Most of my experiences with tourist-worthy churches were in Europe (not counting NYC's St. Patrick's Cathedral, around the corner from my office). So when I walked into this church, I was perhaps more impressed than necessary. However, that is not to say this church isn't impressive. It is probably typically Latin American, with its Spanish influences. Clean white walls, with decoration in dark wood. Along the upper reaches of the walls at one of the secondary entrances, there are some of the most compelling and enchanting cherubs I've seen decorating any church. Their effect is enhanced by the contrast of their dark wood against the whitewashed walls. However, you only need a few moments in the church to grasp its atmosphere and see the relics of Hermano Pedro de Betancourt (up for canonization this year) before you are ready to scoot over to the ruins of the monastery. For 2 quetzales (about 30 cents), you can roam among these remarkably well-preserved ruins (I know that's an oxymoron of sorts) all day long, imagining yourself a monk in the 1600's or a high falutin' benefactor, surveying the domain.
The land of the ruins is hilly, and shady in some parts, with flowering trees everywhere. In short, a perfect place for a picnic if you so wish (just don't follow the natives' lead: pick up your trash!). It took us about an hour to scout every nook and cranny, and to examine and gape over how intact some of the frescoes were after all these centuries. The vaulted ceilings of the dining hall are mostly there, and you can make out enough of the decoration to imagine the room, candlelit, full with dining monks being served by robed nuns. We also came across a few students sketching or reading, napping or journaling, and were it not for an impending appointment, I would have sprawled out and done one of the same myself.