Guatemala Markets

Amongst the many and varied reasons to visit this fascinating country, Guatemala’s lively and colourful indigenous markets are undoubtedly one of its biggest draws.

What follows are just the key market highlights of Guatemala, all to be found amongst the mountainous Highland region in the south of the country.

Chichicastenango

Where is it – Approx 80 minutes north of Lake Atitlan
When to visit – Every Thursday & Sunday

Undoubtedly the best known market in Guatemala, Chichicastenango (often abbreviated to just Chichi) takes place every Thursday & Sunday. Still an authentic and thriving market for the local K’iche Maya community, this is also the best market in Guatemala for overseas visitors to pick up a wide variety of traditional crafts.

Easily visited on a day trip from Lake Atitlan, Chichicastenango also works well as a stop enroute between any two of Antigua, Lake Atitlan & Quetzaltenango, although early morning visits are recommended. Unlike all our other featured Guatemala markets, Chichicastenango also boasts on site accommodation that allow more time to soak up the atmosphere of market day.

Solola Market

Where is it – Lake Atitlan
When to visit – Tuesday & especially Friday

Perched above Lake Atitlan, Solola Market is smaller but slightly more authentic than the far more famous market at Chichicastenango. It is primarily attended by the local Maya Kaqchikel community and is notable for the high proportion of both men and women wearing traditional dress.

Market days are Tuesday and, more so, Friday, with a wide variety of local produce on sale including fruit, vegetables and flowers plus local textiles and woven goods.

Due to its location, Solola Market can easily be visited from any of our Lake Atitlan hotels.

San Juan Comalapa Market

Where is it – Between Antigua & Lake Atitlan
When to visit – Tuesday & Friday

Relatively few visitors make it to this bustling little town, home to one of the most authentic markets in Guatemala. Aside from the usual fruit, vegetables and day-to-day goods, San Juan Comalapa market is famous for its naif paintings (primitive folk art), traditionally produced only by men from the local Kaqchikel Maya community and found dotted around studios in town.

Due to its location, a visit to San Comalapa is normally arranged enroute between Antigua & Lake Atitlan and can easily be combined with a visit to the nearby Maya site of Iximche. If you’re feeling peckish, the town is also home to a number of panaderias that bake traditional biscuits enjoyed right across Guatemala.

San Juan Sacatepequez Market

Where is it – Approx 90 minutes north west of Guatemala City
When to visit – Daily, best on Friday & Sunday

Despite its relative proximity to the capital, few visitors make it to the San Juan Sacatepequez market which, in addition to all the normal produce one finds in a traditional Maya market, is famous for its abundance of flowers on sale. While the market is open on a daily basis, the best days to visit are on Friday & Sunday.

Close to the market are the Maya ruins of Mixco Viejo, making for varied sightseeing enroute from Guatemala City to Antigua or vice verse.

San Francisco El Alto Market

Where is it – Approx 45 minutes north east of Quetzaltenango
When to visit – Friday

The San Francisco El Alto Market in Totonicapán is Guatemala’s largest, most vibrant and authentic traditional market. Friday is the main market day with the local Maya K’iche community coming together to sell everything from fruit and vegetables to livestock to pots and pans. This is no tourist orientated market so don’t visit expecting to pick up curios or crafts.

Located a short drive from Quetzaltenango, a visit to the San Francisco El Alto market is best undertaken first thing in the morning as part of a day tour of the surrounding area.

Almolonga Market

Where is it – Approx 30 minutes south east of Quetzaltenango
When to visit – Daily, best on Wednesday & Saturday

Just a short drive from Quetzaltenango, Almolonga Market is known as the ‘Vegetable Garden of America’ and is famous not just for the variety of fresh vegetables on offer but also for their vast size, testament it is said to the rich volcanic soil of the region.

While the market is open daily, the best days to visit are Wednesday & Saturday, especially the former. After visiting the market in the morning, we suggest continuing to the nearby, picturesque village of Zunil and from there on to the Fuentes Georginas Hot Springs.

San Juan Cotzal Market

Where is it – In the Ixil Triangle, near Nebaj
When to visit– Wednesday & Saturday

Nestled high within the Ixil Triangle, and surrounded by the Cuchumatanes mountains, the San Juan Cotzal market is by far the most remote of the Guatemala markets featured here and therefore the most scarcely visited. The market at San Juan is particularly noted for its traditional Ixil textiles, with women’s huipiles and cortes adding vivid splash of colour to the bustling market scene.

Due to its isolation, San Juan Cotzal is not somewhere one stumbles upon or visits on a day trip from a tourist centre. For an example of how to include the Ixil Triangle as part of an overall holiday, please check out our Complete Guatemala itinerary.

A Guatemala Markets itinerary? Sure, why not, if markets are your thing then we can certainly put together a tailor made itinerary that includes all of the aforementioned destinations.