Central America
Guatemala
Guatemala Department
Guatemala City
Things to Do in Guatemala City
Mercado Central
See all things to do

Mercado Central

See all things to do
See all things to do
Mercado Central
4.5
About
For really good deals on Guatemalan handicrafts, especially leather goods, woolen blankets and masks, check out the underground stalls here, where fresh produce is also available.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Mercado Central
See all
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
380 within 3 miles
La cocina de la Señora Pu
84
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Guatemalan • Vegetarian Friendly
El Adobe
119
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Guatemalan • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Roque Rosito Café Gourmet
56
527 ft$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Deli • Vegetarian Friendly
El portal
19
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pub • Guatemalan
Restaurante Los Canelones
13
0.3 miSteakhouse • Barbecue
Proyecto Poporopo
11
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Mediterranean • Spanish
San Martin
52
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Cafe Casa
29
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Cafe del Centro
5
0.1 mi$ • Cafe
Marzano Pizza
3
0.2 mi
See all
Attractions
77 within 6 miles
Catedral Metropolitana
521
485 ftReligious Sites
La Merced
123
0.2 miReligious Sites
Musac
1
0.2 miArt Museums • History Museums
Paseo de la Sexta
37
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Iglesia Santo domingo
34
0.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Cerrito del Carmen
35
0.4 miParks
Museo de Musicos Invisibles
13
0.4 miSpeciality Museums
Casa Mima
11
0.5 miSpeciality Museums • Art Museums
Museo del Ferrocarril
91
0.8 miSpeciality Museums
Rectoría Santuario Nuestra Señora Del Carmen
1
0.5 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
166 reviews
Excellent
88
Very good
48
Average
23
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Sam W
Gaithersburg, MD8 contributions
Short trip to the central Market in Guatemala City
May 2022
Went there on a Sunday morning. Not many people there as lot of Guatemalan are in Church. Did not spend a lot of time there and did not eat there. The place is a bit shady but in general it is safe. We did ask around prior to getting there. However, we bought so many things so we had to give up spending more time there but to take an Uber back to hotel.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AlexandraKDG
Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico28 contributions
Best artesanías in Guatemala
Sep 2012 • Friends
This market is filled with the local crafts and art that make Guatemala so special. It is a must see when visiting Guatemala. It has the best quality and the best prices of any other market I went to in the entire country.
Written October 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tg0mide
Westbury, NY17 contributions
Great place for shoping
Apr 2017
Right behind the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Mercado Central is a must. You can get lost in it. Wonderful crafts to delight your eyes and a great place to shop. Prices are incredible, but never pay what the sellers are asking for. Bargain, bargain and bargain. Things are much cheaper than Antigua. If you don't intend to shop, do not skip it. It is a wonderful experience!
Written May 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
El L
Washington DC, DC2 contributions
Dangerous nearby
Feb 2015 • Family
The market itself is large and a great learning experience for guatemalteco shopping and food preparation. You get a great feel for how locals shop at the market -- interesting dishes being prepared. However, we were there on a Sunday morning and about 1 block away were robbed -- necklace snatched. Kind of set the tone for an unpleasant experience. There are many other good opportunities for shopping for traditional Guatemalan handicrafts -- Antigua, Panajachel. This place is just not secure enough and without a better security presence in the future I would avoid it.
Written March 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Grousedoctor
Plattsburgh, NY574 contributions
A Good Market, But Just Like So Many Others
Aug 2013
The Mercado Central is just a block off the main square in Guatemala City in Zona Uno. If you're already downtown, it's worth stopping into. The underground market is full of both craft sellers as well as stalls of everyday or special items locals might be looking for. Prices are typically better here for crafts than one finds for similar items in Antigua. The food comedores are about as clean looking as any I have seen around the country. They would be an excellent choice for lunch or a snack. From where we got off the city bus, we walked down the main pedestrian street to the central plaza. Shops, government buildings and eateries line the street taking you into the main square. Once there, one can view the cathedral. A large outdoor book fair was going on as we passed through. The market can be found just behind the cathedral. However, as cities go, Guate City is probably not on most people's itineraries when they visit the country. I did not see many tour operators in Antigua advertising tours of or shuttles to the city. It's not really all that attractive and it's a bit difficult to get around using local buses unless you are there with someone who knows the system. As pleasant as the market is, you can find exactly the same things in Antigua. When you consider the time and energy it takes to find your way there, you would have been better off to have shopped locally and had a nice lunch outside the city. The city can be dangerous, so exercise caution when visiting there.
Written August 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Iyanie C
Harrisburg, PA26 contributions
Amazing Taste of Guatemala
Oct 2018 • Solo
I adored Mercado Central! So many foods, crafts, and gifts to see. It took me hours to walk around to see everything.

Many of the vendors i found were willing to haggle. If something seems a bit overpriced go with your gut. Also odds are, if a vendor isnt willing to lower the price, there are 10 other vendors selling the same product.

Make sure to go downstairs in the food area! I had delicious tortillas; 3 different meats for 15 quetzals ($2). I also bought some homemade sweet treats.

Everyone was friendly and i felt safe the whole time, and i was alone. I walked outside as well to take pictures of the cathedral.
Written October 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Luis F
Guatemala City, Guatemala129 contributions
Full of experiences
Jul 2016 • Friends
I visit the "Mercado Central" for multiple purposes; but no matter why I go, I always visit "Doña Mela" in the second floor. The place to go if you want to experience real Guatemalan popular dishes at the market, real Guatemalan warm character. I love their "tortitas de yuca" and their "buche" and other popular delicacies. After that, go and see around, shop for fruits and vegetables, for textiles and handicrafts, let yourself go in the aisles and enjoy Guatemalan friendliness.
Written July 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gottfried Z
Bremen, Germany133 contributions
Good Choice of Authentic Handicrafts
Feb 2015 • Solo
At the end of a two month trip through Central America I thought I had to go to Chichicastenango again to find the presents to bring back to friends and family but I could not do it on a marketday. So I went to the Central Market in Guatemala City instead. I was very surprised about the great range of authentic Guatemalan textiles, ceramics, leather and other goods and about their good quality. This was not the cheap, massproduced stuff for tourists but beautifully crafted articles in a great variety. After I had gone to the Central Market in Nicaragua with high expectations due to the favourable comments in my travel guidebook and was very disappointed there, I was so glad to be able to find all the gifts I wanted in a very good quality at very reasonable prices in this market. The market is to be found just behind the cathedral. Do not be irritated not to find a big building - the whole market is underground.
Written March 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robert S
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL817 contributions
Mercado Típico
Nov 2019 • Friends
Massive size with multiple levels! While I did not buy anything (don’t need more stuff at my age); however, I loved the vibrant action & local beauty. I saw virtually exclusively locals—which is the point: a real market. Delighted to visit this landmark!
El baño is interesting (sense of humor noted)
Written November 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marco P
Los Angeles, CA40 contributions
Average experience, better go to Antigua
May 2018 • Solo
As you can see at the picture, the market is under ground and behind that is the Cathedral.

So you can go a hang around, but don’t expect to have a blast like restaurants or so, I saw two Mc Donald’s *Yucky, in the plaza just behind the Market you will see some local informal business that sell street food... I have Titanium stomach so is ok for me, but I didn’t dare.

So back to the point they do not accept Credit Card just cash and since I looked like a foreign guy, they get the prices up. So be smart and check your exchange rate in order to avoid any tricky price.

Some of the shops were closed, too much of the same, nothing fun or interest here. Go and check you might like to see for your own and avoid someone like me to tell you what yes or not to do ; )
Written May 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 67
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Mercado Central (Guatemala City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Mercado Central
We recommend booking Mercado Central tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 14 Mercado Central tours on Tripadvisor
According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Mercado Central: See all Mercado Central experiences on Tripadvisor
Restaurants near Mercado Central: View all restaurants near Mercado Central on Tripadvisor