In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Sights of Antigua, Guatemala

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Loaded up with our gear

Antigua Guatemala is about two and one half hours travel distance from Panajachel. Many people go for a day trip, but we thought we would take a few days and go to the "big city" and hang out before leaving on our big trip to Vietnam.

Ready to roll, saying good bye to friends

We paid our hotel bill, packed up everything we are carrying with us and headed down the alleyway to catch our taxi. Friends gave us cinnamon muffins for the road and walked us to our private driver who was waiting for us at the corner.

Distinctive looking Antigua natives

An uneventful but pleasant ride to the city, we arrive in Antigua to gorgeous weather and decide to unpack our bags and then take a walk around town.

Antigua is known for its friendly natives, the cultural events available and its international flavor.

Coffee houses are everywhere in Antigua

Guatemalan coffee is some of the best in the world and we decided to stop into a cafe and have a capuccino. The cost was 15Quetzales, not quite $2USD.

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This place also offered wines by the glass, pastries to die for, hot tea and fresh fruit smoothies.

Lots of places for a brew too!

One has their pick of bars and bar/restaurants in town also. We loved this kitschy poster reminiscent of another time.

Catching a little marimba band music on the plaza

If you are ever looking for something to do, the action is at the plaza. Today, there was a marimba band which gathered a crowd.

The plaza is always the place to go

What could be better? We had perfect weather for people watching on the plaza. The old time fountain and centuries old church make for a perfect background.

Children playing in the fountain water

Children everywhere love playing in the water and this brother and sister were having a grand time playing in the fountain.

Jacaranda trees in bloom, cobblestone streets

The colonial setting of Antigua is enhanced by the beauty of the plaza park with its jacaranda trees in bloom and its sculptured shrubbery and trees. Ancient cobblestone streets are everywhere in the city of Antigua.

This man has made a career of shining shoes

We saw this man shine the shoes of this woman for a full 15 minutes. He took his time and also polished each strap, the sides and backs of her shoes.

Archways and walkways surround the central plaza

It's a grand plaza with the old archways and pillars that surround it. Horses used to be tethered to these posts while their riders took care of business inside. Horse drawn carriages still roam the streets.

A man selling fresh orange juice

On the side streets away from the plaza vendors sell fresh fruit juice from stands such as this one.

Motorcycles lines up on the street

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Modern day life makes its presence known through cars and motorbikes traveling through town.

Tuk tuks and minivan taxis

Other modes of transport include the three wheeled tuk tuk and the minivan taxi. As you can see, the cobblestones run throughout the town. Antigua is an engaging blend of both the Colonial and the new worlds.

For more stories, photos and information about Antigua, click here

For more stories and photos of Guatemala, click here

About the Authors

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

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