Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Santa Ana → Antigua (Guatemala)
Travel time: ~6–8 hours total
How:
• Early chicken bus or shuttle to Guatemala City
• Then bus or shuttle to Antigua
(Shuttles are easiest if you want zero stress; chicken buses are cheaper but longer.)
Antigua — 3 full days (4 nights)
Why this is perfect from Santa Ana:
• Easy first stop after the border
• Compact, walkable, great food & cafés
• Ideal place to rest after border crossing
Suggested rhythm:
• Day 1: Old town, Arco, ruins, sunset at Cerro de la Cruz
• Day 2: Volcano hike (Pacaya if you want easy; Acatenango only if you want intense)
• Day 3: Coffee/chocolate tour, markets, relaxed wandering
Cs: fernando from guatemala city: hangout in antigua possible
Armando from antigua offered to host me
Robert Jose: hangout, show me antigua, he might host as well