Antigua Guatemala is about 30 miles from Guatemala City. It was built originally in the early 16th century. Built 1,500 m above sea-level, in an earthquake-prone region, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins. It may be the most outstanding and best-preserved colonial city in Spanish America. Tourists visit Antigua Guatemala every year from around the world to enjoy its natural beauty and historic monuments. The streets are cobble stone and the houses and buildings are all in the baroque stile, any one that wants to build a new house has to build it to codes to mach the rest of the city. This is an amazing place to visit because it has some of the original buildings from the 16th century that where destroyed when an earthquake cracked the walls of the Agua volcano (which had been dormant for hundreds of years) and emptied the lake that was in its crater into the city, destroying it. You can get here by bus from the city and your hotel can arrange a bus and probably a tour which you would not be disappointed with. There are many churches and monasteries you can visit. There is a large hand crafts market where the local artisans bring their work. Among my favorite restaurants is Cafe Condesa in the central plaza. This building used to be the home of a countess and is now a restaurant and book store.
