Love
At First Sight
The Historical City
Of Antigua, Guatemala ~ by Brian Wilson
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at first sight is the comment most often heard from those who pass through
the historical city of Antigua, Guatemala, in the country of the “Eternal
Spring”.
Countless people
from all corners of the world have made the decision that “Antigua is the
place to be”, and I for one, made that decision over 13 years ago without
a single regret.
Nestled in
the Panchoy valley, and surrounded by 2 long extinct and one active volcano,
the views are breathtaking any time of the day and night.
During the
Spanish conquest, Antigua was the one of the 3 seats of power in the new
Americas, but due to several earthquakes, it was abandoned in favor of
what we now know as Guatemala City, just 45 Kms away.
For many years,
Antigua lingered as a forgotten past, but in the early 60’s it was rediscovered
and has now become the Mecca of Guatemala.
Antigua was
granted Heritage status several years ago, and with the help of the local
citizens and the Municipality of Antigua, laws were passed to maintain
it’s original look and feel. |
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The city revolves
around the Central Plaza, complete with a park setting, fountain, relaxing
park benches and shade trees. Surrounding the plaza you will find the Cathedral,
the Palace of the Capitan’s Generals, the original Government offices,
and of course the commercial area that serviced the original community.
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Fanning
out from the Central Park, you will find everything from palatial estates
to original ruins and structures that are still intact, dating back to
the early 1500’s.
Famous for
it’s churches, Antigua has over 50 that are either operating or under restoration
or preservation.
The city is
famous for its cobblestone streets, and facades painted in bright hues
of red, blue, yellows, and a variety of Colonial colors.
During the
weekend, horse drawn carriages ply the streets with newly weds and tourists
alike.
If the word
“photo op” is in your vocabulary, this is certainly the most picturesque
city in Central America.
Are the locals
friendly? They certainly are! A friendly smile and a courteous “Buenos
Dias” greet you wherever you go. |
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As Guatemala
has the distinct honor to be the home of the Maya, you will see color and
unique dress in every corner of the city. Women with baskets on their head
and children in tow make their way to the central market place where fresh
vegetables and fruits of all description can be found everyday of the week.
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question we are always asked, is it safe?
Our best answer
is, how safe is LA, NY, Chicago, Miami etc.
As in any city,
there is petty crime. As a rule, it is not a problem for those that live
or visit Antigua. Be conservative, don’t flash cash, and leave the Rolex
at home. Common sense prevails.
Socially, there
is live theatre, and if you like to act, the opportunity is available.
Antigua hosts several world class festivals a year. Anything from Jazz
to Opera and a little Shakespeare thrown in for good measure.
Night life
is either slow paced or fast action, depending on your mood. You can choose
from the elegant dining room of the Panza Verde, that without question
would rival any high class restaurant in the world, or visit the Point
& Feather Pub for a wee bit of feasting and frivolity in the somewhat
English tradition. (bring your darts) |
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Getting to
and from is no problem. Guatemala is serviced by several major US and European
airlines with daily flights originating from Houston, LA, Miami. Madrid
etc.
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Since
Antigua was “rediscovered”, property has become a premium commodity in
the center, which is called the “casco”.
If and when
an original restored Colonial property becomes available in the central
area, you may expect to see active purchasers lining up for an opportunity
to buy a small piece of history.
For most people,
Guatemala is considered a “third world” country. In certain aspects, that
is quite true. With that original thought in mind, it’s hard to believe
that homes for sale are sometimes in excess of $5,000,000.00 US dollars
(Current exchange rate for the local currency “Quetzal” is trading at 8
to the US dollar). Obviously, we are talking about the exception and not
the rule.
A beautiful
Colonial style home on a reasonable lot size in a gated community, can
be purchased from the low $100’s to $200,000.00.
Property taxes
very seldom exceed $200.00 a year, and maintenance fees for gated communities
run anywhere from $30.00 to $75.00 a month.
If building
is your choice, and there are certainly well qualified architects and craftsmen,
the price of quality construction is running around $40.00 to $50.00 a
square foot. |
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Generally,
from start to finish, you would be looking at a year to 14 months to completion.
If renting
is your choice, many homes can be rented from as little as $400.00 a month
to $3000.00.
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If
Guatemala seems to be a possibility, we suggest that you contact Casa Nova
Real Estate at www.casanovarealestate.net
and check out their web site. |
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