Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Life in Guatemala A to Z: Antigua

A gem of a city in Guatemala is Antigua, just an hour's ride away from Guatemala City. A fitting post for the first day in the A to Z Challenge, since it is often the first place outside Guatemala City tourists go see.

Many American and European expats live here as it is so beautiful, quiet and clean.  Antigua has ordinances against horn-honking and sign placement, unlike other towns and villages of Guatemala, to keep the city pristine for tourism.

I love to visit Antigua because of the ancient history preserved here, dating back from when the Spanish settled and established their colonies. Below are a few pictures I took recently in Antigua.

We picked up our son at the airport in Guatemala City and stopped at this scenic and historic courtyard to unwind


And then we went to Antigua's Central Park...passing this fellow along the way...

I haggled with a street vendor and got a coral necklace ("not plastic!" she told me) for Q12, or about $1.50 in American currency.  After buying fresh mango, papaya and pineapple-- cut and bagged-- we sat on a park bench and then went on our way.

Goodbye, Antigua. Until next time...




44 comments:

  1. I love the pictures and what you've said makes me feel like I've been their!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What an amazingly beautiful place! I would love to visit it someday.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is a beautiful place. Good to know they try to keep it clean.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful pictures! Looking forward to the rest of your posts on Guatemala, especially anything that reminds me of our trip there in 2008.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gorgeous place! I and my camera would have a field day.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Never been there but it looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing your pictures and good with the challenge this year!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks so beautiful there. The guy carrying the bookcase...looks like something I'd do.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fascinating post! I've just blogged about a visit to Kelmscott, the old home of William Morris in England, but this is just so much more... exotic!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sounds lovely. It is on my list of places I would like to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love seeing your pictures.
    Thanks for coming by
    http://talesofthereborncrafter.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. OMW when did this happen Karen. You look so relaxed over there.
    What happened to the baking business. I love how scenic that place is. So beautiful.
    <3
    Wendy @Fabulosity Reads Book Promotions

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful! You're kicking my wanderlust into high gear. This theme could be bad for me. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, Antigua looks beautiful! I wish they had an ordinance against horn-honking here in Chicago; I lost so many nights' sleep because of obnoxious drivers and their horns.
    You're so lucky that you get to travel; it's a fascinating experience, and it's worth writing about.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The place looks amazing. Kind of reminds me of Saint Augustine, fl.

    Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm

    ReplyDelete
  15. The pictures of Antigua were so beautiful. That bougainvillea and the historic park made me feel as if I could reach out and touch the petals and feel the warmth of the stone walkway.

    ReplyDelete
  16. How beautiful! I wish I could visit Antigua. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Looks like a painter's paradise. Thanks for sharing the great photos!

    http://marymontaguesikes.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-is-for-antelope-canyon-on-navaho.html

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm always on the lookout for beautiful places to visit. Thanks for the suggestion!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Looks beautiful and relaxing. So glad you get to enjoy this whenever you want!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love this! So good to read and see the pics. Sorry I haven't been around for ages but plan on visiting all my old pals during the A to Zed challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Karen - looks glorious and I think you'll perhaps be picking me up from the airport at some stage! Enjoy life there .. and I'm so looking forward to seeing more of Guatemala and your new homeland .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  22. A gorgeous place, with so much history. Good choice!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beautiful pix! Sounds like a great place to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I can see why you like visiting there. What beautiful pictures! I also love the no horn-honking ordinance. If only every place had that. :D

    ReplyDelete
  25. What pretty pictures I love the buildings and the Courtyard. Plus the flowers are so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  26. This is an exciting- I didn't realize we are getting an A-Z Guatemala. Yay! <3

    ReplyDelete
  27. Very interesting. When I collected stamps in my younger day I recall stamps from Antigua and always thought it was a country. Not sure why they had their own stamps. Sounds like a grand place to visit and maybe even live.

    Lee
    Wrote By Rote
    An A to Z Co-host blog

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a beautiful place. I love old cities.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for dropping by the blog earlier. Central America is such a beautiful place and somewhere I would love to revisit some day. I have not been to Guatemala but it would be fun to visit based on the photos I have seen.

    Sean at His and Her Hobbies

    ReplyDelete
  30. Absolutely gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Looks very interesting. Always love visiting new places.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Lovely pictures. I hope things are going well!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Beautiful pictures and a great idea for a theme!
    Nancy at Hungry Enough To Eat Six

    ReplyDelete
  34. It sounds like a great theme to the A-Z and definitely a great post to start the Challenge with the beautiful pictures. Love the last pic! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh. My. Gosh! :-) The photos are so beautiful! You've got an awesome theme, Karen!

    SittieCates
    Latest Blog Post: #AtoZChallenge Post: B for Bubbles Day by Ally Nathaniel

    ReplyDelete
  36. It looks absolutely beautiful there, definitely worth a visit. :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow, wow, wow, I love the pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Beautiful pictures! Looking forward to all the others you will be sharing as you continue your theme :)

    Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of Ink

    ReplyDelete
  39. Very pretty! What kind of trees are those around the fountain in the second to last photo?

    ReplyDelete
  40. Beautiful photos of a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are welcome!