Antigua

Rich volcanic soil, low humidity, lots of sun, and cool nights characterize the Antigua Coffee region. This valley is surrounded by three volcanoes: Agua, Fuego, and Acatenango. Every once in a while, Fuego—one of Guatemala’s three active volcanoes—adds a fresh dusting of mineral-rich ash to Antigua’s soil. Volcanic pumice in the soil retains moisture, which helps offset Antigua’s low rainfall. In Antigua, shade is especially dense to protect the coffee plants from the region’s occasional frost.