Towns Around Antigua

This tour visits some of the most interesting towns and plantations that surround Antigua. As such, it allows travelers to gain a fuller understanding of the culture, history, and economics of the region.

The first stop on the tour is San Juan del Obispo, where you'll visit the monastery of Francisco Marroquín, the first bishop of Guatemala. Marroquín played a large role in the early years of Spanish colonialism. The monastery is lovely and contains original furniture.

Next, you'll head to Ciudad Vieja. Here you'll learn about the sad history of this town, which was the second city founded by the Spanish in Guatemala. The town was destroyed in 1541 by mudflows from the Agua Volcano.

The next stop is at an experimental organic macadamia nut farm. While here you'll learn about the medicinal uses of macadamia nuts, as well as their role in sustainable agriculture. You might even get to sample macadamia chocolates and macadamia oil skin-care products.

Afterwards the tour visits a local cooperative market in the town of San Antonio Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes is well known for its intricate handicrafts.

The tour ends in a jade factory where you'll see how jade was used in the past and how it is used in the present.