ointment, and pain relievers.

🛄 Insect repellent. Antigua is located in a tropical climate, so there are mosquitoes year-round. Be sure to pack insect repellent, and apply it liberally!

🛄 Water bottles. Antigua’s Centro area is fairly flat but the surrounding area is all very hilly. It can be easy to get dehydrated when you are walking around.

Be sure to pack water bottles for each member of your family, and refill them regularly. Instead of water bottles, we prefer a water bladder because it’s easier to pack.

👉 I love this water bladder day pack! I can pack daily essentials in it, too.

🛄 A good sunscreen. The sun is very strong in Antigua, so be sure to pack a good sunscreen with a high SPF.

🛄 A hat or sunglasses for each member of your family.

🛄 Comfortable shoes. Antigua has a lot of cobblestone streets, so leave your high heels at home! Wear comfortable shoes that you can walk in all day.

🛄 A baby carrier if you have young kids. Strollers are useless in Antigua Guatemala because the sidewalks are narrow and the streets are cobblestone. One of our top travel tips is to leave your stroller at home.

👉 I recommend the Tula Carrier for its durability and comfort. Plus it has different carriers that fit little ones from 7-60 pounds.

Conclusion: Antigua Guatemala with Kids

With plenty of kid-friendly activities sprinkled throughout, Antigua Guatemala is the perfect place to introduce your little ones to a whole new world.

Antigua Guatemala with kids, or without(!), is an amazing town. I hope you enjoy your time there with your family as much as we did!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. We would be happy to help!

👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!