Guatemala is one of the destinations that is underrated for reasons that are hard to understand. Not only was I blown away by the blend of Mayan and Spanish Colonial architecture, but the bright-colored houses also told an impressive story of the past, present, and future witnessed and lived in a magnificent landscape.

Fuego Volcano in Guatemala City, capital of Guatemala by

When I traveled to Guatemala, I went on a four-country trip through Latin America. I started in Mexico and then traveled to Guatemala right after. Now, this was Christmas time, and I planned to spend Christmas there. While waiting for my Guatemala City flight, I saw a few tourists. However, that did not discourage me! I flew down in the early afternoon, and the flight was approximately an hour long.

In Guatemala City, I was greeted with a large sign that read „Bienvenidos A Guatemala!” meaning „Welcome to Guatemala.” I had no trouble with immigration and was asked minimal questions. Upon walking through the baggage claim, I walked out to the transfer desk. I needed to get to Antigua (Old), the former capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala. The woman at the transfer desk gave me a ticket for the local transfer service to Antigua. It was approximately $3, which is impressive for an hour’s drive.

With its well-preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture, Antigua, Guatemala, is a small town tucked away in a gorgeous valley. It was established in the sixteenth century and served as Guatemala’s capital until 1776, when a mighty earthquake forced its move to Guatemala City. The colorful buildings, colonial ruins, and old cobblestone streets draw thousands of tourists each year and make the town unique in many ways.

Santa Catalina Arch

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When I left the airport, the friendly driver waved me down and helped me load all my belongings into his van. Although it was a group transfer, I was the only one to pick up for that time spot, so I had the whole van to myself. We talked a little bit about where I was from and what I was doing in Guatemala. I explained that I was a traveler and wanted to discover what Guatemala was about.

While he even gave me a bit of Antigua’s backstory, we changed from smooth roads to bumpy cobblestone streets within about an hour. The buildings were brightly colored in almost every shade of the rainbow. With the volcano as a backdrop, the brightly colored buildings added a whole new layer of character to the city, and within just a few moments of arriving, I began to fall in love with Antigua.

My hostel was right in the center of town, just past the Santa Catalina Arch, Antigua’s symbol. The Santa Catalina Arch is a recognizable building that represents the colonial elegance of the city. Constructed during the 17th century as a key element of the Santa Catalina convent, the arch functioned as a separate pathway that allowed Catholic nuns to move between buildings covertly. The world-famous arch now crosses 5th Avenue North and perfectly frames the beautifully bright streets.

La Merced Church, Antigua Guatemala

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Soon, I was exploring the streets with my camera in hand, taking pictures of the vivid buildings. Since it was Christmas time, the roads were covered in Christmas lights. The street lights were decorated with various Christmas garlands, giving the city a festive look. Guatemalans certainly have a huge appreciation for the holidays.

Main square plaza Antigua Guatemala by

In Central Square, I could see the impressive city’s parliament buildings. The central park lit up the area and brought the entire area to life. There was a beautiful water fountain surrounded by various flowers and trees. Among the natural beauty were many smiling faces and happy people. Many were reading books, chatting with loved ones, or enjoying nature. This peaceful atmosphere is what made me fall in love with Antigua.

One of the places I wanted to see was the Altamira Volcano Restaurant. It is known for its picture-perfect views of the “Three Sisters,” which are some of the only active volcanoes in the world. The indigenous people that surround Lake Atitlan place cultural value on these volcanoes and consider them sacred in addition to their stunning beauty.

I flagged down the first licensed taxi and told him that I wanted to visit Altamira. He was well aware of the famous restaurant and was willing to take me to the top. The colorful buildings faded as we drove, and the cobblestone streets turned into smooth, flat roads. As we began our drive up to the top, I could feel the air getting lighter. My ears began to pop, and I could feel the pressure change.

The sharp turns and narrow, winding streets seemed to be never-ending. When we finally got to the top, the driver offered to show me where the restaurant was since the entrance was a bit of a walk from where you could park. We walked up the concrete steps and along the trail. Many vendors were selling a variety of trinkets and goods, including nuts, fruits, and souvenirs. We kept walking through the bushes and uneven pathways until we found the entrance to the restaurant.

The entrance was small and had a wooden sign. The restaurant’s name was hand-painted with hanging plants along the sign. It was tiny, but the views were outstanding. I walked down the stairs, past the dining room area, where the viewing point was. There was a wooden hand built on the platform that you could stand on; it gave the appearance that you were being held up right in front of the volcanos.

When I looked at the „Three Sisters,” they were active, and smoke was coming out. Though it initially frightened me, the waitress explained that it was normal and happened regularly. I ordered a snack when I sat down since I would likely have dinner later. I had some nachos with queso, beef, and vegetables. Oh, and of course, I couldn’t forget the guacamole! The nachos were delicious, and the service was outstanding.

On the way back to Antigua, as we started our descent, I felt like I was finally getting enough oxygen again. We were driving again past bright buildings that reminded me of the Spanish Baroque architecture in Europe, just like the city streets that slowly reappeared. When dropped off in the city center, I walked towards my hostel to see if any festivities were happening. After all, it is Christmas Eve!

On Christmas Eve, Guatemalans celebrate with their loved ones, and then, in the evening, the magic happens! Fireworks are lit all across the country. It’s a way to bring in the holiday and add more fun to the experience.

CHRISTMAS IN GUATEMALA | San Pedro La Laguna Lake Atitlan | Guatemala Travel Vlog

At dinner time, the hostel where I was staying had planned a special Christmas Eve dinner with traditional Guatemalan food and drinks. I was excited to try something new for Christmas, so I signed up. Until then, I decided to take a nap. The lack of oxygen up here in the mountains was getting to me.

Rested, I went upstairs to the rooftop bar to join the party. I walked up the winding staircase onto the concrete roof. There was a small bar up top made of wood that had been painted in pastel colors. There was also a restaurant with an elevated corner overlooking the city.

I sat up there and began to chat with the other travelers. It was nice to be social since I was missing my family back home. When the sun officially began to set, the fancy hanging lights turned on, and the party started. It was time to celebrate! When 11:30 hit, we all piled into the streets to set off our fireworks. The hostel had purchased various types of fireworks with all kinds of designs and colors inside. We each got to choose two of them to set off.

A few friends I met in the hostel and I walked to the Santa Catalina arch, where we set off our fireworks and made the sky our canvas. On our way back, we passed the Central Square. The park was full of families with their children. Grandmas, grandpas, uncles, aunts, moms, and dads were gathered around their young family members while they played with their new Christmas toys. Everyone was smiling, laughing, and having a good time. It was such a beautiful thing to see since it’s not so common where I’m from anymore. I’d never met people that were so alive, so full of happiness.

Later that night, we gathered again at the rooftop bar and enjoyed the beautiful sight of fireworks going off for miles. The brightly colored explosions made for a vibrant Christmas Eve experience.

© 2024 tebokkai

Photo credit: Jorge Gardner

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