Flying at the top of a mountain
What is the best place for a bird’s eye view of La Antigua Guatemala? Many people think it’s from the Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross), situated on a mountain north of the city. Even higher than the Cerro de la Cruz is the Santo Domingo del Cerro. Add an incredible zipline adventure (Circo del Aire) and there you have it. With spectacular 360-degree views, you’ll feel like you’re flying.
The Circo del Aire offers a zipline experience extraordinaire. There are 12 cables in total, with the longest stretching 400 meters. The entire setup meets the requirements of the Association of Challenge Course Technology. The equipment is top quality, all lines are double cables and the crew is highly trained. I knew I was in good hands from the get-go.
This course is like nothing I have experienced from previous ziplining adventures. At Circo del Aire there are two suspension bridges connecting various canopy lines and a section where you climb up to the platform and hook on to the 100-meter line. When I say straight up, I mean straight up, but knowing you are attached to an automatic belay system, the experience was thrilling, not scary. I loved zipping from one platform to another, feeling the rush of wind on my face as I flew through the sky. Stopping at the end of your ride is anxiety free. You don’t have to self-brake; the guide waiting on the platform brakes for you.
My favorite line by far was the Superman cable. You are equipped with a special harness that allows you to be rigged horizontally to the cable—attached by both your chest and legs. There are two cables side by side so you can go two at a time. You start from the platform in almost a push-up position and then you launch yourself out over the abyss! With your hands in soaring position you feel like you are flying without wings. Soaring through the air, what an incredibly smooth ride.
To add to your day and accommodate your hunger, many visitors go straight to the Tenedor del Cerro, the mountain-top restaurant specializing in gourmet pizza and more amazing vistas. The grounds are beautifully laid out with impressive contemporary art installations by Efrain Recinos dotting the pine-scented landscape.
On Saturdays and Sundays the weekend carnival atmosphere is highlighted with food treats like chuchitos, slushes and cotton candy.
Circo del Aire is open six days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Mondays); Q280 p/p for the flight of a lifetime! Casa Santo Domingo, La Antigua, provides a free shuttle service from the hotel, just sign in at the reception desk for the 10-minute trip.