Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala

Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala with Elizabeth Bell 2024

Explore the most spectacular time of the year in Antigua with the largest celebration for Semana Santa in the world! Expert Elizabeth Bell, author of “Lent and Holy Week/Cuaresma y Semana Santa La Antigua Guatemala”, offers special tours beginning Palm Sunday through Saturday. Highlights include tips on enjoying this very special holiday, carpet making, processions in Antigua and a special Wednesday tour to San Mateo Milpas Altas. Each day offers different tours!

Palm Sunday Tour March 24th 8:30am –11:30am

Meet Elizabeth Bell at the Antigua Tours Park office inside Café Condesa for a guided walk as Holy Week begins with grandeur. We see carpets made at their best and watch the Palm Sunday La Merced procession, providing helpful tips for getting around the busy streets of Antigua during this season.

Tuesday, March 26^th 9:30am – 12:30pm

Meet Elizabeth Bell at the Antigua Tours Park office inside Café Condesa for a cultural tour including Antigua’s history and contemporary life with the city’s art, architecture, history, descriptions of velaciones and carpet making. We highlight the Palace of City Hall, Palace of the Captains General, San Jose Cathedral, Jades Maya Museum and Paseo de los Museos at Casa Santo Domingo.

Holy Wednesday, San Mateo Milpas Altas Processional Tour March 27th 2pm – 5pm

Located about 5 miles from Antigua, this village procession is a contrast to the larger Antigua processions for Semana Santa and will give you a sense of how this tradition evolved over the centuries. Meet at the Antigua Tours Park office inside Café Condesa for a shuttle to San Mateo Milpas Altas (15 minutes). Participate in carpet making for the 4pm procession of Jesus of Nazareth and the Virgin Mary carried on the shoulders of cucuruchos and women carriers. Feel the humble nature of this authentic procession as you intermingle with the faithful locals. At 4:45pm, drive back to Antigua. Bring your camera!

Maundy Thursday, March 28^th 8:30am – 11:30am

Meet Elizabeth Bell at the Antigua Tours Park office inside Café Condesa for a cultural tour including Antigua’s history and contemporary life, the city’s art, architecture and carpet making. We focus on the main sites and beautiful carpet making in progress for today’s San Francisco el Grande procession. We complete the tour at San Francisco Church.

Special Good Friday, March 29^th 6am – 8:30am

Meet Elizabeth Bell at the fountain/Central Park for the background behind Holy Week’s history and how Antigua became the largest celebration in the world. Enjoy the best route to view the most spectacular street carpets. We see the La Merced procession and complete the tour near La Merced Church.
Please leave your valuables at the home/hotel due to processional crowds.
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Saturday, March 30^th 9:30am – 12:30pm

Meet Elizabeth Bell at the Antigua Tours Park office inside Café Condesa for a cultural tour of Antigua’s main sites focusing on the city’s art, architecture, history and cultural trends with information about today’s women’s processions. We highlight the Palace of City Hall and Palace of the Captains General, San Jose Cathedral, Jades Maya Museum and Paseo de los Museos at Casa Santo Domingo.