Parque Central

Parque Central Review

Surrounded by old colonial buildings, this tree-lined square is the center of Antigua, and one of Latin America's most pleasant central parks. Residents and travelers alike pass quiet afternoons on shady benches listening to the trickling Fuente de las Sirenas ("fountain of the sirens"), conversing with neighbors, and getting their shoes shined under the jacaranda trees. Flowering esquisúchil (borage) trees accent the park; locals refer to them as árboles de Hermano Pedro, the tree of Pedro de San José Betancur, Guatemala's own saint. Legend holds that the flowers have curative powers for all manner of ailments. The park is a Wi-Fi hot spot, but we question the wisdom of taking out your laptop in such a public place.