Central America
Guatemala
El Quiche Department
Chichicastenango
Things to Do in Chichicastenango
Mercado de Chichicastenango
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Mercado de Chichicastenango

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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.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
23 within 3 miles
Casa de San Juan
104
481 ft$$ - $$$ • Latin • Guatemalan • Vegetarian Friendly
Atrio K'pe
12
512 ft$ • Quick Bites • Cafe
Casa Mash
5
0.2 miGuatemalan • South American
Las Brasas
18
387 ftBarbecue
Restaurante Don Pasqual
54
131 ft$$ - $$$ • Guatemalan • Central American • Vegetarian Friendly
Restaurante Italiano Los Fratelli
16
0.3 mi$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly
Taquería La Carreta
6
0.2 mi$ • Mexican
Restaurant of Santo Tomas Hotel
21
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Diner
Restaurante Y Cafeteria Tiox Laj Mash
2
0.1 miLatin • Cafe • Seafood • Fast Food
La Villa de Don Tomas
22
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Guatemalan • South American
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Attractions
5 within 6 miles
Santo Tomas Church
324
217 ftChurches & Cathedrals
Moreria Santo Tomas Fabrica De Máscaras
433 ftArt Galleries • Natural History Museums
Chichi Cemetery
233
0.2 miCemeteries
Pascual Abaj
38
0.4 miHistoric Sites
Casa Tzocoma
1
0.5 miHistoric 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
maritimeexplorer
Nova Scotia, Canada3,964 contributions
Best Market in Central America
Feb 2020
It is the largest market in Central America and is a tourist attraction, but most definitely not a tourist market. The population of Chichicastenango and surrounding area is overwhelmingly K'iche' Mayan and the products offered for sale are almost all primarily for the locals. The market spreads over a number of blocks and includes indoor and outdoor elements. It appears to be at the highest point in the town with the result that everything needs to be hauled up here, much of it by human foot power. I am amazed at the size of the loads that the people, mostly women, are carrying on their backs.

There are many aspects to the market including poultry, limestone for making tortillas, textiles, flowers, vegetables, musical instruments, pottery, hot food - you name it. You will feel like a giant in this land of the smallest people on Earth.

The best thing is just to look at the photos and hope to get there someday.
Written May 4, 2020
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 September 18, 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.
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 February 7, 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.
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 March 29, 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.
Jessica O
Morganton, NC1 contribution
Loved the deals......
Loved the Sunday Market, great place to gey great gifts CHEAP....Dont let them fool you with the first price they give....play around a little offer a low price and say "Take it or leave it" they will say "No" but when you begin to walk away, they will say "Okay take it", it is so fun, barganing with the town people. But of course when you can afford to give alittle more, go for it, they need it more than you do.
Written June 27, 2004
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.
Lizmats
Miami, FL45 contributions
Chichi, not worth the trip
Jul 2014 • Couples
My husband and I visited Guatemala and had a wonderful time. We heard about the Chichi market and wanted to go, because of the reviews. Guatemala is full of markets and we heard this was like no other. Not so, and actually, others were so much better and cleaner. Chichi was overcrowded, had the same items from any local market in places like Solola, Antigua, Panajachel and I'm sure all over. The women and children would follow you for a block or two begging you to buy their stuff. It was overwhelming. If you just want to buy gifts, you can find the stuff at any other market. Save yourself a trip. But go to Guatemala. It's an amazing country!
Written July 12, 2014
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.
Diana R
Mexico City, Mexico19 contributions
Enjoy the colors, learn from the people, get inspired by the smells, buy a master piece
Jul 2017 • Couples
Before I went, I read a lot of opinions of this market. Many said that there are cheaper places to buy souvenirs, but I am afraid, those opinions are from preople who din't get the escence of the maket. Three things are really important to know: 1. It is a historical place. The Popol Vuh, the sacred book of mayas was transcripted in the convent. You can breath the heart of historic and present mayas there. 2. Be cautivated by the misticism inside the church: smell the copal, listen to the harmony of the prayers, even if you are not a religious person, feel the powerful sensation of being able to communicate with god. 3. Do not buy souvenirs, BUY A PIECE OF ART. If you are looking for souvenirs (cheap trinkets), Chichi is not the place, but if you appreciate the labor of textiles, take your time, watch careful, let the women teach you the difference among each huipil. Touch them and fall in love with the colors, the figures, the silkness of some of them, and buy a master piece. They are not cheap, but they are unique. You might not wear it, but niether you wear your mask from Ethiopia. Finally, and above all, enjoy. Do not hunt for sales, just enjoy.
Written August 9, 2017
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.
Rose244
Wellington, New Zealand90 contributions
A disappointment
Sep 2012 • Couples
I am interested in textiles, and my day at the Chichicastenango market was going to be the highlight of my trip to Guatemala. Instead it was a disappointment. If it had been truly a village market I could have accepted the squalor, but now that it has become more of a tourist market it wasn't much fun to be standing in mud etc. while being constantly hassled to buy the same goods available everywhere else in the country. I did manage to buy a few interesting textiles from the less tourist-orientated area of the market. But like other reviewers I wouldn't recommend visiting Chichi just to see the market, and certainly not spending a night there beforehand (although our accommodation was good) because seeing the market being set up wasn't worth it.

We spent a Saturday night there so we would be up early to see the market being set up. It wasn't worth it; a day trip would have been enough of an experience.
Written September 10, 2012
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.
Paula D
Poynette, Wisconsin, USA55 contributions
Not for everyone
May 2019 • Friends
Visitors will either love or hate this market. I went here on a Thursday, and it was very busy. We had a guide helping us for a tip, and I don’t know if I would get a guide again. Even though it is suggested that you only need to give them a small tip after shopping, they do seem to lead you to their “friends” based on what you tell them you want. They are not helpful at negotiating (you still have to do that), and they are not helpful at keeping vendors from following you. A girl with magnets followed me to the bus from the market, and this is from the beginning of the market to the end. They will tell you that you have a business deal no matter what you say to them. Don’t ever say “maybe later” because they don’t hear the “maybe”, only the “later” part. I would not buy jade jewelry here, because even though I was brought to a “real” jade stand, you can find better jade elsewhere. I did buy a purse (embroidered with leather). I paid $45 but I probably could have bought it for less. After I met up with my friend, she bought a similar one for $25. I was told mine was priced higher because it was fully embroidered. Another person paid $70 for a purse, but it looked like my $25 one. Also the woman who paid $70 looked like she had money (expensive jewelry and clothes) so it might be best to keep your nice jewelry and outfits at home. It was fun and I would do it again, but be careful of robbers. I wore my backpack in the front & I heard stories about people being pickpocketed the day I went. I know this is long but one last thing... despite all the craziness of this market, it is worth it. My $8 wallet find was $52 at the airport, my $45 purse was $200, and even though someone else might get a better or worse deal, you will have fun.
Written May 27, 2019
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.
7469moog
Coquitlam, Canada155 contributions
Over-rated
Feb 2013 • Friends
Not sure why this place gets so much attention. It is an over- crowded mass of locals and tourists that take over several blocks of narrow mazes of make-shift/permanent stalls. The various crafts & textiles sold here can be found elsewhere in Guatemala for comparable prices. Don't worry if this stop doesn't fit into your itinerary as you haven't missed much.
Written March 7, 2013
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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