Page 10 | OkAntigua | Travel Guide to Antigua Guatemala

Vigil at Jocotenango, Guatemala – 11th Day of Lent

I’m always a bit apprehensive about visiting Jocotenango. A working-class suburb on the outskirts of Antigua, Jocotenango doesn’t have the best reputation as a safe place to be out and about in.

As it happens, Jocotenango is still trying to shed its reputation as an unsafe place. Home to seedy bars, brothels and gang warfare, the town has cleaned up its act.

The government sent in the Army about three years ago – they still do regular patrols there – and the town’s high gang violence has scaled back considerably. Which is why it’s perfectly fine to visit the town, should it ever be on your list of places to check out. And that’s why I was comfortable heading over to the Jocotenago Church with a camera on hand, though always with a bit more heightened awareness of my surroundings than I normally have in Antigua.

Jocotenango Church has a distinctive color which lends itself to an eye test – sort of like the brown/blue dress of Internet fame. Some people say it’s pink, some say it’s orange. Judge for yourself below.

I think it’s pink…

Wait… maybe it’s orange?

In any event, I was in Jocotenango to visit its vigil display. One advantage small churches have over large churches is that they allow visitors to get up close to the displays. It’s definitely easier to fill up the room with all sorts of decorations. But when the church is so big, like Jocotenango’s, the display feels rather underwhelming.

Jocotenango Vigil Display

There was choir music being piped in, which admittedly help give the display an airy feel that suited it well. Here’s a closeup of the alfombra (sawdust carpet):

Sawdust alfombra was well done – fruits were sparse

*****

Want to see more Holy Week photos? Click here!

*****

Did you visit Jocotenango?

Share below!

Antigua Guatemala Procession Wallpaper Calendar

Procession Santa Ines Antigua Guatemala wallpaper

March’s desktop wallpaper calendars are now available for download! Lent marks the start of tourist season in Guatemala, especially in Antigua. And with good reason, as the picture shows below.

With its processions and sawdust carpets, Antigua fills with color in a way that’s famous all over the world. Enjoy! Instructions on how to download below.

***For a list of Events happening in Antigua this month Click Here***

Santa Catarina Bobadilla Procession – the first of Lent season in Antigua

Traditional procession attire

These calendars are available in a US-friendly format which marks Sunday as the first day of the week. Remember that March 8th (Sunday) is Daylight Savings Time in the US – time to spring clocks forward. Thankfully, we don’t have to deal with that nonsense here in Guatemala ;)

To apply the calendar to your desktop, follow the instructions below:

1- Click on the following links to get your preferred version; each of these links will open a new window (or tab) displaying the wallpaper calendar in the screen size selected.

Santa Catarina Procession: 1920 x 1200 -&- 1920 x 1080

Traditional Lent Attire: 1920 x 1200 -& 1920 x 1080

2- Right-click (or Ctrl-click for most Mac users) on the image. Choose the option that says, “Set as Desktop Background”, “Use as Desktop Picture,” or something to that effect. Keep in mind that the exact wording will depend on the browser you use.

3- If the image does not fit your desktop background like it should, you may have to go to your preference options. On a Mac? Go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver > Desktop. Using Windows? Go to Control Panel > Display > Desktop) and choose “Fit to screen” as the display mode of your background image.

I hope you enjoy them! Feel free to share with friends and comment on our Facebook page .

Vigil at Santa Ines del Monte – 10th Day of Lent

Processions will be ramping up this weekend – there will be two happening on Saturday, one on Sunday. As is the custom, a vigil is held at the church where the procession is scheduled to come out of. On Wednesday, I visited tiny Los Llanos church, in Jocotenango. On Friday, a vigil was held at another small church, Santa Ines del Monte.

Santa Ines is a small town located at the entrance to Antigua, right about the time the winding road into the city levels off and the tumulos (speed bumps) begin. It’s easy to spot Santa Ines church. Just as you go past the first speed bump, keep your eyes on the left for the small yellow church. Admittedly, it looks more impressive in the picture below, though I think it’s more of a perspective angle that makes it seem more imposing than it really is.

Santa Ines del Monte Pulciano Church

I loved the flower carpet design – while the borders had the traditional patters, the design at the center was a stylish, modern crucifix. I’d love to figure out at some point who comes up with the designs and how they come to fruition.

Santa Ines Vigil Display

A close up of the alfombra. Digging the baby crocs on the lower corners…

Close up of flower carpet

There’s always a fish somewhere in the display. Meet the Papaya Shark….

That’s one sweet shark

This display’s story was Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine. If you look closely at the pic below, you’ll see water pouring from one of the water jars, which was pretty cool and the first time I’ve seen that wrinkle used in a display this year.

Water is literally pouring out of a jar

As mentioned earlier, processions will continue on Saturday – one at 5:00 pm and one at 6:00 pm, the first one leaving from Cuasi Parroquia and the second one from Santa Catarina Bobadilla. For the full procession schedule, download my free guide from http://bit.ly/OkAntiguaSignup

*****

Did you catch this vigil?

Share below!

Hobbitenango Antigua Guatemala: Visitors Guide

Hobbitenango, near Antigua Guatemala, is one of the most interesting attractions in the area and a popular day trip destination.

The restaurant, ecolodge and camping grounds have unmatched views – you’d need to go on a 6-hour volcano hike to get the views you can enjoy from here. In fact, on a clear day, you can see five volcanoes from here: Pacaya (near Guatemala City), Agua, Fuego, Acatenango, and even Toliman at Lake Atitlan.

From left to right: Pacaya, Agua, Fuego, Acatenango and Toliman volcanoes.

The Guatemalan Shire

As you can guess by the name, the concept is based around the idea of building a real-life Shire – J.R.R Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” if you still don’t get the hobbit/Shire references. The owners turned what used to be a personal camping spot and have built a self-sustaining, environment-friendly complete with organic garden.

Restaurant (center), private cottage (left), dorms (right)

Admission to Hobbitenango

There’s free admission from Monday through Saturday.

Admission on Sundays and during holidays

On Sundays and during holidays admission costs Q35 per person, which includes transportation from the parking lot (usually Q10 roundtrip). The admission fee is waived for visitors that arrive after 4 pm and those who purchase buffet packages (see below).

Hobbitenango’s All You Can Eat Buffet

Hobbitenango has buffet service on Sundays and holidays. Visitors who purchase any of the “All You Can Eat” breakfast/lunch/all-day buffet have admission included in the price.

The All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet runs from 8 am to 12 pm and costs Q75 per person (admission fee waived).

The All You Can Eat Lunch Buffet runs from 12 pm to 4 pm and costs Q135 per person (admission fee waived).

The Whole Day Pass All You Can Eat Buffets allows visitors to enjoy both breakfast and lunch buffet and costs Q185 per person (admission fee waived).

For children, the buffet prices are as follows:

Kids All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet costs Q35 per person (admission fee waived).

Kids All You Can Eat Lunch Buffet costs Q65 per person (admission fee waived).

Kids Whole Day Pass All You Can Eat Buffets costs Q75 per person (admission fee waived).

Hobbitenango Restaurant

The restaurant has a conventional menu (burgers, pasta, soups, salads) with a few items dressed up with Hobbit-themed names – mildly amusing. Check out Hobbitenango’s complete menu here. There are options for kids as well.

Outside food and drinks are not permitted. Payments are accepted in quetzals, dollars and credit cards – Visa only.

Jalapeno “The Dragon” Burger at Hobbitenango

Hobbit-themed cocktails

The bar has a nice selection of cocktails, beers, wine, and even champagne if you’re in a celebratory mood. You can “upgrade” the quality of your cocktail for a fee.

Main Area

Hobbitenango’s main lounge

The property’s showstopper is its Hobbit house-like round door, which it’s my guess would become the most photographed door in Antigua if the grounds were located there.

Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes can be seen in the distance

Even the restrooms have million quetzals views.

Bathroom at Hobbitenango – Agua volcano in the background

Hobbitenango Ecolodge and Camping

Hobbitenango used to have a two-bedroom cottage (very rustic and charmless) and dorms.

Original private cottage structure at Hobbitenango

There are now two very nice cottages, which you can check out here. The cottages start at $75USD/night.

There’s also a campsite (Madam Balam) with room for seven tents – it has an eco-toilet, but no shower, and space for a campfire. Camping is $11.25 for a two-person tent. Oh, and you must bring your own tent and sleeping bag.

How to get to Hobbitenango

You can drive up to Hobbitenango – it’s reasonably straightforward to get there. Just head north on 1ra Avenida Norte, as if traveling to Cerro de la Cruz – go past it. Once you get to Aldea El Hato (where the turnoff for Earth Lodge is) keep driving uphill on the paved road. After 5-10 minutes you’ll spot the sign to Hobbitenango on your left.

Entrance to Hobbitenango

Here’s where things get a little dicey. From this point forward, the road is rutted and only fit for 4×4 vehicles. You can leave your car parked on the side of the road and huff your way uphill. More on that in a moment.

Alternatively, you can catch a shuttle in Antigua – it’s Q35 per person roundtrip. Shuttles start departing from Antigua daily every two hours, from Hobbienango’s office located at 1a Avenida Norte #36, just past the basketball court as you walk towards Cerro de la Cruz.

The first shuttle leaves at 8:00 am. Call the folks at Hobbitenango ahead of time to let them know you’ll be waiting for shuttle service (phone #: (502) 3090-8812).

If you drive here, you can park at the lot at the bottom of the hill. All-day parking costs Q15 for cars, Q10 for motorcycles.

Arriving at Hobbitenango

Shuttle vans will only take you so far as they’re not 4×4 vehicles. From the bottom of the hill is a strenuous (for us at least) 30 minute walk uphill. Unless you’re in top physical shape, or don’t mind making lots of stops to catch your breath – it’s up at 2,400 meters here – pay the extra Q10 per person (roundtrip) and have a pickup give you a ride from the bottom of the hill and haul you up the required 800 meters.

The “easier” uphill walking path of the two

Once the uphill walk levels off a bit, the scenery turns very pleasant.

Walking paths

As you get closer, Hobbitenango will come into view.

Hobbitenango in the distance

Getting closer…

After an arduous walk, reward yourself by plopping on the couches and ordering a cocktail or smoothie.

Things To Do at Hobbitenango

If the uphill walk hasn’t woken up your appetite, maybe head for the nearby trails around the property to get it going.

In addition, they also have a few Middle Earth attractions to keep you entertained. There’s an archery range, horseback rides, hammocks, really high swings, and even a jousting stage. They also have live music every weekend.

*****

Hobbitenango is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, until 8 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The bar is open until 10 pm on weekends.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/Hobbitenango

*****

What was your experience like at Hobbitenango?

Share below!

Vigil at Cuasi Parroquia Los Llanos – 8th Day of Lent

Today’s vigil was at Los Llanos, inside Cuasi Parroquia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, a hamlet north of Jocotenango – the latter a busy town immediately north of Antigua. I’d never visited the town before – had no reason to until I decided to catch as many vigils and processions as possible.

The town is easy to get to, as there are buses at the terminal clearly marked “Jocotenango – Los Llanos” (Q2 fare one way). Once dropped off at the terminal, it’s a 5-minute walk to the church. While Jocotenango has a reputation due to past gang activity a few years ago, locals I spoke to said Los Llanos was a fairly quiet, easygoing and safe town. It definitely seemed so when I visited.

You know you’re getting close when you start seeing food stalls…

The name Cuasi Parroquia is a strange one, as it literally means “Quasi Parish.” Turns out, a “quasi parish” is one that has been granted permission to establish itself as a parish, ut hasn’t been blessed as one by a bishop, for whatever reason, the most common one being that their temple hasn’t been built yet. This did not appear to be the case – unless building a new church is in their plans.

Humble Cuasi Parroquia

While the exterior wasn’t as glamorous as that of other churches, its vigil display was very well done. Rather than get cute or creative with their alfombra, the folks at Cuasi Parroquia opted for a traditional alfombra design, which was the best I’ve seen so far this season.

The display’s theme was “The Rich Young Man“

Alfombra at Cuasi Parroquia

And of course, no display is complete without an edible animal of some sort, be it carved out of fruit or a baked creation.

Semi-sweet Pan Lagarto (Lizard Bread)

There’s a tiny procession scheduled at Cuasi Parroquia for next Saturday. It’s so small that it won’t even leave the neighborhood, making it impossible to catch unless you head there for the express purpose of seeing it.

Cheap Eats: Inexpensive, Tasty Burgers

It was easy to photograph the display at Cuasi Parroquia – the church is relatively out of the way, so it was nearly empty when we arrived. Some local girls I asked for directions didn’t even know there was a vigil being held at the church.

Once out of the church, we explored the hamlet a bit. On the way to the church, we noticed there was a small La Bodegona Supermarket, which I had no idea existed. Next to La Bodegona, there was a small restaurant serving burgers, one that’s owned by La Bodegona.

Lamburguesa Sign

In Antigua, La Bodegona has a small take-out restaurant that sells burgers, hot dogs, and nacho cheese. The burgers are a tasty, inexpensive alternative to McDonald’s burgers a few doors down on 4ta Calle Poniente – the sweet, caramelized onions are what makes this burger worth eating.

The drawback to the Antigua location is that there’s no seating due to lack of space. No such problems at the Los Llanos location.

Inside Lamburguesa

My daughter gave the “Jot Dogs” two thumbs up

The combo (burger + fries + drink) is Q20 -a pretty good deal. Unfortunately, the Antigua location doesn’t sell french fries.

Up next is a display at another tiny church, Santa Ines del Monte Pulciano.

*****

Any recommendations for cheap, tasty burgers in Antigua?

Share in the comments below!