If you’re traveling to Antigua Guatemala as a digital nomad and are looking for nice work-friendly cafés that serve delicious coffee, read on to find some of the best spots (in my humble opinion).
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Work-Friendly Cafés in Antigua Guatemala
As a digital nomad, I’m used to working from pretty much anywhere. Bus stations, planes, trains, hostel beds, coworking spaces, hotel halls, you name it. But my favorite places to work are cafés. There’s something about being in a public place with chatter and coffee-making noises in the background, which helps me focus. I’m even writing these very lines in a café.
So, naturally, the first thing I do when arriving in a new place is to look for cafés I can work from while also enjoying a cup of coffee. I must say Antigua has been one of the places with the most digital nomad-friendly cafés I’ve visited so far.
There are so many lovely places, each with its style and charm, but all of them – or at least the ones I tried – serve incredibly good coffee. After all, it’s Guatemala, if you don’t get good coffee there.
Over the roughly ten days I spent in Antigua, I made it my mission to find the best cafés to work from as a digital nomad, and I think I was pretty successful. Unfortunately, or not, I fell in love with a couple of places I had to go back to instead of trying out new ones.
Anyway, I think I gathered a decent sample. So here is my take on the best cafés to work from and enjoy great coffee in Antigua Guatemala, in no particular order.
But first, here’s a map with all the cafés:If you are looking for restaurant options instead, here are my favorite restaurants in Antigua Guate.
1. Artista de Café
This is by far the most aesthetic café in Antigua. The sleek, minimalist design is carefully thought through, and the coffee is great. You’ll always find the café filled with people working, so it’s the perfect environment to enjoy a cup of joe while getting some work done. There’s even a big table to work at if you want to socialize and, of course, good WiFi.
On my two times at this café, I had iced coffee and cappuccino, and they were both delicious, although on the more expensive side compared to other places in Antigua. The café develops on two stories, so you can find quite a few little nooks for privacy, along with the main area upstairs. There’s also a small inner garden if you want to sit outside.
Artista de Café is just three blocks from the central square of Antigua, Plaza Mayor. One thing to keep in mind is that the place is really popular, so get there early if you want to find a good table to work at. The first time I went there was in the afternoon, around 3 PM, and it was nearly full. The second time I went before 9 AM and found it nearly empty.
2. Cafe Boheme
This was one the most charming cafés I went to in Antigua. The colorful rooftop terrace with wooden tables, lots of plants, and gorgeous views is reason enough to check out this café. Add to this a delicious breakfast, and this place is just perfect for a late morning of work.
Aside from the terrace, you also have a couple of spots that are covered, but they aren’t the most comfortable for working. However, even the tables out on the terrace are mostly in the shade, you just need to get there at the right time and have a bit of luck, and you’ll find a good spot to work. There’s good wifi too, so that’s a big plus.
I went to Café Boheme twice and had a delicious late breakfast on both occasions. Although coffee is better in other places, the tasty and super affordable food and the lovely view make up for it. The place is also not too crowded, especially if you go mid-morning. You may find it busier around 10 AM and at lunchtime.
3. LA VID COFFEE ROASTERS
I went to this place twice and couldn’t find a good reason why I found it empty on both occasions. This café makes one of the best cappuccinos in Antigua, and it’s super chill to work from. The space is wide but not crammed with tables, so you get lots of space and silence for working.
The slightly cold, somewhat industrial vibes may not be everyone’s cup of tea – or coffee. Even though I love colorful places, I liked the minimalist atmosphere in this café. There’s a big communal table alongside several smaller tables and even high tables with stools, all great for working. Plus, you’ll find several plugs around if you’re running low on battery.
If you’d rather chill, you’ll also find a couple of couches and armchairs. Last but not least, there’s good WiFi. This was one of my favorite places for focused work. I sat at the high tables and worked undisturbed for hours while sipping my amazing cappuccino.
4. Starbucks
I know what you might be thinking. Really? Starbucks? But hear me out, because this is not your usual Starbucks. I can say without a doubt this is the most beautiful Starbucks I’ve seen. If you’re expecting the usual Starbucks design, you’ll be surprised to discover how much the chain adapted to the local vibe.
You’ll notice the difference from other Starbucks cafés as soon as you set foot inside, but the real gem is the interior patio. The huge space is filled with colorful tables, lots of plants all over the place, and colorful wall paintings. Like in any Starbucks, you can work unbothered as long as you want.
As for the coffee, the atmosphere may have skewed my perception, but I think it was even better than the usual Starbucks coffee, which I like. The bottom line is, don’t skip this place just because it’s a big chain. This Starbucks is truly special, go see for yourself.
5. Fernando’s Kaffee
This place was a total surprise for me. As you walk into the store, you’ll never imagine that behind it, there’s a gorgeous patio with plants, fountains, and even the occasional cat keeping you company as you work.
This is totally my kind of place, colorful and vibrant, with lots of green, fresh air, and sunshine. Part of the patio is in the sun, so you’ll need to look for a table in the shade to work, but you have many options. Overall, this is a lovely work-friendly café in Antigua, so be sure to check it out.
I had a mochaccino and a slice of banana bread here, and they were both delicious. I couldn’t stop myself from buying some coffee and chocolate to take away too, and everything was divine. Try also the chocolate tea, it’s so good. Although it’s hard to put these places in order of preference, I think this spot makes the top five at the very least.
6. Fat Cat Coffee House
I went to this café because I had heard many good things about it, and I was not disappointed. The coffee was delicious – I had my usual cappuccino – and the space is good to work. There’s good WiFi but not many options to plug your laptop, so keep that in mind if you need to work.
One downside, if I may call it so, is that there are only about five or six tables, so you may have a hard time finding a spot. I got there right after lunch and found the place almost empty, but it may get quite crowded at other times.
The location of this café is also perfect, right by Centro Comercial la Fuente. You can stop for a coffee right after having lunch at one of the many cafés in the shopping center.
7. Alegría Café
Unfortunately, I only discovered this specialty coffee shop on my second last day in Guatemala, or I would have gone back. The coffee is incredibly good, and the banana bread I had was delicious.
The space is cozy yet minimalist. However, it’s not too big, so you may not always find a free table. I sat at the tall table by the window, watching people pass by as I was sipping on my cappuccino. The café is right next to Plaza Mayor, so it’s perfect for a break from sightseeing.
I also worked in this cafè for a while. Being so close to the main square in Antigua, you may find the spot a bit noisy, with lots of people coming and going. If you’re like me and don’t mind that once you get in the zone, it’s a great place to work from. But do yourself a favor and try the banana bread, it’s incredible.
8. Café Bocetos
This café caught my eye as I was passing by one day, and I told myself I had to go back and have a coffee in this cool spot. Entering this café feels like entering some Alice in Wonderland place, with black and white decorations that feel like everything is made of paper.
The concept is not new, you may be familiar with the more famous 3D cafés in the UAE, but in Antigua, it was something I didn’t expect. Aside from being super cute, the place makes delicious iced coffee, so be sure to try it out.
I stopped by at an odd hour, I think it was still lunchtime, so it was empty. I enjoyed some quiet work time (yes, there’s WiFi) and the great coffee. Lastly, this work-friendly café is in a super central location in Antigua, just one block from Plaza Mayor.
9. Cafe Estudio
I wish I had ordered my usual cappuccino at this place instead of the hot chocolate, which was way too sweet for me. But other than that, this is a lovely café. The only downside is that most of the terrace is not shaded, so finding a spot to work can be tricky.
I stayed on the ground floor, which can be a bit chaotic to work from as people are coming and going, and the place is quite small. If you don’t mind that, it’s perfectly fine. The place is really cute, the terrace is amazing, and there are lots of drink choices. Just a word of warning if you want the hot chocolate, be prepared for a sugar high.
Like all cafés I tried in Antigua, this place too has good WiFi, so it’s perfect if you need to work. I wish I could tell you more about the coffee, but you’ll have to find that out for yourself. The café is just two blocks from Antigua’s Plaza Mayor.
10. Coffee Shack
This is another one of those places I wish I had discovered earlier, but then again, I only spent ten days in Antigua. There are so many cafés that are amazing both for their coffee and work environments, it’s hard to check them all.
I stumbled upon this café on my last day in Antigua, just before catching my shuttle to the airport. I only spent a short time drinking a cappuccino and getting some work done, but I loved the place. There are dedicated work and chill areas, a lovely terrace, and even a games room.
Aside from making great coffee and providing a super cool workplace, Coffee Shack is part of Serve Hope Guatemala, a nonprofit organization helping communities in need by providing them with clean water. So not only do you get to drink amazing coffee, but you contribute to this great cause.
While you’re there, check out the cool facts about coffee cultivation in Guatemala and the entire world, the so-called Coffee Bean Belt. On Google Maps, you’ll find the place as Serve Hope Café GT.
Getting to and staying in Antigua Guatemala
Just a few words about getting to Antigua Guatemala and staying there. The city is well-connected to Guatemala City and La Aurora Airport, both roughly one hour and a half away. The easiest way to get to Antigua is by shared shuttle, which costs around $12.
You can find affordable flights to Guatemala from many US cities and other places in North and Central America. Check WayAway for great flight deals. You can also earn cashback on eligible flights with WayAway Plus. Sign up here for wayAway Plus to get 10% off your subscription.
As for places to stay in Antigua, I booked everything on Booking.com and managed to find great deals. I spent one week at Casa Landivar Hotel, which I recommend for the delicious breakfast and lovely terrace with volcano views. I also went back to Antigua after spending some time at Lake Atitlàn and stayed at Casa ELA, my favorite place in Antigua, and Hospedaje El Viajero Antigua, a super affordable place if you want a private room in the center of Antigua.
Check out more accommodation options on Booking.com.
Booking.comBefore your trip, be sure you have all the necessary documentation to visit Guatemala. I recommend using iVisa to check which travel documentation may be necessary depending on your country of citizenship. They also facilitate visa requests, health forms, and embassy registration, so check them out for any travel documentation.
Lastly, check out this article on the most beautiful colonial ruins in Antigua Guatemala, and be sure to travel to Lake Atitlán and visit these charming villages. If you’re up for a challenge, try the Acatenango overnight hike.
Let me know your thoughts about these work-friendly cafés in Antigua Guatemala. Did you check out any of them?
