拉麦塞德

Most likely you´ll walk past it as it next to the Arch, in the most touristic area of Antigua.Try to go early morning on a Sunday (around 9-10am) and you may be lucky enough to catch a local wedding, with lots of colorful dresses and local traditions. Street vendors next to it give you a good insight to the local snacks and treats (be careful if you have a sensitive stomach!!).Trust me you won´t forget it, so colorful and authentic. Nothing beats the real deal!!!

La Merced must be on anyone’s list traveling to Antigua. I highly recommend looking up the history of the church before you go. You will get even more from your visit. It would be great to go to a mass at the church, but not necessary. You will always find activity around the church, including street vendors of food day and night, and book vendors during the day. Often, I ate from the vendors, and I never got sick. When you get directions for anyplace in Antigua, people usually reference La Merced. If you plan on traveling to Antigua for any holiday, especially during the Easter season, La Merced will be the place to be.

La Merced is one of three things that comes to mind when I think about Antigua. I first think about the Arco de Santa Catalina. Next I think about Parque Central. Then I think about the beautiful architecture of La Merced. Hector's is also located across the street.

To the side of the church, there is a small entrance to an outdoor area. You climb some steps and then have a view of the volcanos including the smoking Volcan Fuego.

You most likely will end up there on your explorations. Northern point of the pedestrian zone. Small park outside the church.

Self guided. Only takes about 30 minutes if you read all the signs. It's worth the $2 just to understand the effect of the earthquakes here

Worth a visit. Absolutely beautiful old ruins. there is a small admission fee - that is worth every quetzal. the large fountain in the center really is breath taking - especially when viewed from the second floor of the ruins. this is one of the larger ruins - and easy to spend a half hour wandering around. don't miss it.

Left from the entrance of the church you can enter the hidden ancient monastery for only 15Q. Do it and you will see the rests of a beautiful fontain and more. Walk upstairs and see a view from the top.

This church is beautiful from the outside. The inside is great too. I attended a mass on Sunday morning. It was really nice. The parishioners were friendly.

A beautiful church we a very friendly atmosphere. Although the mass was in Spanish, it was a children's mass and discussed the importance of family. At one point the priest spoke in English and had all Foreign vistitors stand and be thanked by all who attended. We felt very welcomed.

Have to check out museum/ruins portion of La Merced. Amazing architecture and history to see from the 1700's. Get a local guide there if you can to really appreciate the abundance of rich history around you.

Colourful, noisy, friendly, confusing, funny but not for the weak stomached! I loved the fresh fruit and vegetables , when buying however unless your Spanish is good you will be overcharged. Everyone enjoyed my attempting to try on braziers on top of my clothing to find my size. All good fun.

I have enjoyed the facade and the functioning interior of the La Merced church on many visits to Antigua but we recently visited the ruins section with it's enormous fountain and gorgeous views. Highly recommended!

La Merced Church or often called Monasterio La Merced situated at the corner of 6a Ave Norte and 1a Calle Oriente. It is situated at the beginning of the pedestrian street of Antigua. The Church is very active with activities and masses days and nights. It is worth walking into the Church to join one of the masses or to observe activities in side the Church or in front of the Church. Then stroll around the Church ground to see and buy things. At night you can sit and eat at one of the food stalls around the area or go for a block on 6 Avenue to many other small restaurants.

The cathedral is beautiful but what was more impressive was the evening food stands that appear in the evening. at the plaza in front of the cathedral around 5pm lots of food stands serves food,drinks, tacos, salad etc. A lot of locals were eating and though I did not eat there, the food looked fresh and clean.