Guatemala · Religious & Spiritual

Tour of Catholic Processions During Holy Week in Antigua

10 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Guatemala City. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Witness Holy Week Catholic processions in Antigua Guatemala
  • 02 See colorful sawdust carpets, flowers, and street decorations
  • 03 Visit La Merced Church, Santa Catalina's Arch, Central Park, and San José Cathedral
  • 04 Explore Antigua’s cobblestone streets and colonial architecture with a certified guide
  • 05 Travel round-trip from Guatemala City with private transportation
  • 06 Learn about the meaning and traditions behind Guatemala’s Holy Week celebrations

Experience one of Guatemala’s most powerful cultural and religious traditions on this full-day journey from Guatemala City to Antigua Guatemala during Holy Week. As Antigua’s cobblestone streets fill with Catholic processions, colorful sawdust carpets, flowers, and devotional displays, you’ll explore the city’s historic heart with a certified guide and gain insight into the meaning behind these remarkable celebrations.

Along the way, visit some of Antigua’s most iconic landmarks, including La Merced Church, Santa Catalina’s Arch, Central Park, and San José Cathedral. This walking tour offers a memorable way to discover the city’s colonial architecture, spiritual heritage, and the unique atmosphere that makes Holy Week in Antigua so renowned.

As Antigua’s cobblestone streets fill with Catholic processions, colorful sawdust carpets, flowers, and devotional displays, you’ll explore the city’s historic heart with a certified guide and gain insight into the meaning behind these remarkable celebrations.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Guatemala City, Antigua Guatemala
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Guatemala City

We'll start this experience from your hotel in Guatemala City. So sit tight and enjoy the views from the city until we arrive to Antigua Guatemala.

La Merced Church

This is a beautiful yellow church and the best example of Baroque Guatemalan architecture. The church dating from the 18th century is one of the most beautiful in Antigua Guatemala. It is surrounded by a beautiful garden, handicraft sales, and great cafes that offer authentic "Antigüeño" coffee (coffee from Antigua Guatemala) that has chocolate notes due to its roasting process.

Santa Catalina's Arch

Standing above the cobbled streets and in front of the hulking Volcán de Agua, this saffron-yellow arch has become the symbol of Antigua and the central image on most postcards.

Central Park

In Antigua Guatemala, you will feel that you go back in time, observe and contemplate the majesty of the Water Volcano looming in the background of the city, and the old cobbled streets, and the more than 500 years of architecture. We begin our walking tour from the Central Park of the Plaza de Antigua Guatemala, which is the center of the city, also surrounded by the most important buildings.

San José Cathedral

Is a Roman Catholic church in Antigua Guatemala. The original church was built around 1541 but suffered several earthquakes throughout its history, and the first church building was demolished in 1669. The cathedral was rebuilt and consecrated in 1680. By 1743 the cathedral was one of the largest in Central America. However, the devastating 1773 Guatemala earthquake seriously damaged much of the building, though the two towers at the front remained largely intact. These have undergone restoration work, and the cathedral has been partly rebuilt.

Antigua Guatemala

During each of the stops on the itinerary, we will observe the movement in the beautiful streets of Antigua Guatemala. We will see people decorating the windows of the houses, making colorful rugs of sawdust, and preparing flowers and other offerings to make requests to the Saints.

Guatemala City

The last stop of the day will be to take you back to your hotel in Guatemala City. Take advantage of this time to rest and relax while we arrive.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Guatemala City. 2 cities · 10 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Private transportation
  • Certified Tour Guide
  • Bottled water
  • Guided visit through Antigua to witness the catholic processions

What's Not Included

  • Gratuities
  • Lunch

Know before you go

  • WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Please do not wear shorts or strapless/short sleeves shirts
  • Not recommended for enoclophobia, fear of crowds of people
  • We pick up all travelers at the motor lobby of their hotel or accommodation in Guatemala City or Antigua Guatemala

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Guatemala City.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Guatemala City.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 10 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Guatemala City..

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