Make the Most of the Handicrafts Market at Chichicastenango

Twice a week, the highland town of Chichicastenango in Guatemala comes alive as the handicrafts market gets underway, drawing people from all over the country.

Every Thursday and Sunday, artisans and traders from far and wide descend on “Chichi” to sell their wares. It makes for a colorful sight, with myriad stalls in the main market square and others spilling out along arterial roads. In fact it’s not uncommon to see small stalls all over town, with a huge variety of souvenirs including wooden masks, small figures, textiles, placemats and clothes.

Stay the night before the market in Chichi for the best experience, rising early to see the market come to life. If you’ve got limited time on your itinerary, daytrips are available from Guatemala City, Antigua and Lake Atitlan, with tour companies offering transport to and from the market.

Regardless of how you arrive, be sure to start in the middle and work your way out to the edges, listening as the prices of goods get substantially cheaper. Once you’ve checked the available options, head back to your stall of choice. As a general rule of thumb you will pay less the further you are from the main square, sometimes as little as a third of the original price.

If the sights, smells and sounds become overwhelming, take a short break at Los Cofrades restaurant, where you can observe the market from the balcony as you consider your next move. Be particularly careful when buying anything reportedly an antique; there are some wonderful old pieces for sale but many are just made to look old.

Last of all, remember no matter if you pay more for something than you later find it at a different stall, the difference to your pocket is probably far less important to your bank balance than it is to the seller.