LATIN AMERICA COLONIAL CITIES DESTINATIONS
Bottle-green rainforests, burning-orange volcanoes, black-sand beaches, bright-blue lagoons – Central America is a riot of colour, and it’s not just the landscapes that look like they’ve been splattered with a paintbrush. Its colonial-era towns and cities have the same effect, with rainbow-hued mansions, churches and palaces telling of the region’s wealthy history, when the Spanish crown spared no expense in building these lavish hubs of power. Today these structures
remain to varying degrees, from barely-there remnants to fully preserved buildings, but even the crumbling, blackened ruins hold their own, eerie charm. Here are some of the most enchanting spots across the region.
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ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA Nowhere is the colourful architecture more striking than in Antigua, once
the Spanish capital of Central America. Grand monasteries, wealthy palaces and lavish baroque churches characterised its streets in the colonial era, until several were destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. Many of these buildings have
since been renovated, and today their palatial facades sit beside the crumbling ruins, set between the cloud-capped, active volcanoes that surround the city (and can be climbed by hardy adventurers). “The ruined churches are
really beautiful to admire,” says
Rolf Stanley, Latin America destination manager for Tucan Travel. “And you can pick up beautiful handmade crafts at the markets.” Key spots on the sightseeing
front include the Arch of Santa Catalina – a bright-yellow stone structure built in the 17th century that squats above the streets – and La Merced Church, one of the best-preserved churches in the city, carved with ornate, baroque patterns in postcard- pretty lemon and white. Book it: Sunvil’s 10-night Highlights of Guatemala tour, featuring Antigua, starts at £2,779, including flights from Heathrow, B&B accommodation, private transfers, tours and internal flights.
sunvil.co.uk
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LEON, NICARAGUA Antigua isn’t the only colonial city whose once- magnificent foundations
have been struck by a natural disaster. Leon, founded in 1524 and once the colonial capital of Nicaragua, saw much of its grandeur tainted in a volcanic eruption in 1610. But not all of it was destroyed. Today it’s a laid-back, pastel- splashed university town filled with restored colonial churches that feels pleasingly far from the tourist trail – and significantly less visited than the larger Granada – with excellent food, buzzing nightlife and a fascinating history. The town was at the centre of the country’s revolution in 1979,
when then-dictator Anastasio Somoza was overthrown, meaning monuments dedicated to the country’s revolutionaries scatter the streets, alongside striking street-art murals that tell of its artsy, intellectual heritage. For those keen to learn more about its liberal leanings, suggest visiting the Museo Histórico de la Revolución, where former revolutionaries guide you round, recounting their experiences, in a historic colonial building. Beyond that, key attractions
in the town include the Mercado Central – where exotic-looking fruits and vegetables spill out from bustling stalls – and the Unesco-listed Leon Cathedral, the biggest in Central America, complete with a roof that can be climbed for sweeping panoramas. Book it: Explore spends two nights in Leon on its 16-day Central American Highlights tour, priced from £1,775 including some meals, transport and accommodation.
explore.co.uk
NAHUIZALCO, EL SALVADOR El Salvador is a hub for outdoor adventurers with surf-friendly beaches, smoking volcanoes and lush-green coffee plantations, but it’s just as rich on the cultural front, with a string of flower-filled colonial towns populating its landscapes. Among its most charming is Nahuizalco, the first stop on the Ruta de las Flores, which connects the country’s most picturesque towns and villages.
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The town boasts one of the
biggest indigenous populations in the country, making it a hotspot for those wanting to learn more about local culture, with various handicraft markets showcasing its rich woodcraft and wicker heritage. “It’s especially famous for its night market,” says Carolina Briones, general manager of the Central America Tourism Agency. “The streets are lit only by candlelight, with artisanal craft products fashioned from wicker, wood and cotton available to purchase.” Beyond the market, there’s a
smattering of remaining colonial sites, including the white-washed, stone-built Iglesia de San Juan de Bautista, a restored church originally constructed in 1660. Outside the city, you’ll find several scenic waterfalls that add appeal for outdoorsy types. Book it: Journey Latin America offers a private 11-day Signature El Salvador Revolutionary Road Trip visiting Nahuizalco from £1,830, including local guides, transport, accommodation, some meals and excursions.
journeylatinamerica.co.uk
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OAXACA CITY, MEXICO Over in Mexico, there’s a plethora of pretty colonial towns and
cities, but for one of the most enchanting, look to Oaxaca, says Rafe Stone, product manager for Journey Latin America. “Latin America is abundant in sleepy colonial cities, but
25 April 2019
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