other colonial cities in Latin America

[roberb7]

I would add Puebla and Querétaro to the places listed above.
I was in Antigua for a week this past August, and am in Pátzcuaro as I'm typing this. I see some similarities between the two places. It's important to understand that Guatemala is a poor country, and you'll see this when you get five km. out of Antigua. As for Quetzaltenango, I like the place, but it could use a coat of paint.
I have high praise for Granada and León in Nicaragua.
And speaking of poor countries... Trinidad, Cuba was a disappointment for me. Santa Clara was a little better, but still not very good. Havana? Well, it is what it is. I'll warn you that Havana Vieja has turned into a major tourist trap.

[DonJuane]

OMG ... mind is a slipping! Puebla is on my happy-list way above Guadalajara and might even win over my personal Morelia rating. Well wait .... in my book pretty much an even match would be these two great cities, Puebla and Morelia. I could probably live in either one for some time without rekindling my wanderlust. Otherwise I'd personally also opt for Puebla over Oaxaca any day, that is if you are just talking about living within the city proper. In Puebla the moles seem more rich and you'll get a descent meal served with those great moles for $7US whereas in Oaxaca you'll be lucky to find a paper plate of tacos for that price. It's hard to beat Oaxaca's market but as long as the buses run, I'd likely stay happy living in Puebla. If you are instead talking about surrounding countryside, then in contrast for me, Oaxaca wins hands down.

Now Trinidad - are you talking TnT? Pretty pricey island time like most of them. But there is Asa Wright in Port of Spain which is great, and there are so many beautiful birds on that island. Of course the carnival although only once a year, it's the best in the world and the entire year each year seems to be spent preparing for it. And it's good for a culture to always have something it is looking forward to. Otherwise like Havana, hot, tired, grumpy and severely overpriced seems to be the word of the day from TnT all the way up the chain and even jumping from the islands to Ambergris. Still I can't disparage TnT too much because it's the land of the Mighty Sparrow, Lord Kitchener and other Calypso greats. There's simply no greater people than Trinidadians. Love their music, their mind set, roti, oxtail stews, rum and ice cold Carrib. A great culture once you get to know it .... and as the song says - Every Trinidadian .... believes in a lime ... from the smallest child to the adult they have no regard for time ..... (you'd have to admire such a philosophy!) And salfish stew is what I like, so dodo you mus give me day and nite ;-)

Still islands for me are pretty much a part of my past life - to me they're something you dream about when you have the corporate ball and chain around the ankle and during that that period all you see is the glitter while somehow you just can't quite face the reality that they have basically nothing to offer after a swim or a SCUBA dive or two. If water still remains a major part of your own life, perhaps the feeling is a different one. The water and sailing used to be my own paradise but one's dreams change as one ages and certainly can end up getting severely bent after spending a few months in the mountains of Mexico and Central America.

[roberb7]

No, I was referring to Trinidad, Cuba.
Another town not previously mentioned is Yuriria. Only two hours south of GTO. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuriria

[Sue100]

Thank you to everyone who responded. These detailed answers are very helpful. I will study them!