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In my never ending quest to bring you unique and different perspectives of this enchanting 500-year old colonial town which we know as Antigua Guatemala, I bring you this photograph taken by one of my co-workers at Revue Magazine and fellow photograhy enthusiast César Tián. The photo above could be the facing view of the picture shown in Almost Ready for 2012. Obviously, César knows people in higher places than I do because I have never been to the roof top of the Muni building. I’ve gotta fix that! In the mean time, let’s thank César for sharing this rooftop panoramic vista of Central Park with us. Make sure you click on top of the photo above to look at a larger image.

Photo by César Tián

Not even a week had elapsed since I shared with you the incredible vistas from La Casaca as shown on the post Having Breakfast in Antigua Guatemala when my friend Norman Avila decided to come up to the terrace and make this panoramic vista of Parque Central. We should thank Norman for sharing this unique perspective with us.

Photo by Norman Avila

Guatemala’s Channel 7 News, Noti7, was filming the year in news summary tonight at Parque Central and I was able to get a few shots. I also recorded a short video clip since some of you have asked to get sounds and moving pictures as well. For sure the video will give you a sense of the sounds and atmosphere that we’re experiencing in Antigua Guatemala.

This could be your vista if you decide to have breakfast at the terrace of La Casaca coffee shop in Antigua Guatemala. From this vantage point, you can hear the murmur of the people at the Main Plaza, the squeaky sounds of the carriages, the ringing of the bells of the Cathedral on the other side of Parque Central all while sipping the hot and delicious cup of coffee.

I know, life is though in La Antigua Guatemala.

There’s been live Andean music at the Plaza Mayor for several months thanks to this band who a few times a week set up a live show of classic Latin American songs and covers of popular music played with the distinctive Andean music style. Live music at the park is always a hit and everyone enjoys it. I am glad to see more free culture manifestations at the Main Plaza. Remember that every Friday at 4 p.m. you can enjoy the Municipal Band recital.

La Antigua Guatemala is quite possibly the most photogenic town in Guatemala and it comes as no surprise to find photographers, sometimes entire groups, to be walking around the colonial time capturing enduring memories and vistas to share with family and friends. In the picture above, we see two such photographers comparing their shots.

I have said it often and I even declared it as irrefutable fact: the best place to have ice cream in Antigua Guatemala has to be the Plaza Mayor (main plaza), better known as Parque Central. So, it comes as no surprise that there are seven ice cream shops within one block from parque central; maybe more. Still, if you don’t believe me ask these three happy-ice-cream-eating nuns.

One more thing, remember that the ice cream in Guatemala is unbelievably delicious because it is the real McCoy.

If you don’t know the Guatemalan artists Ricardo Arjona and Gaby Moreno this is your chance to catch them both doing a duet arrangement. They are the most famous and popular Guatemalan artists abroad. (more…)

La Antigua Guatemala is very culturally rich and enchanting town; thus it comes as no surprise that La Antigua Guatemala is the premier touristic destination in Central America. Antigua Guatemala has evolved into a cosmopolitan city to accommodate travelers and tourists who choose to spend some time in this 500-year old Spanish Colonial Town embedded between coffee plantations, flower farms and volcanoes in the highlands of Northern Central America.

So far most of the visitors have come from North America and Europe. However, it is quite common to see Asian tourists stroll around town; and when I mean Asians, I mean the entire continent.

In the words of Jeannine who recently commented about Antigua Guatemala:

…it feels sooo good to know that I’ll be back in one of my favorite cities in the world !! ( though for me it’s more like a nice little village actually, cause people are so kind and open, everyone says hello, you can always find strangers to chat with in Parque Central and when you’re there for two weeks, you always seem to meet the same people all over town almost every day. I so love Antigua and reading your blog every day makes the time till the next vacation shorter ;o) !

How about you, do you feel welcome when you’re in La Antigua Guatemala?

It’s your turn to write the caption. The most original caption will win this photo as a post card. Good luck!

Parque Central, as we informally call the Plaza Mayor (Main Plaza), is among the favorite photo session locations in La Antigua Guatemala. Heck, there are a half a dozen photographers who make their living there as shown in Pueblo Chico, Chisme Grande and Photographing the Photographers. Wedding photographers also like to use Parque Central as backdrop for their photo session as shown in Antigua Guatemala as Wedding Destination. Of course, Quinceañera photo shoots are also quite popular in Parque Central.

Normally you could see a couple volcanoes in the background and deep blue skies above the tree canopy. Yes, we demand our gorgeous blue skies and weather back. Do you know where our temperate eternal Spring has gone?

Ephemiredes Aside: On June 30 is observed the Día del Ejército (Army Day holiday) in Guatemala, and on July 1 the Día del empleado bancario (Guatemalan Banker’s holiday); which really all it amounts to is that the banks will be closed for two days. However, new holiday laws that were enacted last year which move holidays that fall in the middle of the week to Monday or Friday so that Guatemalans can have long weekend and perhaps do some traveling within the country. For that reason, INGUAT launched a “Internal Tourism Campaigns” a couple of weeks. In other words, Día del Ejército holiday will be tomorrow. Most banks will be closed on Friday and Monday.

As we have mentioned before, if you’re planning a visit to Guatemala, make sure you pack your sunglasses if you don’t want to be blinded by the rich saturated colors found everywhere in the land of the Eternal Spring. Especially so, if you plan to spend time in La Antigua Guatemala’s Central Park which is the main hub for people watching and a guaranteed spot to enjoy the best of Guatemala.

If you have spent time in Antigua’s main plaza (Parque Central), please, share with us your experiences!

It’s been a while since AntiguaDailyPhoto participates in the Theme day of the City Daily Photo community; since the theme bright colors on August 1, 2010 to be exact. I could not pass up on this month theme though since they have orchestrated to show the favorite part of town from 123 cities around the world.

My favorite part of town is without a doubt the Plaza Mayor, better known as Parque Central as it is evident by simply browsing the Parks category. Most of the entries in the Park category were taken at the Main Plaza of La Antigua Guatemala. I enjoy spending time at the Plaza Mayor, just sitting on a bench watching the world go by or hearing the murmurs of the fountains. Also, I take pleasure in registering all the different colors from the ever blooming flowers and plants found in Parque Central. Furthermore, I can not find a better place to have my shoes shined while having a delicious ice cream from Sarita or Pops.

Since just a few days ago I shared with you an overview of Parque Central after the rain I knew I had to come up with a totally different perspective for my favorite part of town. I believe I have done a good job, if I may say so.

Can you describe what area of the park is shown above and from where was this picture taken?

To see how others in the City Daily Photo community have interpreted today’s theme please click here to view thumbnails for all participants around the globe.

Okay, I guess you guys are right, a little rain in the dry season should not be reason enough to blow the whistle on climate change and the weather manipulations that occur up north. A little rain in the dry season is certainly better than 10 inches of snow.

I figured I ought to share with you a vista from Parque Central 30 minutes after the rain had stopped. Enjoy!

There are several jacaranda trees in Parque Central which make a gorgeous display of purple or violet during February and March when they are in bloom. I will try to get a panoramic shot so you can see the jacaranda trees in bloon at Central Park.

Well, perhaps it is the fact that gorgeous pale violet colors of the jacarandas trees are more obvious in February, just in time for the beginning of the Lent season in which one starts to see doors and windows adorned with purple or violet bands. Purple is the official color of the Lent season; do you know why?

Jacaranda trees can be found all over town as well. I will be in the look out for other jacaranda trees around town. Stay tune!