Thus the lapidary part of the industry is about 200 kms from the mine site. It is an important tourist attraction which creates a confidence for value and authenticity in the product with the tourist buyer, which includes well-heeled North Americans and Europeans. The town of Antigua is itself a gem. The old Spanish capital of Guatemala is beautifully preserved. It is a haven for students who come here to learn Spanish.
Tourists come too, in luxury tour buses for the day, and longer.
On every street corner it seems there is an old church, or monastery, often in ruins since earthquakes have taken their toll over the centuries. You admire the colonial architecture. The amazing variety of Indian craft goods on sale in the streets and market places will soon exhaust your cash supply, and trendy restaurants will dent your credit card. The climate of Antigua is temperate. It lies in the Western Highlands at an altitude of 1530 metres, with a backdrop of three dormant volcanoes , called Agua, Fuego and Acatenango.