Antigua

Less than an hour southwest of Guatemala City is located the famous and fabled town of La Antigua Guatemala in the Department of Sacatepequez. Some of the town has been restored to its colonial splendor while other parts show the devastation of the earthquake which destroyed the town in 1773. Handicraft and jade shops abound in the town also notable for its Holy Week celebration held the week before Easter. Indian villages of interest surrounding Antigua include San Felipe, San Juan del Obispo, Santo Maria de Jesus, San Antonio Aguas Calientes and Santa Catarina Barahona.