After living in Antigua for a while I got to know the place quite well. Although very touristy, I love Antigua. It has been my home for a little over a year.
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Volcano Agua, seen from the house where I lived
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La Antigua once was Guatemala’s capital city, now Antigua is a colorful town and lot’s of tourists are drawn to this place because of the ruins, colonial buildings, the churches and the cathedral, the views of the three volcanoes, to do some shopping and of course the many Spanish schools. It's an easy town. Accept for getting lost on your first day, you'll find every thing you can think of with in reach. Restaurants, bars, pharmacies, internet cafe's, shops, bookstores, even spa's and beauty salons. Still Antigua also works for the buget traveller. It's easy to find a job and a place to stay if you're hanging out for a while. They make it very easy for the girls with a ladies night every day of the week in one of the bars. Drinks are free or very cheap. Every bar has happy hours and there are lot's of restaurants with a dish-of-the-day special.
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| Favourite spots: |
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One of Earth Lodge cabins
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Earth Lodge. Not a lot of people know this place yet. Go for a hike, bike, run or walk or just relax in the sauna or read a book in a hammock. The best part is, you don’t have to travel too far. It’s just 30 minutes from town and they come and pick you up. The Earth Lodge has cabins, dorm beds or you can set up a tent. Drew and Briana are the friendliest people you will meet and great chefs. This couple will help you feel right at home. They’ll take care of you and in return you can help them out if you feel like it. They can always use a hand in the vegetable garden, you can set out new trails or help them when they’re building new cabins. They started the project about 2 years ago. They build the place themselves, including the dorm house, kitchen, bathrooms, greenhouse, cabins and the sauna. This hostel is an ECO-lodge. They help nature by saving water and electricity. It takes some getting used to, sitting on a pit-toilet but the views from there are the best!
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| What's really great: |
The town is located at the foot of one of the surrounding volcanoes. And anywhere in town you have a view on at least one out of the 3 volcanoes. Agua, the volcano closest to town, is not active, but Fuego (means Fire) is. And especially visible at night when you see the lava running down, getting dark when cooling off, and then lighten up again when rivers of lava bust open again. Lately the volcano has been very active and you see it erupting, spurting lava in the air. It's a magnificent view!
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| Nightlife: |
Not much clubbing in Antigua. The only place I can think of is Cazbah. And that's not really a club. The public is mainly people from Guatemala City. But they occasionally do theme parties like foam parties or invite the redbull girls. I've only been in a couple of times. Not really my scene. If you want to go dancing, there are several places in town. Take some salsa classes, it's fun and also helpful. Most dance places play salsa music only!
For clubbing you have to go to Guatemala City.
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| Hangouts: |
Reilly's Irish Tavern is my favorite hang out.
They have good happy hours and the menu has Irish stew and Cottage Pie. If you're lucky they sell Guinness. It's hard to get so they don't have it all the time.
The atmosphere is mellow, with good music and friendly staff.
Every Sunday you can join in on the Pub Quiz. It's good fun, although I'm really bad at it, and a great way to meet people.
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Hopefully I will update you on were to wine and dine soon!
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All in all Antigua is a great place. Lots of people end up staying for a while and for good reason
If you want more information on the Earth Lodge or you want to make reservations, you can contact Drew and Briana. earthguate@yahoo.com
It would be wise to check with them first, they've been very busy.
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Published on Tuesday March 8th, 2005
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Thu, Mar 17 2005 - 12:52 AM
 by traveling_gal
| Good report; lovely pics. |
Sun, Mar 13 2005 - 10:42 AM
by mkrkiran
| Thanks for this report, very informative, especially the info on Earth Lodge. Pictures are great. |
Wed, Mar 09 2005 - 11:40 AM
by davidx
| Very informative about a place I didn't know anything. |
Wed, Mar 09 2005 - 01:22 AM
by rangutan
| Nice report on an unusual travelling destination. |
Tue, Mar 08 2005 - 03:53 PM
by mistybleu
Nice report, but I really missed the pictures, especailly seeing the lava flowing down Fuego, oh well.
Misty |
Tue, Mar 08 2005 - 03:49 PM
 by christianj.
Hi Femke,
congrats to your first report! It's easy to read and informative. Maybe you can add some pictures and, after living there for a while, some more 'secret spots' and the adresses of helpful websites?!
Regards, Christian |
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