Central America
Guatemala
El Quiche Department
Chichicastenango
Chichicastenango Attractions
Mercado de Chichicastenango
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Mercado de Chichicastenango

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See all things to do
Mercado de Chichicastenango
4
About
Thursdays and Sundays, this mountain village is transformed into the world's largest handicrafts market, where you'll find pottery, colorful textiles, carved wooden masks, flowers, incense and other Mayan goods for sale.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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The area
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Best nearby
Restaurants
23 within 5 kms
Casa de San Juan
104
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Latin • Guatemalan • Vegetarian Friendly
Atrio K'pe
12
0.2 km$ • Quick Bites • Cafe
Casa Mash
5
0.2 kmGuatemalan • South American
Las Brasas
19
0.1 kmBarbecue
Restaurante Don Pasqual
54
40 m$$ - $$$ • Guatemalan • Central American • Vegetarian Friendly
Restaurante Italiano Los Fratelli
16
0.5 km$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly
Taquería La Carreta
6
0.3 km$ • Mexican
Restaurant of Santo Tomas Hotel
21
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Diner
Restaurante Y Cafeteria Tiox Laj Mash
2
0.2 kmLatin • Cafe • Seafood • Fast food
La Villa de Don Tomas
22
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Guatemalan • South American
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Attractions
5 within 10 kms
Santo Tomas Church
324
66 mChurches & Cathedrals
Moreria Santo Tomas Fabrica De Máscaras
0.1 kmArt Galleries • Natural History Museums
Chichi Cemetery
233
0.4 kmCemeteries
Pascual Abaj
38
0.7 kmHistoric Sites
Casa Tzocoma
1
0.9 kmHistoric Sites
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
625 reviews
Excellent
272
Very good
211
Average
90
Poor
29
Terrible
23
BeautifulFernweh
445 contributions
The place to shop in Guatemala
Jul 2023 • Solo
This market is HUGE
I traveled here January 2017 and was amazed at the vast array of textiles being produced. Beautiful, intricate works of art in the form of bags, shirts, skirts and so much more leave you wanting one of everything.
Written 26 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Wandering Reviewer
Melbourne, Australia9,804 contributions
A very busy market with local vendors
Jun 2023 • Friends
Chichicastenango is a beautiful authentic Mayan town in Guatemala. Tucked away in the mountain village is the well known Chichicastenango market. It is a labyrinth of paths through 100’s and 100’s of stalls selling anything you want.
Open Tuesday’s and Sunday’s from 6am to 6pm.
Of course, there’s a lot of tourist focussed items but there is plenty of produce as well.
Recommended by my guide, the chances of any of the textiles or other wares being made in Guatemala is around 30%. Most items are made in China. That made my heart sink. If you see a woman weaving then yes, that’s probably locally made but ‘buyer beware’.
I was also told not to eat ANYTHING from the market, no matter how enticing it may look.
I love markers but found this one repetitive, claustrophobic and a little dull. Of course, watching the people is always engaging but the locals are shy and either don’t want their photo taken or expect payment for a pic. So I kept my phone away.
Pickpockets are rife and so only carrying my phone and a small purse, I put the purse in my bra which unusually sat snugly against my skin.
The church in the middle of the market has something of a tragic construction. Originally, a Mayan temple with a flat top, the Christian’s came in and built their own church on top of the temple. Today it’s surrounded with stakeholders, the odours of food and parishioners.
Bring local currency, the Guatemalan Quetzals.
If your sense of direction isn’t great, I’d drop a pin on your phone before you enter the maze so you can find your way out.
Enjoy.
Written 9 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VeganMadeEasy
Glen Ellyn, IL1,552 contributions
Huge market
Nov 2022 • Couples
If you can’t find it here… Very busy market where you can buy pretty much everything. In the middle of it you’ll find a the Iglesias de Santo Tomas.
Written 17 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul V
Calgary, Canada301 contributions
Overrated and disappointing
Oct 2022 • Couples
We did a day trip from Antigua to the Chichi market and spent a couple of hours there. Heralded as one of the biggest markets in the area, we had hoped for an interesting experience. Not quite. You are accosted by hundreds of people, all of them trying to sell you something for a good price. Most people target you in at least three languages. Lots of locals with some tourists. Place is packed. You can buy virtually anything here from kitchen supplies to dresses. Very colourful. Quality was ok. We did not find anything to our liking. Souvenirs in most stalls. Fresh vegetables and fruit galore. The poor ducks and chickens were held in cages to be taken home for dinner. Lots of official and unofficial guides offering their services. Overall a disappointing experience but go and see for yourself. Market days are Thursday and Sunday. We had a great frappucino in one of the coffee houses and forgettable nachos with cheese whiz. Police will guide you when you are lost.
Written 28 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shanthi N
San Francisco, CA36 contributions
Nice market, great if you want to get most of your souvenirs in one place
Jul 2022
The market has a good selection but we found that there weren't as many textiles as you would have thought- Nim'Pot's in Antigua is a better bet, with better prices. Still, it's fun to walk around tough if you've been to markets in South East Asia this won't compare in size, though it's said to be the largest in the region. There's a sweet little museum to one side where you can learn about local history, they have clean bathrooms too. The churches are interesting to see, and are used by the Maya for local rituals. You need to be respectful about going in.
Written 18 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abovetheclouds
2,233 contributions
Atmosphere!
Mar 2022 • Solo
The colours, the market and atmosphere! Loved it. Some parts were typical market but most of it was so cool. Quality was good. I bought quite a few things and you can bargain. Safe but as per any market, watch valuables. Huge and it is easy to get lost. Very busy. The blankets and throws are really good quality and warm. I did struggle with luggage however and getting it home!
Written 29 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel Nomad
36 contributions
Mercado Marathon
Jan 2022 • Family
We took a day trip out of Lake Atitlan to Chichicastenango Market. The drive is about an hour. Things to know before you go:
Take cash
Be prepared to say No more than once.
Be aware that the tourism economy has been slow due to the pandemic. People are hurting for money. If you can afford to buy something at a somewhat inflated price, you should.
While walking through the market keep a tight hold of your valuables. Pickpockets are a real thing here.
We walked through the market made our way to the churches and the museum. We took a few minutes to visit them and to take a break from the hustle and hustle of the market. Overall we had a wonderful experience. We bought several beautiful woven shirts, jewelry and knick knacks. Lovely day at the market.
Written 25 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike S
15 contributions
very interesting, intense market in a gritty town
Jul 2021
Amazing experience but not "all fun and charm." As white Americans, we stood out and we were hounded by women and some children trying to desperately to sell us goods for what we knew were inflated prices. At one point there were 5 people around us. We did not resent this - it's part of the experience, and the people are trying to survive, and Coronavirus starved the country of tourist revenue for a year. But it can get a little exhausting. One woman had clearly memorized a successful sales pitch: seven children, no money because of pandemic, and her tapestries were hand-made, and took three months to make - which was patently untrue. My wife did get a beautiful hand-made shirt. We went into the St. Tomas church, not just to take in the architecture, or the mixture of native and catholic religions being practiced out front, but because it was a relief - we sat in the quiet and relaxed from the solicitation. As others have described, the more touristy products, textiles, masks, are closer to the front; at the rear are the animals, and only Guatemalans shopping. Let's say, it's not a celebration of animal rights. Six or seven roosters crammed in a rope bag, pulled out one at a time squawking, and squeezed back in when the customer did not want it. Little piglets and calfs tethered to posts on dry ground in the hot sun. The cemetery was as interesting as other posts say. The bright colors are typical in central America. It was especially interesting (and I say this with a bit of morbid tourist guilt), to see a small funeral or grieving service of some kind, led by a man burning incense, chanting in an indigenous language, then inserting prayers to Santa this and Santa that --- the very definition of syncretic faith. The town was not charming. It was gritty; it felt "real" - aside from the restaurants and some coffee shops catering to tourists. The trip was intense, interesting, tiring, and totally worthwhile. But I wouldn't expect a charming, quaint, colorful market at which you can stroll at your leisure.
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ILostMySandwich
2 contributions
The market that China destroyed.
May 2021 • Family
This is where the the true reality of "globalism" hits you in the face.
Practically all products mass produced in china.
A bloody disgrace.
Written 26 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lee E
Tel Aviv, Israel181 contributions
Vibrant, colorful, fantastic experience
Feb 2021 • Couples
I'm not sure if it's due to the pandemic or if I just have a different perspective of busy chaotic markets, but we absolutely adored this place. Vendors are sweet and not too pushy, they are eager but if you refuse politely and wish them well they leave you alone. The merchandise is abundant and very diverse, prices start a bit higher compared to xela but they are willing to drop quite a bit as you bargain. Huge market spanning quite a few streets, we saw mainly locals shopping here. We loved walking around watching the people and the fabrics. Absolute must!
Written 7 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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MERCADO DE CHICHICASTENANGO: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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