Where To Find The Best Cocktails in Antigua, Guatemala.

18/02/202505/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

A cocktail at the Casa del Ron bar in Antigua, Guatemala

I did quite a bit of research on where to find the best cocktails and drinks in Antigua, Guatemala before our visit last summer. My research paid off. This post shares great cocktail spots in Antigua, Guatemala.

A street scene in the colonial centre of Antigua, Guatemala

Cute Antigua, Guatemala.

Nahuales Mixology & Mayan Cocktails, a Fuente Mall and Foodcourt, 4a Calle Ote. n° 14, open daily 6 PM – 11 PM.

By far, our favorite cocktails in Antigua, Guatemala were at Nahuales Mixology & Mayan Cocktails. Named for the Mayan concept of the “nahaul”, or the cultural concept that everyone’s birthdate shapes ones personality and energy and based on birthdate, everyone is assigned a “nahaul”. As best I can describe it, a nahual is a Mayan sign that includes a related spirit animal, stone, metal, number, color and other unique information. We learned a lot about nahauls in Guatemala, and I never really understood it totally…but its important. Nahuales bar has the book of all nahauls onsite and can help you find your own nahaul.

Museum panel explaining the Mayan nahual day signs at Museo Miraflores, Guatemala City

This is an explanation of nahuales from the Museo Mira Flores in Guatemala City.

In any case, Nahuales Mixology & Mayan Cocktails is located in central Antigua inside an Antiguan strip mall of sorts. While small, the bar is very cool featuring an interesting menu and often a live DJ. Many of the cocktails on the menu are named for specific nahuales. We tried two cocktails each here, and they were very well made. Honestly, the best we had in Guatemala (except maybe tied with Cocktail Lobby in Guatemala City). The mixologist was also really great and even let us sample Guatemalan moonshine (which I didn’t even know existed). We highly recommend Nahuales for a true local cocktail bar in Antigua. Go to Nahuales Mixology & Mayan Cocktails for Mayan cultural information, excellent cocktails and a fun vibe.

The entrance to Nahuales.

The bar at Nahuales Mixology and Mayan Cocktails, Antigua, Guatemala

Nahuales bar.

The small interior of Nahuales Mixology and Mayan Cocktails in Antigua, Guatemala

The interior.

The cocktail menus at Nahuales in Antigua, with drinks named for Mayan nahuales

The menus.

A pour of Guatemalan moonshine over a clear ice sphere at Nahuales, Antigua

Guatemalan moonshine. Also, look at that perfect ice sphere.

One of the Mayan-inspired cocktails at Nahuales Mixology, Antigua, Guatemala

One of the Nahuales cocktails.

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Airport Lounge Review: Casa del Ron, Guatemala La Aurora International

16/02/202505/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

The full service bar at the Casa del Ron lounge, Guatemala La Aurora International Airport

When flying out of Guatemala City in July 2024, we visited on of the best Priority Pass airport lounges that we have visited in a while – Casa del Ron! This post reviews our, albeit brief, experience at Casa del Ron.

Casa del Ron at Guatemala La Auror International Airport. I’m certain its sponsored by Zacapa rum.

Casa del Ron

Casa del Ron is a store/bar chain in Guatemala specializing in Guatemalan liquors, particularly rum. In fact, Casa del Ron is a great place to buy hard-to-find bottles of Zacapa rum (possibly Guatemala’s best rum) and other Guatemalan specialities. Dan and I visited the Casa del Ron in Antigua for drinks and they were high quality. Unknown to us on our visit to Casa del Ron in Antigua, there is also an outpost at the Guatemala La Aurora International airport (i.e., the Guatemala City airport), and its on Priority Pass. We obviously visited.

A delicious cocktail at Casa del Ron in Antigua.

The Cases del Ron Lounge & Checkin

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Airport Lounge Review: Sala Montale, Milan Malpensa, Terminal 1

04/02/202505/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

On our way out of Milan in October 2024, after a fabulous trip to Cinque Terre, Lucca, Florence & Milan, we spent 90 minutes in the Sala Montale lounge in Milan Malpensa’s Terminal 1. This post reviews our time at the Sala Montale. In sum, Sala Montale was much nicer than I expected, especially for a lounge on Priority Pass, and we had an enjoyable experience. I would certainly return, but I would not leave extra early to visit the Sala Montale Lounge. There is better food and drink to be had in Milan!

Our travel group at the end of the Italy trip, Milan Malpensa Terminal 1

Here is the group on our trip to Italy!

THE SALA MONTALE LOUNGE

The Sala Montale Lounge is one of five “Vip lounges” (that is a brand, not description) in Milan Malpensa’s airport. As of October 2024, it was not associated or run by any particular airline. Rather, any person flying can purchase lounge access online. Sala Montale is also on Priority Pass, which is how we accessed the lounge.

The Sala Montale Lounge is located in Malpensa’s Terminal 1, post-security in Boarding Area B. Sala Montale is only open to Non-Schengen flights. There is a maximum stay of 2 hours per both its website and a sign on checkin. I would note, however, I am not sure who this policy could be actually enforced given the size of the lounge.

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Airport Lounge Review: No. 1 Lounge, Heathrow Terminal 2

10/01/202506/08/2026wareontheglobe 1 Comment

The No. 1 Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2 looking from the back to the front

No.1 Lounge is a UK airport lounge brand with locations in several UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick. I previously visited the one in Heathrow’s Terminal 3 (also great, but this one was superior), which you can read about here. This review discusses the new No.1 Lounge in Heathrow’s Terminal 2, or “The Queen’s Terminal.”

NO.1 LOUNGE LOCATION IN TERMINAL 2

The No.1 Lounge in Terminal 2 is located post-security near Gate A2. To access the lounge, turn right after security and take the elevator or escalator down 1 level. Once on the lower level, turn right behind the Louis Vuitton cafe (which looked so nice) and you’ll find another elevator (with a sign) to take you to the lounge. Honestly, locating the No. 1 Lounge was not the easiest, which was made more difficult by the fact that it is a new lounge and there are few signs for it. We finally found a sign at the elevator leading to the lounge. It was worth the search.

The signed elevator leading down to the No. 1 Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 2

Finally found the elevator to the No.1 Lounge!

CHECK-IN TO THE NO.1 LOUNGE IN TERMINAL 2

We checked in to the No.1 Lounge by presenting our Priority Pass card and boarding passes to the check-in desk, which is are is where guests exit the elevator from the general terminal. There were no issues checking in with Priority Pass (as there often are), but it was not a particularly crowded flying day IMO.

While we used our Priority Pass to access the No. 1 Lounge, anyone can go on the lounge’s website and purchase a 3 hour pass for 40 pounds per adult (20 per child). Passes can be booked up to 24 hours in advance, and there is often a discount for booking in advance online. We attempted to book the lounge online, but (1) it was too late (less than 24 hours in advance) and (2) the lounge charged full price to book (the other No.1 permitted a nominal reservation fee for those with Priority Pass). Given how crowded some lounges can get, I suggest making a reservation if you can.

THE NO.1 LOUNGE SPACE IN TERMINAL 2

Compared to the No.1 Lounge in Terminal 3, the No.1 Lounge in Terminal 2 is much smaller, but also much more chic. The vibe of the lounge was old school luxury, with a clean, modern feel, but while also invoking somewhat of an art deco theme. It definitely worked. Think green plants, lots of wood and velvet furniture. Feathery plants were also sprinkled around. I really loved this style.

A selection of the decor.

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Airport Lounge Review: The Lounge San Juan (Puerto Rico) at Terminal C

17/09/202407/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

La Marqueta, a market in San Juan, Puerto Rico, used as this post's featured image

San Juan Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is home to one of my least favorite airport lounges – The Lounge San Juan Terminal C. That being said, the staff is always nice and they drinks freely flow, so Dan and I usually stop in since we have complimentary access through our Priority Pass (along with everyone else, LOL). This post reviews The Lounge at San Juan’s airport, Terminal C (there is also a Lounge location in Terminal A, but I have never visited it).

The entrance to The Lounge at San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin airport, Terminal C

Welcome to The Lounge.

THE LOUNGE LOCATION IN TERMINAL C

The Lounge is technically located in Terminal C of San Juan’s international airport, just past security, through the duty free shop to the left. While technically in Terminal C, Terminal B is a very short walk away (literally if you went right out of the duty free instead of left). As such, Terminal B passengers can easily access The Lounge without disrupting plans. The signage for The Lounge is truly right after duty free before you really get into Terminal C. Passengers access the lounge via the elevator behind the below sign. A checkin desk is right at the exit of the elevator. A line can form upstairs when busy.