Mercado de Artesanias
Mercado de Artesanias
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
106 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
47
Average
19
Poor
3
Terrible
1
hsbvim
Dublin, OH1,144 contributions
Feb 2020
We liked this artisan market, because it is well laid out (i.e., easy to make sure you see all market booths), clean and open to the fresh air. There seems to be a larger variety of merchandise available than what is found in some of the other markets in Antigua.
However, if you don't want to overpay for the merchandise, then you must haggle on the price. If you hate haggling, then this would not be a good place for you to shop.
However, if you don't want to overpay for the merchandise, then you must haggle on the price. If you hate haggling, then this would not be a good place for you to shop.
Written February 17, 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.
Chapingros
Guatemala City, Guatemala247 contributions
Jul 2012 • Business
I really like this craft market. Generally, venders are polite and avoid being pushy. They will greet you as you walk by their shop and invite you to look, but they will not hound you as some venders do in other parts of the world. There are a variety of products available. Expect to pay a small fee to use the restroom. You'll need to ask a vender to locate the staff person with the key. There is an ATM machine on site. You can find a small place to purchase soft drinks or coffee, but to date there is not a restaurant. Expect to negotiate with every vender. Its part of the fun. Be polite and have fun. You'll get better prices from venders who like you. Its best to purchase with the local currency (Quatzales) but most venders will take US dollars. If you use dollars you'll need clean, unmarked, un-torn bills. Avoid $1 because venders have a difficult exchanging them at the bank. There is another market next door outside the area of the Artisan Market. You should probably avoid going deep inside that area alone.
Written April 23, 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.
Venture23839425572
New York City, NY1 contribution
Nov 2018 • Friends
The Mercado de Artesanias is an interesting market to visit. It is, as previous reviewers have noted, clean and geared more towards tourists. Every now and then, shopkeepers speak some English. The multicolored striped blankets, musical instruments, and other items can be found elsewhere, including Guatemala City, etc. This is not a market for you if you are not willing to bargain. Opening prices will be seriously inflated. See if you can go for 50% - 70% of the opening price! I recommend walking around and asking for offers before returning to a store or two that piques your interest to do serious bargaining.
Written November 6, 2018
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.
Maider M
Escazu, Costa Rica62 contributions
I never tend to miss the market, so this time I was even more excited because I had heard the low prices of the handcrafts in Guatemala.
The rumor was right, it was confirmed the minute we stepped into the market, checked some colorful wooden masks and asked the price. We bought 12 of them to decorate the walls with a unique concept and al of them for 120USD. We even bought an oil huge painting taller than me (5,4) with Guatemalan women taking flowers.
We loved it, specially the price!
The rumor was right, it was confirmed the minute we stepped into the market, checked some colorful wooden masks and asked the price. We bought 12 of them to decorate the walls with a unique concept and al of them for 120USD. We even bought an oil huge painting taller than me (5,4) with Guatemalan women taking flowers.
We loved it, specially the price!
Written August 15, 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.
adam m
San Diego, CA320 contributions
Jun 2014 • Solo
This is a tourist trap. No other way to put it. Yes, it's nicer than the larger-- non-touristy-- market next door. But anything you can find in the Mercado de Artesanias you can find there for less money. That said, I did buy a couple small things, only after they started at 3 to 4 times what I could have gotten it for at the market down to a better price.
The big upside is that most of the vendors speak english. So then there's that.
The big upside is that most of the vendors speak english. So then there's that.
Written June 28, 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.
Olivia W
Toongabbie, Australia101 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
Lots of variety, however some stuff does tend to be repeated from stall to stall. Bartering is expected - as others have advised, a good way to start is to offer half of what they offer. Compared to some places, the bartering is a pretty relaxed affair. We brought many beautiful bright blankets here. Definitely a good stop for souvenirs.
Written April 26, 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.
Ndidi A
New York City, NY73 contributions
Aug 2012 • Solo
I thought this was a nice little market for souvenir shopping. It's definitely geared towards tourists and sells the usual tourist goodies -- t-shirts, key chains, toys, native cloth, jewelry, chocolates, coffee, etc. It gets a little bit repetitive after a while, but since the market is pretty self-contained, it's easy to walk through and get comparative prices for things. That said, things were more expensive here than ChiChi Market and I felt that there was a little less room for bargaining prices down. But it was otherwise a pretty good time.
It's a bit of a labyrinth but the great thing is that it's quasi indoors -- it's almost entirely covered which becomes important when you're shopping during the rainy season. Also, there are some really nice hidden gems. I saw a great painting that was a bit too big for my apartment. I asked the young man there if he had it in a smaller size and he actually offered to replicate the painting for me in a smaller size. He'd actually done the paintings himself. It was nice not to be buying mass produced tourist junk. I was able to come pick it up in two days, freshly prepared (if still a bit wet). Wonderful.
This is not as authentic a market experience as the ChiChi Market (Chichicastenango), but still great for picking up some souvenirs for friends and family.
It's a bit of a labyrinth but the great thing is that it's quasi indoors -- it's almost entirely covered which becomes important when you're shopping during the rainy season. Also, there are some really nice hidden gems. I saw a great painting that was a bit too big for my apartment. I asked the young man there if he had it in a smaller size and he actually offered to replicate the painting for me in a smaller size. He'd actually done the paintings himself. It was nice not to be buying mass produced tourist junk. I was able to come pick it up in two days, freshly prepared (if still a bit wet). Wonderful.
This is not as authentic a market experience as the ChiChi Market (Chichicastenango), but still great for picking up some souvenirs for friends and family.
Written November 7, 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.
DLEdwards412
Salisbury, NC129 contributions
Oct 2019
Great market to visit, especially if you like haggling. Tons of options and offerings, you're sure to find something for yourself or someone else.
Written October 15, 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.
Colcor5
Atlanta, GA78 contributions
Mar 2015
Great way to spend and hour or two (or three.) Lots of textiles and masks mixed in with the usual souvenirs. I found a lot of great things here, including wristlets and purses made from Guatemalan textiles and some pretty silver jewelry.
Written January 11, 2016
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.
Marianne_joy
Upland, CA64 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
The mercado has easily more than 50 shops with local vendors selling all kinds of tipicas, which are Guatemalan fabrics, souvenirs of all kinds, etc. Bargaining is expected, and something to be enjoyed. While I ALWAYS visit this mercado when in Antigua, please note that you should watch your purse/ wallet/ valuables. My friends, even locals, have had the bottom of their purses slit with razor blades so the contents, like their wallets, will fall out as they walk, unaware. They didn't even realize this happened!
But this can occur anywhere in tourist areas, so don't let it scare you off from this mercado, which is nicely built, has several lovely fountains and courtyards, and a great opportunity to great wonderful things at really good prices. I often head toward the back, because I think the folks in the front snag more deals, and I may have more bargaining power with those who don't see as many faces.
I wear a cross-body bag and keep it on the front of my body, with a hand on it or nearby. Of course I only carry my passport in a special holder around my waist, under my clothing-- never in my purse or pocket. And the big cash, and credit cards go in the passport holder as well; small amounts of quetzales in the purse or in my front pockets work well.
I was even able to use a credit card on this visit, since I encountered some amazing things I simply could not pass up, and did not have the cash (in quetzales) to pay.
If you see something close to what you are looking for, but would like a different size or color, ask! They are happy to go on a search with friends who are fellow vendors to meet your needs or desires.
This is a really fun place, and I highly recommend it. Just be a smart traveler, and enjoy!
But this can occur anywhere in tourist areas, so don't let it scare you off from this mercado, which is nicely built, has several lovely fountains and courtyards, and a great opportunity to great wonderful things at really good prices. I often head toward the back, because I think the folks in the front snag more deals, and I may have more bargaining power with those who don't see as many faces.
I wear a cross-body bag and keep it on the front of my body, with a hand on it or nearby. Of course I only carry my passport in a special holder around my waist, under my clothing-- never in my purse or pocket. And the big cash, and credit cards go in the passport holder as well; small amounts of quetzales in the purse or in my front pockets work well.
I was even able to use a credit card on this visit, since I encountered some amazing things I simply could not pass up, and did not have the cash (in quetzales) to pay.
If you see something close to what you are looking for, but would like a different size or color, ask! They are happy to go on a search with friends who are fellow vendors to meet your needs or desires.
This is a really fun place, and I highly recommend it. Just be a smart traveler, and enjoy!
Written November 20, 2015
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.
Ten-shock
Toronto, Canada
What time does it close? Google says open 24hours. Is this true?
Written December 21, 2018
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