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Religious · Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

Semana Santa Antigua Guatemala

“Latin America's most spectacular Easter — colored sawdust alfombras + Baroque church processions”

Antigua Guatemala's Semana Santa is Latin America's most spectacular Easter celebration — cobblestone streets carpeted with colored sawdust "alfombras" (rugs made overnight, destroyed by afternoon processions) + centuries-old baroque church processions. UNESCO-listed heritage. Book 6-12 months ahead.

Upcoming dates

Next
2027
March 21-28 (Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday)
Following year
2028
April 9-16

8 days ending Easter Sunday. Dates change annually with Easter. Peak: Good Friday processions.

Duration
8 days
Crowd
100,000+ visitors —
Budget/day
$200-450 (Antigua hotels 3-5× normal Easter rates)
Book ahead
8+ months

Booking + planning tips

Best for: Religious + cultural travellers + photographers
  • ✓Book Antigua hotels 8-12 months ahead — sells out
  • ✓Alfombras are made overnight by families + destroyed by processions afternoon — hours of work, minutes of existence
  • ✓Peak: Good Friday processions from La Merced Church + San Francisco Church
  • ✓Purple robes = penitents. Black robes on Good Friday afternoon = mourning
  • ✓Guatemala City (1h) has cheaper hotels + easier connection
  • ✓Photography excellent but respectful — this is a religious event

Book hotels for Semana Santa Antigua Guatemala 2027

Prices spike + hotels sell out during this event. Book 8+ months ahead.

Fly to Guatemala City La Aurora International — 1h drive to Antigua

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Airport transfer

Getting out of Antigua Guatemala (GUA)

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Frequently asked

When is Semana Santa Antigua 2027?
March 21-28, 2027 (Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday). Dates change annually with Easter.
What are alfombras?
Colored sawdust "carpets" made by families overnight on cobblestone streets. Depict religious + folk scenes. Destroyed by procession that walks over them same afternoon.
How much are hotels for Semana Santa Antigua?
3-5× normal Antigua rates. $200-500/night mid-range. Book 8-12 months ahead. Guatemala City (1h) is cheaper alternative.
Antigua vs Seville for Semana Santa?
Antigua for colored sawdust alfombras + Guatemala mountain setting. Seville for scale + Madrugá dawn processions. Both UNESCO-worthy.
Is Antigua Guatemala safe?
Antigua tourist zone very safe. Standard vigilance elsewhere in Guatemala City. Use organised tours from Antigua for out-of-town day trips (Chichicastenango market, Volcán Pacaya).